8 Days Turkey Tour

Day 1: The Historical Peninsula

Begin in Istanbul’s Sultanahmet district. Tour the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque to see the pinnacle of Byzantine and Ottoman architecture. Spend the late afternoon navigating the 4,000+ shops of the Grand Bazaar.

Day 2: Into the Anatolian Heartland

Depart Istanbul in the morning for the capital city, Ankara. Visit Anıtkabir, the monumental mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Explore the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations to understand the region’s complex pre-Roman history before checking into your hotel.

Day 3: The Lunar Landscape

Drive southward past the blindingly white expanse of Lake Tuz (Salt Lake). Arrive in Cappadocia by early afternoon. Explore the Göreme Open-Air Museum’s rock-cut churches and walk among the distinct “fairy chimney” rock formations in Pasabag Valley.

Day 4: The Sufi Route

Start with an optional pre-dawn hot air balloon ride over the valleys. After breakfast, descend into the Kaymaklı Underground City, an ancient multi-level subterranean refuge. Drive to Konya to visit the Mevlana Museum, home of the Whirling Dervishes, before completing the long scenic drive to Pamukkale.

Day 5: Cotton Castles & Ancient Spas

Walk barefoot down the thermal, mineral-rich white travertine terraces of Pamukkale. Explore the adjacent Greco-Roman ruins of Hierapolis, including its massive, well-preserved theater. In the late afternoon, drive to the Aegean coastal town of Kuşadası.

Day 6: Roman Antiquity

Spend the morning walking the marble streets of Ephesus, standing before the meticulously restored Celsus Library and the Great Theatre. Visit the nearby House of the Virgin Mary, a prominent pilgrimage site. Begin the northbound drive toward Bursa in the afternoon.

Day 7: The First Ottoman Capital

Explore Bursa’s architectural highlights, including the 20-domed Grand Mosque (Ulu Cami) and the vibrantly tiled Green Tomb. Browse the Koza Han (Silk Market) for local textiles before crossing the Marmara Sea via bridge or ferry back to Istanbul.

Day 8: The Bosphorus Strait

Board a morning Bosphorus cruise to see the city from the water, passing Ottoman palaces and fortresses dividing Europe and Asia. Finish the tour with a sensory walk through the Egyptian Spice Bazaar before your departure.