8-Day Turkey Tour with Istanbul, Ephesus, Pamukkale and Cappadocia

Welcome to Istanbul, Turkey. Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport, you will be transferred to your hotel and stay overnight in Istanbul. (55 km)

After breakfast at 9 am, you will be picked up by our guide and visit Rustem Pasa Mosque, built between 1550 and 1561 by Rüstem Pasha, a Grand Vizier and son-in-law of Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent. Its architect was Sinan, the great imperial architect who also built Suleyman's Mosque nearby. Despite its small size, the Rüstem Pasha Mosque is one of the most exquisite Ottoman mosques in Istanbul. When you enter after taking off your shoes, you will be amazed by the vivid colours and floral and geometrical designs of the valuable Iznik tiles, of which more than 2,300 pieces decorate the mosque, although some were stolen over the centuries.

Then you will visit the Spice Bazaar, where you can buy delightful presents for your family and friends.

After lunch, you will enjoy a Bosphorus tour by shared boat and see Ciragan Palace, Ortakoy Mosque, and Rumeli Fortress.

At the end of the tour, you will fly to Izmir and then be transferred to your hotel in Kusadasi. (80 km)

Stay overnight in Kusadasi.

MEALS: BREAKFAST

After breakfast, you will depart for Pamukkale at 8:00 am. Pamukkale is in Aegean Turkey and is also called the "Cotton Castle" because of the white, cotton-like appearance of the mineral bath spas that abound in this calcium-rich province. Known as a spa town since the Roman era, tourists travel to Pamukkale to relax in its warm, soothing, and therapeutic waters.

Hierapolis, or the "Holy City," was evangelized by Paul and Epaphras. The Apostle Philip also lived and was buried here. What makes Hierapolis different from most places on Earth is that it is not built on land or water, but on limestone deposits above the mineral springs in the area. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of the ruins scattered all over the city, including the necropolis that houses the sarcophagi of important ancient figures such as Marcus Aurelius.

At the end of the tour, you will be transferred back to Kusadasi.

Stay overnight in Kusadasi.

MEALS: BREAKFAST-LUNCH

After breakfast, meet your guide and driver and head to Ephesus. Ephesus was the second-largest city in the Roman Empire, with over 250,000 people in the 1st century BC. Ranking only behind Rome, it was also the second-largest city in the world. Ephesus was a harbour city, and this giant city was built only with marble. Did you know that Ephesus had the largest amphitheatre in the ancient world, with over 25,000 seats? You will also see the Goddess Nike, the local pharmacy, Hadrian Gate, the Library of Celcius, the third-largest library of the ancient world, Marble Street, and Harbour Street.

The Temple of Artemis is located near Ephesus and was built in the 6th century. It was one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

The House of Virgin Mary is located at the top of Ephesus, 9 km away. This is the place where the Virgin Mary spent her last days, and the Shrine of Virgin Mary offers a wonderful atmosphere hidden in the greenery.

At the end of the tour, you will be transferred to Izmir Airport and fly to Kayseri. Upon arrival, meet your driver and transfer to your hotel in Cappadocia.

Stay overnight in Cappadocia.

MEALS: BREAKFAST-LUNCH

Early morning hot air balloon option.

After breakfast, you will be picked up by our guide from your hotel and visit Goreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site consisting of five Byzantine Orthodox churches.

Afterwards, we visit Uchisar Castle (outside), where many rooms hollowed out into the rock are connected to each other by stairs, tunnels, and passages.

After the lunch break, we visit Avanos for a pottery demonstration.

The last stop is Devrent Valley, which is famous for its unique landscape.

At the end of the tour, you will return to your hotel and stay overnight in Cappadocia.

MEALS: BREAKFAST-LUNCH

After breakfast, you will be picked up by our guide from your hotel. Then we visit Ortahisar Castle (outside), which is similar in style to Uchisar Castle and where storage caves can also be observed.

After time for lunch, we visit the Underground City, where early Christians lived in fear and faith.

On the way back, we visit Panoramic Pigeon Valley, where pigeons contributed to the lives of locals with their manure used to fertilize the vineyards.

You will then be transferred to Kayseri Airport for your flight to Istanbul Airport. Upon arrival, meet your driver and transfer to your hotel in Istanbul.

Stay overnight in Istanbul.

MEALS: BREAKFAST-LUNCH

At 9 am, our guide will pick you up and you will start exploring Istanbul. The first visit is the Hippodrome, which was the centre of sports activities in Constantinople. It is famous for four monuments: the German Fountain of Wilhelm II, the Egyptian Obelisk, the Serpentine Column, and the Column of Constantine.

Haghia Sophia is the most famous museum in Turkey and one of the greatest marvels of architecture. Hagia Sophia was built as a church in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian, then in 1453 it was renovated into a mosque by Ottoman Emperor Fatih Sultan Mehmet. It was converted into a museum in 1935 and welcomed both local and foreign visitors.

Blue Mosque, also known as the Sultanahmet Mosque, is a breathtaking building and one of the most majestic Ottoman mosques in all of Turkey. It was built with six unique minarets.

Topkapi Palace, which was home to the Ottoman dynasty for many years, was used for educational administration and as the art centre of the state. Learn about the imperial treasury's sacred Islamic relics, palace kitchens, and weapons. (Closed on Tuesday)

Grand Bazaar is the biggest market and the most attractive shopping centre in Istanbul, offering many shopping opportunities for carpets, leather, jewellery, Turkish delight, gold, antique tiles, and more. (Closed on Sunday)

At the end of the tour, you will return to the hotel and stay overnight in Istanbul.

MEALS: BREAKFAST

Depending on your flight time, you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to Istanbul Airport.