Embark on an unforgettable journey from Istanbul to Cappadocia, Konya, Pamukkale, Ephesus, and back. Your adventure begins with a warm welcome in Istanbul, where you'll be whisked away to your hotel for a relaxing overnight stay. Soar from Istanbul to Cappadocia, where you'll explore the ancient Kaymaklı Underground City and experience the warmth of Turkish hospitality with a visit to a local village home. After checking into your Cappadocia hotel, indulge in a delicious dinner, setting the stage for more adventures to come. Discover the Monastic Center of Goreme and the pottery traditions of Avanos before journeying to Konya. Explore Konya's historical sites, including the Mausoleum of Mevlana and Sultanhan Caravanserai, before retiring for the night. Journey to Pamukkale to marvel at the ancient city of Hierapolis and its mesmerizing calcium pools. After a day of exploration, enjoy dinner and rest at your hotel in Pamukkale. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ephesus, delving into its rich history and indulging in exclusive shopping for high-quality leather goods
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Upon arrival in Istanbul. Meet our local representative at the airport and private transfer to your hotel for overnight.
Welcome to your adventure from Istanbul to Cappadocia! Your journey begins after a hearty breakfast at your hotel in Istanbul. You'll be greeted by your private assistant who will accompany you to Istanbul Airport for your flight to Kayseri or Nevşehir.
Upon arrival at ASR/NAV Airport, you'll be swiftly transferred to the enchanting land of Cappadocia. Along the way, prepare for an extraordinary stop at the Kaymaklı Underground City. Delve into the depths of history as you explore this remarkable underground complex, which served as a refuge for Early Christians seeking sanctuary from invaders during ancient times. From living quarters to stables, witness the ingenuity of those who carved out these subterranean marvels.
Unique Moments: LOCAL VILLAGE HOME VISIT: Immerse yourself in the authentic Turkish way of life with a special visit to a local village home. Step into a stone house adorned with traditional Turkish décor and be welcomed by a local family. Engage in enriching conversations as you learn about the daily routines and customs of village life. Experience the warmth of Turkish hospitality firsthand as you're served tea or coffee, making this encounter a truly memorable experience.
After your exploration, continue your journey to your hotel in Cappadocia, where you'll check in and have some time to unwind and relax. Indulge in a delicious dinner at your hotel in Cappadocia, where you'll spend the night, ready to continue your adventure in this captivating destination.
After breakfast, your expedition will start with the Monastic Center of Goreme. Goreme was founded by St. Basil as the first Monastic Center of Christianity during 4th century. This morning you will have an extensive tour of the Monastic Center that functions as an open-air museum, having very well- preserved rock-hewn churches decorated with Byzantine frescoes. You will visit Avanos before departure to Konya.
Unique Moments: Visit Avanos, the famous town of Cappadocia that was established by the Hittites on the riverbanks of Halys River. Making use of the red clay that is obtained from the shores of this famous river, Hittites created outstanding examples of pottery ware and used potters’ wheel as early as 2nd millennia BC. You will visit one of the studios of a pottery artist of Cappadocia and watch the interactive presentation of creating masterpieces of pottery and ceramics.
After lunch, you will drive to Konya that was called Iconium during the Roman period and was an important post for Roman legion and control of the trade routes of antiquity. It served as the Capital of Seljuk Turkish Kingdom during the 13th century. You will have the chance to visit the Mausoleum of Mevlana, the founder of Whirling Dervishes, Sultanhan Caravanserai, a building that ranks as one of the Seljuk masterpieces.
Dinner and overnight stay at your hotel in Konya.
After refreshing breakfast, drive to Pamukkale. You will start your exploration with Hierapolis founded during the Hellenistic period as a control point of trading routes connecting East to West. In the Roman Period, Hierapolis became a center of worship to Hades and Apollo as well as a thermal center where massive Roman Baths were built to serve the Romans that visited the city from around the ancient world.
Upon arrival at the site, you will be welcomed by the spectacular views of calcium pools that have been irrigated by the spring waters of Hierapolis for thousands of years.
After a short break to take pictures and enjoy the view, you will continue on to the ancient site that is still being excavated by Italian archaeologists. Today’s ancient city of Hierapolis has recently been appointed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wandering through the colossal tomb chambers of Necropolis, you will comprehend the wealth of the society that could afford such impressive graves to be buried in the grounds of the “Sacred City”, as what Hierapolis meant in ancient Greek. You will keep exploring the ancient site by touring the Gate of Domitianus and the Byzantine Baths. Once you reach the lower slopes of the hills that rise behind the site, you will note one of the best preserved Roman Theatres of the world of archaeology. Built during 2nd century, the theatre of Hierapolis was used for both theatrical activities and shows of violence.
Dinner and overnight stay at your hotel in Pamukkale.
After breakfast, drive to Ephesus. You will explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ephesus. This ancient city is believed to have been settled in the 10th century BC by Ionians, Ephesus changed hands many times before becoming a Roman dependency in 133 BC during the reign of Emperor Augustus. It was also a very important city during early Christian times as evidenced by St. Paul’s visit and St. John being buried nearby. Ephesus was attacked and looted in the 7th and 8th Centuries by Arab invaders and the continued silting of its harbor caused a steady decline in the city’s commercial importance.
We’ll spend the cool of the morning exploring this ancient city. Ruins remain that give us a clear picture of the life in Ephesus including roads used by chariots; mosaic pedestrian walkways; the famous 2 storey facade of the Celsus Library, constructed from 117-125 AD which contained rectangular niches to hold papyrus scrolls; and an amphitheater which could seat 24,000.
Visitors to Ephesus can indulge in an exclusive shopping experience for high-quality leather goods. Ephesus has a long history of leather goods production, and the artisans in the area have honed their craft over centuries. From handbags to jackets to shoes,there’s a wide variety of leather products available for purchase.
Transfer to Izmir Airport for your included flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival into Istanbul airport, transfer to the Istanbul hotel to join the group members for your Super Trip.
