Begin in Istanbul, where a full day links the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, the Blue Mosque, and the Byzantine Hippodrome before a Bosphorus cruise past waterfront palaces and a wander through the Spice Bazaar. From the city's Byzantine and Ottoman core, this nine-day route turns toward the natural wonders and classical ruins of western and central Anatolia, with domestic flights connecting each leg so the long distances stay easy.
At Pamukkale you walk the white travertine terraces and explore Hierapolis with its theatre, necropolis, and Roman Baths. A guided day at Ephesus traces the marble streets past the Temple of Hadrian, Great Theatre of Ephesus, and the House of the Virgin Mary near Selçuk. Three nights in a Cappadocia cave hotel open up the fairy chimneys, the Derinkuyu Underground City, and valley hikes around Göreme and Ihlara. Domestic flights, English-speaking guides, hotel stays with breakfast, transfers, and entrance fees are arranged throughout, so your attention stays on the sites instead of the planning.
Highlights:
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Tour Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Hippodrome
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Cruise the Bosphorus between Europe and Asia
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Walk the white Pamukkale Travertines and ancient Hierapolis
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Explore Ephesus, the great theatre, and Temple of Hadrian
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Visit the House of the Virgin Mary near Selçuk
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See Cappadocia's fairy chimneys and rock-cut valleys
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Descend into the Derinkuyu Underground City
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Hike the rock-cut churches of Ihlara Valley