Turkey: Istanbul, Ephesus & Cappadocia

Visions of ancient kingdoms, whirling dirvishes and exotic food float through your head as you touch down in Istanbul. Take in the hustle and bustle of the city and catch glimpses of the spires of some of the city's many mosques en route to the hotel. Welcome to Istanbul, and to Turkey, and we invite you to let the sights, sounds, flavours and history ignite your imagination as you embark on this thrilling adventure. Arrive in Istanbul at any time and transfer to your hotel. Meet your fellow group members at the welcome meeting in the evening and get all the important information about the adventure ahead. Afterwards, head out on a short orientation walk to the old square to see the iconic Hagia Sofia and Blue Mosque lit up at night before arriving at a nearby restaurant for a delicious welcome dinner of local specialties.

Often the best way to discover a city is on foot, and this certainly rings true in Istanbul. Visit some of the iconic highlights of the old city to fully appreciate the rich history and complex mingling of cultures that have shaped the city over the millennia. Feast on delectable local street food and try cookies from one of the city's oldest bakeries before taking in the sights, sounds and smells of the Grand Bazaar. Head out on a walking tour of Istanbul, visiting the Hippodrome, Blue Mosque and the Basilica Cistern. Enjoy street food doener sandwiches and wraps for lunch then explore the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar before taking the rest of the afternoon and evening at leisure.

Leaving Istanbul behind, you'll head firmly onto the Asian continent to the surreal, wind-sculpted landscapes of the Cappadocia region. Step into ancient history with a visit to the tunnels and storerooms of the vast Kaymakli underground city complex. Settle into your cave hotel, carved right out of the rocky landscape. Take a morning flight from Istanbul to Cappadocia in time for a lunch of traditional pide, a type of Turkish pizza. Drive to the Dervent Valley, stopping at landscape viewpoints and at the iconic "Three Beauties" to marvel at the fairy rock chimney formations. Continue to the underground city of Kaymakli for a visit before arriving at the hotel in the evening.

Immerse yourself in the otherworldly landscapes of Cappadocia by exploring either on foot or by e-bike. See the fairy chimneys up close and imagine how the wind and elements have shaped the earth and impacted human settlements throughout the ages until modern times. Observe churches cut out of the rocks and hilltop structures with commanding views of the surroundings. You'll learn of the human experience in this region by having dinner and tea in a local family home for a one-of-a-kind cultural exchange. Choose between a hike or an e-bike ride through the rock formations of Cappadocia before visiting the impressive rock-carved churches at the Goereme Open Air Museum. Climb the stairs up to the top of a rock formation of Uchisar Castle for incredible views before driving to a small village to have dinner and tea with a local family. Return to the hotel in the evening.

Discover more of Turkish cuisine today as you visit a local food and vegetable market then take part in a cooking class to learn how to make goezleme, a delicious savoury stuffed turnover, cooked on an iron griddle over the fire. You'll see the landscapes change again as you fly towards Turkey's Aegean coastline and discover the ancient village of Sirince, an agricultural settlement that dates back to ancient and medieval times. Drive to the town of Ugrup for time to shop and explore before continuing to a local food and vegetable market in Avanos. Next, take part in a cooking class to learn how to prepare typical Turkish goezleme. Afterwards, catch a flight west from Kayseri to Izmir and transfer to the Village of Sirince to take part in a short orientation walk before enjoying the rest of the evening at leisure.

Be transported back in time as you explore the vast ancient city of Ephesus, walking through the site to its northern gate. You'll see the remains of the Temple of Artemis, where expert excavation makes it easy to imagine it in all its glory. Visit the House of the Virgin Mary and explore the area around the Greek Orthodox Church, stopping for a drink from the refreshing natural spring water. Drive to Ephesus for a tour of the site, including a visit to St. John's Basilica. Enjoy some free time for lunch in Selcuk before visiting the House of the Virgin Mary and the Greek Orthodox church. Enjoy a 3-course farewell dinner at a local restaurant before returning to your hotel in Sirince for the night.

Today your adventure comes to an end, and you can depart at any time. Departure transfers to Izmir airport are included.