Constantinople to Cappadocia & Pamukkale

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.