7-Day Anatolian Express: From Istanbul to Cappadocia

Day 1-2: Istanbul – The Crossroads of Continents
Start your journey in Istanbul, a city where Europe meets Asia. Explore the iconic Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the bustling Grand Bazaar. Enjoy a sunset cruise on the Bosphorus, sipping Turkish tea as the city lights shimmer. Two full days allow you to soak in the culture, history, and vibrant street life.
Day 3: Istanbul → Çanakkale → Izmir (Flight/Drive)

Travel to Çanakkale, the gateway to ancient Troy. Walk among the legendary ruins and feel history come alive. If time allows, briefly visit the Gallipoli battlefields before continuing to Izmir for the night.

Day 4: Izmir → Bergama → Ephesus → Pamukkale (Drive)
Start your day in Bergama, exploring the ancient Acropolis of Pergamon. Then head to Ephesus, wandering the Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre. In the afternoon, drive to Pamukkale and marvel at the ethereal white terraces and thermal pools. Overnight in Pamukkale.

Day 5: Pamukkale → Konya → Cappadocia (Drive)
Drive through the heart of Anatolia, with a stop in Konya to glimpse the Mevlana Museum and feel the spiritual aura of the Whirling Dervishes. Continue to Cappadocia, arriving in time to catch a breathtaking sunset over its otherworldly landscapes.
Day 6: Cappadocia – Land of Fairy Chimneys
Spend the day exploring Göreme Open-Air Museum, hiking through valleys dotted with rock-cut churches, and taking an unforgettable hot air balloon ride at sunrise. Experience the magic of staying in a cave hotel.

Day 7: Cappadocia → Istanbul (Flight)
Fly back to Istanbul for your final day. Enjoy last-minute shopping, stroll through historic neighborhoods, or take a Bosphorus ferry one last time before departure.