8 Days Best of Turkey Tour: Istanbul, Ephesus, Pamukkale & Cappadocia (Group Tour)

Upon your arrival at the Istanbul International Airport, you will be warmly greeted by our team. We will provide a comfortable transfer to your hotel in the city. The remainder of the day is yours to relax after your flight or explore the immediate surroundings at your own pace. Overnight stay in Istanbul.

Following breakfast, we begin our exploration of Istanbul at Sultanahmet Square. We will visit the Blue Mosque, built in the 16th century and named for its blue Iznik tiles, which faces the grand Hagia Sophia at the other end of the square. We will also walk through the historic Hippodrome, home to the Obelisk of Theodosius and the Serpent Column, and view the 19th-century German Fountain. After a lunch break, we head to the bazaar for spices, Turkish delight, baklava, Turkish coffee and handmade souvenirs. Overnight in Istanbul.

After an early breakfast we drive to Bursa, one of the most visited cities in Turkey. The tour starts at the Covered Bazaar and the Grand Mosque (Ulucami), built by Sultan Bayezid I after his victory at Nicopolis, and continues to Koza Han, the old silk market where cocoons were once traded. After lunch we visit the Green Mosque and the Green Tomb, named for their green and turquoise tiles, then ride the cable car up Uludag Mountain for the panorama and stop at a Turkish delight factory. In the afternoon we continue to Kusadasi, arriving around 19:00 to check in. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi.

Our morning is dedicated to the ancient city of Ephesus, where we will tour the Temple of Artemis, the Library of Celsus, the Grand Theatre, and Curetes Street. Following a lunch break at a local restaurant, we proceed to the village of Sirince. This 19th-century village is famous for its preserved architecture and unique fruit wines, such as strawberry and melon varieties. In the evening you try your hand at a fruit wine tasting, and on the way back we stop at a carpet weaving or leather production centre. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi.

We travel to the "Cotton Castle" of Pamukkale, a natural wonder featuring calcite-rich thermal pools and petrified waterfalls. We will also explore the UNESCO-listed ancient city of Hierapolis, including its Roman baths and temple ruins. There will be free time in the afternoon to browse local textile and leather handicrafts. Dinner and overnight stay in Pamukkale.

We depart early for Konya. Upon arrival, we visit the Mevlana Museum, the final resting place of the 13th-century poet and Sufi mystic, Rumi. The museum is a masterpiece of Islamic art, featuring intricate calligraphy and tile work. After lunch in Konya, we continue our journey into the heart of Cappadocia. Overnight stay in Cappadocia.

We begin the day at the Ozkonak Underground City, exploring its complex network of tunnels. Next, we visit the Goreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage site containing rock-cut churches like the Dark Church and the Chapel of St. Basil. We will also visit the village of Cavusin, known for its ancient dwellings carved into fairy chimneys. Lunch will be in Avanos, where we will observe a traditional pottery workshop. We conclude with visits to the Devrent and Love Valleys. Overnight in Cappadocia.

After breakfast, we will provide a transfer to the airport for your domestic flight back to Istanbul, marking the end of our services. Please ensure you have all your belongings and flight documents prepared for your departure.