Timeless Turkey

Arrival, transfer to hotel, check in

Arrival in Istanbul, transfer to the hotel, check-in and time to freshen up.

Bosphorus Dinner Cruise

A 3-hour evening cruise along the illuminated Bosphorus, with a buffet dinner, unlimited drinks, dance performances and a rhythm show.

Return transfer to hotel

Return transfer to the hotel in the city centre after the cruise.

Breakfast at hotel

Breakfast at the hotel before a full day exploring Istanbul's historic old city.

Topkapi Palace

The opulent former residence of the Ottoman sultans, showcasing centuries of imperial history.

Blue Mosque

The iconic Sultan Ahmed Mosque, known for its six minarets and blue Iznik tile interior.

Hagia Sophia

A marvel of Byzantine architecture, having served as a cathedral, mosque and museum across its long history.

Sultan's Tomb

A royal mausoleum housing the tombs of Ottoman sultans and their families.

Basilica Cistern

An atmospheric underground Byzantine water reservoir supported by hundreds of ancient columns.

Hippodrome

The site of Constantinople's ancient chariot-racing arena, home to historic monuments including the Obelisk of Theodosius.

Grand Bazaar

One of the world's oldest and largest covered markets, with thousands of shops selling carpets, jewellery and spices.

Overnight stay in Istanbul

Coach to port, boat excursion to Princes' Islands

Breakfast, followed by an air-conditioned coach transfer to the port for a full-day (approx. 9-hour) excursion across the Sea of Marmara.

Views of Topkapi Palace & Maiden's Tower from the water

Scenic views of Topkapi Palace and the Maiden's Tower as Istanbul recedes from the boat.

Heybeliada

A stop at Heybeliada, one of the car-free Princes' Islands in the Sea of Marmara.

Büyükada

A stop at Büyükada, the largest of the Princes' Islands, known for its elegant late-Ottoman wooden mansions and car-free lanes.

Lunch on board

Lunch served on board during the boat excursion.

Leisure time on the islands

Free time to stroll the lanes, relax by the sea, or cycle around the islands (bike hire not included in the package).

Sail back to Istanbul

Return sail back to Istanbul with the guide.

Overnight stay in Istanbul

Check out, transfer to bus station, journey to Kusadasi

Breakfast, check-out and transfer to the bus station at 1:00 PM for the road journey to the Aegean coast.

Arrival in Kusadasi, check in

Arrival in Kusadasi by around 9:00 PM and hotel check-in.

Breakfast at the hotel

Pamukkale travertine terraces

A full-day trip to Pamukkale, the snow-white travertine terraces cascading down the hillside, one of Turkey's most iconic natural sights.

Hierapolis

The neighbouring Hellenistic spa city of Hierapolis, with its grand ancient theatre, plus wading through the thermal pools.

Cleopatra's Antique Pool (optional swim)

An optional swim in Cleopatra's Antique Pool, a thermal pool scattered with ancient submerged columns.

Return to Kusadasi

Return journey to Kusadasi by evening.

Overnight stay Kusadasi

Breakfast at the hotel

Ephesus guided tour

A skip-the-line guided tour of Ephesus, walking the marble streets of this ancient Roman city.

Library of Celsus

The grand façade of the ancient Library of Celsus, one of Ephesus's most photographed monuments.

Temple of Hadrian

A well-preserved Roman temple within Ephesus, dedicated to Emperor Hadrian.

Odeon

The small Roman theatre of Ephesus, used historically for council meetings and performances.

Ephesus's early Christian history

Insight into Ephesus's significance in early Christianity, connected to Mother Mary, St. John and St. Paul.

Temple of Artemis

The site of the Temple of Artemis, once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Overnight bus to Cappadocia

In the evening, board the overnight bus for the journey to Cappadocia.

Arrival, transfer to hotel, freshen up

Early-morning arrival in Cappadocia and transfer to the hotel to freshen up and relax after the overnight bus.

ATV ride, fairy-chimney valleys

An ATV ride through Cappadocia's dramatic fairy-chimney rock valleys.

Check in to cave room

Check-in to the cave hotel room at around 2:00-3:00 PM.

Sema whirling dervish ceremony

The Sema whirling dervish ceremony in a cave house, accompanied by cinnamon tea and the haunting sound of the ney (reed flute).

Overnight stay in Cappadocia

Breakfast at the hotel

Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride

An early-morning sunrise hot air balloon flight over the Cappadocia valleys, lasting 50-75 minutes, with light snacks before take-off, non-alcoholic champagne on landing and a commemorative flight certificate.

Rest of day at leisure

The rest of the day free at leisure.

Turkish Night: dinner & folk show

Dinner and a Turkish folk show at a cave restaurant, with unlimited local drinks and traditional dance performances.

Overnight stay in Cappadocia

Breakfast at hotel

Breakfast at the hotel before a full day exploring the Cappadocia region.

Göreme Panorama

A scenic overlook of the Göreme valley's fairy-chimney rock formations.

Narlı Lake

A stop at Narlı Lake, a crater lake in the Cappadocia region.

Selime Monastery

A rock-cut Byzantine monastery carved into the cliffs at the entrance to Ihlara Valley.

Ihlara Valley walk

A walk through the dramatic Ihlara Valley gorge, lined with rock-cut churches along the Melendiz River.

Lunch at Belisırma Village

Lunch at a riverside restaurant in Belisırma Village, within Ihlara Valley.

Derinkuyu Underground City

One of Cappadocia's largest ancient underground cities, carved multiple levels deep into the rock.

Pigeon Valley

A scenic valley named for the numerous dovecotes carved into its rock faces.

Gemstone & jewellery store stop

An optional shopping stop at a local gemstone and jewellery store, with no obligation to buy.

Spice & dried-fruit shop stop

An optional shopping stop at a local spice and dried-fruit shop, with no obligation to buy.

Overnight stay in Cappadocia

Breakfast at hotel and check out

Transfer to airport as per departure of your flight

Breakfast, check-out and transfer to the airport by 12:00 noon for the onward flight.