From : Ask a Price / Night
14 days / 13 nights
From Mar. to Nov.
15 Person
5 Min
Embark on a 10-day cultural expedition through Turkey’s historic northern frontier — from the imperial charm of Istanbul to the poetic valleys of Amasya, and from the windswept ports of the Black Sea to the magical landscapes of Cappadocia. Along the way, explore World Heritage Sites, ancient Hittite capitals, Ottoman-era towns, and majestic natural formations. This journey offers a rare combination of history, culture, and scenery in some of Turkey’s most overlooked yet spectacular regions.
Explore the historical peninsula of Istanbul: Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque
Visit UNESCO-listed Safranbolu and the ancient Thracian city of Kastamonu
Discover Amasya, the romantic city of poets, kings, and scholars
Wander through Amasra and Sinop, ancient Black Sea ports
Marvel at the Hittite capital Hattusa and the sanctuary of Yazilikaya
Experience the surreal beauty of Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys and open-air churches
Upon arrival at Istanbul International Airport, you will be welcomed by a Nature and Sea Travel representative and transferred to the historic Sultanahmet district. This area, rich with Byzantine and Ottoman heritage, is where you will spend your first night. The evening is free to relax and soak in the ambience of this remarkable city.
Arrival: Istanbul International Airport
Meet & Greet: Welcomed by a Nature and Sea Travel representative
Transfer: To the historic Sultanahmet district (1 hour | 45–50 km)
Evening: Free to relax and enjoy the city atmosphere
Overnight: Hotel in Istanbul (Sultanahmet)
Meals: – / – / –
Following breakfast, begin a comprehensive walking tour of Istanbul’s iconic landmarks. Visit the magnificent Topkapi Palace, former seat of Ottoman sultans, renowned for its vast collections and stunning architecture. Proceed to the majestic Hagia Sophia, a masterpiece blending Christian and Islamic heritage, standing as a symbol of Istanbul’s diverse past. Pass through the Hippodrome Square, once the vibrant social and sporting center of Constantinople, featuring ancient monuments like the Obelisks and Serpentine Column. Finally, admire the Blue Mosque, an architectural marvel harmonizing Ottoman and Byzantine styles. The day concludes with a traditional Turkish tea experience before returning to your hotel.
Morning: Breakfast at hotel
Tour Highlights:
Topkapi Palace – Former Ottoman palace with rich collections
Hagia Sophia – Blend of Christian & Islamic heritage
Hippodrome Square – Ancient sporting & social center
Blue Mosque – Ottoman & Byzantine architectural harmony
End of Tour: Traditional Turkish tea experience
Overnight: Hotel in Istanbul (Sultanahmet)
Meals: Breakfast / – / –
Transfer to Istanbul Airport for your flight to Kayseri, gateway to Cappadocia. Upon arrival, drive to your hotel where you will stay for four nights. Begin exploration with visits to Cavusin village, one of the oldest settlements featuring rock-cut houses and ancient churches. Walk through the stunning Pasabaglari Valley, famous for its unique fairy chimneys crowned with large mushroom-shaped caps. Next, explore the Zelve Monastery Valley, an extraordinary cave town with rich religious heritage, followed by a visit to Avanos, a town famous for its pottery craft dating back to the Hittites. Here you can even try your hand at shaping clay.
Transfers:
Hotel → Istanbul Airport (1 hour)
Kayseri Airport → Cappadocia hotel (1 hour)
Visits:
Cavusin village – Ancient rock-cut houses & churches
Pasabaglari Valley – Famous fairy chimneys
Zelve Monastery Valley – Historical cave town
Avanos – Pottery workshops (try your own clay shaping)
Walking: 45 min | 3 km | Ascent: 60 m | Descent: 70 m
Overnight: Hotel in Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Start the day with an optional early morning hot air balloon ride, offering breathtaking aerial views of Cappadocia’s extraordinary landscape. After breakfast, visit Uchisar Village’s fortress, offering panoramic views from its rock-carved rooms connected by tunnels. Continue to Goreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO site with remarkable Byzantine-era frescoes and cave churches. End the day at the Red Valley, known for its colorful rock formations and hidden ancient Christian churches. In the afternoon, you may choose to relax with a traditional Turkish bath (Hamam), a cultural ritual promoting relaxation and wellness.
Optional: Early morning hot air balloon ride
Visits:
Uchisar Village & Fortress – Panoramic views
Goreme Open Air Museum – UNESCO site with frescoes
Red Valley – Colorful rock formations & cave churches
Optional: Turkish bath (Hamam) in afternoon
Overnight: Hotel in Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Depart for the fascinating underground city of Derinkuyu, an extensive subterranean complex used as a refuge by early Christians. From there, hike through the scenic Ihlara Valley, a 14 km canyon dotted with rock-cut churches and dwellings from the 6th to 13th centuries. After lunch in Belisirma village, continue your walk to Selime Monastery, a vast complex built into a mountain slope. On your return to Cappadocia, stop at Guzelyurt village, known for its natural beauty and Christian heritage.
