Turkiye Classic
10 Days 9 Nights
Travel Period: 15 June to 30 November 2025
Package Code: P2506IST03
Experience the essence of Turkey in 10 unforgettable days. From the historic charm of Istanbul to the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia, the ancient ruins of Ephesus, and the thermal wonders of Pamukkale—this journey blends culture, history, and natural beauty into one seamless adventure.
Package Includes:
- 9 nights of accommodation with daily breakfast
- Private airport transfers
- Private English-speaking guided tour
- Domestic flight tickets as specified in the itinerary
- Early morning hot air balloon experience
- Meals as specified in the itinerary
- Admission to all museums and historical sites as specified in the itinerary
Your Itinerary
Istanbul
Your adventure begins in Istanbul, where you're warmly greeted upon arrival and escorted to your hotel in the heart of the old city. In the afternoon, the city comes alive as you set out on a scenic drive, followed by a private 2-hour cruise along the Bosphorus. As the boat glides between continents, you take in the elegant silhouettes of palaces and mansions lining the strait. A highlight of the day is Dolmabahçe Palace (closed Mondays), a 19th-century marvel that once served as the Ottoman Empire’s administrative center. Its opulent halls, adorned with crystal chandeliers and gilded ceilings, reflect a rich blend of Baroque, Rococo, Neoclassical, and Ottoman styles.
Overnight: In Istanbul
Istanbul Sultanahmet Historic District & Spice Bazaar
Today is devoted to exploring the historic heart of Sultanahmet. After breakfast, you wander through a tapestry of UNESCO-listed landmarks—the ancient Hippodrome, the majestic Blue Mosque, the awe-inspiring Hagia Sophia, and the mysterious Basilica Cistern. The day ends at the Spice Bazaar, where vibrant mounds of spices and herbs fill the air with exotic aromas.
In the evening, you witness the mesmerising Whirling Dervish Ceremony, where whirling dervishes spin in a spiritual dance set to hauntingly beautiful music.
Overnight: In Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast
Istanbul Topkapi Palace & Grand Bazaar
Rise early to visit Topkapi Palace (closed Tuesdays) before the crowds. Once the seat of Ottoman power for nearly four centuries, the palace now houses a stunning collection of imperial treasures, sacred relics, and ornate artefacts. Later, you dive into the bustling energy of the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets, where over 3,000 shops tempt you with everything from carpets to jewellery.
Topkapi Palace Highlights:
Also known as the Seraglio, once the seat of Ottoman power for nearly 400 years, is a striking symbol of Istanbul’s imperial legacy. With its grand courtyards, ornate chambers, and priceless artefacts, the palace offers a captivating glimpse into the opulence and intrigue of the sultans’ world.
Overnight: In Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast
Istanbul to Pamukkale
Today, you will be taken off the beaten path. After breakfast, you step into the Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora, where ancient Byzantine mosaics and frescoes still shimmer with life. Then, you ascend to the Suleymaniye Mosque, perched high above the city with sweeping views. In the afternoon, you head to the airport for a flight to Denizli, followed by a drive to your accommodation in Pamukkale.
Overnight: In Pamukkale
Meals: Breakfast
Domestic Flight: Istanbul -> Denizli
Pamukkale Calcium Terrace & Archaeological Sites Aphrodisias - Ephesus
Begins with an early visit to Pamukkale’s dazzling white terraces, formed by mineral-rich waters cascading down the hillside. You then explore the ancient ruins of Hierapolis and Laodicea before continuing to Aphrodisias, a remarkably preserved UNESCO site dedicated to the goddess of love. With few tourists in sight, the site offers a peaceful glimpse into classical antiquity. By evening, you arrive in Kusadasi.
Pamukkale Highlights:
Perched nearly 200 meters above the plains, Pamukkale—meaning "Cotton Palace"—is a natural marvel shaped by calcite-rich waters flowing over millennia. These mineral springs have carved out gleaming white terraces, petrified waterfalls, and surreal basins. Recognising its beauty, the Attalid kings of Pergamon established the ancient spa city of Hierapolis nearby in the 2nd century B.C., blending nature’s artistry with ancient healing traditions.
Overnight: Kusadasi
Meals: Breakfast
Ephesus
After breakfast, you journey to the legendary city of Ephesus. As you walk through its grand ruins—the Temple of Artemis, the Library of Celsus, the House of the Virgin Mary, and the Ephesus Museum—you can almost hear the echoes of ancient life in this once-thriving metropolis.
Ephesus Highlights:
Once known as the Golden City, was a place where history shifted and legends were born. Its allure captivated emperors, saints, and scholars alike, becoming a cradle of culture, faith, and power. Revered through the ages, Ephesus stood not just as a capital of the ancient world, but as a timeless symbol of civilisation’s grandeur and mythic charm.
