Best of Turkey Tour with Fethiye Gulet Cruise: 7 Days

Early morning: We pick you up from your Istanbul hotel at 04:00 AM and take you to the airport for the **06:55 AM flight to Cappadocia.

** Prefer not to fly so early? We chose this flight so you can see Cappadocia properly. If you are happy to miss some of the places on the itinerary, we can book a later flight instead, for example at 10:00 AM, 11:30 AM or in the afternoon. Just tell us on the booking form and we will arrange it.

Morning: Our guide meets you when you land in Cappadocia and drives you to Goreme, where the tour begins.

The guided tour usually begins at about 09:00 and wraps up no later than 16:00.

What you will see

Goreme Esentepe panoramic viewpoint: The day opens at Esentepe, a lookout between Uçhisar and Göreme. Below you spreads the Cappadocian landscape, with its fairy chimneys and the small town of Esentepe.

Zelve Open-Air Museum: Zelve was once a monastic community and a centre of Christian learning. Its monasteries, churches and chapels still hold well-preserved frescoes that show the region's long past.

Pasabag (Monks Valley): Paşabağ, also called "Pasha's Vineyard", is best known for its three-headed fairy chimneys, some of the most striking rock shapes anywhere in Cappadocia.

Devrent Valley: A short drive away, Devrent looks almost like the surface of the moon. Its small, pointed fairy chimneys invite you to spot shapes, and some really do resemble animals or mythical creatures.

Avanos pottery workshop: Potters have worked in Avanos since 3000 BC, using clay from the Red River. In a traditional workshop you watch local craftsmen at work and see how their ceramics are made.

Love Valley: The last stop is a valley shaped by millions of years of erosion. Cone-shaped pillars, pinnacles and fairy chimneys rise as high as 40 meters, which makes it one of the most unusual and photogenic corners of Cappadocia.

You then return to your cave hotel for the night, with breakfast included.

After checking out of the hotel, you spend the day on more of Cappadocia's highlights and then fly to Izmir.

Important: on some days there is no direct flight between Cappadocia and Izmir, so the flight may connect with one stop. When a direct flight is running, we have seats available on it.

If you wish, you can start the day early with an optional hot air balloon flight over Cappadocia's rock landscape.

The guided tour usually begins at about 09:00 and wraps up no later than 16:00.

What you will see

Meskendir Valley (4.4 km trek): The day starts on foot with a 4.4 km walk through Meskendir Valley near Ortahisar. On the way you reach Meskendir Church, decorated with bold red geometric patterns and a large cross carved into the chapel ceiling. You can step inside and enjoy the valley around it.

Rose Valley: Tucked behind Ürgüp, this quiet valley is known for its unusual rock shapes and churches cut into the stone. Paths run through vineyards and gardens, linking small villages and towns, and local people sometimes offer fresh grapes, apples or apricots to walkers.

Red Valley: Like its neighbour, Red Valley has dramatic rock formations and old cave churches. Its winding trails spread out like a spider's web, connecting remote villages and farmland, and show both the nature and the history of Cappadocia.

Cavusin Valley: Çavuşin is one of the oldest settlements in Cappadocia. Its cave houses, cut straight into the rock, form a maze of old homes. The village also has the Church of John the Baptist, a 5th-century church and the largest cave church in the region.

Underground City: Early Christians dug 36 underground cities across Cappadocia to hide from persecution. You visit the largest and best known of them. It goes down eight levels, and you walk through parts of it to see old wineries, kitchens and living areas.

Pigeon Valley: On the edge of Göreme, this valley takes its name from the pigeon houses carved into its cliffs over the centuries. Farmers once used the droppings to fertilize their fields. Today it is a fine spot for wide views and photos.

Uchisar Castle panorama: The final stop is Uçhisar, the highest point in Cappadocia. Its landmark is Uçhisar Castle, a tall rock that once served as a fortress. From the top the whole region opens up, with Erciyes Mountain on the horizon.

