Istanbul & Cappadocia, Turkey
£2295.00
Discovery
6 nights in Turkey | Solos Board
Istanbul
See Hagia Sophia & Topkapi Palace
Sunset Bosphorus Cruise
With dinner, drinks & entertainment
Cave Hotel
Experience a truly unique stay
Cappadocia
Otherworldly valleys & ancient cities
About this trip...
This escorted group adventure through Istanbul and Cappadocia combines rich history, striking scenery and memorable shared experiences. Explore Istanbul’s atmospheric streets on guided tours, taking in iconic landmarks such as the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace, and browsing vibrant bazaars filled with colour and spice. One evening, enjoy a memorable dinner cruise, sailing between Europe and Asia as the city’s palaces, bridges and waterfront mansions glow after dark. In Cappadocia, discover a surreal landscape of fairy-chimney valleys, rock-cut churches and vast underground cities, brought to life through guided sightseeing across the region. Stay in a characterful cave hotel and, for those who wish, experience the magic of sunrise as hot air balloons rise over the valleys. Carefully paced and fully escorted, this journey offers the perfect balance of discovery, comfort and time to relax.
What's included?
Return flights & transfers-
Return flights from Istanbul to Cappadocia
-
Airport taxes & charges
Room for sole use 
Breakfast daily, four lunches & two dinners 
Welcome drink 
Bosphorus cruise with dinner, drinks and entertainment-
Guided tours in Istanbul, including Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace
-
Visit the stunning Blue Mosque
Bosphorus Cruise-
Guided tours in Cappadocia
Accompanying Solos Tour Leader
Fully financially protected
What's extra:
- Insurance click here
Itinerary
- Arrive in Istanbul, welcome dinner and cruise
- Istanbul City Tour
- Bosphorus Cruise & Spice Market
- Fly to Cappadocia and day at leisure
- Cappadocia Tour
- South Cappadocia Tour and Turkish night
- Departure, fly home via Istanbul
What you'll be doing
Day One: Arrival in Istanbul
Welcome to Istanbul, where Europe and Asia meet! Upon arrival, you’ll be transferred to your hotel in the historic old city where we have some time to relax or take a stroll before heading out for a celebratory evening.
This evening, we come together for a special welcome. We sail along the Bosphorus and enjoy a delicious Turkish dinner and free-flowing drinks accompanied by traditional belly dancing.
- Dinner included
Day Two: Istanbul City Tour
After breakfast, we set out on a guided walking tour of Istanbul. Our first stop is the Hagia Sophia, originally built in AD 537 under Emperor Justinian and once the largest cathedral in the world for nearly 1,000 years. Over the centuries, it has served as a cathedral, a mosque, a museum and, today, once again as a mosque.
Next, we head to the Byzantine Hippodrome, the centre of social and political life in ancient Constantinople, where thrilling chariot races and public ceremonies were once held. We then go on to the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque), built in the early 1600s and famed for its striking blue Iznik tiles and six elegant minarets. We then explore the Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, with over 4,000 shops across 61 streets. Our last stop of the day is Topkapi Palace, once the lavish residence of Ottoman sultans for almost 400 years.
- Breakfast & lunch included
Day Three: Bosphorus Cruise & Spice Market
After breakfast, we head to the Spice Market (Egyptian Bazaar), built in 1664. This aromatic bazaar is filled with spices, Turkish delights, dried fruits and herbal remedies. Its construction was funded by taxes from Egypt, hence the name “Egyptian Bazaar.” Next, we sit back, relax and enjoy a Bosphorus Cruise, sailing along the glittering strait separating Europe and Asia, passing palaces, fortresses, quaint fishing villages and historic mansions.
We enjoy a free afternoon to explore Istanbul at your own pace. You may wish to experience a traditional Turkish hammam (see FAQs for more to explore below).
- Breakfast & lunch included
Day Four: Fly to Cappadocia & day at leisure
Today, we transfer to the airport for our flight to Cappadocia. Upon arrival, we meet our driver and transfer to our hotel. We enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Optional: Turkish cooking class (see FAQs more to explore below).
- Breakfast included
Day Five: Cappadocia Tour
If we wish to enjoy aerial views of Cappadocia’s unique landscape, we can rise at sunrise for an unforgettable optional hot air balloon ride (see FAQs for more to explore below). After breakfast, we head out to explore Devrent Valley (Imagination Valley), famous for its whimsical rock formations resembling animals and mythological figures. We continue to Pasabagi (Monk’s Valley), home to some of the best-preserved fairy chimneys — tall volcanic formations topped with basalt caps. Hermit monks once lived inside these chimneys, carving small rooms into the rock.
