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 personal guides knowledge on visits to St. Sophia Church and the Blue Mosque, known for its blue coloured tiles and architecture. Continue your tour at Byzantine Hippodrome, the renowned Topkapi Palace, and massive bazaar where virtually every knick knack is available. Our guides will offer their knowledge on attractions and points of interest. Continue on 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 had been carved into the rock. Enjoy a complete view of the entire area in a Hot Air Balloon (optional). Continue your tour with a flight to Izmir. Tour Ephesus with a private guide and driver. End your tour in Istanbul.

Day 1
Istanbul
Airport transfer with your private car, driver and assistant. 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. Kensington Tours donates a portion of our proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities. Situated in the heart of downtown Istanbul, Yasmak Sultan (4*) neighbours celebrated museums, mosques, palaces shopping areas. Just a short walking distance from St.Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and Grand Covered Bazaar, the centre of old city Istanbul awaits discovery. Hotel Yasmak Sultan brings a refreshing alternative to the typical Istanbul Hotel, pairing boutique style with elegant guest service. Friendly, multilingual staff looks forward to welcoming you to the Yasmak Sultan 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 privately guided full day tour of Istanbul 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. Visit Topkapi Palace, the famous residence of the Sultans (The Harem section is not included in the tour). Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Overnight at Yasmak Sultan (4*).

Day 3
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 with your own private car and guide in Cappadocia. You will be driven to Devrent valley and then to Pasabagi valley, to see the amazing fairy chimneys of Cappadocia. From here 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 you will 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. Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). In Cappadocia’s magical landscape of fairy chimneys, in the ancient village of Urgup, is a luxurious Yunak Houses (5*) carved into a mountain cliff, the Yunak Evleri. This hotel includes six cave houses, 30 rooms dating back to the 5th and 6th centuries and a 19th century Greek Mansion. Yunak Evleri is an inspiring hotel – an ideal base for exploring Cappadocia’s elaborate underground cities, hidden cavernous churches and enchanting rock terrain.
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 4
Goreme
As an optional activity you can choose to have a Hot Air Balloon and have a complete view of Cappadocia area or horse riding up to the Ziyaret mountain for a beautiful view (not included in the tour price) Enjoy a full day tour in Capadoccia 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. You will be driven 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. Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Overnight at Yunak Houses (5*).

Day 5
Goreme - Izmir
Airport transfer with your private car and driver. Enjoy your flight from Cappadoccia to Izmir. The flight has a stopover in Istanbul. Airport transfer with your private car and driver. Enjoy a full day tour to Ephesus with your own private car and guide. Drive to Selcuk, to visit the world-famous Antique City of Ephesus, including the Arcadian Way, the Antique Theater, the Roman Baths, and the Celcus Library. In the afternoon a visit to the Shrine of Virgin Mary, where she lived her last years and Basilica of St. John. Drive back to Izmir, where you will be dropped off at your hotel. Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). This Ontur Hotel (3*) is a brand new property built in 2006 with the the comfort of its guests foremost in mind. It is the ideal spot for business or leisure as it is located in the Cankaya neighbourhood, and is very close to both the shopping and business districts. The Hotel offer 80 rooms which will make you feel the comfort with their furnishings, indoor pool, fitness center and sauna are just a few basis of the Ontur privilege in Izmir.
Izmir, historically Smyrna, is the third most populous city of Turkey and the country's largest port after Istanbul. It is located in the Gulf of Izmir, by the Aegean Sea. Izmir has almost 3,500 years of urban past, and possibly that much more of advanced human settlement. Modern Izmir also incorporates the nearby ancient cities of Ephesus, Pergamon, Sardis and Klazomenai.

Day 6
Izmir - Istanbul
Airport transfer with your private car and driver. Enjoy a domestic flight from Izmir airport to Istanbul. The flight duration is approximately 1 hour. Airport transfer with your private car and driver. Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Overnight at Yasmak Sultan (4*).

Day 7
Istanbul
Airport transfer with your private car and driver. Depart from Istanbul airport - end of itinerary.