Visits:
Derinkuyu Underground City – Early Christian refuge
Ihlara Valley Hike: 2 hrs | 6 km (Ihlara → Belisirma)
Selime Monastery – Built into mountain slope
Guzelyurt village – Natural beauty & Christian heritage
Transfers: Cappadocia → Ihlara (1 hour | 95 km)
Overnight: Hotel in Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Spend your day visiting Goreme village, the tourism hub of Cappadocia, followed by Urgup, famed for its vineyards and charming cafes. Enjoy free time to explore shops and taste authentic Turkish tea. Optional evening activity includes a Turkish night show featuring traditional dances, a Whirling Dervishes ceremony, and belly dancing.
Visits:
Goreme village – Tourism hub
Urgup – Vineyards & cafes
Free Time: Explore shops & enjoy Turkish tea
Optional: Turkish night show with traditional dances, Whirling Dervishes, belly dance
Overnight: Hotel in Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Drive towards Antalya, stopping at the impressive 13th-century Sultan Hani Caravanserai, the largest in Turkey. Continue to Konya, the heartland of the Seljuk Sultanate and home of the Mevlana Museum, dedicated to the famous mystic Rumi. In the evening, arrive in Antalya’s historic Kaleici district, blending Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, and Ottoman heritage.
Route: Cappadocia → Konya → Antalya (580 km | 8–9 hours)
Visits:
Sultan Hani Caravanserai – Largest in Turkey
Konya & Mevlana Museum – Legacy of Rumi
Evening: Arrival in Antalya’s Kaleici district
Overnight: Hotel in Antalya city center
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Depart Antalya for Kas, visiting the ancient harbors of Phaselis with its Roman baths and agora. Continue to Myra, a prominent Lycian city with notable tombs and a Roman amphitheatre. Arrive in Kas, a charming coastal town known for its relaxed atmosphere, narrow streets, and seaside cafes.
Route: Antalya → Kas (190 km | 3 hours)
Visits:
Phaselis – Ancient harbor city
Myra – Lycian tombs & Roman amphitheatre
Overnight: Hotel in Kas
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Enjoy a boat trip around the Kekova region, famous for its crystal-clear waters and the submerged ruins of a Byzantine city. Visit Simena Castle for stunning views and stroll on Tersane Island. Return to Kas for a leisurely afternoon to explore the town at your own pace.
Boat Tour: Kekova region – Sunken Byzantine city, Simena Castle, Tersane Island
Transfer: Kas ↔ Kekova (40 min | 35 km)
Afternoon: Free time in Kas
Overnight: Hotel in Kas
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Travel to Fethiye with stops at Patara, known for its ancient Lycian ruins and one of Turkey’s longest sandy beaches, a sanctuary for endangered loggerhead turtles. Visit the ghost village of Kayakoy, abandoned in the early 20th century, rich with history and atmosphere. End your day with a walk or optional trek to the stunning Oludeniz lagoon, famed for its turquoise waters and blue flag beach.
Route: Kas → Fethiye (110 km | 2 hours)
Visits:
Patara – Ancient ruins & sandy beach (loggerhead turtle habitat)
Kayakoy – Abandoned ghost village
Oludeniz Lagoon – Turquoise waters (walk or optional trek)
Walking: 2–3 hrs | 6 km | Ascent: 200 m | Descent: 300 m
Overnight: Hotel in Fethiye
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Depart Fethiye and visit Aphrodisias, a city devoted to the goddess Aphrodite, famous for its marble quarries and well-preserved sculptures. Continue to Pamukkale, where you will spend the night.
Route: Fethiye → Aphrodisias → Pamukkale (340 km | 4 hours)
Visits:
Aphrodisias – City of Aphrodite with marble quarries & sculptures
Overnight: Hotel in Pamukkale
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Visit the spectacular travertine terraces of Pamukkale, known as the “cotton castle” for its white mineral-rich formations and thermal pools. Explore the adjacent ancient city of Hierapolis, including its necropolis and Roman baths. In the afternoon, transfer to Selcuk for overnight.
Visits:
Pamukkale Travertine Terraces – “Cotton castle” thermal pools
Hierapolis – Necropolis & Roman baths
Transfer: Pamukkale → Selcuk (190 km | 3 hours)
Overnight: Hotel in Selcuk
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Visit the House of the Virgin Mary, a revered pilgrimage site. Then explore ancient Ephesus, once a major Roman city, famous for its vast ruins, including the Terrace Houses adorned with mosaics and frescoes. Stroll through Selcuk’s old town, visiting the Isa Bey Mosque, fortress, and Basilica of St. John. Finish the day with traditional Turkish coffee before returning to the hotel.
Visits:
House of the Virgin Mary – Pilgrimage site
Ephesus Ancient City – Terrace Houses, mosaics, frescoes
Selcuk old town – Isa Bey Mosque, fortress, Basilica of St. John
End of Day: Traditional Turkish coffee
Overnight: Hotel in Selcuk
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
After breakfast, transfer to Izmir Airport for your onward flight, concluding your journey through Turkey’s wonders.
Transfer: Selcuk → Izmir Airport (60 km | 1 hour)
Meals: Breakfast / – / –
