Compare From Istanbul to Antalya: the Ultimate Turkey Itinerary by Culture Trip vs A Taste of Turkey - Istanbul to Cappadocia by Explore!

Day 1: Arrive in Istanbul

Accommodation: Radisson Blu Hotel Istanbul Pera

Activities Included: Welcome dinner

Upon arrival in Istanbul, you’ll be whisked off to a five-star hotel in the harbourside district of Karaköy. Here, our Local Insider will greet you at 6pm and accompany the group throughout the trip. Drop your bags and get your first taste of Istanbul at the in-house hammam, or take a short walk to see the Galata Tower. Regroup in the evening for a welcome dinner at Hamdi in the Old City; tuck into Urfa-style kebaps and lahmacun (thin, meat-topped pizza) while getting to know your fellow travellers. Today serves as a gentle preamble to the packed itinerary over the next two days.

Day 2: Admire the extraordinary architectural treasures of Istanbul

Accommodation: Radisson Blu Hotel Istanbul Pera

Activities Included: Guided Old City tour, Guided Grand Bazaar tour

Starting at the elegant Blue Mosque, our tour will lead you through the vibrant streets of Istanbul. This unique city is a melting pot of Byzantine, Greek, Roman, Ottoman and Turkish civilisations, where tradition and modernity live harmoniously side-by-side. Enjoy the vast beauty of the Hagia Sophia and the exquisite details within the Topkapi Palace complex, once the imperial residence of 25 Ottoman sultans. Take your time to sip a glass of çay (Turkish tea) while you haggle for souvenirs in the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with more than 4,000 shops.

Day 3: Discover the sights, sounds and smells of Istanbul’s two continents

Accommodation: Radisson Blu Hotel Istanbul Pera

Activities Included: Guided Spice Market tour, Bosphorus ferry cruise, Istanbul food tour

Today, allow yourself to be drawn into the aromatic pleasure of the Spice Market. Next, a hop aboard a ferry across the Bosphorus, the historic waterway between the shores of Europe and Asia, where you’ll glimpse the architectural highlights of Istanbul, such as the Rumeli Fortress. Disembark in the fairytale-like neighbourhood of Kuzguncuk, where you’ll take part in a food-tasting tour through Kadıköy, sampling Turkish specialities such as lahmacun, kaymak and baklava. After taking a ferry back to the European side, you’ll walk through the ancient Beyoglu tunnel and end your day with a stroll down the popular, shop-lined Istiklal Street.

Day 4: Visit the traditional capital city, Ankara

Accommodation: The Wings Hotels Neva Palas

Activities Included: Guided Anıtkabir visit, Museum of Anatolian Civilizations visit

On arrival in Ankara, you’ll instantly sense the calmer, less touristy way of life – in contrast to the chaotic clamour of Istanbul. By now, you’ll probably be familiar with the figure of Kemal Atatürk, founder and first leader of the Turkish Republic, as his image is found across the country. In Ankara, you’ll visit Anıtkabir, his monumental tomb, then onto the Ankara Citadel and the fascinating Museum of Anatolian Civilizations to pour over the most extensive collection of Hittite artefacts in the world, some more than 7,500 years old. Bed down in a luxurious city-centre hotel.

Day 5: Experience the remarkable sites of Hattusas, Yazilikaya and Cappadocia

Accommodation: Utopia Cave Cappadocia

Activities Included: Hattusas visit, Yazilikaya visit

The capital of the ancient Hittite Empire was the mighty Kingdom of Hattusas. Discover this extraordinary relic from the late Bronze Age as you meander through huge stone walls set with reliefs and statues from more than 5,000 years ago. A short walk uphill from the Unesco World Heritage site will bring you to Yazilikaya, a sacred memorial place for Hittites. This impressive site is a natural open-air temple hewn in the rocks, and hidden in the high cliffs. Tonight, you’ll stay in cave-like rooms built from local stone.

