Day 01 : Departure London Heathrow and Arrive Istanbul
Arrive at Istanbul airport where a representative will meet and greet you before you are transferred to your hotel for check-in. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure, relaxing in the hotel, or exploring the surroundings on your own.
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 02 : Istanbul
Begin your day with a delicious breakfast before you are picked up from the hotel to start a tour of the old city, known as Sultanahmet. The first stop is Topkapi Palace, the great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries housing an exquisite collection of crystal, silver, and Chinese porcelain, robes are worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury, miniatures and the Holy Mantle, as well as enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed. Next, see Sultanahmet Imperial Mosque located across from St. Sophia and built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet. It is also known as the Blue Mosque because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles. Continue with visiting the ancient Hippodrome and admiring the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column, and the Column of Constantine. After a delectable lunch break, wander around the Grand Covered Bazaar. In this labyrinth of streets and passages, there are more than 4,000 shops with each trade having its own areas, such as the goldsmiths street, the carpet sellers, Turkish arts and crafts, and many other surprises. If you want to end the day in a special way, choose between the optional 1001 Nights Dinner Show.
Overnight in Istanbul. Lunch included.
Day 03 : Istanbul – Kusadasi
After a tasty breakfast, enjoy a relaxing Bosphorus Cruise. From the boat, admire the array of beautiful sites, including the Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar), old city walls, Topkapi Palace, and many other impressive landmarks. After this traditional excursion by boat along the waterway separating Europe and Asia, indulge in a delicious lunch at a local restaurant and head towards the Istanbul Ataturk airport to catch your flight to Izmir. On arrival, enjoy a comfortable transfer to your hotel in Kusadasi for check-in. Your flight to Izmir is not included.
Overnight in Kusadasi. Lunch included.
Day 04 : Kusadasi – Ephesus – Kusadasi
Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel and depart for a fully guided tour of Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient sites in the world. This once-thriving metropolis gives a real feel of how the city once looked, as you walk down marble-paved streets and admire the remains of the Celsus Library, Hadrian’s Temple, and the amphitheater. We then move on to Meryem Ana or House of the Virgin Mary which is in a hilltop location a short distance from Ephesus. According to the stories, Mary spent her last years here and it has been sanctified by the Roman Catholic Church. Indulge in a delicious lunch and then visit a carpet weaving center to watch the ancient practice of carpet-weaving. Afterward, explore Sirince, a pretty village that sits high up in the hills behind Selcuk and was once inhabited by Anatolian Greeks. The narrow, cobbled streets are packed with stalls selling local products such as homemade jams, souvenirs, wine, and textiles. Famous for its fruit wines, we will visit the vineyards and learn how to make fruit wine with the local winemakers. Before returning to Kusadasi, the final stop is at a leather production center where you will have the opportunity to get good factory rates. In the evening completely unwind while enjoying an optional Turkish bath.
Overnight in Kusadasi. Lunch included.
Day 05 : Kusadasi – Pamukkale – Kusadasi
After a tasty breakfast, we depart for Pamukkale. On arrival, enjoy a luscious lunch. Afterward, visit the spellbinding calcium terraces of Pamukkale, known as the Cotton Castle, and walk around this natural phenomenon which has been formed by calcium deposits in the water trickling down the hillside and solidifying into white travertines. Then, wander around the charming ancient city of Hierapolis which sits above the travertines. The beautiful city was popular among the Romans for the healing powers of its natural spring water. And if you feel adventurous, choose one of the optional activities available. You can enjoy a memorable hot-air balloon ride or have fun paragliding in Pamukkale. Afterward, return to Kusadasi.
Overnight in Kusadasi. Lunch included.
Day 06 : Kusadasi – Cappadocia
Indulge in a delicious breakfast at the hotel before heading to Izmir Airport for your domestic flight to either Kayseri or Nevsehir Airport in Cappadocia. Arrive in Cappadocia, enjoy a comfortable transfer to the hotel, check-in, and freely enjoy the rest of the day. If time permits enjoy an unforgettable hot-air balloon ride in Cappadocia or choose between the evening optional activities, which are a Whirling Dervish show and a Turkish Night show. Have fun! The flight to Cappadocia and optional tours are not included.
Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 07 : Cappadocia
A new day brings more surprises, right after a lovely breakfast at your hotel. Drive to Derinkuyu underground city, one of the best-preserved and deepest underground cities in Cappadocia, reaching 55 meters below ground and having eight levels open to visitors. We then visit Uchisar Castle, the highest point of Cappadocia for a panoramic view of the valleys below. After Uchisar, we visit Goreme Open Air Museum where early Christian churches carved out of the rock are decorated with beautiful religious frescoes dating from the 10th century. The next stop is Cavusin, which is an abandoned village with old cave Greek houses. Then, we enjoy a relaxing lunch stop at Avanos and continue with a visit to a pottery workshop, to see how the local ceramics are made. Afterward, we move on to Pasabagi where you can see rock formations in the shape of three-headed fairy chimneys and visit a workshop to see Cappadocian handwoven carpets and kilims. The next stop is Devrent Valley, also called Imagination Valley, where you can see natural rock formations looking like animals. Then, we go to a wine shop in Urgup for a lovely tasting session. The last stop is the Three Beauties, three beautiful fairy chimneys, representing the symbol of Cappadocia. This tour will end in the evening when you are returned to your hotel.
Overnight in Cappadocia. Lunch included.
Day 08 : Final Departure
Enjoy a tasty breakfast and we will transfer to the airport to continue with your travel arrangements.