Eight days in Turkey takes you from the Blue Mosque and Grand Bazaar of Istanbul through the Roman terraces of Pamukkale, the ruins of Ephesus where St Paul preached and Cleopatra bathed, and into Cappadocia where you wake before dawn to float above a landscape of fairy chimneys in a hot air balloon. Turkey is the country where East genuinely meets West and the cooking alone is worth the journey.
Eight days in Turkey takes you from the Blue Mosque and Grand Bazaar of Istanbul through the Roman terraces of Pamukkale, the ruins of Ephesus where St Paul preached and Cleopatra bathed, and into Cappadocia where you wake before dawn to float above a landscape of fairy chimneys in a hot air balloon. Turkey is the country where East genuinely meets West and the cooking alone is worth the journey.
Arrive at Istanbul Airport and transfer to your hotel in the Sultanahmet historic quarter. Afternoon at the Blue Mosque with its six minarets and 20,000 Iznik tiles. Cross the square to Hagia Sophia, built in 537 AD and converted between cathedral, mosque, and museum across the centuries - still one of the greatest buildings on earth. Evening walk through the Grand Bazaar, 61 covered streets and 4000 shops that have traded continuously for 550 years. Overnight Istanbul.
Morning at Topkapi Palace, the heart of the Ottoman Empire for 400 years, with its Harem, Treasury, and the sacred relics of the Prophet Muhammad. Cross the Golden Horn to the Spice Bazaar for Turkish delight, saffron, and dried figs. Afternoon Bosphorus cruise between Europe and Asia past Ottoman palaces and wooden yali mansions. Evening in the Galata and Karakoy district for the best meyhane taverna dinner in the city. Overnight Istanbul.
Morning at the Basilica Cistern, the extraordinary 6th-century underground reservoir with 336 marble columns and the famous Medusa head bases lit by torchlight. Visit Dolmabahce Palace on the Bosphorus, the 19th-century baroque palace where Ataturk died. Afternoon flight to Kayseri and transfer to Cappadocia. Overnight Cappadocia cave hotel.
4 AM pickup for the hot air balloon over Cappadocia at sunrise - floating above hundreds of balloons over the fairy chimney landscape with the valleys turning gold below is one of the world's great travel experiences. Afternoon at the Goreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO site of rock-cut Byzantine churches with frescoes from the 10th century. Descend into the Derinkuyu Underground City, 8 levels deep and housing 20,000 people during Arab invasions. Overnight Cappadocia.
Morning hike through Love Valley, named for the tall phallic fairy chimneys, with red and rose valleys turning extraordinary colours in the light. Climb Uchisar Castle, the highest point in Cappadocia, for panoramic valley views. Afternoon pottery workshop in Avanos, the ceramic capital of Cappadocia where the craft has been practised for 5000 years using red clay from the Kizilirmak River. Overnight Cappadocia.
Morning flight to Izmir on the Aegean coast. Drive to Ephesus, the best-preserved ancient Roman city in the world and one of the finest archaeological sites anywhere. Walk the Curetes Street past the agora, the Temple of Hadrian, and the brothel to the Library of Celsus, a two-storey marble facade of extraordinary beauty. Sit in the 25,000-seat ancient theatre where St Paul preached. Visit the House of the Virgin Mary on the hill above. Overnight Kusadasi or Selcuk.
Drive to Pamukkale, the Cotton Castle, where calcium-rich thermal water has flowed down the hillside for millennia creating brilliant white travertine terraces and pools. Walk barefoot up the terraces in the warm thermal water. At the top, explore the ruins of Hierapolis, the ancient spa city, including the extraordinary necropolis. Swim in Cleopatra's Pool, the antique pool filled with submerged Roman columns where Cleopatra reportedly bathed. Overnight Pamukkale.
Final morning at Pamukkale at sunrise when the white terraces glow pink and the site is empty. Drive to Bodrum Airport on the Aegean coast or Izmir Airport for your international return flight. Pick up Turkish delight, saffron, and evil eye amulets at the last market. End of tour.
We reply within 1 hour with quotes and itinerary.
