Welcome to Europamundo! We’ll transfer you to the hotel and you’ll have some free time. In the afternoon, you’ll find information about the start of your tour on the boards located at the hotel reception.

IMPORTANT:
-Please note that hotel check-in time is usually at 02:00 p.m. If you require earlier room availability, consider booking an additional night at the beginning of your trip.
-If you requested additional nights, your room will be ready upon arrival at the hotel, but your trip guide will only contact you when the included activities begin. At the reception, you will find an information board with our staff’s telephone number and hours of assistance. Until then, you have free time to enjoy at your leisure. The hotel staff can assist you with any information you need.
-During your trip, your guide may offer optional activities. If these activities are available on the Europamundo app or through your "My Trip" link, we strongly recommend booking them as early as possible to ensure availability. Waiting until the last minute may result in missed opportunities due to limited tickets, bus seats, or other factors.

Note: The schedules provided in this itinerary are indicative. The guide may adjust them as needed to enhance the trip experience.

Istanbul

08:00 a.m. - We’ll start the day with a panoramic tour of this impressive city, a “bridge” between Europe and Asia, both geographically and culturally. Our tour includes a visit to the Süleymaniye Mosque (the largest in Istanbul), and we’ll see the city walls, the Golden Horn, and the bustling fishing district, along with a chance to admire the exterior of Hagia Sophia. The afternoon is free for you to explore this city that spans two continents.

07:30 p.m. - As the afternoon draws to a close, we´ll arrange a transfer to Taksim, the city´s most vibrant commercial district. Here, you´ll have time to dine at one of the many restaurants. You can also enjoy a ride on the old tram that traverses the area or visit the nearby Galata Tower. We´ll return to the hotel around 10:00 p.m.

Istanbul - Ankara

Total distance covered: 450 km.

07:30 a.m. - After breakfast, we’ll visit to Topkapi Palace, the former administrative center of the Ottoman Empire, famous for its stunning courtyards and pavilions (admission included).

Afterward, we’ll embark on a boat trip on the Bosphorus (tickets included), lasting about two hours on a private boat exclusively for Europamundo travelers. This journey will take us through the strait that connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara, dividing Istanbul between its European and Asian sides. We’ll enjoy the lively activity of the strait with its many boats. We’ll pass under the two bridges that link Europe and Asia and admire the Sultan’s palaces, traditional wooden houses, and Ottoman architecture.

01:00 p.m. - We’ll disembark in the Uskudar district on the Asian side of Istanbul, and continue our journey toward the Anatolian Peninsula.
08:15 p.m. - Ankara. Dinner will be included.

Ankara - Hacibektas - Cappadocia

Total distance covered: 315 km.

Scenery: Dramatic lunar landscapes and stunning views of the Salt Lake.

Note: We’ll visit the mausoleum of Hacibektas, an intriguing pilgrimage site that few tourists get to see. Please wear appropriate clothing and show respect during the visit.

08:00 a.m. - After breakfast, we’ll include a tour of Ankara, the cosmopolitan capital of Turkey, home to over 5 million people and a vibrant cultural scene. The city boasts the State Opera and Ballet, the Presidential Symphony Orchestra, and numerous national theater companies. We’ll visit the impressive Mausoleum of Ataturk, the ancient Ankara Castle, which dates to the 8th century B.C. We’ll also include admission to the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, offering insight into the various cultures that have left their mark on Turkey. By late morning, we’ll stop at a large shopping mall where you can choose from a variety of dining options at the food court.

12:00 p.m. - Departure from Ankara. We’ll travel through the arid regions of central Turkey on our way to Cappadocia, with a stop at Salt Lake, where you will have time for lunch and to photograph this beautiful area.

04:00 p.m. - Arrival in Hacibektas, a key destination for religious tourism in Turkey. We’ll visit the mausoleum of Haci Bektas, a 13th-century Sufi mystic from Anatolia who emphasized humanism in his teachings. The sanctuary’s architecture and interior design beautifully reflect the rituals and symbols of Bektashism.

06:30 p.m. - Departure from Hacibektas.
07:30 p.m. - Arrival in Nevsehir/Avanos. Dinner will be included.

Cappadocia

Total distance covered: 75 km.

Scenery: Spectacular landscapes and charming villages.

Note: Comfortable footwear is recommended for today’s visits. The guide may adjust the schedule to help you experience each site when it´s less crowded.

Start your day with an optional early morning hot air balloon ride over the Cappadocia region—a breathtaking experience offered at dawn.

09:30 a.m. - Departure from Avanos/Nevsehir. We’ll head to the Göreme Valley, where admission is included to visit the incredible open-air museum, which features over 30 rock-cut churches, some adorned with stunning frescoes. Next, we’ll visit Uchisar and take a stroll through this Cappadocian village, where you can marvel at the 60-meter rock filled with cave dwellings. From there, we’ll continue to Kaymacli to explore its impressive underground city, with tunnels and catacombs built to shelter up to thirty thousand people. We’ll break for lunch afterward.

