Best of Turkey: Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus and beyond

Welcome to Istanbul, Turkey

Welcome to Istanbul, Turkey. Upon arrival, meet with your driver and transfer privately to your hotel. Spend the day at leisure to relax in this astonishing city after your overseas flight.

Istanbul is a historic and fascinating city built on two continents divided by the Bosphorus Strait and is the largest and most populous city in Turkey. Istanbul is also Turkey's most significant cultural and financial center that offers an unforgettable experience for its travelers with its colorful daily city life and dynamic nightlife.

Istanbul - Visit the highlight of this fantastic city

After breakfast, you will be picked up for your privately-guided tour of the Old City. You will see landmarks of different civilizations that flourished in Istanbul, including the Hagia Sophia Church with its Byzantine mosaics, the Blue Mosque famous for its interior tiles, the Byzantine Hippodrome where horses and chariots raced once upon a time, the Topkapi Palace, the residence of the Ottoman Sultans for centuries, and the Grand Bazaar with its more than 4,000 shops. You will enjoy lunch during the tour. Overnight at the hotel.

Ankara - Mausoleum of Ataturk then to Cappadocia

After breakfast and check out, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Ankara, where your private driver and guide will meet you. You will visit the Anatolian Civilization Museum in the Citadel, where archaeological pieces dating as far back as the Prehistoric Age are exhibited, and the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic lies. After lunch in Ankara, you will depart for Cappadocia. Dinner is at your hotel in Cappadocia.

Cappadocia - Explore the Underground City of Kaymakli, the Goreme Open Air Museum & the Pasabag Valley

After breakfast, you will start exploring Cappadocia at the natural citadel of Uchisar, viewing its famous lunar-like panorama of unusual formations. Then, you will visit the Underground City of Kaymakli, built in the 7th century by Christians fleeing from persecution, in which a visitor can descend several floor levels. After lunch, continue to visit the Goreme Open Air Museum and its rock churches with Byzantine frescoes, some unbelievably well-preserved, and the Pasabag Valley with so-called “fairy chimneys.” Your last stop will be Avanos Village, famous for its pottery and handicrafts. After an active day, wind down with dinner and stay overnight at the hotel.

Pamukkale - Visit Rumi's Tomb & Shrine in Konya en-route

Today, you leave Cappadocia and continue to Pamukkale with your driver & guide. On the way, you will have a short stop to see and take photos by the Salt Lake and then drive to Konya to visit the Tomb and Shrine of Rumi, the 13th-century scholar, philosopher, and best-selling poet of today who founded an order of mystics of the Sufi sect of Islam. The denomination is famous worldwide for its 'whirling dervish' rituals. Enjoy lunch en-route to Pamukkale. Upon arriving in Pamukkale in the evening, end the day with dinner at your hotel.

Kusadasi - Visit the Antique Cities of Hierapolis and Aphrodisias

After breakfast at your hotel, you will drive to Hierapolis and visit the antique city’s Roman and early Christian remains with the most prominent “Necropolis” in Asia Minor and Pamukkale’s world-famous natural thermal pools. Then you will continue to Aphrodisias, where you will relax with lunch before visiting the antique city. Aphrodisias, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a remarkably preserved Roman-period city dedicated to Aphrodite. After the visit, continue to Kusadasi for dinner and overnight at your hotel.

Kusadasi - Ephesus, the Temple of Artemis, and the House of the Virgin Mary

After breakfast, the day's tour starts with an iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ephesus. Ephesus is one of the largest and most impressive ancient cities globally, visited by millions of people each year. It was the second most important city of the Roman Empire of its time. The ruins, including the Library of Celsus, which once housed 12,000 scrolls, the largest ancient amphitheater in Asia Minor, the Odeon, temples, houses, baths, and aqueducts are so well-preserved that the visitors can easily visualize the life in ancient Ephesus. Then, continue to visit the Temple of Artemis. The last visit of the day is to the House of the Virgin Mary, where she is believed to have spent her last days. Many Christians and Muslims consider the place sacred and visit it to pray and drink the waters, which supposedly have healing properties. The tour concludes with lunch before returning to Kusadasi.

Canakkale - Discover antique cities of Pergamum and Troy

After breakfast, you will depart for Pergamum. Enjoy lunch and explore the ruins of Pergamum antique city, visiting the Asclepium Sanctuary and the Acropolis with magnificent views. Then, continue to visit Troy, where the famous Trojan War took place, and learn about its history from your guide. The day ends with dinner at the hotel.

Istanbul - Visit Gallipoli & It's Famous World War I Battlefields

After breakfast, you depart for Istanbul. Once you cross the Dardanelles Strait by ferry, you will arrive at Gallipoli to visit the famous World War I frontline battlefields and its war memorials. After the visit, you will enjoy lunch on the way before arriving in Istanbul and checking into your hotel.

Istanbul - Enjoy the Bosphorus Cruise

After breakfast, your morning starts with a cruise along the Bosphorus. The cruise is an enjoyable way to see the beauty of Istanbul from an entirely different perspective. Then explore the Asian side of Istanbul and taste delicious Turkish cuisine for lunch at a restaurant with beautiful views of the Bosphorus before returning to your hotel.

Departure to the airport

Time to bid farewell to Turkey after a memorable journey. You will be taken to the airport by private transfer for your flight back home.