Istanbul Antalya Cappadocia Journey

Upon 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 your leisure to begin exploring Istanbul at your own pace. Overnight stay 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 explore the Sultanahmet Imperial Mosque, commonly known as the Blue Mosque for its striking 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 visit Asil Efendi, a lively market offering a range of spices, traditional Turkish sweets, coffee, souvenirs and more 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. The cruise offers dinner with unlimited local drinks, alongside entertainment including belly dancing, Turkish folklore performances and a DJ, all while cruising the strait that links Europe and Asia. The evening concludes with transfer back to your hotel.

After breakfast, we embark on a traditional Bosphorus boat cruise, sailing along the waterway that separates Europe and Asia. The shoreline is dotted with historic wooden villas, marble palaces, fortresses and quaint fishing villages. From the boat, we admire key landmarks including Dolmabahce Palace, the imperial parks and pavilions of Yildiz Palace, and the impressive marble façade of Ciragan Palace. We pass Ortakoy, a unique area where a church, mosque and synagogue have coexisted for centuries, symbolising tolerance. We also see Rumeli Fortress, built in 1452 by Mehmet the Conqueror to control the Bosphorus, renowned as a masterpiece of military architecture. Our route continues past Beylerbeyi Palace, the summer residence of Ottoman sultans, preserved with original furnishings and gardens on Istanbul’s Asian side. We pause for lunch at a Turkish restaurant before visiting the Grand Spice Bazaar, where you can browse a variety of local foods, spices and souvenirs. After the tour, we transfer to Istanbul Airport for your domestic flight to Antalya (flight not included). Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel, where dinner will be served. Overnight in Antalya.

After breakfast, we explore Antalya’s old town, Kaleiçi, beginning with the marina, Clock Tower, Hadrian’s Gate and the Broken Minaret. Kaleiçi is a compact historic quarter that reflects Antalya’s layered past—from its Roman origins through Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman periods. Hadrian’s Gate, also known as The Three Gates, is a triumphal arch built to honour the Roman emperor Hadrian. Nearby is the Broken Minaret of the Korkut Mosque, originally a Roman temple from the 2nd century AD, which explains why it never had a minaret. We also visit Hidirlik Tower, a distinctive tawny stone structure where Kaleiçi meets Karaalioglu Park. Believed to date from the Hellenistic era and later modified in the 2nd century AD, it may have served as a fortification or lighthouse. After lunch, we head to Düden Waterfalls, where several streams from the Taurus Mountains cascade into the Mediterranean, creating a series of picturesque falls. Following the tour, return to the hotel for some free time. Dinner will be served at the hotel.

After an early breakfast, we set off for Konya, pausing en route for a coffee break before continuing our journey. Upon arrival, we visit the striking green-tiled Mausoleum of Mevlana, the revered founder of the Sufi order known as the Whirling Dervishes. Following the tour, we drive on to Cappadocia, where you will check in to your hotel and enjoy dinner. In the evening, you may choose to join an optional Turkish Night Show, held in authentic cave settings. This lively event features traditional Anatolian cuisine, unlimited local drinks, belly dancing, folk performances, a DJ, and warm hospitality, offering a vibrant insight into Ottoman-era traditions.

After breakfast, we collect you from the hotel and drive to Ozkonak Underground City, one of Cappadocia’s best-preserved subterranean settlements. Next, we visit the Göreme Open Air Museum, the region’s cultural heart, renowned for its 10th-century frescoes depicting the life of Jesus Christ and monastic scenes. We then explore Çavuşin, an abandoned village known for its old cave houses once inhabited by Greek residents. Lunch is served at a restaurant in Avanos, followed by a visit to a pottery workshop where you can observe traditional pottery-making techniques. In the afternoon, we visit Love Valley, noted for its striking natural rock formations, and then Devrent Valley, also called Imagination Valley, where the rocks resemble various animals. Our final stop is the Three Beauties—three iconic fairy chimneys with distinctive caps that symbolise Cappadocia. We return to the hotel for dinner. There is an optional hot air balloon tour available, which begins early at 5:30 am. This experience offers a sunrise flight over the unique landscape, concluding with a champagne celebration and flight certificate. Please confirm availability with your guide the day before. Overnight in Cappadocia.

After breakfast, enjoy some free time in Cappadocia to explore at your own pace. Later, transfer to Kayseri Airport for your domestic flight to Istanbul (flight not included). Upon arrival, you will connect with your onward journey home. We hope you found the tour memorable and look forward to welcoming you on future trips.