After taking in the historical sights and culinary delights of Istanbul, head to the magical world of Cappadocia.

Ottoman Splendours

Istanbul

The Ottoman Dynasty made Istanbul (then Constantinople) its capital and a centre point for trade from the mid 1400s which lasted nearly 500 years. As such many iconic splendours remain, including Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace.

Start at Topkapı Palace, the principal residence of the Ottoman Sultans. It's now a museum and has unrivalled collections of jewelry, including the Spoonmaker’s Diamond, the 3rd largest in the world. See Ottoman court costumes and ceramics, including one of the world’s finest collections of Chinese celadon ceramics and many gifts from other rulers. You'll see the Imperial Armory, displaying centuries of Ottoman weaponry and its loveliest feature - courtyards of ancient trees. Then on to Hagia Eirene, the Church of the Holy Peace and one of the few churches in Istanbul that was never converted into a mosque. From there, we visit Gülhane Park, once a part of the outer gardens of Topkapı Palace, where the Edict of Gülhane, a declaration of rights and liberties that played an essential role in the modernization of the Ottoman Empire.

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Hot Air Balloon Flight over Cappadocia

Turkey

Cappadocia is one of the best places in the world for a hot-air balloon flight. With its soaring boulders, pigeon houses, deep canyons and fairy chimneys, there’s nowhere else like it. During this magical experience, you’ll get a bird’s-eye view of Cappadocia as you float above its lunar-like landscape.

Your adventure begins with a light breakfast while you watch the crew inflate the balloon. Then you’ll climb into the basket for a gentle take-off before reaching full height – at times, the excellent flying conditions mean you’ll even drift between the fairy chimneys. Fly through impressive valleys, each with distinctive rock formations and colours, and then float up over rippled ravines. Back on the ground, a Champagne celebration and your flight certificate await. This is an unforgettable experience for couples and honeymooners – it’s also a fantastic way for groups of family and friends to make memories together.

• Duration: half day
• Departing daily from Cappadocia
• Departs year round
• Group experience

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Cappadocia's underground city

Cappadocia

Explore the vast underground cities of Cappadocia that were once home to thousands, sheltering from the threat of invasion and carving homes, stables, schools and churches in the rock. It's a fascinating insight into what life was like and the genius techniques used to survive underground.

The tour begins with a descent towards the centre of the earth, with a trip to the underground city of Kaymakli, one of the largest and deepest of Cappadocia’s many such settlements. From here we drive to Ihlara Valley, walking for about 4km through the canyon via the Steps of Anatolia to Belisirma village, the ancient Peristrema. Set by the Melendiz River this is known as the “Valley of the Sky”. Churches carved from the rocks form a gallery of early paintings that are remarkable for their accuracy. We lunch in Belisirma at a local restaurant by the river. On the way to the Caravanserai of Agzikarahan, we visit the beautiful village of Selime. Agzikarahan Caravanserai is a very fine example of the Turkish Seljuk art, built in the early 13th century on the legendary Silk Road, for the accommodation of the traders and their camels.

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Discover Ancient Turkey: Perge, Aspendos, Kursunlu Waterfall

Antalya Area

There’s nothing quite like a day of discovery, and this action-packed adventure is here to amaze with an equal billing of historic landmarks and epic natural wonders.

If you’re keen to channel your inner historian, the ancient cities of Perge and Aspendos play home to architectural marvels that date all the way back to the Roman era. For nature lovers, the main draw has to be the mighty thunder and crash of the Kursunlu waterfalls, where a backdrop of flowing foliage and jagged cliff edges create the most majestic panorama.

• Duration: Full-day
• Departs: Mondays and Wednesday
• Operates: Year-round
• Group experience

Good to know

Entrance fees and lunch are both included in the cost of the trip.

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