Detailed Tour Program
Day 1 · Arrival in Istanbul
Meet at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 2 · Istanbul: museums and palaces
Istanbul Archaeology Museum, with the Alexander Sarcophagus and its extensive Mediterranean collections; Topkapi Palace, the sultans' residence for four centuries; and the Basilica Cistern, an underground forest of Roman columns.
Day 3 · Süleymaniye and a private Bosphorus cruise
Süleymaniye Mosque, Mimar Sinan's masterpiece above the Golden Horn; the Egyptian Spice Bazaar, with saffron, dried fruit and Turkish delight stalls; and a private Bosphorus cruise among palaces and wooden waterfront mansions.
Day 4 · Istanbul · Ankara
An early departure for the capital: Museum of Anatolian Civilisations, a panoramic city visit with a stop at Atatürk's Mausoleum, and Ankara Citadel, with the Roman Temple of Augustus and baths. Dinner at the Ankara hotel.
By road: 450 km · approximately 5 hr 30 min
Day 5 · Ankara · Cappadocia
Stop at the Salt Lake, Turkey's second-largest lake; visit Özkonak underground city, described in the programme as having eight levels, and the Göreme and Devrent valleys, where erosion has shaped animal-like figures in the rock. In the evening, an included Turkish Night with folk dances.
Overnight: Cappadocia.
By road: 300 km · approximately 4 hr
Day 6 · Cappadocia
An included balloon flight at dawn over the volcanic valleys. Afterwards, the Avcılar and Güvercinlik viewpoints and their fairy chimneys, and Uçhisar village, crowned by a fortress carved into the rock. Dinner at the hotel.
Optional: a 4x4 jeep excursion.
Day 7 · Cappadocia · Pamukkale
Depart towards the Aegean, stopping at Sultanhanı caravanserai on the Silk Road. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale.
By road: 650 km · approximately 8 hr
Day 8 · Pamukkale · Ephesus · Izmir
Hierapolis and the Cotton Castle in the morning; Ephesus ruins and the House of the Virgin Mary in the afternoon. Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Izmir.
By road: 260 km · approximately 3 hr 30 min
Day 9 · Alaçatı
A day in Alaçatı, an Aegean village of stone houses, old windmills and bougainvillea-lined streets, known for its cafés, boutiques and producers' market.
Day 10 · Izmir · Bursa · Istanbul
Travel towards Istanbul, stopping in Bursa, the first Ottoman capital: the Grand Mosque, Green Mausoleum and Green Mosque, decorated with İznik tiles.
By road: 480 km · approximately 6 hr
Day 11 · Classic Istanbul
Hagia Sophia, whose dome marked Christian architecture for nine centuries; the Roman Hippodrome with its Egyptian obelisk, the Blue Mosque and a final visit to the Grand Bazaar.
Day 12 · Asian Istanbul
Cross to Asia: Çamlıca Mosque, the Kuzguncuk neighbourhood with its painted wooden houses, and a return via Galata Tower.
Day 13 · Fener, Balat and Taksim
Fener and Balat, with colourful façades and Greek, Jewish and Armenian heritage; Holy Trinity Church and Taksim Square. A free day without a guide.
Unguided day, at the traveller's disposal.
Day 14 · Departure
Breakfast and airport transfer. End of services.
Included & Not Included
Included admissions
- Istanbul Archaeology Museum
- Topkapi Palace
- Basilica Cistern
- Museum of Anatolian Civilisations
- Anıtkabir
- Ankara Citadel
- Özkonak
- Göreme
- Hierapolis and Pamukkale
- Ephesus
- Bursa mosques
Included services
- Thirteen nights' accommodation at the planned hotels or a similar category, with breakfast
- Six dinners at circuit hotels outside Istanbul (Ankara, two in Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Izmir and Alaçatı)
- Admissions listed in the itinerary
- Spanish-speaking guide
- All transfers
- Cappadocia balloon flight
- Turkish Night
- Hotel tax
- Wi-Fi in the vehicle
- Mineral water in the car
Not included
- International flights
- Lunches
- All drinks
- Optional excursions
- Personal expenses
- Extra baggage
- Turkey visa
- Travel and health insurance
- Guide and driver tips, paid at the destination
