Transport will be waiting at the airport to take us to our 5* hotel located in the heart of the Old City of Istanbul, just 5 minutes’ walking distance from the historic Sultanahmet area with Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace.  For the next 3 days we explore Istanbul with its lively street life, delicious cuisine and Bosphorus cruise in the late afternoon. Our boat meanders between the European and the Asian banks of the Bosphorus and we can see all sorts of palaces, mosques, castles and some grand houses along the banks, as well as the famous waterfront wooden houses (yali).

Welcome Dinner: Tonight, we eat like a local and experience a genuine meze meal while getting to know our fellow Adventurous Ewes
Accommodation: 5* hotel
​

This day is filled with Istanbul’s most historic and magnificent sites, within walking distance of each other in the Old City. Be prepared to be wowed and perhaps overwhelmed by the centuries of history revealed in this ancient city. We will see as many of the major sites as possible:

• Topkapi Palace Museum – #1 sightseeing spot in Istanbul – Ottoman architecture and elaborate mosaic tiles in this former residence of Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years. 
• Blue Mosque – we store our shoes and cover our heads, shoulders and knees before entering this 400-year-old place of worship, adorned with thousands of mosaic tiles. 
• The Roman Hippodrome – columns, obelisk and statues are all that remain of what was an arena used for chariot races about 2000-years ago. 
• The Basilica Cistern – an eerie place with walkways over the water and around multiple columns, built by the Romans in the 6th century. If you saw the Dan Brown-inspired movie Inferno, you’ll remember the dramatic scenes filmed here.
• Hagia Sophia – this mosque was formerly a Christian church, built by Roman Emperor Justinianus in the first half of the 6th century.  
• Grand Bazaar – we can’t stroll Istanbul’s old quarter without weaving through the labyrinth of little stalls selling spices and every other thing you can think of.

Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

Is Istanbul in Europe or Asia? Both actually! The Bosphorus Strait forms a natural boundary between the European and Asian sides of Istanbul, and today we start at the Spice Market established in the 17th century and head to the Asian side.  Explore the stalls filled with spices like saffron, sumac, and Turkish delight and experience the bustling atmosphere and culinary heritage of Turkey.

Free time this afternoon for shopping or exploring.

Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

The Surreal World of Cappadacio

We take a 1hr20-minute flight from Istanbul to Cappadocia in east-central Anatolia and enter a semi-arid world of weather-worn rock formations, towering ‘fairy chimneys’, and caves once inhabited by Troglodytes. Weather permitting, we will explore as many places as possible on foot, as this is the best way to see Cappadocia.

Our hotel is amongst these wind-sculpted rocks compacted from volcanic ash, and near several of Cappadocia’s famous historical sites. It’s just a short distance from the Göreme Open-Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its ancient rock-cut churches and frescoes and Uchisar Castle, all offering a glimpse into the region’s rich history and unique landscape.

We lunch at a village farmhouse for a home cooked meal before checking into your cave rooms.  Late afternoon enjoy a wine tasting session in a cave cellar.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Boutique hotel fit for modern-day cave dwellers

Underground Towns and Hidden Churches (optional Hot Air Ballooning)

Leave at 5am for the optional, wonderful Hot-air Ballooning excursion floating above the unique landscape (at extra cost). Or stay grounded and watch the colourful baubles float effortlessly across the sky. 

We embark on our journey for an extraordinary experience exploring the wonders of Cappadocia. Our first stop takes us to the Goreme Open Air Museum to see the region’s best-preserved cave churches and Byzantine frescoes, and the distinct “fairy chimneys” of this Unesco World Heritage site.

We continue to one of the most impressive subterranean towns in the region, the underground city of Özkonak, located near Avanos in Cappadocia, which is a fascinating multi-level subterranean complex that dates back to the Byzantine era. Built into volcanic rock, it was used as a refuge during invasions, featuring a network of tunnels, rooms, ventilation shafts, and ingenious defense mechanisms like trap holes and stone doors.

Unlike other underground cities in the region, Özkonak has unique features, including long communication tunnels that allowed residents to speak between levels. It is believed that Özkonak could house around 60,000 people, including livestock, for several months. It offers a captivating glimpse into the ancient ways of life in Cappadocia.

We end the day with a visit to studios selling traditional red earthenware pottery, painted in joyous colours.

Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Boutique hotel fit for modern-day cave dwellers

Strange Rocky Scenery & Old Town Crafts

We continue to the beautiful Ihlara Valley. This enchanting canyon offers a picturesque scene with its streamlined formations. We take a soft hike in the valleys along a narrow path to hidden Byzantine churches, adorned with original frescoes.

In the afternoon we will be educated on the beautiful Turkish magic carpets and who knows what we’ll be taking home.  This evening the mystical ceremony of the Whirling Dervishes which takes place in a historic Caranvanserai, built in 1238 on the historic Silk Trade route.

Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Boutique hotel fit for modern-day cave dwellers

Ephesus and the Aegean Coast

This morning, we head to the airport for a flight from Cappadocia to Izmir.  On arrival we have a transfer to Selçuk, a charming town in western Turkey, best known for its proximity to the ancient city of Ephesus.

This evening we head for Şirince, a traditional Turkish village, where we will have a cooking class with a local family in their home.  Şirince means “cute” in Turkish.   The village lies across a hill about 12 km from the ancient city of Ephesus.

Meals included: Breakfast & dinner
Accommodation: Traditional Boutique Hotel withing walking distance of historic attractions

Ephesus – A Journey Through History

Today we are transported through centuries of time to ancient Ephesus, when this was the Mediterranean’s main commercial centre ruled by Greeks and Romans. It is renowned for its well preserved ruins, including the Temple Of Artemis, built by Croesus in about 550 bce (legendary King of Lydia and supposedly richest man on earth).

The cultural significance of this temple has gained it a coveted place among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and we get to see why.  Together, these and more remarkable sites that we’ll see in Ephesus offer a unique and immersive journey into the past, allowing us to connect with the rich history, cultural heritage, and religious significance of this extraordinary region.

Enjoy lunch today in a gözleme (Turkish pancake) place before returning to Selçuk for the night.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

We fly back to Istanbul today and have some free time before our farewell dinner.

Tonight, we feast on a farewell dinner of meze and seafood, shared amongst the new-found friends we’ve made on this Tour of Turkey with Adventurous Ewes.

Accommodation: 5* hotel

It’s time to check in for the flight home and bid fond farewells to newfound Adventurous Ewes and travelling companions who have become firm friends. Until the next trip!