Turkey Highlights Exploration

Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport, you will be met by your driver and transferred to your hotel. After check-in, the rest of the day is yours to explore the city at your own pace. Overnight in Istanbul.

After breakfast, meet your guide to begin a full-day tour of Istanbul’s historic heart. Explore Hagia Sophia, once the largest building in the world after the Egyptian Pyramids and the Great Wall of China, which served as the city’s religious centre during the Byzantine era. Next, visit Topkapi Palace, the former imperial residence and administrative hub of the Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years. Continue to the Hippodrome, built in 203 AD by Roman Emperor Septimius Severus, which was the city’s social and sporting centre, capable of holding up to 100,000 spectators. Then, see the Blue Mosque, constructed in 1616 by Sultan Ahmet I, renowned for its six minarets and impressive dome. Finish the tour at the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s largest covered markets, boasting over 4,000 shops and 18 entrances. After the tour, transfer to the airport for your flight to Kayseri. Upon arrival, your driver will take you to your hotel in Cappadocia for overnight.

After breakfast, meet your guide for a full-day tour of the region’s iconic Fairy Chimneys. Begin at the Göreme Open-Air Museum, home to numerous rock-cut churches from the late 9th century, adorned with vivid frescoes. Next, visit Devrent Valley, known for its unusual rock formations resembling animals, creating a natural sculpture park. Continue to Paşabağı, also called Monks Valley, where the hermitage of Simeon monks once stood. Afterwards, drive to Avanos for a traditional Turkish lunch followed by a pottery-making session with local artisans. Then, take in the sweeping views at Göreme Panorama, offering one of the best vantage points over the fairy chimneys. Finally, visit Uçhisar Castle, the highest natural rock fortress in the area, providing stunning panoramic views before returning to your hotel for check-in. Overnight in Cappadocia.

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and meet your guide to begin a full-day tour. Explore Rose Valley, known for its striking pink-hued ridges. Then drive to Çavuşin, a village nestled by Red Valley, where homes are carved into large rock formations and notable for its rock churches. Next, visit Pigeon Valley, named for the numerous man-made dovecotes carved into the soft volcanic tuff—this is one of the best walking areas in Cappadocia. Continue to the Underground Cities, once a refuge for up to 15,000 early Christians. These extensive subterranean settlements, used until the late 7th century AD, include ancient bedrooms, churches, meeting halls and food storage rooms spread across eight levels connected by 30 kilometres of tunnels. The tour concludes in Ortahisar, a charming town known for its welcoming locals, stone houses, narrow streets, churches and a prominent rock castle. After the tour, transfer to Kayseri Airport for your domestic flight to Izmir. Upon arrival, your driver will take you to your hotel in Kuşadası for your overnight stay.

After breakfast, meet your guide for a full-day tour to Pamukkale, often called the Pools of Heaven on Earth. This site has long been renowned for its hot springs, believed to possess healing properties, making it one of the earliest known spa destinations. The striking terraces have formed over time from warm spring water rich in calcium bicarbonate, flowing at around 35°C. Pamukkale is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, celebrated for its natural beauty and historical significance. You will also visit the ancient city of Hierapolis, home to Anatolia’s largest necropolis with some 1,200 gravestones. A highlight here is the Sacred Pool, where thermal waters gently ripple over submerged Roman ruins. After the tour, we will return to your hotel in Kuşadası for the evening.

After breakfast, meet your guide for a full-day tour of Ancient Ephesus. Begin with a visit to the House of the Virgin Mary, where a church now stands. Continue to explore Ancient Ephesus, one of the best-preserved classical cities in the Eastern Mediterranean. In the 1st century AD, Ephesus was the world’s second-largest city after Rome, home to over 250,000 people. Walking along its ancient streets, you will see remarkable monuments such as the third-largest library of the ancient world and the largest Roman theatre in Asia. Next, visit the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, which made Ephesus a renowned pilgrimage site in antiquity. After the tour, transfer to Izmir Airport for your flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival, your driver will take you to your hotel for overnight.

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and, depending on your flight time, transfer to Istanbul Airport for your departure.