Day 6: Marvel at the unique chimney stack rock formations of Cappadocia

Accommodation: Utopia Cave Cappadocia

Activities Included: Guided Goreme Open-Air Museum tour, Zelve Valley visit, Pottery workshop, Wine tasting

Optional Activities: Hot-air balloon ride over Cappadocia, Rug weaving demonstration

Although optional, we highly recommend you take the early morning hot-air balloon ride. Floating silently over the surreal rock formations of Cappadocia is undoubtedly the best way to experience this natural phenomena. Enjoy breakfast back at the hotel before heading to Goreme National Park, which has more than 30 rock-carved chapels and the unique cliff dwellings of Zelve. Come afternoon, you’ll join a terracotta workshop in Avanos, creating traditional colourful pottery using time-honoured techniques. Finish your day with a wine tasting at the finest winery in Cappadocia and an optional visit to see local craftspeople weave rugs.

Day 7: Explore an underground city and hike the Rose and Red valleys

Accommodation: Utopia Cave Cappadocia

Activities Included: Guided Kaymakli Underground City tour, Rose and Red valleys hike

Optional Activities: Turkish evening entertainment

Tug on your hiking boots today. You’ll be exploring the Kaymakli Underground City, cut seven storeys down into volcanic rock. These labyrinthine tunnels were dug by locals to hide from marauding armies centuries ago, and could house thousands of people and livestock. Leaving the subterranean city behind, you’ll embark on an 8km (5mi) hike through the Rose and Red valleys; the pink colour of the other-worldly rocks changes as the sun moves across the sky. Spend the rest of your afternoon exploring Cappadocia at leisure. Evening brings optional traditional entertainment of live music and, of course, belly dancing.

Day 8: Visit the compelling city of Konya

Accommodation: Hilton Garden Inn Konya

Activities Included: Mausoleum of Rumi visit, Mosque of Aladdin visit

Bid farewell to the Cappadocia caves as we drive on to the sacred city of Konya. Walk in the footsteps of the most famous Persian poet and great Sufi mystic, Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi, as we explore the streets of his hometown. Immerse yourself in Rumi’s teachings, learn about his life, and perhaps catch a glimpse of the mesmerising Whirling Dervishes as they spin, hands held aloft, in a form of meditation. Next, you’ll visit the Mosque of Aladdin, one of the oldest mosques in Turkey, where you can take time to investigate interesting architectural features and beautiful historical tiles.

Day 9: Stroll through the archaeological sites of Aspendos and Perge

Accommodation: Puding Marina Hotel

Activities Included: Aspendos amphitheatre tour, Perge visit

Widely renowned as one of the best preserved Roman theatres of the ancient world, the Aspendos amphitheatre was built during the reign of emperor Marcus Aurelius (161-180CE) and was used as a caravanserai by the Seljuks in the 13th century. This ancient masterpiece is used for performances to this day. You’ll hear the story of how the statues of Perge were unearthed as we explore this ancient town, before the final leg of your day trip: a journey through the wild landscapes of the Taurus Mountains to Antalya.

Day 10: Explore the gateway to the Turkish Riviera, Antalya

Accommodation: Puding Marina Hotel

Activities Included: Old Harbour walking tour

Optional Activities: Termessos hike and tour

Today you have two options. You could hike to the ancient mountaintop site of Termessos, 1,000m (3,281ft) above sea level. The national park includes an impressive amphitheatre, Roman baths, aqueducts and even a gymnasium, bounded by a dense pine forest and home to rare wild plants. Alternatively, kick back by the hotel pool. Regroup in the afternoon for a walking tour of the Old Harbour. This includes the colourful marina, cobblestone streets and the fascinating Antalya Archaeological Museum, considered to be one of the best in Turkey. The rest of the day is yours to spend as you wish.

Day 11: Relax on the beloved beaches of Antalya

Accommodation: Puding Marina Hotel

Activities Included: Farewell dinner

Optional Activities: River rafting

As our tour comes to a close, it’s time to relax and take stock of everything you’ve discovered on your trip through the diverse Turkish landscape. Take a dip in the sea and find your spot to unwind on the miles of soft sand in Turkey’s favourite seaside destination. Alternatively, join an optional adventure to Koprulu Canyon National Park – a vast playground for hiking, rock climbing, swimming and river rafting. Climb aboard and paddle downstream to work up an appetite for your farewell dinner, in a beautiful location under the night sky.

Day 12: Depart from Antalya

After one final night at your hotel, your trip concludes. Say goodbye to your new-found friends at midday before either making your way back to Istanbul to catch your onward flight or continuing your exploration of this fascinating country.

