Timeless Turkey (5 Star) - 10 Days

Welcome to Istanbul! Upon arrival at the in Istanbul, you will be met and transferred to the hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure to relax or explore Istanbul at your own pace.

Tour Style: On this tour you will enjoy sightseeing at all included sights with expert local guides, and all of your travel arrangements are included. You will travel without a tour guide between destinations.

Today after breakfast, we will be met by our local guide in the lobby of the hotel at 9 AM. Our Istanbul city tour begins at the Topkapi Palace, where we explore the opulent courts and treasures of the Ottoman sultans. Next, we visit the magnificent Hagia Sophia, a stunning blend of Byzantine and Islamic architecture.

Afterwards, you’ll have free time for lunch to enjoy local specialties at your leisure. We then admire the breathtaking Blue Mosque, famous for its intricate blue tiles, and walk through the historic Hippodrome, once the center of Byzantine entertainment.

Our tour ends at the lively Grand Bazaar, where we wander through its maze of stalls, soaking in the sights, scents, and sounds of Istanbul’s vibrant marketplace. We will make our way back to the hotel at approximately 5 PM.

Today is at leisure for you to explore Istanbul at your own pace. You might choose to wander through the vibrant streets of Istiklal Avenue, visit the Dolmabahçe Palace, or relax.

You will have the opportunity to join an optional Bosphorus cruise. You will be met in the hotel lobby at 09:00 for a half-day city tour, beginning with a visit to the Spice Market, where you can experience the vibrant colors and aromas of Turkish spices, sweets, and teas. Next, you will embark on a scenic Bosphorus Cruise by boat, offering breathtaking views of Istanbul’s iconic landmarks along the strait that separates Europe and Asia. After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel, and the rest of the day is free for you to explore the city at your own pace.

Istanbul - Cappadocia. This morning, we will be picked up from our hotel and transferred to the airport in Istanbul for our flight to Cappadocia. We'll then transfer to our cave hotel for the next three days, which is hewn into the rock face, with many of the guest rooms located in unique caves. The rest of the day is spent exploring Cappadocia at your leisure.

Today, our guide will pick us up from the hotel lobby at 09:30 and start our tour at the Goreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its ancient rock-cut churches and stunning frescoes. Next, we’ll visit Devrent Imagination Valley, where the unique rock formations resemble animals and other shapes. We'll then visit Pasabag Monks Valley, famous for its fairy chimneys and rich monastic history.

After a delightful lunch at a local restaurant, we will head to Avanos, a charming town known for its pottery and handicrafts. Our tour will conclude with a visit to Goreme Panorama, where we can enjoy panoramic views of the surreal landscape.

After breakfast, we will be met in the lobby of our hotel at 09:30 AM by our guide, who will take us on a full day exploring Cappadocia’s underground cities. Our first stop will be Rose Valley, known for its stunning pink-hued rock formations and scenic hiking trails. Then, we’ll continue to Pigeon Valley, famous for its pigeon houses carved into the cliffs. Next, we’ll visit either Derinkuyu or Kaymakli Underground City, where we’ll explore the ancient subterranean dwellings used by locals to escape invasions.

After lunch at a local restaurant, we will head to Ortahisar Village, a charming settlement with a striking castle carved into the rocks, before making our way to Avanos Valley, known for its pottery and beautiful landscapes. After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Cappadocia - Izmir - Kusadasi. After breakfast this morning, we will make our way to the airport for our onward flight to Izmir, a vibrant city on Turkey's Aegean coast known for its rich history, bustling bazaars, and stunning seaside views. After arriving in Izmir, we will then make our way to the hotel in Kusadasi where we will have the rest of the day at leisure.

Kusadasi - Ephesus - Kusadasi. Today, our tour guide will meet us in the hotel lobby at 9 AM, and we will embark on a full-day city tour. We will visit the Ephesus Ruins, including the Fountains of Trajan, Polio, the Temples of Hadrian and Domitian, the Library of Celsus, the Bouleuterion, and the Great Theatre. After a delightful lunch at a local restaurant, we will visit the House of the Virgin Mary. After the tour, we will be transferred back to our hotel in Kusadasi.

Kusadasi - Pamukkale - Hierapolis - Kusadasi. After breakfast, we will be met by our tour guide in the hotel lobby at 8 AM, making our way to Pammukkale. Upon arrival, we will enjoy a full-day city tour, including visits to the Pamukkale Travertines, the ancient site of Hierapolis, and a local restaurant for lunch. We will also have the opportunity to experience the hot thermal pools. After the tour, we will drive to Kusadasi, another 3-hour journey, and then we will be transferred to our hotel at approximately 8 PM for an overnight stay in Kusadasi.

Kusadasi - Izmir - Istanbul. You'll be picked up from your hotel and transferred to Izmir Airport for your flight to Istanbul. The tour concludes upon your arrival in Istanbul. From there, you can proceed to the International Departures terminal for your connecting international flight. Goodbye!