Start the day off with a walking tour to see some of the most iconic sites in Istanbul. We’ll see Dolmabahce Palace, a magnificent Ottoman palace with elaborate architecture in the Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassical styles. We’ll also stop by Chora Church, a stunning church that has been the place of worship for many different religions over the centuries, just like so many of the churches in Istanbul.

After lunch, let’s visit the Spice Bazaar where there are over 80 shops selling spices, sweets, Turkish delight, jewelry, souvenirs and other goodies. Time for shopping!

Included:

• Activities: Half-day Istanbul guided tour; Dolmabahce Palace; St. Saviour in Chora; Spice Bazaar; Free time
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Accommodation: Hotel

This morning, venture out around the city again to see some more of the marvelous sights that Istanbul has to offer.

No tour of Istanbul would be complete without a stop at Hagia Sophia, a structure with a tumultuous history and has been the religious seat of many of ruling empires. Hagia Sophia has been an Eastern Orthodox church, Roman Catholic cathedral as well as a Greek Orthodox Christian place of worship throughout its existence. The sightseeing portion of the tour also includes the unique Bulgarian St. Stephen Church, made entirely of cast iron!

We’ll stop at the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also known as The Blue Mosque, which is still an active place of prayer for many Muslims in Istanbul.

The last stop will be at the Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest covered markets in the world. It is stuffed to the brim with fine jewelry, rugs and trinkets galore.

Included:

• Activities: Half-day Istanbul guided tour; Hagia Sophia; Blue Mosque; Grand Bazaar
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Accommodation: Hotel

Have breakfast, get checked out of the hotel and then, head out to catch a flight to Cappadocia. On arrival, get checked in at the boutique cave hotel and have some time to freshen up after the flight. Have lunch together as a group and thereafter, the rest of the afternoon is yours to explore the amazing cave hotel and its beautiful property!

Included:

• Transfer: Istanbul to Cappadocia (approx. 1.5 hours by plane)
• Activities: Free time
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Accommodation: Cave hotel

Start the morning early with an enchanting flight in a hot air balloon at sunrise. As you ascend, you’ll get a bird’s eye view of the surreal landscape of Cappadocia as you drift above pigeon houses carved into unique rock formations. This experience is truly like one straight out of a fairy tale! After a magical hot air balloon ride, head back to the hotel for some breakfast and time to freshen up.

After breakfast, have some free time to rest after the early morning hot air balloon flight. Later, let’s head to the underground city of Kaymakli containing subterranean houses situated among nearly 100 tunnels. Built by the Phyrgians in the 8th – 7th centuries BC, Kaymakli was discovered by a villager while he was looking for the water which was disappearing from his irrigation system in his field. The floors that are now open to tourists are believed to have sheltered 2,000 people from persecution and looting. Thereafter, tour the Goreme Open Air Museum with over a dozen cave churches built into the sides of cliffs. These are some of the earliest churches in history. In the evening, grab dinner together and then go to a whirling dervishes performance in a 12th century Seljuk caravanserai, a roadside inn where caravans could stop for a rest as they traveled along the ancient trade routes.

Included:

• Activities: Private hot air balloon ride; Kaymakli underground village; Goreme Open Air Museum; Whirling dervishes performance
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Accommodation: Cave hotel

This morning, head out for an easy hike/walk in the Red Valley where you can appreciate cave churches, ancient rock tombs and stunning rock formations. The hike will lead us to Cavusin, a former Greek village that once housed Christian clergymen and their churches. Next, visit a local family’s house for a homemade meal. Thereafter, you’ll have some free time in the afternoon and then we’ll pick up some wine and snacks and head out to a perfect viewpoint overlooking the Red Valley as the sun sets.

Included:

• Activities: Red Valley hike; Cavusin village; Lunch at local family’s house; Free time; Sunset viewing with wine
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Accommodation: Cave hotel

Fly to Izmir today and proceed to your accommodation which is one of the loveliest hotels you’ve ever seen. Its elevated terrace restaurant offers far reaching views of the nearby village as well as a swimming pool with natural thermal waters pumped in from a nearby spring where you can take a dip. The hotel’s enchanting cottages are right out of the pages of a Mother Goose book. You’ll have the rest of the day to explore the hotel premises and the village below.

Included:

• Transfers: Cappadocia to Sirince via Izmir (approx. 1.5 hours by plane)
• Activities: Free time
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Accommodation: Boutique hotel

You’ll have the first half of the day for some R&R at the hotel. One of the owners of the hotel offers a hands-on cooking class if you’re keen on learning how to make some traditional Turkish dishes. Otherwise, you can make your way to the nearby village and grab a cup of coffee at a historic coffee house or get your fortune read! The choice is yours and the guide will be there to point you in the right direction.

In the early afternoon, we’ll be on our way to Ephesus, an ancient Greek city with a rich history that has been inhabited since 6,000 B.C. It served as an important center for Christianity and is said to be where the Virgin Mary spent the last days of her life. Ephesus is also home to the amazing ruins of Celsus Library, a plein air Roman amphitheater, the famed House of Virgin Mary and much more.

Included:

• Activities: Free time; Optional activities (at your own expense); Ephesus & Virgin Mary House
• Meals: Breakfast
• Accommodation: Boutique hotel

After breakfast, we will stop by The City of Love: Aphrodisias, on our way to Pamukkale. Here lie the well-preserved ruins of an ancient temple dedicated to the Greek goddess, Aphrodite. Feel the love in Aphrodite’s temple as you imagine what ancient life was like and take in this impressive site which includes what locals say is the largest ancient stadium in the world.

Next, we’ll proceed to Pamukkale and get settled into the hotel and freshen up. Pamukkale is known for its picturesque terraced thermal pools contained in luminous white travertine and is also known as “The Cotton Castle”. Before visiting Pammukale, take a dip in Cleopatra’s antique thermal pool. In the 7th century, an earthquake toppled the surrounding building and the massive marble columns tumbled into the pool where the ancient ruins now rest on the bottom still to this day.

Included:

• Transfers: Sirince - Pamukkale with stop for lunch & temple visit (approx. 4 hours by bus)
• Activities: Aphrodisias; Pamukkale thermal pools; Free time
• Meals: Breakfast
• Accommodation: Hotel