Itinerary - Turkey 360°: Istanbul, Cappadocia and Ephesus

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Check-in at your hotel in Istanbul and a welcome meeting— that's how it works! Let's get our engines warmed up by strolling through the streets of this vibrant city. We can lose ourselves in the historic bazaar and discover local products (from fish to books!), then head to the waterfront to relax in the sun while awaiting our first sunset in Turkey, which will surely be one to remember.

Today we bid farewell to Istanbul – though don’t worry, we’ll be back! We’ll take a train to the nation’s capital, Ankara, where our private minivan awaits. This will be our trusty companion for the next few days as our adventure truly begins.

Thanks to its strategic position, straddling Asia Minor and Mesopotamia, Turkey has long been a crossroads of trade and culture. This pivotal location brought prosperity but also made the land a target for countless invasions. Today, we’ll begin to see for ourselves why this country has attracted so many different peoples over the centuries, and how their presence has shaped the nation’s remarkable evolution.

Our first stop today is the Ihlara Valley – a dramatic 14-kilometre-long canyon with steep rock walls, once a refuge for hermits and some of the earliest Christian communities. This will be our first true glimpse of the enchanting landscapes of Cappadocia.

From here, we continue on to the village of Avanos, where we’ll spend the night and the following day. Nestled on the banks of the Kızılırmak – the famous Red River – this charming town is renowned for its traditional crafts, particularly its hand-woven carpets and beautifully crafted pottery. But we won’t linger just yet; after leaving our bags, we’ll set off to witness the day’s real highlight: the Göreme National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that showcases some of Turkey’s most extraordinary natural and cultural wonders.

Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985, Göreme National Park is a breathtaking landscape of rock formations created by ancient volcanic eruptions. Layers of volcanic ash solidified into soft tuff, which over the centuries has been sculpted by wind and rain into the extraordinary shapes we see today. The locals call them peribacaları – “fairy chimneys” – or kaleler, meaning “castles”, and they are truly unlike anything else on earth.

But this is not just a natural wonder. Humanity has left its indelible mark here too. We will explore the Göreme Open-Air Museum, where Byzantine culture comes to life through a remarkable collection of churches, chapels, and monasteries hewn directly into the rock. Among the highlights is the Karanlık Kilise (the “Dark Church”), famed for its beautifully preserved frescoes that still retain much of their original colour and detail.

We rise before dawn for an unforgettable experience: a hot air balloon flight over Göreme. Watching the sun break over the horizon while the majestic Göreme Valley stretches out beneath us is a moment that will stay with us forever. Here, high above the fairy chimneys, the stillness and beauty of Cappadocia invite us to leave behind the noise of daily life and simply savour the peace.

Once back on solid ground, the adventure continues. We’ll set out on foot to explore the valleys of Cappadocia, retracing from below the landscapes we first admired from the sky. And that’s not all—later we’ll add a burst of adrenaline with a quad bike tour through the valleys, a fun and unconventional way to experience this extraordinary region.

In the afternoon, we descend beneath the surface to the underground city of Özkonak, whose origins stretch back thousands of years. Built to shield its inhabitants from invaders, this remarkable complex of tunnels, chambers, and chapels spans several levels. The labyrinthine passages may feel a little claustrophobic, but as soon as we re-emerge into daylight, we’ll unwind in a traditional bar in Göreme, toasting the day’s many adventures.

It will be hard to bid farewell to Cappadocia, but the days ahead promise landscapes every bit as extraordinary. Our journey takes us first to a remarkable piece of local history: the Sultanhani Caravanserai. The name itself evokes images of a bygone era – but what exactly is it?

For centuries, Anatolia served as a vital transit corridor for merchants carrying goods from the East to Europe. Their long journeys, often lasting months, required secure places to rest and recover, and so the caravanserais were born. These vast fortified structures combined accommodation, stables, storage areas, and often even a small mosque, offering safety and respite for weary travellers and their animals.

From here, we continue towards today’s final destination: the city of Konya. Once a key hub during the Roman and Byzantine eras, thanks to its position on the road linking Constantinople to Antioch, Konya is also home to one of the region’s most moving traditions: the mystical whirling dance of the dervishes. Rooted in Sufi spirituality, this ceremony sees devotees spinning gracefully until they enter a state of ecstatic meditation, experiencing a sense of universal love. Will we too fall under the spell of this land? Almost certainly.

