Arrive at Istanbul airport and a private vehicle will transfer you to your hotel. Check into the hotel and enjoy the day at leisure.

So vast that it spans two continents, Istanbul is the meeting point of East and West, and every bit as diverse and cosmopolitan as you would imagine. Known for its melting pot of cultures and cuisines, world-famous Grand Bazaar, and UNESCO-listed historical sites, Istanbul is a dream destination for travellers.

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Accommodation in Istanbul

After breakfast in the hotel, proceed for a city tour of Istanbul.

Start your tour with a visit to Topkapi Palace, the great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries. This palace houses an exquisite collection of crystal, silver, and Chinese porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury, miniatures, the Holy Mantle; enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed.

Next, visit Sultanahmet Imperial Mosque. This museum lies across from St. Sophia and was built in the 16th century by architect Mehmet. It is also known as the Blue Mosque because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles.

Next, visit Hippodrome, the scene of chariot races, with the three monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine.

After lunch, visit the Grand Covered Bazaar. In this labyrinth of streets and passages, there are more than 4,000 shops with each trade having its own area: the goldsmiths' street, the carpet sellers, Turkish arts and crafts, such as hand painted ceramic plates, hand-honed copperware, brassware and trays, water ewers, onyx-ware and meerschaum pipes.

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Accommodation in Istanbul

After breakfast depart for the Bosporus cruise tour.

Visit Grand Spice Bazaar. The air here is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other conceivable herb and spice.

Next, explore Bosphorus by boat as you glide along the waterway that separates Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages. You will also get the chance to see Dolmabahce Palace, and further along, the parks and imperial pavilions of Yildiz Palace. On the coastal edge of this park, see Ciragan Palace where 300 meters of its marble facade faces the shore. At Ortakoy, a great variety of artists gather every Sunday to display their work along the street. Ortakoy is a symbol of tolerance with a church, a mosque and a synagogue existing side by side since centuries.

Visit Rumeli Fortress, built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452 prior to the conquest of Istanbul. It was completed in only four months to control and protect the infamous Bosphorus passage. It is one of the most beautiful works of military architecture anywhere in the world.

Visit the Beylerbeyi Palas (palace). This was the summer residence of Ottoman sultans. This palace exists in its original renovated glory featuring original antique furniture and magnificent gardens with the Harem on the Asian side of Istanbul.

Cross the Bosphorus Bridge and enjoy a unique chance to step from one continent (Asia) to another (Europe).

Visit Camlica Hill which is the highest point in Istanbul. At the top, you can admire the magnificent panorama of Istanbul and the Bosporus from the beautiful gardens, landscaped in traditional Turkish Ottoman style.

Later, go shopping and experience the traditional silk weaving skills of Turkish women at the carpet weaving courses provided by The Ministry of National Education. You will get the opportunity to see jewellery, handcrafts centre and a modern leatherwear show. Enjoy the experience of shopping whilst gaining the knowledge of the ancient craftsmen. Your guide will get give you tips and tricks on how to haggle on the streets of Istanbul. The rest of the evening is yours to explore Istanbul.

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Accommodation in Istanbul

After breakfast, a private vehicle will transfer you to Istanbul airport to catch a flight to Cappadocia. Upon reaching Cappadocia, a private vehicle will transfer you to your hotel where you can check in.

Cappadocia is best known for its unique moon-like landscapes, underground cities, cave churches and houses carved in the rocks and amazing hot air ballooning opportunities.

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Accommodation in Cappadocia

Start your morning early as you embark on a hot-air balloon safari at sunrise.

If a balloon ride is on your bucket list, there's one place in the world you can't miss: the lunar landscape of Cappadocia, Turkey. Just hop in your basket and join the hosts of brightly hued balloons that float above the region's volcanic spires and honeycombed hills. These rides last about an hour in the air and literally goes wherever the wind may blow in the Goreme Valley. 

After breakfast, proceed for a guided tour of North Cappadocia.

Visit the Uçhisar Castle, the highest point of Cappadocia. Next visit the Goreme Open Air Museum famous for frescoes dating back to 10th century describing the life of Jesus Christ and monks. Next stop is Çavuşin, which is an abandoned village with old cave Greek houses. After lunch, visit a pottery work shop and learn about pottery. Next, visit Pasabagi where you can see the three - headed fairy chimneys. After Pasabagi, visit another workshop to learn about the Cappadocian handwoven carpets and kilims. Next stop is Devrent Valley, which is also called the Imagination Valley. Here you can see natural rock formations that look like animals. Head to a wine shop in Urgup for some wine tasting. Your last stop will be to visit the Three Beauties. These are the three beautiful fairy chimneys with their hats, which is the symbol of Cappadocia.

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Accommodation in Cappadocia

After breakfast, visit South Cappadocia.

The first stop on your tour will be a visit to the Derinkuyu Underground City, one of the best preserved and deepest underground cities in Cappadocia. Derinkuyu is 55 meters deep and has 8 levels open to visitors. 

Continue to the Ihlara Valley for a 3-kilometer trek. See cave churches from the 7th-11th centuries, most of which feature brightly coloured frescoes. At the end of the hike, you can enjoy your lunch in a local restaurant by the River Melendiz.

Next, stop in Selime town, known for its rock-cut churches and one of the largest rock-cut monasteries in Cappadocia. You will then pass through the Nar Crater Lake. Afterwards, drive to Pigeon Valley and see thousands of pigeon houses carved into the rock. The conical formations are the result of volcanic eruptions that took place millions of years ago.

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Accommodation in Cappadocia

After breakfast, a private vehicle will transfer you to Kayseri airport to catch a domestic flight to Antalya. Upon arrival, check in and enjoy rest of the day at leisure.

Situated on Turkey’s idyllic Turquoise Coast, Antalya boasts beautiful beaches, historic monuments, and an ideal launchpad for exploring the ancient Pamphylian cities and cruising the Turquoise Coast.

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Accommodation in Antalya

After breakfast, visit the calcium terraces of Pamukkale (cotton castle) and the ruins of Hierapolis.

Known for their therapeutic properties since Roman times, the waters of the Pamukkale Thermal Pools flow into white travertine formations that rise out of the surrounding plains. Nearby are the ruins of Hierapolis, an ancient city that grew up around the springs. The thermal pools and petrified waterfalls create an otherworldly landscape at Pamukkale, which means Cotton Palace.

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Accommodation in Antalya

Today, spend the day at leisure.

Stroll through the old bazaar for a glimpse into local life in Turkey and admire the colourful boats fill Antalya Marina. For lunch, head to one of the many restaurants looking down over the marina, where you can sample the local seafood or tuck into a traditional Turkish kebab with a view across the Mediterranean.

In the afternoon, hit the beach! Hailed as Antalya’s best beach, Konyaalti Beach stretches for several miles and has calm waters that are ideal for swimming and water sports.

In the evening, embark on a cruise along the Mediterranean Sea. Choose from either a romantic sunset cruise, a family-friendly sail on a pirate boat, or a party cruise with an open bar. Most cruises stop at scenic spots such as the Duden Waterfalls and give you time to swim and snorkel in the Mediterranean Sea.

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Accommodation in Antalya

After breakfast, a private vehicle will transfer you to Antalya Airport to catch a flight to Istanbul from where you will catch a flight back home.

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