We visit the pottery town of Avanos, a riverside town famous for pottery making since the Hittite era (2000 BC). We then continue to the Goreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site showcasing ancient cave churches and monasteries with exceptional frescoes. Finally, we visit Uchisar Castle, the highest viewpoint in Cappadocia, carved into a massive rock formation.
- Breakfast & lunch included
Day Six: South Cappadocia Tour
Today we explore the south of Cappadocia. We start in Red Valley, celebrated for its red-hued rock formations and hidden rock-cut churches. We visit Cavusin Village, an ancient Greek village famous for its rock-cut dwellings and churches. We continue with a visit to Ozkonak Underground City, one of Cappadocia’s largest underground cities, featuring multiple levels of tunnels, ventilation shafts and living quarters.
We then explore Pigeon Valley, named for the thousands of carved dovecotes. Our final stop of the day is Ortahisar Castle, a striking fortress-like rock formation used for defence and storage during the Byzantine and Ottoman eras.
This evening, we enjoy a special farewell dinner at a cave restaurant, including drinks and Turkish entertainment.
- Breakfast, lunch & dinner included
Day Seven: Departure, fly home via Istanbul
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and some free time before transfer to the airport for your flight to Istanbul to connect with your international flight.
- Breakfast included
Accommodation
(as specified or similar)- Day 1 - 3 | Erboy Hotel
- Day 4 - 6 | Acer Cave Hotel
Day 1 - 3 | Erboy Hotel
The Erboy Hotel is within easy walking distance of iconic landmarks such as Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace. It has a range of facilities including a 24-hour reception, free Wi-Fi throughout the property, a lounge bar, and an on-site restaurant with both indoor and rooftop dining options. The rooms are equipped with air conditioning, a private bathroom with toiletries and a hairdryer, satellite TV, a minibar or small fridge, and a desk.
Day 4 - 6 | Acer Cave Hotel
Acer Cave Hotel lies in the village of Ortahisar in the heart of the Cappadocia region. The hotel offers a 24-hour reception, restaurant, snack bar and bar, and has a garden and terrace. Rooms are equipped with air conditioning, heating, free Wi-Fi, minibar, tea and coffee-making facilities, flat-screen TV, private bathrooms with hairdryers and toiletries, and some rooms include terraces or balconies offering views of the valley or town.
The nature of this hotel means that rooms differ in size and amenities, each has its own unique character, and we cannot guarantee room type.
Dates & Prices
Essential Information
If you are visiting Turkey, your passport should be valid for at least 150 days from the date you arrive and there should be a full blank page for the entry and exit stamps. You can find more detail about the requirements for entry into Turkey on the website of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Visa Information
Turkey E-Visa - From 2 March 2020, British nationals travelling for tourism or business purposes will no longer need a visa to enter Turkey for visits of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
All clients are responsible for acquainting themselves with up to date health information of the countries being visited and where necessary take the required precautions. We recommend that you check with your doctor prior to departure as this information can change. You can also visit the travel health website for more information; Travel Health Turkey
Istanbul, optional Hamam experience: £85 pp
Located in the heart of the historical peninsula, at a walking distance from Grand Bazaar and serving since 1584, the historical Çemberlitaş Hamam is a great place for a Turkish bath.
The Turkish Bath is a traditional type of public bathing which is essentially based on the ancient Roman bathing culture and the principles of the steam bath. Combining this with the traditional Turkish scrub, it became an integral part of Turkish culture as well as an important part of social life. Enjoy a scrub, followed by a foaming cleanse, then some by time to relax and enjoy the ancient bathing ritual of the Ottoman Sultans.
Includes: admission, scrubbing, foaming, shampoo, soap, towels, and a hair dryer.
Cappadocia, optional hot air balloon flight: £220 pp
Begin your day with a hotel pick-up an hour before sunrise, ensuring you catch the magical sunrise. The adventure begins as skilled pilots select a unique take-off site based on the day's wind direction, ensuring maximum flight time and a captivating path over stunning landscapes. Ascend into the sky, witnessing the world transform into a breathtaking panorama. Float gracefully through canyons and soar high above the landscape. Experience extraordinary views that only a hot air balloon can offer and witness an impressive spectacle. After a gentle descent, prepare for a soft landing. To celebrate the day, toast with a glass of non-alcoholic sparkling wine and receive a personalized flight certificate.
Please book before departure, we cannot guarantee price/availability in resort.
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