Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus 7 days / 6 nights

Visit the great Istanbul with a cruise on the Bosphorus, admire the Greco-Roman remains of Ephesus and discover the magic of Cappadocia

Day 1 (Istanbul) – Half day Bosphorus cruise)

After your arrival at Istanbul airport, we will transfer you to your hotel in Sultanahmet (Istanbul Old Town) area. You will have free time until noon. Feast your eyes on the beauty of the Bosphorus while enjoying a delicious lunch.

Our first stop is the Rumeli Fortress, located northeast of the Bosphorus Strait, this forest was built to prevent aid from entering Constantinople from the Black Sea during the Turkish siege in 1453 AD. You will then travel to Anadolu Kavagi, a medieval castle with seven huge towers on its walls. The first was built by the Byzantines, it was restored and reinforced by the Genoese in 1350 and later by the Ottomans. You will see the best panoramic view of Istanbul, the Bosphorus and the Black Sea from this point. You will have your lunch on the boat and see Poyrazkoy next. Poyrazkoy is one of the closest villages to the Black Sea and is located on the Asian side of Istanbul. From the minaret a bridge leads to the weapons and ammunition depots. Although the village is located on top of a hill, there is a road that leads to the beach just before the village. Poyrazkoy is an excellent place to rest or shelter while sailing from Istanbul to the Black Sea.

Our cruise will end in Kabatas at approximately 6 pm and you will then be transferred to your hotel.

Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 2 (Istanbul)
After your breakfast at the hotel, we will start a full day tour in Istanbul including the most important places of this magical city such as Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome and the Obelisk, Hagia Sophia (Santa Sofia ), the Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Underground Water Palace) and the Grand Bazaar. Lunch is included in the tour. Around 17:00, transfer you to the hotel.

Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 3 (Cappadocia)
Around 6 am, we will transfer you to Istanbul airport and fly to Cappadocia. Upon arrival at Nevsehir airport, we will transfer you to your hotel in Cappadocia and offer you breakfast here. You will rest for a while since at 11:00 your tour of Cappadocia will begin. The tour includes: The town of Cavusin and Pasabag (Valley of the Monks). Afterwards, you will have your lunch in Ibrahimpasa or Goreme villages. Then you will visit Kaymakli Underground City which dates back to Hittite times and was dug five levels into the ground. Our tour will end in the afternoon with a photo stop at Uchisar Castle and rest at your hotel. Optionally you can see the ceremony of the whirling dance of the Dervishes. Overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 4 (Cappadocia)
On your fourth day, you can choose to fly in a Hot Air Balloon at sunrise time. After breakfast, you will join a full day Cappadocia tour. We will start by pausing in Esentepe to enjoy the panoramic views over the Goreme Valley. Then we will go to the Ihlara valley to appreciate the most spectacular valley in Turkey. This used to be a monastic center until the 15th century. We will hike about 6 km through the valley. After our lunch in a restaurant by the river, we will go to the Selime Monastery excavated in the 8th century, finally we will take you to your hotel.

Day 5 (Transport to Ephesus)
After your breakfast at the hotel, we transfer you to Kayseri airport and take the morning flight to Izmir. Our driver will be waiting for you at Izmir Adnan Menderes airport and drive you to his hotel in Ephesus area (either Selcuk or Kusadasi). You will have the afternoon free. You will spend the night in the region of Ephesus.

Day 6 (Ephesus – flight back to Istanbul)
This day, you will have a full day tour of Ephesus and visit the house of the Virgin Mary. The guided tour will start at the ruins of Ephesus, after lunch, you will visit the Temple of Artemis, the Selcuk Museum and the House of the Virgin Mary. At the end, we take you to Izmir airport to board an overnight flight to Istanbul. Our driver will pick you up from Istanbul airport and transfer you to your hotel in Istanbul.

Day 7 (Istanbul)
You will have free time in Istanbul until it is time to be transferred to the airport for your international flight. Other options can be arranged for that free time.