Minarets and Moonscapes: Istanbul and Cappadocia
Uncover Turkey’s gems, from the Ottoman past of Istanbul to the surreal valleys of Cappadocia. Tour sultans’ palaces, glide the Bosphorus in private, and descend into ancient underground cities. Tailor your experience with local flavor, from a Spice Bazaar stroll to a family-hosted cooking class. Curated by your Destination Expert, this journey offers iconic sights and authentic moments.
- Duration
- 8 days, 7 nights
- Route
- Istanbul · Cappadocia
- Style
- Private and tailor-made: your own guide and driver throughout
- From
- $4,580 per person, hotels, guides and transfers included
- Discover Istanbul’s rich history from iconic sites like Hagia Sophia to lesser-known gems.
- Tick off a bucket-list item with a breathtaking hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia.
- Explore Cappadocia’s ancient underground cities, where early Christians once sought refuge.
- Learn family recipes in a Turkish village, cooking alongside locals in their home.
- Get insider tips from your Destination Expert on the best local bites and shopping spots.
Every day, already yours.
Here we Go!
Upon arrival in Istanbul, you’ll be met by an English-speaking assistant at Gate 9, who will help coordinate your private driver and accompany you to your accommodation.
- Private Airport Transfer
- Turkey Welcome Package
- Self-Guided: Best of Istanbul Hammams
It’s All Ancient History
Discover Istanbul's most storied landmarks on a private full-day exploration with your expert guide and driver. At Topkapi Palace, your guide brings Ottoman imperial life into focus through ornate chambers and collections. Hagia Sophia follows, its soaring dome and Byzantine mosaics reflecting the civilizations that shaped the city.
- Private Istanbul Tour with Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, & Basilica Cistern | 7.5 hrs
- Optional Dinner: Hamdi Restaurant
Cultural Immersion
Discover a different side of Istanbul on a private half-day exploration with your expert guide and driver, tracing the city's commercial and spiritual heart. At the Grand Bazaar, one of the worlds oldest covered markets, follow the rhythm of centuries-old trade through workshop-lined lanes and merchant stalls.
- Private Tour of Grand Bazaar, Suleymaniye Mosque & Spice Market | 5.5 hrs
Relax on the River
See Istanbul from the water on a private Bosphorus cruise, gliding between Europe and Asia as your guide brings the shoreline to life. Pass Ottoman waterfront mansions, palace facades, and hilltop fortresses, with the city’s domes and minarets reading differently from this calm, open vantage point. Private transfers connect you to and from the pier, keeping the experience smooth from start to finish.
- Private Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise | 3 hrs
- Galataport at Golden Hour
Onward and Upward
Upon arrival in Istanbul, you’ll be met by an English-speaking assistant at Gate 9, who will help coordinate your private driver and accompany you to your accommodation.
- Private Airport Transfer
- Air - Istanbul - Cappadocia [Direct - 1 hr] - Economy
- Private Transfer Airport
A Bird’s Eye View
Few experiences capture Cappadocia’s sculpted landscapes like sunrise from a hot air balloon, when the valleys glow and dozens of balloons rise at once. Arrive before dawn at the launch field for your shared flight, then enjoy a light breakfast while the crew prepares the balloon and the burners bring it to life. Lift into the sky for about 1 hour as fairy chimneys and carved ridgelines unfold below in the first light.
- Shared Cappadocia Sunrise Balloon Flight with Private Transfers | 4 hrs
- Private Goreme Open Air Museum, Kaymakli & Pigeon Valley Tour | 5.5 hrs
Live Like a Local
This morning, enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or simply unwind at your hotel and recharge for what is next.
- Morning at Leisure
- Private Cappadocia Home Cooking Class with Meal | 4 hrs
Until Next Time…
A private vehicle with driver and English-speaking assistant will transfer you between the airport and your hotel.
- Private Transfer Airport
- Air - Cappadocia - Istanbul [Direct - 1 hr ] - Economy
Where you will wake up.
Burdock Hotel Istanbul, Autograph Collection
Nestled along the historic and mystical route of Karakoy, The Burdock Hotel offers an exclusive and refined retreat, infused with the spirit of connection. More than just a place to stay, it is a hub for travelers drawn to both tradition and transformation.
Gamirasu Cave
Gamirasu Cave Hotel provides some of the most distinctive and stylish accommodations in Cappadocia. Located in Avali Village near the town of Urgup, the hotel serves as an excellent base for exploring the otherworldly wonders of this mysterious and beautiful region of Turkey.