A Taste of Turkey - Istanbul to Cappadocia

Welcome to Istanbul, a city that straddles Europe and Asia and is rich in history and culture. Our tour leader will meet you at the hotel reception for a welcome meeting at 7 pm. If you arrive early, you can explore nearby attractions like the Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace, or Grand Bazaar. Our hotel, conveniently located in the Sirkeci area, is close to metro and tram stops and within walking distance of the highlights of Sultanahmet main sites.

After a traditional Turkish breakfast, we'll head out on foot towards Sultanahmet Square, home to iconic landmarks such as the Serpentine Column, the Obelisk of Theodosius, and the Walled Obelisk. We'll end our guided tour at the Sultanahmet Blue Mosque, one of Istanbul's most recognized sites. The afternoon is free for you to continue exploring the city at your own pace. You might want to visit the Hagia Sophia, take a boat trip on the Bosphorus, or climb the old Genoese Galata Tower. In the evening, we can dine at one of the great restaurants near the Galata Bridge.

We'll start the day exploring a local residential area, walking to the Suleymaniye Mosque, then through the back streets down to the famed Golden Horn waterway. We'll take a ferry across the Bosphorus to Istanbul's Asian side, the Kadikoy district. Here, we'll wander through the market, tasting local specialties and sipping Turkish coffee. On our way back to the hotel, we'll stop by the Spice Bazaar, an expansive covered market filled with delicious treats and exotic smells. The evening is free for you to enjoy Istanbul's nightlife or book your own dining experience in the city.

We'll leave Istanbul early in the morning and drive south to Ayvalik, a coastal town with a history rooted in Greek mythology. After lunch, we'll continue south, stopping to visit the Greco-Roman remains of Pergamon. Finally, we'll drive to the Aegean town of Selcuk, where we'll spend the next three nights. Our hotel is a small, characterful establishment located in the old quarter of Selcuk, right next to Apostle St. John Cathedral, the Medieval Byzantine Fortress, and Archaeological museum.

Today we'll visit the great Greco-Roman city of Ephesus, once visited by Mark Antony and Cleopatra. We'll explore the Baths of Constantine, the Temple of Hadrian, the theatre, the Arcadian Way, and the Marble Avenue featuring the Library of Celsus. Afterward, we'll visit the scattered remains of the famous Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The afternoon is free for you to explore Selcuk at your own pace. You might want to visit St John's Basilica, the Isa Bey Mosque, or Selcuk Museum.

We'll travel inland to Konya, stopping along the way to visit the ancient sites of Pamukkale and Hierapolis. At Pamukkale, we'll visit the incredible travertine pools, and at Hierapolis, we'll explore the ruins and visit the Archaeology Museum. In the afternoon, we'll continue to Konya, one of Turkey's important religious sites. For dinner, we'll have the option to try a succulent oven lamb kebab.

Today we'll travel to the heart of Cappadocia, stopping first at the 13th-century Sultanhani Caravansarai. After lunch, we'll visit the Kaymakli Underground City, a troglodyte cave-city built by early Christians. Tonight's dinner gives us a real taste of Cappadocia as we try the local specialty dish 'pottery kebab'. We'll spend our final two nights in a traditional-style, stone hotel on the outskirts of Goreme.

Today we'll have a full day to explore Cappadocia. We'll take a walk through one of the iconic valleys, giving us an astounding view of the local landscapes. In the afternoon, we'll head up to take in the panoramic views from Uchisar Castle and spend time in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Goreme Open Air Museum. We'll also sample the different varieties of wine produced in Cappadocia. We'll enjoy a final dinner together at a local restaurant.