Day 1: Istanbul
Upon arrival in Istanbul, you will be warmly welcomed at the airport. Enjoy a comfortable transfer to your hotel, where you will be checked in and shown to your room. Dinner will be served at the hotel (a cold dinner will be provided for arrivals after 9:00 pm), followed by an overnight stay. (D)
Day 2: Istanbul
Begin the day with breakfast at the hotel before departing for the historic peninsula. Visit the Hippodrome, once the site of ancient chariot races, as well as the Obelisks and the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (the Blue Mosque), famous for its stunning 17th-century blue Iznik tiles. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Afterward, you’ll have free time to independently explore the Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern, both iconic examples of Byzantine architecture (optional, for a fee). Next, visit the Topkapi Palace, including the Harem section and the Church of Hagia Irene. Once the residence of Ottoman sultans for nearly four centuries, this palace showcases the grandeur of the Ottoman Empire. Return to the hotel in the evening for dinner and an overnight stay. (B - L - D)
Day 3: Istanbul
After breakfast at the hotel, cross the Golden Horn, Istanbul's historic Byzantine and Ottoman port. Begin the day with a visit to the ancient Byzantine neighbourhoods of Balat and Fener, renowned for their charm and as popular filming locations. Here, you'll also see the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, often compared to St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Continue to the Grand Bazaar, the world's largest covered market, filled with shops selling everything from jewellery to textiles. You’ll also have the option to take a scenic Bosphorus Cruise, offering spectacular views of both the Asian and European sides of Istanbul (optional, for a fee). Enjoy lunch at a restaurant near the Galata Bridge, where you can watch the bustling ferries and fishermen selling their catch to nearby restaurants. After lunch, visit the Rustem Pasha Mosque, designed by the famous architect Sinan, in 1560 for Rustem Pasha, the son-in-law of Suleiman the Magnificent. The mosque showcases Ottoman architectural mastery and exquisite ceramic art, inspired by Sofia Bellucci Baffo, mother-in-law to Suleiman's son. Conclude the day with a stroll through the Spice Market (also known as the Egyptian Bazaar), an extension of the Grand Bazaar, where stalls brim with spices, coffee, sweets, and fruit. Return to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay. (B - L - D)
Day 4: Istanbul / Ankara / Cappadocia (737 Km)
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before departing for Ankara, the capital of Türkiye, via the Eurasia Bridge, renowned for its scenic views. After arrival to Ankara, have lunch at a local restaurant. Begin your exploration with a visit to the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations (also known as the Hittite Museum), where artifacts are displayed in chronological order, allowing visitors to trace the progression of Anatolian civilizations from prehistoric times through the Roman era. Stop for photos at the Mausoleum of Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic. Continue the journey to Cappadocia, with a brief stop at the picturesque Salt Lake. Upon arrival in Cappadocia, check into your hotel, enjoy dinner, and settle in for an overnight stay. (B - L - D)
Day 5: Cappadocia
Start the day with an optional hot air balloon ride at dawn, offering a breathtaking view of Cappadocia’s unique landscape, subject to availability; the excursion may be postponed if the weather is unfavorable (optional, for a fee). After breakfast at the hotel, head out to explore Devrent Valley (also known as Pigeon Valley or Avcilar Valley), known for its dramatic rock formations and peaks shaped by centuries of erosion. Continue to the Goreme Open Air Museum, famed for its remarkable "fairy chimneys"—tall, thin rock formations with an enchanting, storybook quality. Visit a local carpet cooperative to learn about traditional carpet-making techniques before enjoying lunch at a local restaurant. Next, explore the exterior of Uchisar Citadel, which is carved into a natural tuff rock cone, and one of Cappadocia’s fascinating underground cities (such as Ozkonak, Saratli, or Mazi). You’ll also visit a workshop specializing in precious stones, gold, and silver craftsmanship. Return to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay. In the evening, you’ll have the option to attend a traditional folklore night featuring a belly dance performance (optional, for a fee). (B - L - D)
Day 6: Cappadocia / Pamukkale (627 Km)
Start your day with the option to join a Jeep Safari excursion, a thrilling way to experience Cappadocia’s stunning landscapes, valleys, and unique rock formations, with stops for photographs and views of the iconic hot air balloons (optional, for a fee). After breakfast at the hotel, depart for Pamukkale, stopping en route at the Sultanhani Caravanserai (or Agzikarahan or Alayhan), now a museum. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before visiting the ancient city of Hierapolis, which was rebuilt after the 17 AD earthquake. Continue to Pamukkale, known for its dazzling white terraces and natural pools created by millennia of flowing limestone-rich waters. The name "Pamukkale" means "cotton fortress," and the formations resemble petrified waterfalls frozen in time. Arrive at your hotel and check in. You’ll also have the opportunity to enjoy the hotel’s thermal pool. Following dinner, you may attend a Whirling Dervish show (optional, for a fee). Overnight stay at the hotel. (B - L - D)
Day 7: Pamukkale / Izmir (284 Km)
After breakfast at the hotel, visit the ancient city of Ephesus, where you will explore the Temple of Hadrian, the Library of Celsus, the Great Theater, and the Ephesus Experience Museum. Make a stop at a local leather goods shop for a chance to shop for unique products. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. Afterward, continue to Izmir, Turkey’s third-largest city, known for being one of the most beautiful cities after Istanbul. You will have some free time to explore the city center. Transfer to your hotel for check-in. Dinner will be served at the hotel, followed by an overnight stay. (B-L-D)
Day 8: Izmir / Pergamon / Canakkale (325 Km)
Begin with breakfast at the hotel, then depart for Pergamon, one of the most significant ancient cities in Asia Minor. Explore the Acropolis, located on a hill overlooking the modern city, where you’ll find the remnants of the once-renowned library, the ancient theater with stunning panoramic views, the Temples of Dionysus, and the monumental Altar of Zeus—an extraordinary masterpiece of Hellenistic art. Continue with a visit to the Asclepion, an ancient healing center dedicated to Aesculapius, the god of health. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit a cooperative known for its exquisite, hand-painted ceramics. Next, explore the legendary city of Troy, with its fascinating ruins that bring Homer’s tales to life. Arrive at your hotel in Canakkale, check in, and enjoy dinner and an overnight stay. (B - L - D)
Day 9: Canakkale / Istanbul (340 Km)
After breakfast at the hotel, depart for Istanbul, crossing the scenic Dardanelles Strait. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to your hotel in Istanbul, where you’ll check in and settle into your room. The afternoon is free for you to explore or relax at your leisure. Dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel. (B - L - D)
Day 10: Istanbul/Departure And Journey Home
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for your return flight. (B)
