Start your tour in Istanbul, the epicenter of Turkey's hustle and bustle. A frenzy of business, nightclubs, entertainment and culture. The city is a haven for those who like all their senses stimulated. Absorb Istanbul's ancient structures, from its mosques to the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empire influenced architecture. The cityscape is vast, with views of cosmopolitan buildings standing side by side to old traditional buildings. Learn more about Byzantine architecture from one of our expert guides. Take advantage of your guides knowledge on visits to St. Sophia Church and the Blue Mosque, known for its blue coloured tiles and architecture. Continue your tour to Byzantine Hippodrome, the renowned Topkapi Palace, and massive bazaar where virtually every knick knack is available. The Intercontinental Suspension Bridge is a must-see for those who want to capture this city from all perspectives. Beylerbeyi Palace, the white marble summer residence of Ottoman Sultans, is also on the agenda for awe inspiring sights. Our guides will offer their knowledge on attractions and points of interest. After lunch enjoy a cruise by boat on Bosphorus, the world's narrowest internationally traveled strait. Move forward with a visit to Goreme National Park in Cappadocia, also referred to as "Valley of the Fairy Chimneys". The formations were created after three volcanoes erupted around 30 million years ago. The area is also known for the spectacular houses that have been carved into the rock. Enjoy a complete view of the entire area in a Hot Air Balloon (optional). Enjoy all these in a shared tour with private accommodations, transfers and complete flexibility.

Day 1
Istanbul
Airport transfer with your private car and driver. Kensington Tours donates a portion of our proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities. A welcome package with your vouchers, a city map, plane tickets (if relevant) and any other touristic information that you may find useful will be waiting for you upon your arrival at your first hotel on your trip. A theme hotel, the Antik (3*) features four floors each representing a different period of Istanbul's history. Each floor of the hotel carries a name of the city as it was known at different times throughout the ages. Floors and rooms were designed to reflect the culture and art of their named civilization while providing all modern ammenities expected of a fine hotel.
Istanbul (Byzantium, and later Constantinople) is the world's 3rd largest city and Turkey's cultural and financial center. It is located on the Bosphorus Strait and encompasses the natural harbor known as the Golden Horn. It extends both on the European (Thrace) and on the Asian (Anatolia) side of the Bosphorus, and is therefore the only metropolis in the world which is situated on two continents. In its long history, Istanbul served as the capital city of the Roman Empire (330–395), the East Roman (Byzantine) Empire (395–1204 and 1261–1453), the Latin Empire (1204–1261), and the Ottoman Empire (1453–1922). The city was chosen as joint European Capital of Culture for 2010. The historic areas of Istanbul were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985.

Day 2
Istanbul
Enjoy a full day tour of Istanbul with other travellers and see the most important sights. Visit the St. Sophia Church, the pride and glory of the Byzantine architecture (excluding the Gallery floor); the Blue Mosque, famous for its blue tiles; Byzantine Hippodrome, where once chariot races were held; and the Grand Bazaar, world’s largest covered bazaar with 4000 shops. After lunch (included in the tour price) visit Topkapi Palace, the famous residence of the Sultans (The Harem section is not included in the tour). The tour ends at your hotel. Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Overnight at Antik (3*).

Day 3
Istanbul
Enjoy a full day tour in a group setting. The guide will pick you up from your hotel. In the morning a visit to the Spice Market, where locals still shop for herbs and spices coming from all over the world. Cross the Bosphorus by driving through the Intercontinental Suspension Bridge to go over the Asian side of Istanbul. A visit to Beylerbeyi Palace, the white marble summer residence of Ottoman Sultans used in the 19th century. After lunch a cruise by boat on Bosphorus, the unique winding strait separating two continents. (order of visits can change)
Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Overnight at Antik (3*).

Day 4
Istanbul - Goreme
Airport transfer with your private car and driver. Enjoy a direct flight from Istanbul to Capadoccia. The flight duration is about 1 hour.
Airport transfer with your private car and driver. Enjoy a full day tour in a group setting in Cappadocia. Drive to Devrent valley and then to Pasabagi valley, to see the amazing fairy chimneys of Cappadocia. From here you will be driven to Avanos, the famous pottery town, to have lunch. After lunch depart from Avanos to see the beautiful examples of Byzantine art in the churches of Goreme Open Air Museum. Then be driven to Uchisar castle, the highest point of the region, where we have a fabulous panoramic view over Cappadocia, finally a visit to the Pidgeon valley. The tour starts and ends in your hotel. Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Perissia (3*) is located in a World Heritage Site and home to many natural wonders such as the Fairy Chimneys, underground cities and cave churches in this region of early Christianity. You can enjoy many activities such as Ballooning, Hiking, Rafting, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking as well as sightseeing during the day and join the lively nightlife while tasting the famous Cappadocian Wine in the evening. Goreme, located among the "fairy chimney" rock formations, is a town in Cappadocia, a historical region of Turkey. The Goreme National Park was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985. The first period of settlement within the region reaches to Roman period of Christianity era. Among historical sites are Ortahane, Durmus Kadir, Yusuf Koc and Bezirhane churches in Göreme, including Tokali Kilise, the Apple Church, houses and shafts engraved from rocks.

Day 5
Goreme
Enjoy a full day tour in a group setting in Cappadocia and visit the Ortahisar a natural citadel carved in rocks. Then visit Subterrenean City of Kaymakli or Derinkuyu, established in the 7th century by Christians fleeing persecution, in which a visitor is able to descend several floor levels. Drive to Cavusin Valley to see the troglodyte dwellings where people lived until mid 20th century. After lunch a visit to the Red valley, finally a visit to a Winery, Cappadocia is famous for its fertile vineyards due to the mineral-laden volcanic soil of the area. The tour starts and ends at your hotel. Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Overnight at Perissia (3*).

Day 6
Goreme
Airport transfer with your private car and driver. Enjoy a direct flight from Kayseri airport to Istanbul. The flight duration is around 1 hour. Depart from the Kayseri airport-end of the itinerary