Turkish Escape

This sample itinerary is ideal for those who may have already visited Ephesus on a shore excursion and are returning to Turkey for further exploration. Showcasing archaeological, architectural and natural wonders of western Turkey, this one-week tour could be combined with another destination or as a cruise extension.

Day 1 Istanbul

Your guide and driver meet you upon arrival and give you a panoramic tour of the city on the way to your hotel. This evening, be sure to capture your first view of the beautifully lit bridge that connects Europe to Asia.

Day 2 Istanbul

Take in the sights of the Old City, also called Sultanahmet. Learn about its history as you stand on the site of the Hippodrome of Constantinople and view the ancient Obelisk of Theodosius. Visit the impressive Hagia Sophia Museum, which was the largest cathedral in the world for almost 1,000 years, the Mosque of Sultan Ahmet (Blue Mosque) and the ancient Basilica Cisterns.

Day 3 Istanbul & Pamukkale

Tour the Topkapi Palace, residence to Ottoman Sultans and now an impressive museum. Take an afternoon cruise on the Bosphorus and gain a different perspective of Istanbul on both the European and Asian shores. Take an early evening flight to Denizli and drive to Pamukkale and your hotel.

Day 4 Pamukkale & Three Ionian Cities

Explore ancient Hierapolis and Pamukkale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988. The unusual frosty-looking landscape of Pamukkale, meaning “cotton castle” in Turkish, was formed over thousands of years by calcium-rich thermal springs. Attracted to the natural hot springs, Hierapolis was founded as early as the 3rd century BCE, and during Roman times it was a thriving metropolis with a 20,000-seat theatre. After lunch, drive toward the Aegean coast and the Ionian cities of Didyma, Miletus and Priene. Marvel at the ruins of the Temple of Apollo at Didyma, the third-largest in the ancient world. Situated on the shores of the Aegean, Miletus was an important center of commerce and government from about 700 BCE until 700 CE. Sit in the ancient theatre and admire views of the surrounding countryside. Priene is one of the best surviving examples of an entire ancient Greek city. Built on a seaside escarpment in the 4th-century BCE, it was Alexander the Great’s model city. Explore the theatre, bouleuterion (town hall), gymnasium, stadium and the remains of its splendid Temple of Athena. Overnight in nearby Kusadasi.

Days 5 & 6 Cappadocia

Fly to Kayseri airport and drive to Cappadocia for your exploration of this natural and historic wonder. You’ll be captivated by the lunar topography formed over the course of millennia. Early inhabitants carved homes, monasteries and churches into the soft rock of volcanic deposits. Get a close-up view of exquisite examples of rock churches and monasteries decorated with colorful frescoes as you walk through the Goreme Open-Air Museum. For another perspective of this fascinating area, rise early for a truly mesmerizing experience in a hot-air balloon at sunrise. Visit Kaymakli underground city where some of the tunnels are still used today as storage areas, stables and cellars.

Day 6 Pergamum

After breakfast, depart for the ancient Greek city of Pergamum dating back to the Hellenistic period. See the impressive theatre with the steepest seating known in the ancient world, the Sanctuary of Athena, the temples of Trajan and Dionysus, and the remains of the celebrated library. Visit the Archaeological and Ethnographical Museum. Take a panoramic tour of Izmir before flying on to Kayseri in the ancient region of Cappadocia and your selected hotel.

Day 7 Homeward Bound

Depart Cappadocia and fly to Istanbul to connect with your flight home or to your next destination.