Travel to Turkey on this explorative journey and go deep into history and culture as you hop between the oldest and most fascinating sites in the country.
Starting in Istanbul, you'll explore the essentials sites in the city and get a feel for its electric atmosphere before you venture out into the ancient world, as you enter what was once Mesopotamia. Filled with underground cities, cave dwellings and architectural structures unlike any other, Cappadocia's towns and cities are only to be matched with the space like landscape that surrounds them.
Heading further south, you'll finish your trip in Kusadasi, where you'll find yourself at the centre of Greek and Roman history in Ephesus. The city seems to have found itself at the centre of all important events in history, as told by the excavations that litter this archaeological site.
Your tour finishes on a relaxing note, as you are taken to the hot springs known as the Cotton Castle. The relaxing medicinal baths look like they have been cut from heaven. Travel to Turkey on this explorative journey and go deep into history and culture as you hop between the oldest and most fascinating sites in the country.
Starting in Istanbul, you'll explore the essentials sites in the city and get a feel for its electric atmosphere before you venture out into the ancient world, as you enter what was once Mesopotamia. Filled with underground cities, cave dwellings and architectural structures unlike any other, Cappadocia's towns and cities are only to be matched with the space like landscape that surrounds them.
Heading further south, you'll finish your trip in Kusadasi, where you'll find yourself at the centre of Greek and Roman history in Ephesus. The city seems to have found itself at the centre of all important events in history, as told by the excavations that litter this archaeological site.
Your tour finishes on a relaxing note, as you are taken to the hot springs known as the Cotton Castle. The relaxing medicinal baths look like they have been cut from heaven.
Customise this trip for a perfect match
Private, Personalised TravelNo generic group tours. Just the activities you love, and nothing you don't.
Insider Local KnowledgeAccess insider tips, hidden gems and authentic experiences known only to locals.
End-to-end ServiceFrom the initial planning to full support while travelling, Designer Journeys provides seamless service every step of the way.
Travel With ConfidenceFeel assured travelling with an accredited Australian company with comprehensive financial guarantees and a local emergency system.
More than 1900 travellers have booked with us. Join them to make your next trip full of lifelong memories.
Itinerary
Day 1
Welcome to Istanbul!
Close
Upon arrival in Istanbul airport, you'll be transferred to your hotel in the city centre. Once settled, you'll be free to explore the city or make use of the hotel facilities.
Accommodation
Yasmak Sultan Hotel★4 star
Transportations
Private Driver from Istanbul Airport to Yasmak Sultan Hotel
Destinations
Fatih
Day 2
Guided Tour of Istanbul
Close
Today, you'll have a guided day tour of the city, including lunch. Start off with the UNESCO World Heritage-listed, Old Istanbul. Visit the Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar and the Byzantine Hippodrome, where emperors once saw chariot races. You'll then go to the Hagia Sophia museum, a place of worship for 900 years, and finish the day at the lavishly appointed Topkapi Palace.
Accommodation
Yasmak Sultan Hotel★4 star
Activities
Istanbul City Tour
Sultan Ahmed Mosque
Grand Bazaar
Hippodrome of Constantinople
Hagia Sophia
Topkapi Palace
Meals
Breakfast and lunch
Destinations
Fatih
Istanbul
Day 3
Bosphorus Cruise
Close
Today's exploration crosses Istanbul's two continents on a Bosphorus cruise. Discover the city spanning two continents on a delightful Bosphorus Cruise. You'll have lunch on the cruise while enjoying views across the water. Visit the bustling Spice Bazaar, Beylerbeyi Palace summer residence of the Sultans, and take in the panoramic views over Istanbul from Camlica Hill.
Accommodation
Yasmak Sultan Hotel★4 star
Activities
Bosphorus Cruise
Spice Bazaar
Beylerbeyi Palace
Camlica Hill
Meals
Breakfast and lunch
Destinations
Fatih
Turkey
Istanbul
Day 4
Travel to Mesopotamia
Close
A full day of travel takes you deep into Mesopotamia. You'll be transferred to the airport in time for your flight to Cappadocia, then you'll be greeted and taken to your cave hotel. When you arrive, you'll be free to take a stroll around Cappadocia to stretch your legs after a long day of travel.
