Welcome to Istanbul, the city where East meets West! Upon arrival, you’ll be transferred to your hotel and given time to settle in and relax. In the afternoon, check the information board at the hotel reception for details about the upcoming tour and meeting times – your gateway to Turkey’s treasures begins here.

Your discovery starts with a panoramic city tour that reveals Istanbul’s dual‑continent character. You’ll enter the magnificent Süleymaniye Mosque, the city’s largest, and drive past the ancient city walls, the shimmering Golden Horn and the lively fishing district, with a stop to admire the iconic Hagia Sophia from outside. As the afternoon mellows, a transfer brings you to Taksim, Istanbul’s buzzing commercial heart. Here you’re free to choose your own dinner spot, hop on the nostalgic old tram, or wander up to the nearby Galata Tower for a skyline view.

Today begins with a visit to Topkapi Palace – the opulent seat of Ottoman sultans – where included admission lets you explore its courtyards and pavilions. Then it’s time for the highlight of the day: a private two‑hour Bosphorus boat trip, exclusively for our group. Glide along the strait connecting the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara, pass under the two suspension bridges linking Europe and Asia, and admire a parade of sultan’s palaces, traditional wooden mansions and Ottoman waterfront architecture. You’ll disembark on the Asian side in Üsküdar, from where we journey inland to Ankara. Dinner is included upon arrival in the capital.

After breakfast, we tour Ankara – a vibrant, modern metropolis of over 5 million people with a rich cultural pulse. We visit the solemn Mausoleum of Atatürk, explore the ancient Ankara Castle (dating to the 8th century B.C.), and step into the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations (admission included) to trace the myriad cultures that have shaped this land. Our route then leads east toward Cappadocia, with a lunch stop at the surreal Salt Lake, famous for its gleaming white expanse. En route, we pause at Hacibektas, a serene pilgrimage site honouring the 13th‑century Sufi mystic – please respect the dress code and maintain silence inside the sanctuary. We arrive in Nevşehir for dinner, included at your hotel.

A whole day unfolds in Cappadocia’s otherworldly landscape. We begin at the Göreme Valley Open‑Air Museum, where tickets are included to admire rock‑cut churches adorned with ancient frescoes. Next, ascend to Uçhisar for its natural fortress and panoramic views, then descend into Kaymaklı – an underground city that once sheltered up to 30,000 people in its labyrinthine tunnels. On the return to Avanos, we stop at Pasabag to stroll among the famous Fairy Chimneys, nature’s own sculpted masterpieces. You’ll have some free time to absorb the magic before dinner, which is included tonight.

We travel north through the heart of Anatolia, watching the terrain transform into rolling green hills. By early afternoon, we arrive in Safranbolu, a delightful UNESCO World Heritage Site that was once a vital stop on ancient caravan routes. Its perfectly preserved Ottoman houses and cobbled streets transport you back in time. In the courtyard of a historic caravanserai, you’ll be offered a cup of traditional Turkish tea – a moment of peaceful reflection. Dinner is included at your accommodation.

Today we follow the lush Black Sea coast, with its dramatic green vistas. Our first stop is Gökgöl Mağarası – admission included – to explore a magnificent cave with an underground river and walls painted in vivid mineral colours. Continuing to the coastal town of Eregli, you’ll have time for lunch and then visit the impressive Cehennemağzı caves and tombs, steeped in ancient mythology. As the day winds down, we make our way back to Istanbul, arriving by evening.

After breakfast, your Turkish odyssey comes to a close. Depart with lasting memories of imperial palaces, subterranean cities, fairy chimneys and the timeless charm of the Black Sea coast – a journey that will stay with you long after you’ve returned home.