Save time as you fly between Turkey's main destinations on this 8-day group tour. From Istanbul, discover the fairytale landscapes of Cappadocia, the legendary Graeco-Roman city of Ephesus and the white cotton castles of Pamukkale, before ending back in the city once known as Constantinople.
Trip Highlights
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Istanbul
Welcome to Turkey. On arrival in Istanbul, you will be collected and transferred to the hotel. The rest of the evening is at leisure.
Please note: This tour is conducted in English. However, dependent on the mix of the group, touring may also be bilingual, in one additional language as well as English.
Overnight: Istanbul
Exploring Istanbul
On today's guided sightseeing of Istanbul, begin with a leisurely walk along Sogukcesme Street, lined with traditional wooden houses that stand as landmarks of Ottoman architecture. Arrive at Topkapi Palace, the largest and oldest of the existing palaces where Ottoman Sultans once resided. Explore its gardens, kitchens, treasury, and terraces, which offer stunning views of the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn.
Pause for a photo at the Fountain of Sultan Ahmed III, then visit the Hagia Sophia, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture dating back to the 6th century. After lunch, visit the Blue Mosque, adorned with over 20,000 Iznik tiles. Continue to the Roman Hippodrome, once the site of chariot races. Discover Anatolian handicrafts and shop in the winding corridors of the Grand Bazaar.
Overnight: Istanbul | Breakfast, Lunch
Bosphorus Cruise & Cappadocia
Istanbul - Cappadocia. Our sightseeing continues with a stroll along the Golden Horn, the estuary that separates the European side of Istanbul. Enjoy some free time in the Egyptian Bazaar, a vibrant market filled with aromas and bustling activity, where the streets exude the essence of the East. Next, we embark on a boat trip along the Bosphorus, the waterway linking the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara. During the journey, you will have the opportunity to admire the stunning European and Asian coastlines of Istanbul, featuring palaces, fortresses, and charming wooden residences.
In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the airport for your included flight to Cappadocia. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Please note: The Bosphorus excursion concludes at Taksim Square and Sultanahmet Square, there is no transfer back to the hotel.
Overnight: Cappadocia | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Exploring Cappadocia
Enjoy an optional morning hot air balloon flight to take in the stunning lunar-like scenery of Cappadocia from above, gliding over the Fairy Chimneys, orchards, and vineyards.
Later, we embark on a full day of exploration in Cappadocia. Visit the frescoed interiors of Göreme's cave churches, which date back to the 8th century. Take a walk through Avcılar, Paşabağı, and the Red Valley of Devrent, where we can admire the chimney-like volcanic formations, with a brief photo stop at Uçhisar. We are spending a second night in Cappadocia.
Overnight: Cappadocia | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Fly to Izmir
Cappadocia - Izmir - Kusadasi. This morning, after breakfast and hotel check out, you will be transferred to the airport for your included flight to Izmir. From here, you'll be transferred to the hotel in Kusadasi, and the rest of the day is at leisure.
Overnight: Kusadasi | Breakfast
Ephesus Day Trip
Today we visit the legendary ancient city of Ephesus. Explore the ancient city by strolling down its 2,000-year-old marble streets, visiting renowned landmarks like the theatre and the Celsus Library. In the afternoon, tour the House of the Virgin Mary and make a photo stop near the Temple of Artemis, where just one column marks the location of what was once one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Spend a second night at the hotel in Kusadasi.
Overnight: Kusadasi | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Kusadasi to Pamukkale
Kusadasi - Pamukkale. Leaving Kusadasi, we drive to Pamukkale, famously known as the 'cotton castle'. Here, we can admire the immense white limestone terraces cascading down the barren hillside. After lunch, we explore the Roman spa town of Hierapolis, where we can find the beautifully preserved Necropolis, the main Street and Gates, the thermal Baths, the Devil’s Hole, and the Masterpiece Theatre. The final night of the tour is spent in Pamukkale.
Overnight: Pamukkale | Breakfast
Istanbul
Pamukkale - Istanbul. After breakfast, you will be transferred to Denizli Airport for an included domestic flight to Istanbul. Our tour ends on arrival back in Istanbul, you can either head to your connecting flight or continue your travels in Turkey independently.
Breakfast
Prices & Dates
All departure dates are guaranteed to operate when there are 2 persons booked on the tour. 'Twin/Double' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to solo travellers and anyone wanting the privacy of their own room.
Hotels
The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.
Hotel Yigitalp, Istanbul
Hotel Yigitalp Istanbul is a 4-star hotel located in the Fatih district, within walking distance of the Grand Bazaar, Suleymaniye Mosque, and other historic landmarks. The hotel features a spa with a traditional Turkish bath, sauna, steam room, and massage services. Dining options include an on-site restaurant serving Turkish and international cuisine, as well as a rooftop bar offering panoramic city views. Additional amenities include free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour reception, and a TV lounge. The hotel is conveniently situated near public transportation, with tram and metro stations just a few minutes' walk away.
Dinler Hotel, Cappadocia
The Dinler Hotel is conveniently located in Urgup, at the heart of Turkey's spectacular Cappadocia region. This large hotel offers comfortable guest rooms, with wonderful views of Urgup or the historic Kayakapi neighbourhood. Each of the rooms is equipped with an en suite bathroom and modern amenities including LCD satellite TV, free WiFi and 24-hour room service. Dinler Hotel has a choice of five bars, a patisserie in the lobby and two restaurants. After a busy day of sightseeing, head back to the hotel for a refreshing swim in the outdoor pool or a sauna and Turkish bath at the fitness centre.
Marina Hotel, Kusadasi
Situated opposite the marina and within walking distance of shops, bars, and restaurants in Kusadasi, this hotel offers rooms with 24-hour room service, premium bedding, laptop-friendly workspaces, air conditioning, a minibar, and an LCD TV with satellite channels. Guests can enjoy the on-site Marina Restaurant serving Turkish and international cuisine, along with facilities including an outdoor pool, a terrace with panoramic sea views, a fitness centre, an internet corner, a children’s play area, a local shop, a sauna, and free in-room Wi-Fi.
Tripolis Hotel, Pamukkale
Set 6 km from Hierapolis and 13 km from the ancient city of Laodicea, this relaxed spa hotel offers warmly decorated rooms with balconies, satellite TV, minibars, and tea and coffee-making facilities, plus room service. Facilities include a casual restaurant, a cosy lounge with a fireplace and snacks, a spa with a hammam and sauna, and indoor and outdoor pools. You can also enjoy golf, tennis, a games room, boutique shopping, and a nightclub. The hotel also offers wellness facilities, including a fitness centre with treadmills, weight machines, and free weights, as well as a sauna, massage services, spa treatments, and an on-site hairdresser.