In the afternoon, we’ll explore Pasabag, also known as the Fairy Chimneys, and wander through this spectacular natural site. We’ll also visit a traditional jewelry workshop featuring stones native to the Cappadocia region, such as Onyx and Turquoise, including pieces once favored by the sultans during the Ottoman Empire.

06:00 p.m. - Return to the hotel. In the summer months, you can relax by the pool or take a stroll through the pleasant commercial town of Avanos/Nevsehir. Dinner will be included.

Cappadocia - Ihlara - Konya

Total distance covered: 290 km.

Scenery: We’ll continue through the stunning landscapes of Cappadocia, followed by arid and flat regions.

Note: Comfortable shoes are a must today as we continue exploring Cappadocia. In Konya, we’ll visit sites that are considered sacred by the Dervish order, so please wear appropriate clothing.

07:30 a.m. - Departure from Nevsehir. We’ll travel along scenic, less-traveled roads, venturing into areas that aren’t as crowded with tourists.
09:45 a.m. - Ihlara canyon. We’ll enjoy the cooler air by the river as we explore churches carved into the canyon’s rocky walls.

11:45 a.m. - Departure from Ihlara canyon.
01:00 p.m. - Arrival at Sultanhan. Here, we’ll visit one of the most beautiful caravanserais, a magnificent structure that recalls the great camel caravans that once traveled these lands. You’ll have time to explore and enjoy lunch.

02:45 p.m. - Departure from Sultanhan. We’ll pass lands with large herds and arid plains.
04:15 p.m. - Konya. We’ll visit the Mevlana Mausoleum, a sacred place for the Dervish order, a Sufi fraternity known for its whirling "trance" dances. Afterward, you might want to take a stroll through the lively bazaar. Dinner will be included.

In the evening, we recommend attending a dervish dance performance at the cultural center.

Konya - Egridir - Pamukkale

Total distance covered: 430 km.

Scenery: A mix of mountain landscapes and serene lakes, with a breathtaking view of the "cotton mountain" at the end of the day.

Notes: We recommend bringing shoes that are easy to take off and carry for walking in Pamukkale. If you’d like, pack a swimsuit to enjoy the thermal waters.

08:00 a.m. – Departure from Konya. We’ll continue our journey through the heart of Turkey.
11:15 a.m. - Egridir. You’ll have time for lunch and a stroll in this charming town, nestled by a lake of the same name, with ancient walls and mosques.

01:30 p.m. – Departure from Egridir.
04:15 p.m. - Pamukkale. Admission included. At the "cotton mountain," our coach will drop you off at the summit, where you can explore Roman-era ruins before descending on foot through the natural hot springs and baths. The sunset colors are truly spectacular. Our coach will pick you up at the base. Later, you’ll have time to relax in the hotel’s thermal pools. Dinner included.

Pamukkale - Ephesus - Kusadasi

Total distance covered: 225 km.

Scenery: Varied, with coastal views as we approach the end of the day.

Note: Comfortable shoes are recommended for the Ephesus visit.

08:30 a.m. – Departure from Pamukkale.
11:30 a.m. - Ephesus. We’ll explore an incredible complex of Roman ruins. Two thousand years ago, this city was home to a quarter of a million people. Our guided tour will include the House of the Virgin Mary, the Basilica of St. John, and the impressive Ephesus ancient city ruins (admission included). Free time for lunch after.

04:00 p.m. – Departure from Ephesus. We’ll continue toward the Aegean coast.
04:30 p.m. - Kusadasi. Arrival in this lively coastal town, bustling with shops and a vibrant nightlife. We’ll visit a leather goods gallery to learn about the region’s renowned lambskin garments. You’ll have free time to explore the bazaars and visit the castle. Dinner will be included.

Note: During high season, from May through October, accommodations will be provided in Aydin instead of Kusadasi. In this case, after exploring Ephesus, we’ll make a stop in Kusadasi (4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.), where we’ll include a panoramic tour of the city before continuing on to Aydin.

Kusadasi - Izmir - Bursa - Istambul

Total distance covered: 590 km.

Scenery: The Anatolian interior, featuring impressive suspension bridges spanning the Sea of Marmara and the Bosphorus Strait.

08:00 a.m. – Departure from Kusadasi.
09:30 a.m. – Izimir. We’ll take a brief guided tour of the third most populous city in Turkey, where our guide will lead a brief tour of this vibrant metropolis, known for being the most westernized and modern in the country.

10:45 a.m. – Departure from Izmir. We’ll continue traveling through the interior of Turkey, with a stop for lunch along the way.
04:00 p.m. - Bursa. Arrival in Turkey’s fourth-largest city, whose historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Highlights include the traditional commercial districts, mosques, religious schools, public baths, and the renowned Green Mosque.

06:00 p.m. – Departure from Bursa.
08:15 p.m. – Istanbul.

After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.

Note: Please be aware that the hotel check-out time is usually 10:00 a.m. You can leave your luggage in reception upon check-out, allowing you to explore the city without carrying your bags. You can retrieve your luggage at your convenience later in the day. If you require additional time to use your room, we recommend booking an extra night at the end of your tour.