We’ll rise early this morning to reach our next destination on time: Pamukkale, world-famous for its dazzling white calcite terraces filled with thermal waters cascading from the mountain above. Known as the “Cotton Castle,” this natural wonder is one of Turkey’s most iconic landscapes. We’ll stroll among the shimmering pools – and even take a dip – before stepping back in time at the nearby ruins of Hierapolis.

Founded around 190 BC, this ancient city was once a meeting place of cultures, where Greeks, Romans, Jews, pagans, and Christians lived side by side. As we explore its remarkably well-preserved remains, we’ll pass the imposing Temple of Apollo and the grand Roman Theatre, which could seat up to 12,000 spectators. Our walk continues through the Agora and beneath the Arch of Domitian, each corner offering echoes of a rich and diverse past.

After a day of travel and discovery, there is no better way to unwind than to immerse ourselves in the warm thermal pools. As the sun sets over Pamukkale, we’ll soak in both the waters and the unforgettable beauty of this extraordinary place – the perfect end to another remarkable day of our adventure.

We bid farewell to the stunning landscapes of Pamukkale and set out towards Izmir. But before reaching the city, we arrive at today’s true highlight: the ancient city of Ephesus. Once one of the largest Ionian cities in Anatolia, Ephesus was a thriving commercial hub and later the capital of the Roman province of Asia. Today, it stands as one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in the Mediterranean.

As we wander through its ruins, we’ll pass the Agora, once the bustling heart of civic life and home to the Temple of Isis. From there, we’ll continue to the Odeon, the Prytaneum (town hall), the Asklepion (hospital), the Gate of Hercules, and the Temple of Hadrian. Walking along these ancient streets, it’s humbling to imagine that nearly two millennia ago, others strolled here just as we do today. The endurance of such beauty across the ages is nothing short of extraordinary.

After a light lunch – perhaps a warming bowl of çorba (whether red lentil, yoghurt, or wheat soup, the choice is ours) – we’ll continue on to Izmir. Here, we’ll finally take some time to unwind and recharge. And what better way to relax than with a traditional hammam? After all, we’ve certainly earned it!

After exploring the grandeur of the Roman city of Ephesus yesterday, today we turn to its Greek counterpart: Pergamon. According to legend, the city was founded in the aftermath of the Trojan War, and in time it rose to become a powerful centre during the period of Greek dominance in the region, eventually serving as the capital of the kingdom that bore its name.

Our visit will take us to the Acropolis, once the heart of Pergamon’s religious and military life, where history seems to echo through its commanding ruins. After soaking in the atmosphere of this remarkable site, we’ll continue our journey northwards towards Istanbul.

Along the way, we’ll pause to admire and capture photographs of the impressive Osmangazi Bridge – the fourth longest suspension bridge in the world – before pressing on to our final destination.

After journeying across the country, it’s finally time to explore Istanbul, a city with an extraordinary past. Once known as Byzantium, later Constantinople, it has served as the capital of the Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires – so we can expect a city of many faces and countless stories.

Following a hearty breakfast, we begin our day at the Blue Mosque, perhaps the most photogenic landmark in the city. Its name comes from the more than 20,000 turquoise tiles that adorn the interior walls and domes, drawing our gaze skywards in wonder. The exterior is equally mesmerising, with sweeping arches, flowing curves, and a near-perfect symmetry that together create an almost dreamlike harmony.

Once we’ve regained our energy – perhaps with a classic Turkish kebab – we move on to the magnificent Hagia Sophia. For centuries, until the 15th century, this was the most important church in Christendom. Inside, its grandeur is overwhelming: the vast dome, designed under Emperor Justinian, seems to hover above the nave, illuminated by shifting light from the windows. Golden mosaics and intricate decoration complete the sense of awe, lending the space a truly mystical atmosphere.

In the afternoon, we’ll dive into the bustling Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest markets in the world, where colourful stalls offer everything from handwoven carpets to curiosities you never knew you wanted. And to close the day – and our adventure – we’ll gather for a final dinner together, raising a toast to the unforgettable moments we’ve shared on this journey through Turkey.

Time flew by, as always happens when you experience new adventures!