6-Day Turkey Road Trip: Istanbul, Ephesus, Pamukkale

Highlights of the 6-Day Turkey Road Trip

This six-day road trip is a compact grand tour of Turkey’s greatest highlights, linking imperial Istanbul with the classical treasures of the Aegean. Travelling with a professional English-speaking guide in a comfortable air-conditioned coach, and using short domestic flights to save time, you combine the mosques and palaces of the old city, a cruise on the Bosphorus, the ancient metropolis of Ephesus, the village of Sirince and the dazzling white terraces of Pamukkale in one efficient, guaranteed-departure itinerary that still runs once you have booked.

In Istanbul you explore the ancient Hippodrome with its German Fountain and Obelisk of Theodosius, the Blue Mosque and the mighty Hagia Sophia, then cruise the Bosphorus between two continents, passing the Dolmabahce and Ciragan palaces, Ortakoy and the Rumeli Fortress, with time for shopping at the Grand Spice Bazaar. A domestic flight then carries you south to Izmir, Turkey’s lively Aegean port city, and on to the seaside resort of Kusadasi, your relaxed base for exploring the coast.

From Kusadasi you tour Ephesus — the Temple of Artemis, Curetes Street, the Roman baths, the Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre — and visit the House of the Virgin Mary before unwinding in the vineyard village of Sirince, known for its fruit wines and handicrafts. The following day you cross to Pamukkale to walk the travertine terraces, explore the ruins of ancient Hierapolis and, if you wish, swim in Cleopatra’s Antique Pool among sunken marble columns, before flying back from Izmir to Istanbul. Please note that this is a guiding-and-transport package: hotels, flights and meals are arranged separately, which keeps it flexible and good value for independent travellers who still want expert local guiding at every site.