Explore Turkey: Istanbul, Cappadocia & Ephesus

Welcome to Istanbul! Upon arrival at the airport, you'll be met by your private driver and transferred comfortably to your hotel. After check-in, the rest of the day is yours to relax or explore at your own pace - perhaps take a stroll around your neighborhood, sip Turkish tea at a local café, or simply unwind and get ready for the journey ahead.

As the cultural and historical center of Turkey, Istanbul has a wealth of heritage waiting for your exploration. The first is the Topkapi Palace, which was the main residence of the Ottoman sultans in the 15th century. Walk around this palace and especially the Imperial Harem to get a glimpse of royal life.

Continue to visit the Hagia Sophia, where the numerous, huge and exquisite mosaics always amaze you. After that, go down the stairs and enjoy a surprising underground experience at the Basilica Cistern. Then, marvel at the Suleymaniye Mosque's splendor, famous for its ornate interior. Step into this amazing building to feel the peaceful atmosphere. Finally, take a leisurely walk around the ancient Hippodrome, where you can see the Egyptian Obelisk and Serpentine Column.

As night falls, you may opt for a scenic Bosphorus cruise, which offers wonderful performances, nice dinners, and marvelous views.

Fly to Kayseri in the early morning. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to Cappadocia by private vehicle. Today's journey takes about 2.5 hours in total.

The tour starts with Devrent Valley and Pasabag Valley, where you can see the mushroom-shaped fairy chimneys. Later, explore some finest cave churches in the Goreme Open Air Museum. Continue to enjoy a fabulous panorama of Cappadocia from the Uchisar Castle, and then end today's tour at the Pigeon Valley.

Today, you will visit the Ortahisar, a natural citadel carved in rocks with raw beauty and historical features. Later, continue to the Cavusin Valley to find the troglodyte settlement. You can even find a breathtaking rock-cut church with beautiful frescoes at the Cavusin Kilise.

Explore the city at your own will this afternoon. It would be a great choice to explore the Avanos Village, famous for its centuries-old pottery tradition. You can watch skilled artisans shape red clay from the river into handmade ceramics, stroll through the town's quaint streets, and even try your hand at the pottery wheel in one of the local workshops. Alternatively, hike along the Red Valley to immerse in the sunset charm, or dive into Kaymakli Underground City to explore the narrow passageways and stairs to visit houses, churches, and kitchens inside the city.

After breakfast, you will be escorted to the airport (about a 1.5-hour drive) for your flight to Izmir, with a stopover in Istanbul (the flight and the stopover take about 4.5 hours). Upon arrival, you will be transferred to visit the Agora directly. It used to be a marketplace built in the Roman Era, and now is an open-air museum. Later, drop by the Kizlaragasi Hani, originally an inn for trade caravans from the East carrying silk and spices. Afterward, head to Kusadasi (about a 1.5-hour drive) to stay overnight.

Today, you will enjoy a full-day tour of Ephesus. As one of the largest Roman archaeological sites in the eastern Mediterranean, you can get some idea of the city's original splendor from the ruins, including the Arcadian Way, the Antique Theater, the Roman Baths, and the Celsus Library. After the tour, return to Kusadasi.

Enjoy some leisure time in Kusadasi before driving to the airport in Izmir for an onward flight to your next destination.