Fascinating Türkiye 8 Days

Arrival at Istanbul International Airport (IST). Transfer to your hotel in Sultanahmet and check-in. In the evening, a welcome meeting with the group and your guide Sinan to go through the itinerary, answer your questions and toast the trip with a welcome Turkish tea. First night in the historic district.
Accommodation: standard hotel in Sultanahmet.

A full day discovering the great monuments of Istanbul. We begin with Hagia Sophia, a masterpiece of world architecture with its imposing dome and Byzantine mosaics. We cross to the Hippodrome and the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii), a jewel of Ottoman art with its 20,000 tiles. Group lunch at a traditional restaurant. In the afternoon, Topkapı Palace: the Harem, the courtyards and the spectacular collection of relics. We descend into the Basilica Cistern to end the day among submerged columns.
Meals included: breakfast and lunch.
Accommodation: standard hotel in Sultanahmet.

Group cruise on the Bosphorus, the strait that separates Europe from Asia: palaces, fortresses and unique views. We disembark to visit the Grand Bazaar and its more than 4,000 shops — your guide will help you find the best products at fair prices. Lunch included. In the afternoon, a stroll through the Spice Bazaar and free time in the Eminönü district. The more energetic can climb up to the Galata Tower viewing gallery (extra ticket).
Meals included: breakfast and lunch.
Accommodation: standard hotel in Sultanahmet.

Transfer to the airport and domestic flight IST → ASR (1 h 20 min). Arrival in Cappadocia and straight on to the Göreme Open-Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site: rock-cut churches with colourful Byzantine frescoes from the 10th to the 13th century. Check-in at your cave hotel and lunch. In the afternoon, a walk around the village of Göreme and a panoramic viewpoint over the fairy chimneys.
Domestic flight included: IST → ASR.
Meals included: breakfast and lunch.
Accommodation: cave hotel in Cappadocia.

Option of a sunrise balloon flight (extra). Derinkuyu Underground City with its eight excavated levels. We continue to the Ihlara Valley, a 14 km green canyon with hidden rock-cut churches. Panoramic views from Uçhisar Castle, the highest point in Cappadocia. Traditional lunch at a cave restaurant. Afternoon: pottery workshop in Avanos and a walk through Pigeon Valley. Optional Turkish night with a dervish show and dinner (extra).
Meals included: breakfast and lunch.
Accommodation: cave hotel in Cappadocia.

A scenic drive across Central Anatolia with a stop in Konya to visit the Mevlana Museum, tomb of the poet Rumi and spiritual centre of the whirling dervishes. Lunch in Konya with a taste of the local cuisine (etli ekmek, fırın kebabı). We continue towards Pamukkale across the golden landscapes of the Anatolian plateau. Arrival at sunset and check-in at a thermal hotel with access to natural hot-spring pools.
Distance: ~540 km (6–7 h with stops).
Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Accommodation: thermal hotel in Pamukkale.

Morning on the white terraces of Pamukkale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site: we walk barefoot on the travertine, with thermal water at 35 °C. At the top we explore Hierapolis: the Roman theatre, the necropolis and the baths. Option to swim in Cleopatra's Pool among submerged columns (extra). On to Ephesus: the Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre for 25,000 spectators, the great marble avenue and the House of the Virgin Mary. Lunch on the way. Arrival in Izmir and a free evening on the Konak seafront.
Meals included: breakfast and lunch.
Accommodation: hotel in Izmir.

Breakfast at the hotel. Domestic flight ADB → IST. Transfer to the international airport for your flights home or an extension in Istanbul. Farewell to the group and the end of an unforgettable shared experience.
Domestic flight included: ADB → IST.
Meals included: breakfast.
Note: if you would like to extend your trip, ask about extensions to the Turquoise Coast or the Asian side of Istanbul.