When the tour ends, you are driven to the airport for the flight to Izmir. On landing, a transfer takes you to Kusadasi, where you stay overnight with breakfast included.

After breakfast you are collected from your hotel at 10:00 AM. The drive to the Magnesia Gate of the Ephesus Ancient City takes about 20 minutes.

Inside the city, a full guided walk takes you past its most important sights:

• Library of Celsus: its grand facade is one of the best-known images of Ephesus.
• Temple of Hadrian: a temple built for the Roman emperor Hadrian, with well-kept columns and finely carved reliefs.
• Terrace Houses (optional): the elegant homes where the wealthy families of Ephesus once lived.
• Hercules Gate: a monumental gateway carved with detailed figures of the legendary hero.
• Grand Theatre: it once seated up to 25,000 spectators and still stages performances today.
• The Snake Cult of Asklepios: hear about the ancient cult of Asklepios, god of healing, and see what remains of his temple.
• Herm (Marker) of Hermes: ancient markers that guided people and marked boundaries in the city.
• Artemission: the site where the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, once stood.
• Stone-carving of the goddess Nike: a detailed relief of Nike, the winged goddess of victory.
• Fountain of Trajan: the well-preserved remains of a monumental fountain raised in honour of Emperor Trajan.
• House of Virgin Mary (optional): the tour can end at the house many believe to be the Virgin Mary's final resting place.

Afterwards you are driven back to your hotel in Kusadasi for the night, with breakfast included.

After checking out of your hotel, you spend the day at Pamukkale and then travel on to Fethiye. On this last day of the land tour, expect a start at around 07:30.

Tour highlights

• Hierapolis: walk through the Necropolis and the Theatre and see the Cleopatra Pool. Swimming in the pool costs an extra admission fee.
• Pamukkale: the main event is the famous travertines, white terraces of mineral-rich pools. Enjoy the views and walk across the soft, cotton-like surface.
• Pamukkale Natural Lake: there is also time to visit Pamukkale Natural Lake and Park, which adds to the charm of the area.

Please be at Fethiye Harbor by 10:00 AM. Once you have checked in, you board the gulet and the crew gives a short orientation.

The first stop after leaving the harbour is Butterfly Valley. There is time to swim, have lunch and, if you like, hike to the waterfall. The valley is home to more than 136 species of butterflies and moths, though on hot days they are harder to see.

Optional activity – paragliding over the Blue Lagoon: Next comes Oludeniz (Blue Lagoon), one of the most photographed beaches in the world. Here you can choose to paraglide, taking off from Babadag Mountain at 2000 meters and gliding over the lagoon. Booking ahead is recommended for special rates. If you decide during the cruise, just tell the captain.

In the evening the gulet anchors at St. Nicholas Island. Explore the ancient ruins on the island and watch the sunset from the top.

Meals: lunch and dinner.

Start the morning with a swim in the clear water of Aquarium Bay near Kalkan, then have breakfast on board.

The gulet then sails to Kas, a small fishing village full of busy cafes, beer gardens and independent shops. It is a pleasant place to wander, browse handmade jewellery and see a well-preserved ancient theatre.

Optional activity – diving: Kas is one of the top diving spots in southern Turkey. Beginners and certified divers alike can explore underwater caves and wrecks. Book in advance for discounted rates.

You spend the night anchored in a quiet bay between Kas and Kekova.

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

After breakfast the gulet heads for the Sunken City, a Lycian town that sank beneath the sea in an earthquake in the second century. The boat moves slowly over the ruins so you can see them clearly. The area is a protected World Heritage site, so swimming, diving and snorkelling are not allowed.

Next, the gulet drops anchor near Kekova for a visit to Simena Castle. Climb to the top for lovely views across the bay.

The cruise ends in the afternoon at Demre Harbor. From there you are picked up and driven to the airport for your flight back to Istanbul.

Optional extras

• Cappadocia hot air balloon (GOREME): $310
• One extra night at an Istanbul hotel, before or after the tour: $65
• Upgrade to a private tour: $350