Overnight: In Kusadasi
Meals: Breakfast
Ephesus to Bergama, Pergamon Tour
Take a 2.5-hour drive north to Bergama, a former capital of the Eastern Roman Empire. Here, you explore the ruins of the ancient world’s second-largest library, the steepest theatre in Anatolia, the monumental Altar of Zeus, and the healing sanctuary of Asclepion. A cable car ride lifts you to the Acropolis, where panoramic views and ancient terraces await.
Overnight: In Kusadasi
Meals: Breakfast
Ephesus to Cappadocia
Depart for Izmir Airport and fly 1.5 hours to Kayseri. From there, a short drive brings you to the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia. In the soft light of late afternoon, you hike through the Rose and Red Valleys, where fairy chimneys and colourful rock formations create a scene straight out of a dream.
Cappadocia Charms:
A geological curiosity, shaped into honeycombed hills and towering boulders that seem almost otherworldly. Its soft stone has long been a refuge, carved into homes, churches, and underground cities, leaving behind a landscape rich with cavern architecture and centuries of human history.
Overnight: In Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast
Domestic Flight: Izmir -> Kayseri
Cappadocia Göreme Open Air Museum
At sunrise, you take to the skies on a hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia, drifting above its magical valleys and fairy chimneys bathed in golden light.
After breakfast, the journey continues with a visit to the Göreme Open Air Museum, where ancient cave frescoes reveal the region’s spiritual past. The day unfolds with visits to the surreal landscapes of Love Valley, Monk’s Valley, Zelve, Imagination Valley, Urgup, Pigeon Valley, and finally, the panoramic heights of Uchisar Castle.
Overnight: In Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10
Cappadocia
Your final day is free to relax and reflect before a short transfer to Nevsehir Airport, where your journey comes to a close—leaving you with unforgettable memories of Turkey’s rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes.
Meals: Breakfast
PACKAGE PRICE per person based on double occupancy:
Upgrade Surcharge for hotel stay in Istanbul:
Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus, Istanbul - Superior Room: HK$5,630/room/night, with Signature Benefits as below:
- USD100 Food & Beverage Credit once per stay
- One category room upgrade upon check-in (subject to availability)
Terms & Conditions
- Package price is based on double occupancy in Hong Kong Dollars.
- Package price of 'Child Share Bed' applies to children between the ages of 6 and 10.
- Package price EXCLUDES:
- International air ticket to Istanbul or Cappadocia
- Airport Tax, Security Fee and Fuel Surcharge
- Visa Fee
- Travel Insurance
- Video and still camera permits at sites
- Cost of beverages throughout the tour
- Personal expenses such as telephone charges, laundry, etc
- Any optional experiences, excursions, activities, services, meals, or upgrades not mentioned in the itinerary
- A gratuity of USD3 per person per day is recommended for the local guide, and USD2 per person per day for the driver
- Tips and portage fees at hotels, rest stops, and washroom facilities
- All meals as indicated in the itinerary include food only.
- For safety reasons, children under the age of six are not permitted to participate in hot air balloon flights in Cappadocia.
- All special requests for hotels are subject to the hotel's final decision. Connexus Travel is not responsible for any guest-initiated cancellations or compensation claims based on unmet requests.
- Most countries require a passport valid for at least six (6) months on the date of return and a valid entry visa. Connexus Travel Limited are not liable for any consequences due to visa or passport issues.
- Travellers' full name as shown on the travel document is required at the time of booking. Amendment will likely result in fare difference, loss of reservation and/or incurring amendment fees.
- Travellers accept full responsibility for all losses and expenses due to "Reasons beyond control". Connexus Travel Limited will not be liable for any consequences. ("Reasons beyond control" means hostilities, political unrest, natural disasters, pestilences, bad weather, technical problems to transport, changes to the frequency or timetable of any means of conveyance by its operator without advance notice, strikes, industrial action, etc.)
- Travellers are recommended to purchase suitable travel insurance to ensure comprehensive coverage during the trip.
- Package price includes a 0.15% TIA Levy.
- All prices are subject to change without prior notice.
- Connexus Travel Limited reserves the final right to make decisions in case of any disputes.
- A non-refundable deposit of 20% of the total package price is required per person at the time of booking. The remaining balance must be settled within three (3) working days following confirmation of the booking.
- For departures within 90 days of booking, full payment is required at the time of reservation.
- A non-refundable fee of HK$2,000 per person plus any applicable price difference applies for each change to existing bookings.
- Over 90 days before departure: 20% of the total payment
- Between 60-90 days before departure: 50% of the total payment
- Between 31-59 days before departure: 75% of the total payment
- Within 0-30 days before departure or no-show: 100% of the total payment