Short Break in Istanbul with a Visit to Cappadocia - 6 days (TR-02)

Today, we’ll be waiting to meet you at the airport as you arrive in wonderful Istanbul. There’s an included transfer to your hotel where you’ll be able to relax and settle in ahead of tomorrow’s packed sightseeing programme. Overnight in Istanbul.

We begin exploring this fascinating city with a visit to Topkapi Palace. Perched on a promontory overlooking the Golden Horn, you’re perfectly placed to get a handle on the city’s physical geography from this vantage point where the Marmara Sea meets the Bosphorus. The Ottoman sultans lived in Topkapi Palace from the 15th to the 19th century but for almost a century it’s been open to the public as a museum, allowing visitors a glimpse of its harem and courtyards. With a varied history as a mosque, church and museum, Hagia Sophia is no less compelling. Its ornate calligraphy is nothing short of magnificent. Nearby the Blue Mosque, so called for the Iznik tiles that grace its interior, is another must-see. You’ll also visit the Byzantine Hippodrome, which once hosted chariot races, and the atmospheric Basilica Cistern, an abandoned reservoir hidden in plain sight beneath the streets of the Old Town. We’ll round off today’s sightseeing in the Grand Bazaar. This famous market first set up in 1461, making it one of the world’s oldest and it’s impossible not to find some kind of souvenir to take home with you. Overnight in Istanbul. (Breakfast, lunch)

On our second day, we spread our wings and discover more of this captivating city. We’ll take you to the Egyptian Bazaar which dates from the 17th century and is home to spice traders selling fresh mint, cardamom and cinnamon alongside boxes of Turkish Delight. Though popular with tourists, locals also come to restock their cupboards. Across the square, fishermen will be casting their rods off the Galata Bridge just as their fathers and grandfathers did. Board a sightseeing cruise to travel up the Bosphorus. Elegant palaces and mansions occupy riverside spots, including the Dolmabahçe Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, Çırağan Palace and Rumeli Fortress. Relax as this historic panorama glides slowly by, giving you plenty of time to take in the fresh air from your deck chair. Overnight in Istanbul. (Breakfast, lunch)

We begin our day with a short flight from Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport to Kayseri, the gateway to Cappadocia. After the 45 minute transfer to Goreme, we’ll stop at a viewpoint from which Pigeon Valley, Rose and Red Valleys, Goreme and Uchisar Villages are all visible. It’s a snapshot of what’s to come in one of the most breathtaking regions of Turkey. A half hour further on, we pay a visit to Kaymakli Underground City, one of the reasons Cappadocia gained recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage. This impressive feat of construction extends eight storeys below ground, though only four are open to visitors. Returning to ground level, we continue on to another scenic overlook to see Uchisar Castle and the Avcilar Valley, where poplars and fruit trees contrast with the bleached tuff rock. After lunch in Avanos there’s a pottery demonstration. Later we head to Pasabag and to Devrent Valley, both renowned for their distinctive fairy chimneys. Overnight in Cappadocia. (Breakfast, lunch)

Viewing the fairy chimneys from above is a magical sight. Treat yourself to an optional sunrise hot air balloon tour for what will surely be one of the most memorable mornings of your life. Our included sightseeing programme kicks off at 9.30am after those who have been ballooning return. We’ll explore the rock-hewn churches and pigeon lofts of the Red and Rose Valleys on foot before driving to Cavusin to view an abandoned village with amazing views. After lunch, your guide will show you the Goreme Open Air Museum which features the best preserved rock churches in Cappadocia. Though it’s best known for its natural beauty, Cappadocia also has a rich cultural heritage. Girls still weave carpets for their wedding dowry the traditional way and we’ll have the privilege of a visit to a local cooperative so you can see the process close up. Overnight in Cappadocia. (Breakfast, lunch)

Today we bid you farewell and transfer you to the airport for your onward flight. (Breakfast)