After breakfast, begin your introduction to Istanbul at the magnificent Suleymaniye Mosque, perched on the city’s Third Hill. Commissioned by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and designed by the great Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan, this 16th-century mosque boasts harmonious proportions and panoramic views of the Golden Horn.

Following your guided visit, enjoy the freedom to explore Istanbul at your own pace. Perhaps lose yourself in the Grand Bazaar’s labyrinth of over 4,000 shops, where spices, textiles, and antiques await discovery.

Optional Full-Day Istanbul City Tour: Enhance your day with a guided visit to Istanbul’s crown jewels: the majestic Topkapi Palace, home to Ottoman sultans for four centuries; Hagia Sophia, the architectural marvel that has served as basilica, mosque, and museum; and the Blue Mosque, adorned with 20,000 blue Iznik tiles. The day concludes at the Grand Bazaar.

Overnight stay in Istanbul.

After breakfast, awaken your senses at the historic Spice Bazaar, where the air is filled with the rich aromas of saffron, cinnamon, dried fruits, and Turkish delight. Established in the 17th century, this bazaar once funded the upkeep of the nearby Yeni Mosque and continues to be a hub of daily life.

Next, enjoy a scenic cruise along the Bosphorus Strait, the natural divide between Europe and Asia. Glide past opulent Ottoman palaces, wooden waterfront mansions, and ancient fortresses while the city reveals its unique position as a bridge between worlds.

Optional Half-Day Anatolian Side Tour: Discover Istanbul's Asian side, including the elegant Beylerbeyi Palace, a summer residence for Ottoman sultans. Enjoy panoramic views from Camlica Hill—the city’s highest point—and wander the charming streets of the Üsküdar district. Lunch included.

Optional Dinner Cruise: Set sail in the evening for a magical Bosphorus cruise featuring traditional music, folk dancing, and a delicious Turkish meal under the city’s twinkling bridges.

Overnight stay in Istanbul.

After breakfast, bid farewell to Istanbul and journey inland toward Ankara, Turkey’s vibrant capital. Travel through the scenic landscapes of the Bolu Mountains, with their forested slopes and deep valleys, offering a glimpse of Anatolia’s natural beauty.

Arrive in Ankara, a city that merges ancient history with modern elegance. Your panoramic city tour introduces the sleek government buildings, bustling boulevards, and leafy parks. Then, step into the heart of Turkish identity with a visit to Anıtkabir—the monumental mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Republic of Turkey. The complex is a powerful symbol of Turkish pride, with its vast ceremonial square and museum chronicling the life of this revolutionary leader.

Dinner and overnight stay in Ankara.

Enjoy breakfast before continuing your journey southeast to Cappadocia, one of the most surreal landscapes in the world. En route, marvel at Tuz Gölü, or Salt Lake—an immense, shimmering expanse that transforms into a blindingly white surface during summer. It's a sacred lake for some locals and home to migratory flamingos.

Arrive in Cappadocia and dive into its deep artistic traditions with a visit to a local ceramic workshop, where ancient techniques are still used to create intricate pottery. Then stop by a precious stone atelier, where raw stones are shaped into striking jewelry.

This evening, explore the lunar-like terrain with an optional sunset jeep safari—a thrilling ride across valleys carved by wind and volcanic ash.

Dinner and overnight stay in Cappadocia.

Cappadocia awaits with its otherworldly charm. Begin your day optionally with a hot air balloon ride at sunrise—an iconic experience that lifts you above the fairy chimneys, rock-cut churches, and sculpted valleys in a spectacle of light and silence.

Later, explore the Goreme Open-Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where 10th–12th-century cave churches display exquisite Byzantine frescoes depicting scenes from the New Testament. Continue through the Avcilar Valley, home to cave dwellings and panoramic vistas, then to Pasabagi (Monks Valley), where the iconic mushroom-shaped fairy chimneys tower over the land.

