Istanbul Kusadasi Pamukkale Journey

On arrival at Istanbul Airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. After check-in, you have the rest of the day at leisure to begin exploring Istanbul at your own pace. Overnight in Istanbul.

After breakfast, we begin the Istanbul City Tour with a visit to the Hippodrome, once the centre of chariot races and home to three notable monuments: the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column, and the Column of Constantine. Next, we visit the Sultanahmet Imperial Mosque, commonly known as the Blue Mosque for its stunning interior adorned with blue Iznik tiles. Opposite the mosque stands the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, originally the Church of Divine Wisdom and a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture. For over a thousand years, it was the world’s largest church, famed for its 6th-century golden mosaics. After lunch, we take you to Asil Efendi, a lively shopping area offering a variety of spices, traditional sweets, Turkish coffee, souvenirs and more, all at reasonable prices. Following the tour, we return to your hotel. This evening, you may choose to join an optional dinner cruise on the Bosphorus from 19:30 to 23:30. Enjoy dinner with unlimited local drinks, accompanied by belly dancing, Turkish folklore performances and a DJ, as you cruise between Europe and Asia. The evening concludes with transfer back to your hotel around midnight. Overnight in Istanbul.

After breakfast, we collect you from your hotel to begin a traditional Bosphorus cruise, sailing along the waterway that divides Europe and Asia. From the boat, you will see a variety of historic sites including the elegant Dolmabahce Palace, the parks and imperial pavilions of Yildiz Palace, and the impressive marble façade of Ciragan Palace. Passing through Ortakoy, you will observe a unique symbol of coexistence where a church, mosque and synagogue stand side by side. The cruise continues past Rumeli Fortress, a remarkable example of military architecture built in 1452 to control the Bosphorus, and Beylerbeyi Palace, the summer residence of Ottoman sultans, complete with original furnishings and gardens on the Asian shore. We pause for lunch at a Turkish restaurant before visiting the Grand Spice Bazaar, where you can browse a wide selection of local foods, spices and souvenirs. After the tour, we transfer you to Istanbul Airport for your domestic flight to Izmir (flight not included). Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel in Kusadasi, where dinner will be served. Overnight in Kusadasi.

After breakfast, we collect you from the hotel for a fully guided tour of Ephesus, one of the world’s best-preserved ancient sites. En route, we visit the Temple of Artemis, Curetes Street, the Roman Baths, Celsus Library and the Grand Theatre. Following lunch, we visit a carpet weaving centre where one of Turkey’s oldest crafts is still practised. Next, we continue to the village of Sirince, known for its traditional Anatolian Greek architecture with whitewashed houses set on a hillside. Sirince is also famous for its fruit wines; here, you will tour the vineyards and learn about the winemaking process from local producers. Later, you will have the chance to test your knowledge of fruit wine production. On the return journey, we stop at a well-known leather workshop where you can shop at factory prices. This guided tour offers a relaxed shopping experience without the usual market pressure, allowing you to appreciate the skill of local artisans. We return to the hotel for dinner and overnight in Kusadasi.

After breakfast, we set off for a full-day tour to Pamukkale. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before exploring the striking calcium terraces known as the ‘Cotton Castle’ and the ancient ruins of Hierapolis. We will walk around this remarkable natural site, and you have the option to relax in the warm waters of the natural springs. After the tour, we return to the hotel for dinner. For those seeking an extra thrill, there is an optional tandem paragliding experience over Pamukkale’s famous white terraces, offering spectacular aerial views of the area’s unique landscape. This activity concludes around 17:30, allowing you to return to the hotel in good time. Overnight in Kusadasi.

After breakfast, we transfer to Izmir Airport for your domestic flight to Istanbul (flight not included). Upon arrival, you will make your onward journey home. We hope you have enjoyed your tour and look forward to welcoming you on another trip in the future.