EXPRESS TURKEY

Upon arrival in Istanbul, you’ll be whisked from either airport (IST or SAW) to a five-star hotel in the harbourside district of Karaköy. Here, our Local Insider will greet you at 6pm and accompany the group throughout the trip. In the meantime drop your bags and get your first taste of Istanbul at the in-house hammam, or take a short walk to see the Galata Tower. Regroup in the evening for a welcome dinner at the hotel’s rooftop restaurant, where you can tuck into traditional Turkish dishes with stunning views of this sprawling city lit up at night.

Starting at the elegant Blue Mosque, our full-day tour will lead you through the vibrant streets of Istanbul. This ancient metropolis is a melting pot of Byzantine, Greek, Roman, Ottoman and Turkish history, where tradition and modernity live harmoniously side-by-side. Enjoy the vast beauty of the Hagia Sophia and the exquisite details within the Topkapi Palace complex, once the imperial residence of 25 Ottoman sultans. Take your time to sip a glass of çay (Turkish tea) while you haggle for souvenirs in the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with more than 4,000 shops to explore. We’ll finish up late in the afternoon, so you can spend the evening as you wish.

This morning starts in aromatic style as we head straight to the vibrant Spice Market after breakfast. Next, a hop onboard a ferry across the Bosphorus, the historic waterway between the shores of Europe and Asia, where you’ll glimpse the architectural highlights of Istanbul, such as the Rumeli Fortress. Disembark in the fairytale-like neighbourhood of Kuzguncuk, where you’ll take part in a food-tasting tour through Kadıköy, sampling Turkish specialities such as lahmacun, kaymak and baklava. After taking a ferry back to the European side, you’ll walk through the ancient Beyoglu tunnel and end your day with a stroll down the popular, shop-lined Istiklal Street.

After breakfast we move on to another famous Turkish city, Ankara. On arrival in the capital you’ll instantly sense the calmer, less touristy way of life – in contrast to the chaotic clamour of Istanbul. By now, you’ll probably be familiar with the figure of Kemal Atatürk, founder and first leader of the Turkish Republic, as his image is found across the country. In Ankara, you’ll visit Anıtkabir, his monumental tomb, then onto the Ankara Citadel and the fascinating Museum of Anatolian Civilizations to pour over the most extensive collection of Hittite artefacts in the world, some more than 7,500 years old. Bed down for the evening in a luxurious city centre hotel.

The capital of the ancient Hittite Empire was the mighty Kingdom of Hattusas. Discover this extraordinary relic from the late Bronze Age as you meander through huge stone walls set with relics and statues from more than 5,000 years ago. A short walk uphill from the Unesco World Heritage site will bring you to Yazilikaya, a sacred memorial place for Hittites. This impressive site is a natural open-air temple hewn in the rocks, and hidden in the high cliffs. Tonight, you’ll stay in cave-like rooms built from local stone in Cappadocia.

Although optional, we highly recommend you take the early morning hot-air balloon ride. Floating silently over the surreal rock formations of Cappadocia is undoubtedly the best way to experience this natural phenomena. Enjoy breakfast back at the hotel before heading to Goreme National Park, which has more than 30 rock-carved chapels and the unique cliff dwellings of Zelve. Come afternoon, you’ll join a terracotta workshop in Avanos, creating traditional colourful pottery using time-honoured techniques. Finish your day with a wine tasting at the finest winery in Cappadocia and an optional visit to see local craftspeople weave rugs.

Tug on your hiking boots today. You’ll be exploring the Kaymakli Underground City, cut seven storeys down into volcanic rock. These labyrinthine tunnels were dug by locals to hide from marauding armies centuries ago, and could house thousands of people and livestock. Leaving the subterranean city behind, you’ll embark on an 8km (5mi) hike through the Rose and Red valleys; the pink colour of the other-worldly rocks changes as the sun moves across the sky. Spend the rest of your afternoon exploring Cappadocia at leisure. Evening brings optional entertainment in the form of a Whirling Dervish Ceremony – the perfect way to round off your Turkish adventure in style.

After one final Turkish breakfast – savour the final sips of traditional tea and coffee! – it’s time to part ways and mark the end of your tour of Turkey. Make your way to either airport in Cappadocia (NAV or ASR), or perhaps you could continue your adventure solo?