Turkey Itinerary 12 Days

You will be picked up from the airport and transferred to your Hotel.

Overnight stay in Istanbul

• After breakfast, your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby to begin your exploration of Istanbul’s historic Old City.
• Start with the Byzantine Hippodrome, once a center for public entertainment, where emperors hosted thrilling chariot races for their citizens.
• Next, visit the iconic Sultanahmet Mosque (also known as the Blue Mosque), famous for its blue tiles and impressive design.
• Continue to Topkapi Palace, the former home of Ottoman sultans, where you’ll uncover the rich history of the empire. Then, head to Hagia Sophia, an architectural wonder that was once the world’s largest Orthodox church and is now an active mosque, blending centuries of history and religious significance.
• Finally, experience the Grand Bazaar, the oldest and largest covered market in the world, where you can wander through countless stalls offering everything from spices to handmade crafts. Return to hotel, overnight stay in Istanbul.

• Begin your day with a scenic two-hour Bosphorus boat cruise, offering stunning views of Istanbul’s landmarks. As you sail along the strait, you'll pass under the famous bridges, admire the grand Dolmabahce and Beylerbeyi Palaces, and view the Anadolu and Rumeli Fortresses. You’ll also get a chance to see the charming waterfront houses that line the Bosphorus.
• Next, visit the Spice Market, a 17th-century building that once served as the heart of Istanbul’s spice trade, where you can still enjoy the same scents and colors. Then, explore the impressive Suleymaniye Mosque, a masterpiece designed by the renowned architect Sinan, with its grand domes and peaceful courtyards.
• End the day with a visit to the Archaeological Museum, home to a fascinating collection that covers centuries of ancient civilizations. Overnight stay in Istanbul.

• After breakfast, depart from Istanbul for a 5 hour drive towards Canakkale. First, visit Gallipoli, the site of one of World War I’s most important battles. Here, you can explore the memorials and trenches that mark this somber battlefield, paying tribute to the lives lost in the fierce campaign (optional visit).
• Next, discover the ancient city of Troy, immortalized in Homer’s epic The Iliad. Wander through the ruins of this legendary city, where myths of Greek heroes and the Trojan Horse come to life.
• After the visit, overnight stay in Canakkale.

• After breakfast, depart from Canakkale for a 3-hour drive to Bergama, home to the ancient city of Pergamon.
• Here, you’ll explore the Acropolis, a site famous for housing the second-largest library of the ancient world, a symbol of knowledge and culture that once rivaled Alexandria.
• Following your tour, enjoy a comfortable 3-hour drive as you make your way to the coastal town of Kusadasi, where you can relax after the long day.
• Overnight stay in Kusadasi.

• Today, explore the ancient wonders of Ephesus, home to one of the largest and most impressive collections of Roman ruins in the Eastern Mediterranean. As you stroll through the well-preserved streets, you’ll be amazed by the grandeur of this ancient city.
• Next, visit the House of the Virgin Mary, a peaceful site believed to be where Mary, the mother of Jesus, spent her final years. Located near Ephesus, this serene spot offers a moment of reflection and spiritual significance.
• End the day with a visit to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Learn about the history behind this once-majestic temple, dedicated to the Greek goddess of hunting and fertility. Return to hotel and overnight stay in Kusadasi.

• After breakfast, depart from Kusadasi for a scenic 2.5-hour drive to Aphrodisias, the ancient city dedicated to Aphrodite, the goddess of love. Explore this remarkably well-preserved archaeological site, home to one of the best-preserved ancient stadiums in the world.
• Then continue on for a 1-hour drive to Pamukkale.
• Here, you’ll experience the natural wonder of the terraces, created by thermal waters that have formed white mineral deposits over centuries. While exploring Pamukkale and the ancient Roman spa city of Hierapolis, you'll have the chance to take a refreshing dip in the famed ancient pool, a relaxing experience amidst history and nature. Overnight stay in Pamukkale.

• After breakfast, depart from Pamukkale for a 4-hour drive to Antalya, a beautiful coastal city on the Mediterranean.
• Upon arrival, enjoy a city tour that takes you through some of the city’s most important spots: the Hadrian's Gate - a Roman triumphal arch, the ancient port, where ships have docked for centuries.
• Wander through Antalya’s charming Old City, with its narrow streets, traditional houses, and vibrant atmosphere.
• Overnight stay in Antalya.

• After breakfast, depart from Antalya for a 3-hour drive to Konya. On the way, make a stop at Aspendos, home to one of the best-preserved Roman theaters in the world.
• This stunning structure, known for its excellent acoustics and impressive design, offers a look into ancient entertainment.
• Upon arrival in Konya, visit the Mevlana Mausoleum, one of the most important spiritual centers in the Islamic world.
• This sacred site, dedicated to the legendary poet and philosopher Rumi, is a place of deep reflection and tranquility.
• Overnight stay in Konya.

• After breakfast, embark on a 3-hour drive to Cappadocia. Along the way, you’ll make a stop at Ihlara Valley, a breathtaking canyon where you’ll spend two hours exploring its natural beauty.
• As you walk through the valley, discover ancient churches carved into the rocks and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
• Continue your journey to Cappadocia, where you’ll be surrounded by the region's unique landscapes of fairy chimneys and cave dwellings.
• Overnight stay in Cappadocia.

• Start your day with the option of a hot-air balloon flight at sunrise, offering a breathtaking aerial view of Cappadocia’s surreal landscape, a truly unforgettable experience.
• After your hotel breakfast, visit Imaginary Valley (also known as Devrent Valley), where unique rock formations resemble animals and other curious shapes.
• Continue to Monks Valley, home to the famous fairy chimneys and peaceful rock-hewn dwellings that were once inhabited by monks seeking solitude.
• Explore the cave town of Zelve, once one of the largest communities in the region, with its fascinating network of homes and churches carved into the rock.
• Finish your tour at the Göreme Open-Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you’ll discover the well-preserved ruins of churches and frescoes carved into soft volcanic rock.
• Overnight stay in Cappadocia.

• On the final day of your 12 Days Turkey Itinerary, start with a visit to Kaymakli Underground City, one of the most fascinating examples among the 36 underground cities in the region.
• Wander through its tunnels and chambers, which once offered refuge from invaders.
• Next, head to Uchisar Castle, the highest point in Cappadocia, to enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including the iconic fairy chimneys and valleys.
• Continue your exploration with a visit to Pigeon Valley and Love Valley, two of the region's most picturesque spots, renowned for their unique rock formations and tranquil beauty.
• After the tour, you'll be privately transferred to Kayseri Airport for your flight back to Istanbul.