Day 1 Join trip in Istanbul

Our tour of Turkey starts in Istanbul. Once known as Constantinople, the city has been the capital of both the Byzantine and Ottoman empires and today, its historic riches are evident at every turn. Straddling Europe and Asia, Istanbul was an important stop on the old Silk Road. This resulted in the city forming a patchwork of cultures that make up modern-day Istanbul - and the mouthwatering local cuisine. Turkish food is a hearty and healthy mix of Middle Eastern, Asian, and Balkan style dishes ranging from barbecued meat kebabs to vine leaf-wrapped vegetable rice parcels. For those arriving in time, our tour leader will meet you in the hotel reception at 7pm for a welcome meeting, followed by dinner for those who want to join. There are no activities planned today, so you\ re free to arrive in Istanbul at any time. If you miss the welcome meeting, our tour leader will catch you up as soon as possible. Please note that if some passengers are arriving after the planned welcome time, then the main introductory briefing will be conducted on the morning of day 2 when everybody is present. If you\ d like an airport transfer, you'll need to arrive at Istanbul Airport (IST) (a 90-minute drive from the centre) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) (a two-hour drive from the centre). Our comfortable hotel is conveniently located in the Sirkeci area of Istanbul, close to metro and tram stops and ten minutes walking distance from the highlights of Sultanahmet main sites such as the Hagia Sophia. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, you might want to visit the Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace or Grand Bazaar.

Meals Provided : None

Day 2 Discover Istanbul’s street food scene and walking tour of Sultanahmet District

This morning we'll get our first taste of a traditional Turkish breakfast, which usually consists of yogurts, cheese, and breads along with cucumbers, tomatoes, olives and fruits. We'll head out on foot towards Sultanahmet Square. Also known as the Hippodrome of Constantinople, the square was used for chariot racing in the Roman era. Today it's much more sedate but houses iconic landmarks such as the Serpentine Column, the Obelisk of Theodosius, and the Walled Obelisk. We'll have a guided tour of the square, ending at its most famous building, the Sultanahmet Blue Mosque, one of the most widely recognised sites in Istanbul. Colourful and varied, Istanbul is a street food lover's paradise. Local delicacies are diverse, delicious, and sold everywhere from small carts on street corners to shops and restaurants. For lunch, we'll try a popular on-the-go meal, balik ekmek (grilled mackerel sandwich) accompanied by a glass of pickle juice. The afternoon is left free to continue exploring the city at your own pace. You might like to visit the Hagia Sophia or there's the chance to take a boat trip on the Bosphorus, where you can catch stunning views of the Istanbul skyline. To appreciate the wonderful skyline of domes and minarets further, you could alternatively climb the old Genoese Galata Tower and explore the Galata neighbourhood. Tonight, we can go for dinner at Galata Bridge, where there's a choice of great restaurants with specialties including fresh fish.

Meals Provided : Breakfast & Lunch

Day 3 Take ferry to Istanbul’s Asian side and try Baklava and Turkish Delight in the Spice Bazaar

This morning we'll explore a local residential area, walking to the Suleymaniye Mosque, then through the back streets down to the famed Golden Horn waterway. We'll take the public ferry across the straits of the Bosphorus - the waterway that separates the continents of Europe and Asia - to Istanbul's Asian side. The ferry takes around 30 minutes and offers great views of the city skyline. During the crossing, we can sip Turkish tea and munch on a popular Turkish snack, simit (a round, sesame-coated bread). The Kadikoy district has a slightly more laid-back feel, and we'll take a wander through the market to taste-test local specialties such as pickles, olives, cheese and honey. We'll take a break in a local cafe to refuel with Turkish coffee. Coffee is an essential part of Turkey's culinary heritage - it's poured from a cezve (a small, long-handled copper pot) and is unfiltered making it thicker and richer. Alternatively, you may prefer a refreshing Turkish tea. Turkey is famous for coffee but is the biggest consumer of tea in the world. On the way back to the hotel, we'll stop by the Spice Bazaar, an expansive covered market filled with delicious treats and exotic smells. You can choose to snack on a pick 'n mix of Baklava and lokum (Turkish delight), the local's favourite remains plain jelly combined with pistachios. This evening, you might like to enjoy Istanbul's nightlife or there'll be the opportunity to book your own dining experience in the city. Istanbul offers so many great places to eat but for those interested in fine dining, Michelin Guide's first restaurant selection for Istanbul was unveiled for 2023. Be sure to book ahead if you have somewhere popular in mind or ask our tour leader for suggestions.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 4 Meze tasting in Ayvalik and visit Pergamon

