Itinerary Details

Day 1 (Arrival to Istanbul)

Once you land at either Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW), our representative will greet you just outside the international arrivals gate, holding a sign with your name. From there, you'll be privately transferred to your hotel located in the Old City (Sultanahmet). Depending on the time of your arrival, you will have some free time in the afternoon to rest or explore. If your flight arrives in the morning, we can also arrange optional tours for the day. Overnight stay in Sultanahmet.

Day 2 (Full-Day Private Tour of Istanbul, includes breakfast and lunch)

At 09:00 AM, your private guide will meet you at your hotel to begin the day’s discoveries. First, you’ll explore the impressive Topkapi Palace, the historic residence of Ottoman sultans, located on the scenic Sarayburnu peninsula. The palace showcases a blend of architectural designs and offers a glimpse into the opulence of the empire. Inside, you’ll view the Imperial treasury, royal garments, and sacred relics. Please note, the Harem section is not part of the standard tour and requires an additional entrance fee for those who wish to explore it.

The tour will then proceed on foot to the historic Hippodrome of Constantinople, a former center for chariot racing, public celebrations, uprisings, executions, and other major events spanning both the Byzantine and Ottoman eras. This walking portion will last approximately 45 minutes as your guide explains the history and significance of this grand public square.

Our following destination will be a local restaurant where you can enjoy authentic Turkish dishes for lunch. After dining, we will visit the Hagia Sophia (St. Sophia) Museum, a remarkable monument that reflects the fusion of Christian and Islamic heritage. Originally constructed in 537 AD by Roman Emperor Justinian, it was later transformed into a mosque in the 15th century. During your approximately one-hour visit, you will explore the courtyard, entrance hall, main gallery, and upper gallery.

Next, we will head to the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque), famed for its exquisite examples of Turkish tile craftsmanship. Built in the 17th century, the Blue Mosque is a powerful icon of Istanbul situated in the city’s historic core. The final highlight of the day will be the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s largest marketplaces, housing over 4,000 shops. After this visit, your guide will escort you back to your hotel around 5:00 PM. You will stay overnight in Sultanahmet.

Day 3 (Flight to Cappadocia, Private Cappadocia Tour, breakfast and lunch included)

We will arrange an early pick-up from your hotel around 5:00 AM to transfer you to Istanbul or Sabiha Gokcen Airport for your flight to Cappadocia. Upon arrival, our driver will greet you at the airport and take you to your hotel where you can enjoy breakfast.

After breakfast, your exploration of the enchanting Cappadocia region will begin with a visit to the Goreme Open Air Museum, a site designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. Here, you will admire the finest examples of well-preserved rock-cut churches in the region. Next, we will head to Pasabag Valley (Monks Valley), renowned for its distinctive mushroom-shaped fairy chimneys. The formations in Pasabag are among the most intact in the region and provide excellent insight into the geological formation of fairy chimneys.

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant in Avanos. Afterward, you will witness a kick-wheel pottery demonstration, an ancient craft dating back nearly 4000 years, originating with the Hittites and continuing as a vital cultural tradition of the area. Following this, we will visit the Zelve Open Air Museum, where your guide will explain the importance of Christianity and monastic life in Cappadocia. Although Zelve does not have the elaborate frescoes seen at other sites, it features a complex maze of rooms and tunnels. The valley is famous for its numerous pointed "fairy chimneys," some reaching around 40 feet tall. The day’s tour concludes at Devrent Valley, known for its stunning rock formations that resemble various shapes, including the famous camel-shaped rock. You will return to your hotel at approximately 4:00 PM. Overnight stay in Goreme.

Day 4 (Private Cappadocia Tour, breakfast and lunch included)

Optional Hot Air Balloon Flight in the early morning can be a good start the day with sunrise.

Your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel at 10:00 AM to begin a hike through the stunning Red & Rose Valleys, considered some of the most breathtaking landscapes in Cappadocia. During the walk, you will see numerous pigeon houses, spectacular views of Uchisar Castle, and ancient rock-cut churches that are over 1000 years old. The trek will last approximately 1.5 hours and conclude at Cavusin Village, an abandoned Greek settlement with remarkable scenery.

Cavusin Village was deserted in the 1950s due to rock falls. After enjoying the panoramic vistas of the village, we will proceed to the Uchisar Castle viewpoint to admire the castle’s magnificent surroundings. Following this, we will head to a local restaurant for lunch, where you can try the famous "Pottery Kebab."

After approximately 30 minutes of driving, our next destination will be the Kaymakli Underground City, one of the region’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The remarkable feature of Kaymakli is its well-organized and meticulously planned design. This underground complex includes living spaces, bedrooms, stables, communal kitchens, a church, and a cemetery, all protected by strong fortifications for the safety of its residents.

We will then travel to Mustafapasa (Sinasos) Village, a settlement that was home to both Turkish and Greek communities until the population exchange was carried out in 1924. Here, you will see many historic Greek houses, an Ottoman Madrasah, and an old church. After this visit, you will be returned to your hotel around 5:00 PM. Overnight stay in Goreme.

Day 5 (Flight to Ephesus, free day at leisure)

We will collect you from your hotel approximately two hours before your flight and transfer you to Kayseri or Nevsehir Airport. You will take a direct* flight to Izmir Airport. Upon arrival, our driver will welcome you at the airport and escort you to your hotel in Selcuk. Today is yours to enjoy at leisure. You may choose to visit the St. John Basilica or the Selcuk Museum, both conveniently located near your accommodation. Overnight stay in Selcuk.

Day 6 (Private Ephesus Tour – Flight to Istanbul, breakfast and lunch included)

We will pick you up from your hotel at around 09:00 AM and head to The House of the Virgin Mary. This sacred site was brought to light by Sister Anne Catherine Emmerich, a German nun, in 1812. Through detailed visions, Sister Emmerich dreamt of traveling to Jerusalem, where she witnessed St. John and the Virgin Mary journeying from Jerusalem to Ephesus. She recalled a rectangular stone house built by St. John to shelter the Virgin Mary.

After exploring this sacred site, we will drive approximately 10 minutes to the Ephesus Ancient City, one of the largest archaeological excavations worldwide. You will visit landmarks such as the Odeon, The Fountain of Trajan, the Scholastica Baths, Hadrian and Domitian Temples, and the remarkable Library of Celsus. Afterwards, we will tour The Grand Theatre, where Saint Paul delivered his sermons. This theatre was the biggest of its time with a seating capacity of 24,000. The walk through the Ephesus ruins will last about 2 hours, followed by lunch.

Following lunch, we will visit The Temple of Artemis, known as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Our final destination will be Sirince Village, a short 15-minute drive away. This village remained a Greek Orthodox community until the 1924 population exchange agreement between the Republic of Turkey and Greece. During this period, Greeks living in Turkey were exchanged with Turks living in Greece. The tour concludes around 4:30 PM, after which we will transfer you to Izmir Airport for your flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival, we will greet you and take you to your hotel in the Old City (Sultanahmet). Overnight stay in Sultanahmet.

Day 7 (Transfer to airport for departure flight)

On your final day in Turkey, enjoy a leisure day until your scheduled transfer to the airport. We will then take you to Istanbul or Sabiha Gokcen Airport for your return flight home.

* Please note that direct flights to Izmir may not be available during winter months or may be scheduled in the afternoon. In such cases, we will provide connecting flight options. The package price may vary slightly depending on early or late bookings due to fluctuations in flight ticket costs.

We offer 3 accommodation categories with pricing based on the type of lodging selected. Please refer to the Pricing section above for detailed package rates.

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