Istanbul to Cappadocia & Ephesus (4 Star) - 10 days

Welcome to Istanbul, upon arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to the hotel. You will have the rest of the day at leisure to relax or explore at your own pace.

Tour Style: On this tour you will enjoy sightseeing at all included sights with expert local guides, and all of your travel arrangements are included. You will travel without a tour guide between destinations.

Today after breakfast, we will be met by our local guide in the lobby of the hotel at 9 AM. Our Istanbul city tour begins at the Topkapi Palace, where we explore the opulent courts and treasures of the Ottoman sultans. Next, we visit the magnificent Hagia Sophia, a stunning blend of Byzantine and Islamic architecture.

Afterwards, you’ll have free time for lunch to enjoy local specialties at your leisure. We then admire the breathtaking Blue Mosque, famous for its intricate blue tiles, and walk through the historic Hippodrome, once the center of Byzantine entertainment.

Our tour ends at the lively Grand Bazaar, where we wander through its maze of stalls, soaking in the sights, scents, and sounds of Istanbul’s vibrant marketplace.

Today, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a day at leisure to explore Istanbul at your own pace. You might choose to wander through the vibrant streets of Istiklal Avenue, visit the Dolmabahçe Palace, or relax.

You will have the opportunity to join an optional Bosphorus cruise. You will be met in the hotel lobby at 09:00 for a half-day city tour, beginning with a visit to the Spice Market, where you can experience the vibrant colors and aromas of Turkish spices, sweets, and teas. Next, you will embark on a scenic Bosphorus Cruise by boat, offering breathtaking views of Istanbul’s iconic landmarks along the strait that separates Europe and Asia. After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel, and the rest of the day is free for you to explore the city at your own pace.

Istanbul - Cappadocia. This morning, we will be picked up from our hotel and transferred to the airport in Istanbul for our flight to Cappadocia, where we will enjoy a full day tour of the region. Upon arrival, we will start our tour at the Goreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its ancient rock-cut churches and stunning frescoes. Next, we’ll visit Devrent Imagination Valley, where the unique rock formations resemble animals and other shapes, followed by Pasabag Monks Valley, famous for its fairy chimneys and rich monastic history.

After a delightful lunch at a local restaurant, we will head to Avanos, a charming town known for its pottery and handicrafts. Our tour will conclude with a visit to Goreme Panorama, where we can enjoy panoramic views of the surreal landscape. We will then transfer to our cave hotel for the next two days, which is hewn into the rock face, with many of the guest rooms located in unique caves.

After breakfast, we will be met in the lobby of our hotel at 09:30 AM by our guide, who will take us on a full day exploring Cappadocia’s underground cities. Our first stop will be Rose Valley, known for its stunning pink-hued rock formations and scenic hiking trails. Then, we’ll continue to Pigeon Valley, famous for its pigeon houses carved into the cliffs. Next, we’ll visit either Derinkuyu or Kaymakli Underground City, where we’ll explore the ancient subterranean dwellings used by locals to escape invasions.

After lunch at a local restaurant, we will head to Ortahisar Village, a charming settlement with a striking castle carved into the rocks, before making our way to Avanos Valley, known for its pottery and beautiful landscapes. After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Cappadocia - Antalya. This morning, we will be picked up from our hotel, making our way to the airport for our onward flight to Antalya. Once we have arrived we will be transferred to the hotel, where the rest of the day is at leisure for you to relax or explore Antalya at your leisure.

Today is yours to explore and enjoy Antalya at your leisure, or you can join the optional Antalya Old Town & Waterfalls tour. If choosing this option, your tour guide will meet you in the hotel lobby for a full-day city tour. The tour begins with a cable car ride up to Tunektepe, where you can take in stunning views of the pine forests and the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. You’ll then visit the Duden Waterfalls, explore the charming Old Town, and see historical landmarks such as Hadrian’s Gate and the Clock Tower. After the tour, you’ll be transferred back to the hotel.

Antalya - Pamukkale - Hierapolis - Kusadasi. After breakfast, we will be met by our tour guide in the hotel lobby at 7:00 AM, and we will drive to Pamukkale, which is approximately a 3-hour journey. Upon arrival, we will enjoy a full-day excursion, including visits to the Pamukkale Travertines, the ancient site of Hierapolis, and a local restaurant for lunch. We will also have the opportunity to experience the hot thermal pools. After the tour, we will drive to Kusadasi, another 3-hour journey, and then we will be transferred to our hotel for an overnight stay in Kusadasi.

Kusadasi - Ephesus - Kusadasi. Today, our tour guide will meet us in the hotel lobby at 9 AM, and we will embark on a full-day city tour. We will visit the Ephesus Ruins, including the Fountains of Trajan, Polio, the Temples of Hadrian and Domitian, the Library of Celsus, the Bouleuterion, and the Great Theatre. After a delightful lunch at a local restaurant, we will visit the House of the Virgin Mary. After the tour, we will be transferred back to our hotel in Kusadasi.

Kusadasi - Izmir - Istanbul. This morning, after breakfast we will be picked up from our hotel in Kusadasi, making our way to the airport in Izmir for our onward flight to Istanbul. Our tour ends on arrival back in Istanbul. You can make your way to your next terminal for your onward flight back home.