Accommodation
MDC Cave Hotel Cappadocia★4 star
Activities
CappadociaOptional Activity
Transportations
Private Driver from Yasmak Sultan Hotel to Domestic Departures
Plane from İstanbul to Kayseri Erkilet Airport
Private Driver from Kayseri Erkilet Airport to MDC CAVE HOTEL CAPPADOCIA
Meals
Breakfast
Destinations
Fatih
Ürgüp
Yeşilhisar
Day 5
North Cappadocia Tour
Close
Explore the beauty of this space-like landscape on a north Cappadocia tour, including the Devrant Valley, famous for its irregularly shaped rock formations, Pashabag known for its 'fairy chimneys', Avanos, and Goreme. During your tour, you'll have lots of opportunities to explore as you introduced to what was Mesopotamia.
Accommodation
MDC Cave Hotel Cappadocia★4 star
Activities
Hot Air Balloon Ride in CappadociaOptional Activity
Devrent Valley
Avanos
Göreme
Pashabag Valley
Esentepe Panoramic Viewpoint
Uchisar Castle
Meals
Breakfast and lunch
Destinations
Ürgüp
Göreme Belediyesi
Nevşehir
Avanos
Day 6
South Cappadocia Tour
Close
You'll start the day by hiking in the Rose Valley. You'll then continue to Cavusin one of the oldest settlements of Cappadocia, the underground city of Kaymakli and Ortahsir, with its unique castle. Later in the afternoon, you'll have some time to enjoy the five-star facilities of your hotel. Relax by the pool with a cocktail from the bar and enjoy the sunset.
Accommodation
MDC Cave Hotel Cappadocia★4 star
Activities
Rose Valley
Çavuşin
Kaymakli Underground City
Ortahisar
Meals
Breakfast and lunch
Destinations
Ürgüp
Nevşehir
Çavuşin
Kaymakli Underground City
Ortahisar
Day 7
Travel to Kusadasi
Close
You'll have the day free to explore Cappadocia and perhaps do a little souvenir shopping before boarding your evening flight to Kusadasi. When you arrive, you'll be transported to the city and taken to your hotel. Rest tonight in light of your full day of activities tomorrow.
Accommodation
LaVista Boutique Hotel & Spa★4 star
Activities
CappadociaOptional Activity
Transportations
Private Driver from MDC CAVE HOTEL CAPPADOCIA to Kayseri Erkilet Airport
Plane from Kayseri to İzmir
Meals
Breakfast
Destinations
Ürgüp
Yeşilhisar
Kusadasi
Day 8
The City of Ephesus
Close
Absorb yourself in history today as you travel to Turkey's Seven Ancient Wonders of the World, the site of Temple of Artemis and the ancient city of Ephesus. With its well preserved collonaded Arcadian Way, Hadrians Temple, Celsus Library, market and theatre, this archaeological site takes you a step back in time. Feel the mystical atmosphere of the city and stadium where chariot and horse races were once held. You'll finish the day at the last home of the Virgin Mary.
Accommodation
LaVista Boutique Hotel & Spa★4 star
Activities
Ephesus Guided Tour
The Temple of Artemis
Ephesus
Library of Celsus
The Great Theatre of Ephesus
House of Virgin Mary
Meals
Breakfast and lunch
Destinations
Kusadasi
İzmir
Selçuk
Day 9
Pamukkale
Close
Pamukkale is the centre of a thermal spring with healing properties. Due to the chemical properties in the water, pure white coloured travertine and water terraces have been created on the mountain slope. Visit the travertine and the Ancient City of Hierapolis which has the biggest Necropolis with 1200 gravestones in Anatolia. The sacred pool also is one of the highlights of the site; shallow thermal waters ripple over a wonderful scattering of ancient roman ruins which lie beneath.
Accommodation
LaVista Boutique Hotel & Spa★4 star
Activities
Pamukkale Tour
Pamukkale
Hierapolis
Meals
Breakfast and lunch
Destinations
Kusadasi
Pamukkale
Denizli
Day 10
Departure
Close
Take some time in the morning to do any last-minute shopping before being transported to the airport in time for your flight.
Transportations
Private Driver from Kuşadası to Izmir Airport
Meals
Breakfast
Destinations
Kusadasi
Share With Your Partners
Download this trip itinerary as a PDF and start planning your next trip offline!
What’s included?
9 nights accommodation
29 activities
9 breakfasts and 6 lunches
Airport transfer
Domestic flights
Entrance fees
Ground transportation
Licensed English speaking guides
What’s not included?
Alcohol beverages
Entry visas / airport departure tax
Gratuities
International flights
Laundry
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Trekking permits
Starting From
AU$ 3,949/ per traveller sharing
Get a fully customised trip plan today
Benefits of this trip
Turkey in 10 days
4-star accommodation
24/7 in-destination support from your local designer
