Turkey: Where East Meets West

Land at Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen (SAW), and you'll be met and transferred straight to your hotel. Nothing else planned today — just time to settle in before the sightseeing begins.

A full day through Istanbul's historic core: the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia (exterior only — no interior visit on this stop), Topkapi Palace, and the Grand Bazaar. It's a lot of history packed into one day, and the contrast between Byzantine and Ottoman architecture becomes pretty obvious once you're walking through it in person.

Today covers the city walls, the Golden Horn, and the Spice Market, followed by a Bosphorus cruise — genuinely one of the better ways to see Istanbul, since you get the skyline from the water rather than craning your neck from below. The afternoon continues to Rumeli Fortress, Beylerbeyi Palace, and Camlica Hill, which has arguably the best panoramic view of the whole city.

A short cruise takes you out to the Prince's Islands, starting with Büyükada (Pringipo). Cars aren't allowed here, so the pace naturally slows down — old wooden houses, quiet streets, and a noticeably different rhythm from the rest of the city.

Departure transfer to the airport in Istanbul, a flight down to Antalya, and an arrival transfer straight to your hotel. A travel day, mostly — nothing more scheduled beyond getting you settled in by evening.

Explore Antalya's Old City before heading out to Duden Waterfalls, where the water drops straight into the sea — it's a striking sight, especially from the boat ride that follows

After breakfast, proceed for a full-day tour to Pamukkale and Hierapolis — one of Turkey’s most iconic experiences.

Visit the spectacular white calcium terraces of Pamukkale, also known as the “Cotton Castle,” famous for its natural thermal pools and surreal landscapes. Continue to the ancient city of Hierapolis, located just above the terraces, where you can explore fascinating ruins, historic streets, and ancient Roman remains.

After the tour, enjoy lunch and later proceed as per the itinerary.

An overland transfer from Pamukkale to Kusadasi — a lighter day, mostly spent on the road, with time to relax once you arrive.

A full day exploring the ancient city of Ephesus, one of the best-preserved Roman sites in the Mediterranean, followed by a visit to Sirince, a small hillside village known for its wine and considerably slower pace.

Transfer to the airport, and that's the trip — Istanbul's history, the Turquoise Coast, and a landscape or two you won't quite forget.