Itinerary Highlights
  • Surrender to the charms of Istanbul and marvel at the wonders of Cappadocian art and geology


  • Spend three days in the hustle and bustle of Istanbul and enjoy a three-day road trip through Cappadocia


  • Istanbul with a local and Goreme Valley with a private guide... it's all included in the itinerary.


  • Our Smartphone app, including places to visit and our local Concierge service: all reasons to travel with us

Contact one of our Turkey specialists + 44 (0) 20 3958 6120

From Propontide to Anatolia

The Bosphorus, Golden Horn, Topkapi Palace Museum, Dolmabahce Palace, Hagia Sophia, Suleymaniye Mosque... the wonders of Istanbul alone each warrant the trip. And then there's the buzz of a city straddling two continents. Istanbul is also cosmopolitan and contemporary, without forgetting the age-old way of life here, including baths, bazaars, taverns, Ottoman cuisine, impressive architecture and splendid monuments. Cappadocia is a distant, spectacular and somewhat strange world. Uchisar, with its unique rock-hewn citadel, is a sight to behold. These man-made cavities have been used as dwellings since long before the Christian era.
Geology, art, religious fervour and technical know-how enabled the creation of these amazing structures over many centuries. The splendour of the landscapes and the illuminated cave churches in Goreme National Park are truly unforgettable. From the west of Turkey to its centre, the minarets of the mosques of Istanbul and the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia offset each other neatly on this amazing journey.



Your trip

Both of your hotels have the qualities you would expect from well-designed and well-managed establishments, as well as fabulous locations. In Istanbul and Uchisar, they seamlessly and successfully mirror the atmosphere of the areas, enhancing your experience of Turkey's delights. They are each the gateway to the capital city and Cappadocia. In terms of travel, a flight takes you from the first leg of the trip to the second leg. Istanbul transport will be a combination of car, foot and boat on the Bosphorus. Then, a hire car gives you the freedom to drive around Cappadocia at your own pace. Istanbul's tour basically consists of giving you the means to do whatever you want, with a little extra passion provided by your guide. The discovery day in Goreme Valley, following a more traditional approach, offers a detailed presentation of the area with a private guide. If, along the way, you have any last-minute requests or a slight setback, just contact our local Concierge.

Route

Everything is 100% tailored to you
DAY 1

Flight to Istanbul

Transfer and three-night stay between the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. Your hotel is made up of several Turkish-style houses around a courtyard planted with lush vegetation. The interior design varies from room to room, but all share the common theme of traditional craftsmanship. Embroidered bed covers, cabinets, walls, earthenware and ironwork are stylishly and traditionally combined. Rooms are also fully-equipped with all the services and modern conveniences to offer a comfortable stay. The atmosphere is sophisticated and relaxed, nostalgic and contemporary. From the terrace, soak up the enchanting views of the picturesque surroundings. On sunny days, breakfast is served in the courtyard and you can enjoy coffee there in the afternoon. The surrounding area offers plenty of places to enjoy traditional Istanbul culinary delights.

DAY 2

Istanbul

Already included in the itinerary - Istanbul tour. Rather than a traditional guided tour, enjoy a more relaxed and impromptu meeting with a local and the city. Our guides are passionate about the city's cuisine, culture, art and geopolitics. They are knowledgeable representatives of the new Istanbul, this old city, which over the last half century, has embraced the age of globalisation without sacrificing its character. Nothing is planned in advance. Meet, talk about your interests and questions, then adapt to the pace of Istanbul residents. Your guide knows how to combine the most authentic Istanbul experience with your interests and curiosities. In their company, the contrasts, paradoxes and changes of one of the world's most intriguing cities are clearly explained and you feel like a local among locals. It's also a great opportunity to get valuable tips for your own explorations.

DAY 3

Istanbul

The hotel is next to the ruins of a medieval Turkish bath. The city's iconic landmarks – The Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace Museum – are all within walking distance. After this brilliant introduction, venture into a city that is a little less confusing yet always surprising. Along the way, wander market stalls and enjoy tea, spicy kebabs, fish, hazelnuts, raisins, olives and moreish Turkish delight. There are inns and restaurants everywhere. Istanbul has been very cosmopolitan for years, its gastronomic repertoire is astonishingly varied and colourful. And then there are the 'hammams' (steam rooms), music – Ottoman classical, Turkish folk music, Sufi ceremonies – bazaars and much more. Istanbul is truly a delight for all the senses.

DAY 4

Istanbul - Kayseri - Uchisar

Transfer to the airport and flight to Kayseri. Collect your hire car and drive to Uchisar, on the edge of the Goreme park. Tuff (rock formed from volcanic ash) is soft, easy to work with and also provides good thermal regulation. Everything else is a matter of care and taste in how things are restored. This ancient building has been restored with meticulous attention to detail. And the white stone, semi-circular arches and generous spaces provide a soft and soothing atmosphere. Courtyards and terraces are perfect for relaxation; the garden has a deliciously lazy feel, lush with vegetation. From here, admire breathtaking Pigeon Valley with its fairy chimneys. This all nearly eclipses the quality of the meal in the hotel's restaurant... but not quite.

DAY 5

Uchisar

The valley of Goreme, protected by a national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is emblematic of Cappadocia's volcanic tuff and what people have been able to do with it. The erosion of this rocky wonderland has resulted in a spectacular landscape littered with peaks, cones, fairy chimneys, needles, table mountains and rock-hewn valleys and canyons. Their pale hues reflect the light beautifully and offer an amazingly colourful sight at dawn and sunset. As the rock is easier to cut than granite, communities, religious and otherwise, settled here long ago and excavated the surroundings to suit their needs... To the point of completely shaping certain cliffs and hills. The churches, which here represented heaven on Earth, have preserved the rich palette of the Byzantine fresco and its theological references. In Cappadocia, the notion of cultural landscape takes on its full and impressive meaning.

DAY 6

Uchisar

Already included in the itinerary - The treasures of Goreme. Enjoy a captivating tour with a guide and visit some of the most beautiful churches in the valley. Tokali (Buckle) church, dates back to the tenth century and covers two periods of Palaeo-Christian art; the oldest part inspired by the Gospel of James, which presents a narrative of the birth and upbringing of the Virgin Mary. Snake church, named after St. George and Theodore Stratelates, who both battled dragon-snakes, dates back to the ninth century and is also worth a visit. The first development of the Zelve Valley troglodytic site also dates back to the ninth century and was inhabited up until the 1950s. Galleries and rooms dug into the rock make up a completely disorientating, upside down world. In the afternoon, enjoy a small hike in the valley of Gulludere (Rose Valley), admiring the beautifully decorated churches. On the way back, stop for a refreshing break in a cellar in the wine village of Urgup.

DAY 7

Uchisar - Kayseri - Return flight

Drive to Kayseri and return the car to the airport. Return flight, via Istanbul.

A Rough Idea of Price

Dependent on season, accommodation and activities
October to March. The estimated cost for this trip starts from £1,695 to £2,055per person. The final cost of the trip depends on the way we tailor it especially for you. The final cost will vary according to several factors, including the level of service, length of trip and advance booking time. The exact price will be provided on your personalised itinerary. The average starting price for this trip is £1,785 per person.
  • Flights with a scheduled airline

  • Airline taxes and fuel surcharge

  • Private transfers

  • In Kayseri, car hire for three days

  • Our app, loaded with your itinerary, hotel details and recommended places
  • A few of the benefits of travelling with us
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