Today we'll make a very early start to beat the traffic and leave the city lights behind, driving five hours south to Ayvalik, a coastal town with a history rooted in Greek mythology. For lunch, we'll feast on meze, an assortment of small dishes eaten as appetizers or a light meal, designed to be shared by the table. They can be served hot or cold and may contain meat or fish accompanied by fresh and grilled vegetables, olives and a selection of dips - the selection of Ayvalik meze will vary depending on the time of year. After lunch, we'll continue south for an hour, passing olive groves and pomegranate trees before stopping to visit the Greco-Roman remains of Pergamon. Pergamon gave its name to and was the source of 'parchment', for which it was famous throughout the Middle East. We'll visit the striking acropolis, impressively perched above the modern-day town of Bergama, which contains the remains of a library, a theatre, temples and altars. Finally, we'll drive for around three hours to the Aegean town of Selcuk, where we'll spend the next three nights. Note, today is the longest day overall and we'll spend a total of nine hours driving, however, our journey will be broken up by comfort breaks and interesting visits. For our comfortable hotel base in Selcuk we have chosen a small, characterful hotel located in the winding maze of narrow streets in the old quarter of Selcuk, located right next to Apostle St. John Cathedral, the Medieval Byzantine Fortress and Archaeological museum. The rooms are large and well-appointed and facilities include a small swimming pool and restaurant.

Meals Provided : Breakfast & Lunch

Day 5 Visit Epheus and Temple of Artemis, street food in Selcuk

Today we'll visit the great Greco-Roman city of Ephesus. We'll aim to get there in time for the site opening before it becomes too crowded. Once visited by Mark Antony and Cleopatra, this famous seaport reached its zenith in the 2nd century AD, becoming one of the main cultural and economic centres of the ancient world. It boasted a gymnasium and a stadium with seating for 70,000 spectators. Other highlights include the Baths of Constantine, the Temple of Hadrian with its beautiful facade, the theatre (a giant with 24,000 seats), the Arcadian Way (where Cleopatra entered from the harbour) and the Marble Avenue featuring the Library of Celsus, which is one of the most photographed Greco-Roman buildings in the world. Driving on a short distance, we'll visit the scattered remains of the famous Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, before continuing to Selcuk for the chance to taste some typical specialties for lunch (not included). Street food in Selcuk includes bulgar wheat balls (vegan) and stretchy ice cream that doesn't melt - traditionally, it's made with milk, sugar, salep flour (a thickening agent from the root of an orchid) and mastic gum. This afternoon is free to explore at your own pace. You might want to visit St John's Basilica, the Isa Bey Mosque or Selcuk Museum. Alternatively, you might prefer to do a bit of shopping or relax and soak up the town's laid-back vibe with a Turkish tea in one of the many open-air cafés.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 6 Gozleme and fruit wine tasting in Sirince and cooking class in Selcuk

This morning, we'll head a short distance into the mountains to the colourful little village of Sirince, which is surrounded by fig trees, Aegean olive trees, walnut and apple trees. Sirince has become locally known for its fruit wines, and we'll try various flavours at a 'winehouse' including raspberry, banana, chocolate, pomegranate and mulberry. We'll have the opportunity to wander the cobbled car-free streets, watching ladies cooking Gozleme (savoury spinach stuffed pancakes), and if in season, purchase some freshly collected mountain thyme. Back in Selcuk the afternoon has been left free to relax and in the early evening we'll take a cookery class in a local restaurant, learning how to make four dishes - stuffed vine leaves, mucver (courgette fritters), lentil soup and refreshing cacik (yogurt & cucumber dip).

