Istanbul & Cappadocia

On arrival in Istanbul, you will be collected at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The rest of today is free to settle in or head out and explore independently.

After tucking into a delicious breakfast at the hotel, it's time to head out on a sightseeing tour of incredible Istanbul. Take in highlights of the city including the spectacular exterior of Hagia Sophia, iconic Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, and Topkapi Palace, just one example of the stunning Ottoman architecture to be seen in the city.

After the tour, you'll have a chance to delve into the Grand Bazaar. Practice your haggling skills and soak up the sounds and smells of this incredible market.

The evening is free to head out and explore independently, or you can enjoy an optional cruise and dinner on the Bosphorous Strait, which is the body of water that divides Europe and Asia (book and pay locally).

Istanbul - Kayseri - Cappadocia. Say goodbye to Istanbul as you are transferred to the airport for your included flight to Kayseri in central Turkey. From here you will be transported to Cappadocia, the land of subterranean cave cities and rock castles.

On an afternoon tour of this remarkable region, take in the Devrent Valley, which is often called the Imaginary Valley because thousands of years of erosion mean that many of the rock formations here look like animals - keep your eyes out for the camel, alligator, and dolphin! You'll also see the mushroom-shaped pinnacles at Pasabagi and visit the incredible open-air museum at Goreme, where you will explore some of the centuries-old rock-cut cave churches and other settlements. Before returning to your hotel there will be a visit to a traditional carpet manufacturing factory.

Cappadocia - Kayseri - Istanbul. This morning there's the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sail serenely over Cappadocia on an optional hot air balloon ride (book and pay locally).

Later, there's a hike through the Rose Valley to see some more of the region's famous rock-cut cave churches. You'll also take in the old Christian cave village of Cavusin, the Pigeon Valley, and Kaymakli Underground City. This huge settlement is connected by a warren of more than 100 tunnels. The final stop on today's tour is the towering rock castle of Ortahisar, which dominates the landscape and the town of the same name.

There's a transfer to the airport for your included flight back to Istanbul.

Today your touring arrangements come to an end after breakfast. There's an included transfer to the airport for your onward flight.