Hos geldin! Welcome to Turkey. Your adventure starts in Istanbul – the largest city in Europe. When you arrive, you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. If you arrive early, maybe walk through the bustling bazaars or visit the 1500-year-old UNESCO World Heritage monument, Hagia Sophia. Tonight, join your local leader and small group for a welcome meeting at 6 pm. Then, take a short stroll to a local restaurant for a group dinner of Ottoman and Turkish cuisine and get to know your fellow travellers. It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

After breakfast, make your way to Sultanahmet (the Old City, formerly Constantinople) and join your leader for an orientation walk. Begin with the Hippodrome, once the social and sporting heart of the Byzantine Empire, and see the decorative statues and obelisks. Then, visit Sultan Ahmet I’s Blue Mosque – with its six minarets, 260 windows, and iconic blue walls made from more than 20,000 Iznik ceramic tiles, it is considered one of the most magnificent mosques in all of Istanbul. Then, practice some good-natured haggling with local artisans in the Grand Bazaar, packed with over 3000 stalls of handcrafted jewellery, textiles and books. Later, hop aboard a private yacht and take in the Istanbul skyline from the Bosphorus Strait – a waterway that separates Europe and Asia.

Travel to Kusadasi this morning, stopping at Pergamon along the way. When you arrive, take a cable car to the top of the hill and take in the views across the Bakircay Plain in Turkey’s Aegean region. At the top of the hill, explore crumbling ruins, including the colossal Temple of Trajan, the Hellenistic Theatre and the Altar of Zeus. After some time walking in the footsteps of ancient emperors, continue to Kusadasi. Tonight, settle into your hotel on the edge of the Aegean Sea – this will be your home away from home for the next three nights. Your travel time today, including stops and visits, will be approximately 8.5 hours.

This morning, explore the ancient city ruins of Ephesus – a preserved Greco-Roman site. As you walk in the footsteps of Cleopatra and Mark Antony, discover how the ancient Romans lived. Stroll through the marble streets surrounding the ancient theatre and explore the gymnasium, baths and beautifully restored Library of Celsus. Then, join a carpet weaving demonstration and learn about the art of traditional carpet weaving from local social enterprise, Sultankoy – an organisation that provides local women with employment while protecting and developing the ancient tradition. After a picnic lunch here, you’ll learn all about Turkish recipes and flavours with a hands-on cooking class. Get to know the local chef as you prepare a traditional meal and feast on your creations together.

This morning is free for you to explore Kusadasi at your own pace. Maybe book an optional tour to the Hierapolis Ancient City or unwind at Pamukkale’s mineral springs – a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its turquoise waters famed by a snow-white mineral build-up cascading over the cliffs. If you’d rather skip the optional tour and stay closer to town, why not stroll the seafront promenade and grab a bite to eat by the harbour or talk with the locals at the main bazaar. For the Pamukkale Hierapolis and Travertines National Park optional activity, you’ll need a budget for additional transport as well, which varies depending on passenger numbers. The Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism has announced that the Cleopatra Pool is now closed for renovations. There is no confirmed reopening date yet.

Today, catch a flight to Kayseri. When you arrive, settle into your Feature Stay accommodation at the specially restored cave suites in the Old City centre. After checking in, you’ll be welcomed into a local home for home-cooked Turkish lunch. Then, explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Goreme Open Air Museum, where you’ll find richly decorated rock-carved churches, monasteries and chapels. Later, join a tour of Cappadocia and discover the region’s highlights like Imagination Valley where rock formations, known as fairy chimneys, stand amid the orange-coloured landscape. Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours. On occasion, it may be necessary to take a connecting flight to Kayseri when direct flights are not available, which will increase the total travel time.

After breakfast, explore the underground cities beneath Cappadocia. It’s believed that these intricate subterranean homes were created in the 8th and 7th centuries – you might spot remnants of subterranean wine cellars, stables and chapels. Then, visit the studio of a local ceramic master. Learn the history and techniques of traditional Turkish ceramics and discover how the rich clay from the red river is moulded into exquisite pieces. This afternoon, hike through Red Valley – named for the incredible red hues the rock formations throw at sunset. Tonight, maybe find a spot to watch the sunset, then head back to town for dinner with your group. There’ll also be time today to take to the skies with an optional hot air balloon ride (at your own expense) if you wish. You can only book the optional hot air balloon activity with your trip leader. Your leader will discuss this with the group early in the trip. The price of the hot air balloon activity is indicative only as the prices may fluctuate between different seasons. Your leader will advise you of the correct rate at the time of booking. Due to local regulations, hot air balloon flight times vary. This means that your flight may be before or just after sunrise. This is subject to the activity provider’s discretion and is not within our control.

This morning, say goodbye to Cappadocia and return to where it all began – Istanbul. When you arrive, maybe explore the European side of the city or take trip across the Bosphorus – your leader will have the best recommendations for things to see and do. This evening, maybe join your group for an optional farewell dinner at one of Istanbul’s excellent restaurants to celebrate a well-travelled trip. Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.

After breakfast, your Turkish adventure comes to an end. If you would like to extend your stay in Istanbul, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.