Where East Meets West
Turkey straddles two continents — Istanbul is literally split by the Bosphorus Strait between Europe and Asia, a city of 15 million people layered with Byzantine, Ottoman and modern history. It is one of the most compelling cities on earth.
Cappadocia in central Anatolia is unlike anywhere else — a vast volcanic landscape of soft tufa rock sculpted by centuries of erosion into thousands of fairy chimneys, cone-shaped pinnacles and cave valleys. Thousands of years ago, early Christians carved entire underground cities and painted cave churches here. Today, hot air balloons drift over the landscape at dawn in one of the world's most photographed scenes.
This 7-day itinerary gives three full days in Istanbul and three in Cappadocia, flying between the two on a domestic Turkish Airlines service.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Arrival in Istanbul
Arrive at Istanbul Airport. Transfer to hotel in Sultanahmet — the historic heart of the city, within walking distance of every major monument. Evening walk along the Bosphorus waterfront. Welcome dinner. Overnight.
Istanbul — Mosques, Palace & Cistern
Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Camii) — six minarets and 20,000 handpainted Iznik tiles. Hagia Sophia, built by Emperor Justinian in 537 AD, for 1,000 years the largest cathedral in the world. Topkapi Palace — treasury, harem and the holy relics. Basilica Cistern — an underground forest of 336 columns. Bosphorus dinner cruise at sunset. Overnight.
Grand Bazaar & Bosphorus Ferry
Grand Bazaar — one of the world's oldest covered markets with 4,000 shops in 61 streets. Spice Bazaar. Afternoon public ferry up the Bosphorus past wooden yali mansions and Ottoman fortresses. Taksim Square and vibrant Istiklal Street. Overnight.
Istanbul to Cappadocia
Fly to Kayseri (1.5 hours). Transfer to Goreme in the heart of Cappadocia. Afternoon Red Valley hike through rose-tinted fairy chimneys. Sunset from Love Valley viewpoint. Check into cave hotel. Overnight.
Hot Air Balloon & Goreme
Pre-dawn transfer for the sunrise hot air balloon flight over Cappadocia — one of travel's truly great experiences, drifting silently over hundreds of fairy chimneys in the early morning light. Goreme Open-Air Museum — 11th-century Byzantine cave churches with remarkable frescoes. Underground city of Derinkuyu — 8 storeys deep, space for 20,000 people. Overnight at cave hotel.
Valleys, Pottery & Turkish Night
Explore Rose Valley, Pigeon Valley and the pottery town of Avanos on the Red River. Evening traditional Turkish Night — a cultural performance of whirling dervishes, folk dance and regional music with dinner. Overnight at cave hotel.
Return to Istanbul & Departure
Morning flight back to Istanbul Airport. Transfer for your international departure flight.
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