In Güvercinlik (Pigeon Valley), see dovecotes carved into the soft rock—a testament to the traditional pigeon breeding culture of the region.

Visit a carpet weaving workshop to see how Turkey’s world-renowned rugs are made, often by hand using ancient Anatolian techniques passed down through generations.

Optional: Descend into the Kaimakli Underground City, an astonishing labyrinth of tunnels and chambers extending eight levels below ground. Believed to date back to Hittite times, these cities once protected entire communities from invaders.

Optional: Join a Turkish Night Show and enjoy regional music, folk dances, and unlimited drinks in a cavern-style venue.

Dinner and overnight stay in Cappadocia.

After breakfast, set out for Pamukkale, a journey through central Anatolia’s dramatic terrain. On arrival, step into the ancient Greco-Roman city of Hierapolis, once a prosperous spa town built on the hot springs that have shaped the region for millennia.

Explore its vast necropolis, Roman baths, and well-preserved theatre before heading to the awe-inspiring natural terraces of Pamukkale—known as the 'Cotton Castle'. These white cascades of calcium carbonate form shallow thermal pools in stepped formations, offering a one-of-a-kind landscape unlike anywhere else on earth.

Don’t miss the chance to dip your feet into the mineral-rich waters that have drawn visitors for over 2,000 years, including Roman emperors.

Dinner and overnight stay in Pamukkale.

After breakfast, depart for a day steeped in religious lore and classical grandeur. Begin with a visit to the House of the Virgin Mary, nestled in the hills near Ephesus. This modest stone sanctuary is believed to be where Mary spent her final years, and it is revered by both Christians and Muslims as a sacred pilgrimage site.

Continue to the magnificent ruins of Ephesus, once one of the largest cities of the Roman Empire and a cultural beacon of the ancient world. Walk the Marble Road, marvel at the Library of Celsus with its ornate façade, and stand in the grand theatre where over 25,000 spectators once gathered. You'll also see the Temple of Hadrian and the ancient latrines that show the Romans' attention to urban planning.

Later, stop at a traditional leather workshop to observe the artisanal craftsmanship Turkey is known for. Transfer to either Kusadasi or Izmir, both offering coastal charm and a vibrant culinary scene.

Dinner and overnight stay in Kusadasi or Izmir.

After breakfast, journey to the hilltop ruins of Pergamon, a Hellenistic city that was once a center of science, healing, and culture. Visit the Asclepion, an ancient medical sanctuary dedicated to Asclepius, the god of healing. Galen, one of antiquity’s greatest physicians, once practiced here. Walk through its sacred tunnels and colonnades, imagining the rituals that took place in pursuit of wellness.

Continue north to the legendary city of Troy, immortalized in Homer’s Iliad. Unearth the layers of ancient settlements that date back over 4,000 years, including the reconstructed city walls and remnants of fortifications. Learn about the Trojan War myths and the ongoing archaeological efforts to uncover the truth behind the epic.

Arrive in Canakkale, strategically located on the Dardanelles Strait—a city that has witnessed both mythological and modern conflicts.

Dinner and overnight stay in Canakkale.

After breakfast, depart for Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. Nestled against the foothills of Mount Uludağ, Bursa is renowned for its green landscapes, thermal baths, and spiritual heritage.

Visit the majestic Ulu Cami (Grand Mosque), an architectural masterpiece with 20 domes and intricate calligraphy. Explore Koza Han, a 15th-century silk bazaar where traders once exchanged goods along the Silk Road. Then pay your respects at the Green Tomb (Yesil Türbe), resting place of Sultan Mehmed I, adorned with rich turquoise tiles.

Cross the Gulf of Izmit by ferry or bridge and continue to Istanbul for your final evening.

Overnight stay in Istanbul.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight home.

As you leave Turkey, carry with you the memories of empires long gone, timeless landscapes, and the warm hospitality of a nation that bridges continents and cultures.

Depending on your flight time, breakfast may not be available on the last day.