Meals Provided : Breakfast & Dinner

Day 7 Visit Pamukkale and Hierapolis on way to Whirling Dervish show in Konya

Hitting the road again today we'll travel inland to Konya, leaving the Aegean region behind. Along the way (around three hours in), we'll make a stop to visit the ancient sites of Pamukkale and Hierapolis. Situated on a high escarpment, Pamukkale's 'frozen waterfall' has been an attraction since Roman times. Stalactites of bright white petrified waterfalls cascade from basin to basin. We'll visit the incredible travertine pools, where you can opt to get your feet wet and enjoy the views overlooking the Menderes Valley. Above the terraced pools, you'll find the ancient spa town of Hierapolis where the ruins date back to the 2nd century BC and the time of Eumenes II. Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, we'll visit the theatre, Temple of Apollo, Frontinus Gate and see several sarcophagi as well as having the chance to go into the Archaeology Museum housed in the former Roman baths. This afternoon, we'll continue by bus for around five hours to Konya. For dinner, we'll have the option to try a succulent oven lamb kebab (cooked for around six hours in a wood fire) served with flatbread. Konya is one of Turkey's important religious sites and was the home of the Mevlana sect, better known as the founders of Sufism and the Whirling Dervishes. For those interested there may be the chance to see a Dervishes show tonight or timings may work better for tomorrow night in Cappadocia. Today is another long but rewarding day of travel with a total of eight hours driving, broken up with a visit to the amazing Pamukkale and accompanied by ever-changing scenery as we transition into the Central region.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 8 Try Turkish Pide and Pottery kebab and visit Kaymakli Underground City

Today is the last day of travel on our foodie adventure as we continue into the central region, and our first stop is the 13th-century Sultanhani Caravansarai. Once the largest roadside inn in Turkey, it supported the flow of commerce between the East and the West. We'll then drive for another two hours to the heart of Cappadocia. On the menu for lunch is Turkish pide - Turkey's version of pizza - a savoury oval-shaped baked bread with various combinations of toppings or stuffings. The most common toppings are cheese and egg or ground meat and red pepper. This afternoon, we'll visit the Kaymakli Underground City. Built by early Christians escaping oppression and once home to 3,500 people, this troglodyte cave-city is one of the largest of 34 similar excavations in Cappadocia. It contains nearly 100 tunnels on eight subterranean floors, and we'll explore the four that are open to the public, containing stables, a church and storage places. Tonight's dinner gives us a real taste of Cappadocia. We'll try the local specialty dish 'pottery kebab' - meat and veg cooked slowly in clay pots sealed with dough. The high temperature and pressure inside the sealed pots increase the flavour and tenderness of the dish. When ready, the blazing hot pot is cracked in front of us, releasing the aromas and adding a bit of spectacle to the evening. We'll spend our final two nights in a traditional-style, stone hotel on the outskirts of Goreme. Our hotel has indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a sauna, terrace bar, restaurant and beautiful mountain views - if you're up early enough in the morning, you'll be able to see hot air balloons filling the sky. It is a slightly shorter journey today as we drive for around four to five hours, making the usual comfort stops and visiting places of interest.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 9 Full day exploring Cappadocia plus wine tasting

If you are considering a ballooning optional excursion, we advise you book this yourself for today in case of cancellation, so you have the chance to rebook for tomorrow. Please see optional excursions for more details. Today we'll have a full day to explore Cappadocia. There'll be the option of taking a walk through one of the iconic valleys of Cappadocia such as the Love or Red Valleys, giving us an astounding view of the local landscapes. According to interests, the temperature and Tour Leader suggestions, the walk will vary - lasting approximately 2-3 hours to cover 4 to 5 kilometres or 3 to 4 miles. Formed by volcanic eruptions that covered the valleys with mud, ash, and blocks of hard rock, over the ages this volcanic 'tufa\ has been sculpted by erosion into strange shapes. Byzantine hermits settled in this area and carved churches, houses and fortresses into these cone formations known as fairy-tale chimneys as well as complete underground cities. This afternoon, we'll head up to take in the panoramic views from Uchisar Castle and spend time in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Goreme Open Air Museum. We'll take our time to explore its many rock-carved churches and monastic buildings; some of which feature a stunning collection of wall paintings. Cappadocia is considered to be one of the regions where the making of wine originated, nearly 7,000 years ago. The mineral-rich volcanic soil and temperate climate make the perfect growing conditions for grapes and fruits. The wines are smooth, dry, and delightful and we'll get to sample the different varieties - red, blush and white wines, as well as dessert wines that are produced here. We'll enjoy a final dinner together at a local restaurant (not included).

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 10 Trip ends in Goreme, Cappadocia

Our tour ends at our hotel in Goreme. There are no activities planned today, so you\ re free to depart at any time. If your flight leaves later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you\ d like a hotel transfer, you'll need to depart from Kayseri Airport (ASR), around a one-hour drive from the hotel.

Meals Provided : Breakfast