Itinerary

Day 1 (Fri) – Istanbul

Upon arrival at the Istanbul airport, you will be met by our representative, assisted through formalities and transferred to the hotel.

Day 2 (Sat) – Istanbul

After breakfast, visit the Hippodrome, the Hagia Sophia Church, an architectural wonder of the 6th century and the Blue Mosque, the imperial mosque famous for its six minarets and interior tiles. Continue to Topkapi Palace, residence of Ottoman Sultans, now a museum. A stop is made at one of the oldest markets in the world which contains over 4000 shops, the Grand Bazaar. Overnight at your hotel. (B)

Day 3 (Sun) – Istanbul / Cappadocia

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Cappadocia. Enjoy some time of leisure in Cappadocia. Overnight at your hotel. (BD)

Day 4 (Mon) – Cappadocia

Enjoy a full day of sightseeing with visits to the Pasabag Valley and Avanos. Continue to the Goreme Open Air Museum to see 10th Century churches cut out of soft rock. Visit the unique underground City of Kaymkli, built in the 7th Century by Christians fleeing persecution. (BD)

Day 5 (Tue) – Cappadocia / Konya / Pamukkale

After breakfast, drive towards Konya. En route, visit the elegantly designed rest-stop for travelers, the Sultan Han Caravanserai, built by Sultan Alaettin Keykubad in 1229. Continue to the Mausoleum of Mevlana, master of the whirling dervishes known for their hypnotic movements. Drive to Pamukkale for overnight. (BD)

Day 6 (Wed) – Pamukkale / Kusadasi

After breakfast, you will visit the unique cotton Fortress, the white calcium cascade with its therapeutic thermal pools. Drive to Hierapolis to visit the Roman and Christian remains and the first modern spa centers of the ancient world. Continue to Kusadasi and overnight at your hotel. (BD)

Day 7 (Thu) – Kusadasi / Ephesus

In the morning, drive to the incredible Ancient City of Ephesus, where you will see the marble streets, Antique Theater, Arcadian Way, a Roman Bath and the Celcus Library. You will also visit the Shrine of the Virgin Mary where she spent her final years. Overnight at your hotel. (BD)

Day 8 (Fri) – Kusadasi

Transfer to the pier for a Greek island cruise extension or to the Izmir airport. (B)