DAY 1 ARRIVAL IN ISTANBUL
Arrival and assistance. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 2 ISTANBUL (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.
BOSPHORUS & SULTANAHMET DISTRICT TOUR (Full day with lunch)
Departure from the hotel to visit the Egyptian Bazaar (Spice Market), followed by a boat tour along the Bosphorus—the strait that separates Europe and Asia—where you’ll enjoy views of Istanbul’s lush forests, palaces, and traditional wooden mansions (yalı) on both shores.
Lunch included. In the afternoon, visit the Sultanahmet district with the Roman Hippodrome Square, the Blue Mosque—unique for its six minarets—and the magnificent 6th-century Hagia Sophia Basilica (entrance included).
Return to the hotel.
DAY 3 ISTANBUL ANKARA (B, D)
Breakfast at the hotel. Free morning with the option to join an optional tour: Turkish Series & Grand Bazaar.
OPTIONAL TOUR TURKISH SERIES & GRAND BAZAAR (Half day, no lunch)
Departure from the hotel to visit the Grand Bazaar (closed on Sundays, religious holidays, and October 29), home to over 4,000 shops.
Then continue to the neighborhoods of Balat (once a major center for Jewish, Greek, and Armenian communities) and Fener (known for its Greek Orthodox heritage). These areas are famous for their authentic atmosphere and colorful architecture, making them must-see spots for visitors interested in Istanbul’s history and culture.
Their picturesque alleys and historic buildings offer a fascinating glimpse into the city’s multicultural past. These neighborhoods are often featured in Turkish TV series like Çukur and Ezel.
Price per person: USD $60
At the scheduled time (between 12:00–12:30), departure by coach to Ankara (450 km), crossing the intercontinental bridge in Istanbul.
Arrival in the capital city. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 4 ANKARA CAPPADOCIA (B, D)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Visit to Turkey’s capital, including the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations with exhibits from the Paleolithic, Neolithic, Hittite, Phrygian, and Urartian periods, and the Atatürk Mausoleum, dedicated to the founder of the Turkish Republic.
Departure to Cappadocia (290 km). En route, visit an underground city built by early Christian communities to protect themselves from Arab invasions.
The city preserves stables, common rooms, meeting halls, and small family quarters.
Arrival in the Cappadocia region. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
OPTIONAL TOUR HIDDEN CAPPADOCIA BY 4X4
Optional 4x4 tour through Cappadocia’s hidden valleys, with panoramic stops for photos of fairy chimneys and other volcanic formations shaped by nature over millions of years.
The tour ends with a sparkling wine toast celebrating the region’s extraordinary natural beauty.
Price per person: USD $85
DAY 5 CAPPADOCIA (B, D)
OPTIONAL TOUR HOT AIR BALLOON FLIGHT
Opportunity to join a hot air balloon tour—an unforgettable experience flying over rock formations, fairy chimneys, and lunar landscapes.
Breakfast at the hotel. Full-day tour of this unique region with its spectacular fairy chimneys:
Visit to Göreme Valley with its rock-carved churches and frescoes from the 10th and 11th centuries; stop at the troglodyte village of Uçhisar; visit to Avcilar with its stunning views; and Derbent Valley with its curious natural rock formations.
Time for artisan workshops featuring carpets and onyx semi-precious stones set in silver jewelry.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
OPTIONAL TOUR TURKISH NIGHT
After dinner at the hotel, optional outing to a folkloric show with belly dancing and unlimited local alcoholic drinks.
Traditional costumes, regional music, and the finest belly dance performances in a surprisingly spacious cave-style venue.
Price per person: USD $85
DAY 6 CAPPADOCIA PAMUKKALE (B, D)
Breakfast and departure to Pamukkale (610 km).
En route, stop to visit a Seljuk-era caravanserai from the medieval period.
Continue to Pamukkale. Free time at the “Cotton Castle,” famous for its natural thermal pools and petrified travertine waterfalls.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 7 PAMUKKALE EPHESUS IZMIR (B, D)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure to Selçuk–Ephesus (200 km). Arrival and visit to the archaeological site of Ephesus, a city dedicated to Artemis: the Odeon, Temple of Hadrian, House of Love, Library of Celsus, Agora, Marble Street, and the largest ancient theater.
Visit to the House of the Virgin Mary, believed to be her final residence.
Stop at a leather production center and continue to Izmir.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 8 IZMIR BURSA ISTANBUL (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure to Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire from 1326 to 1364.
Visit to the Green Mosque (Yeşil Camii), the Silk Market in the Yeşil district, and the Green Mausoleum.
Continue to Istanbul. Overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 9 DEPARTURE FROM ISTANBUL (B)
Breakfast at the hotel (if flight and transfer schedule allows).
Transfer to the airport and end of services