Istanbul & Cappadocia Discovery

Day-by-day itinerary

1. 1

   Arrival in Istanbul

   Land at Istanbul Airport and transfer to your hotel in the historic Sultanahmet district. Spend the evening at a rooftop restaurant watching ferries criss-cross the Bosphorus.

2. 2

   Old City Wonders

   A full guided day among the icons: Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome and Topkapi Palace, finishing with spice-scented wandering and bargaining practice in the Grand Bazaar.

3. 3

   Bosphorus & Flight to Cappadocia

   Morning Bosphorus cruise between two continents, then an afternoon flight to Cappadocia. Check into your cave hotel and watch the valley glow at sunset.

4. 4

   Balloons & Valleys

   Optional sunrise hot-air balloon flight — the experience Cappadocia is famous for — followed by the North Cappadocia tour: Göreme Open-Air Museum, Uçhisar Castle and the panoramic Esentepe viewpoint.

5. 5

   Underground Cities

   Explore the astonishing underground city of Derinkuyu and hike the Ihlara Valley beside a green river canyon lined with cave churches. Evening at leisure in Göreme's restaurants.

6. 6

   Return to Istanbul

   Fly back to Istanbul for a free afternoon — last-minute shopping in Istinye Park or a Turkish bath experience — before a farewell dinner.

7. 7

   Departure

   Transfer to Istanbul Airport for your homeward flight, carrying lamps, delight boxes and several thousand photographs.