Day 1 – Arrive to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Meet your Village Experience representative and transfer to your hotel located in the trendy Karaköy District of Istanbul. This happening harborside area is known for Ottoman era architecture, fun street art, family owned cafes and bakeries, the Galata Tower, and has a beautiful view of the Sultanahmet Old Town District. Relax and settle into your surroundings.

Day 2 – Free day to rest after the long flight, exchange money, and get lost in this magical city.

Day 3 – Today you will meet your local guide at the hotel and embark on a tour of the major historical and cultural sights of the area. These sights will stop you in your tracks! Visit the iconic Blue Mosque with its six minarets and blue Iznik tiles. Next, venture to the Hagia Sofia – a former Greek Orthodox Church, Ottoman era Mosque, and now a museum. Stop for lunch at a traditional restaurant to learn about Turkish cuisine. Then, continue on to the Topkapi Palace – the seat of the Ottoman Empire for over 400 years. Stops at the Hippodrome and Underground Cistern will complete the day. Return to hotel.

Day 4 – Your guide will meet you in the morning for an extensive tour of the famous Grand Bazaar of Istanbul. Put on your sneakers and bring lots of empty bags! This is one of the largest and oldest covered bazaars in the world – spread out over 61 streets with over 4,000 stalls. You’ll have time to shop, stop for coffee, learn about traditional handicraft, and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, board a boat for a special sunset cruise along the beautiful Bosphorus.

Day 5 – Free day to get lost in the historical streets of Sultanahmet, venture into the modern areas of Istanbul, continue shopping the markets, or relax and people watch from local charming cafes.

Day 6 – In the morning, transfer to the airport to catch your domestic flight to Cappadocia. Upon arrival, check into your adorable cave hotel located in the heart of this UNESCO World Heritage City known for its lunar landscape, underground cities, cave churches, and Instagram famous hot air balloon rides. In the evening, attend a special Whirling Dervish performance – a Sufi religious dance performed to express emotion and achieve the wisdom and love of God. Return to hotel in the evening.

Day 7 – Today, embark on a tour of Cappadocia. First stop – the famous three coned fairy chimneys where the voice of wind mixes with the songs of the fairies. You will then head over to the terra cotta town of Avanos for lunch at a social enterprise café completely owned and run by women. This town has been known as the center of pottery and craft making since the Hittite period – you will visit a women’s pottery cooperative for a demonstration. Next stop is a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Goreme Open Air Museum boasting amazing Byzantine art displayed in well preserved rock cut churches and chapels. The last stop will take you to the underground city of Ozkonak. Free evening.

Day 8 – Rise and shine! Today is a special treat as you wake up super early for a hot air balloon ride over the many valleys and rock formations of Cappadocia as the sun rises. Float among hundreds of other colorful hot air balloons during this once in a lifetime experience. In the afternoon, you can opt to participate in a wine tasting and learn about the importance of Cappadocia as a wine producing area. Relax in the afternoon.

Day 9 – Free day to continue exploring and shopping. We suggest trying a meal at a traditional pottery kabab restaurant. A traditional clay pot is filled with meats, vegetables and spices, sealed shut and slow cooked for up to 5 hours.

Day 10 – Today, catch your flight back to Istanbul and connect to international flight home.