We meet at the airport at 8.30am for our Turkish Airlines flight taking us to Istanbul departing at 10.50am. On arrival at 2.25pm. Upon arrival we will start exploring what Istanbul has to offer. We drive to Pierre loti Hill take a cable car for the hill to enjoy the Istanbul Golden Horn. Then drive to the heart of old town Eminönü, cross the Galata Bridge and arrive to the Spice Market. After visiting the spice market, we will be transfer to your hotel, located in the centre of Istanbul, Taksim. After check-in, will join the tour leader for an orientation walk around taksim district which is considered to be the heart of modern Istanbul, a great place to experience nightlife and culture of Istanbul, as well as find numerous restaurants and shops.

After breakfast, we go on a Byzantian and the Ottoman Relics Tour. We begin our tour at the Sultanahmet district, the heart of old Istanbul, at Saint Sophia. Built by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century AD, this church is one of the marvels of world architecture. We then see the Blue Mosque, which owes its name to the exquisite tiles adorning its interior. Dating from the 17th century, it is the only imperial mosque with six minarets, and The Hippodrome. After lunch (extra), we visit the Basilica Cistern, the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath Istanbul. Will also visit Hagia Sofia (extra), originally built as a Christian Orthodox church, was transformed into a mosque by the OttomansThe last stop is at the Grand Bazaar, the commercial heart of the old city with its 4,000 shops full of treasures, including carpets and kilims, silks, jewellery, ceramics, icons, and leather goods. We have time to wander around the Grand Bazaar and do some shopping.

After Breakfast, we will be transferred to Kabatas Pier, where we will take a ferry(included) to the charming Princess Islands, where we will spend the day away from the crowds of the city. We will enjoy breathtaking views of the old buildings along the Bosphorus and the historical peninsula of Istanbul during the 1.5 hours journey, arriving at Buyukada. From there together with a local guide, we will ride mini electric buses for a sightseeing tour around the island. Afterwards we will have free time to continue exploring the island or opt to have lunch or coffee (extra) before we return back to Istanbul by the same ferry.

After having early breakfast, check-out from Istanbul hotel, and start our tip towards Bursa City, the Old Ottoman capital city. On arrival, we will have lunch (extra) in a famous Kebab restaurant. We then start a historical visit at the Covered Bazaar, the old Silk Market, and visit the Green Mosque. We are then transferred to our hotel in Bursa for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, we drive around 4 hours and arrive to Selcuk town. There we will have free time for lunch (extra) and then visit the Artemis Turkish Delight & souvenir shop. Afterwards will start exploring the Old Greak village Şirince town, where one can taste local products and wine along the way. Then we make our way to our hotel in Kusadasi for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast we will join our guide and visit Ephesus. Our first stop will be at the Virgin Mary’s House, where it is said that Mary was brought to Ephesus by the Apostle John after the Resurrection of Christ and lived out her days here. We then proceed on another excursion to Ephesus, where we will have a walking tour and see the Odeon, The Fountain of Trajan, the stream baths of Scholastic, the temple of Hadrian and the impressive library of Ephesus. We then pass through the Arcadian Way, where Mark Anthony and Cleopatra once rode in procession. Lunch (extra), and then we will have time to visit the Carpet village. We return to our hotel in Kusadasi for dinner and overnight.

Breakfast, and we start out trip towards Pamukkale. Enroute we will visit a leather factory outlet. As soon as we arrive in Pamukkale, we will walk to the natural warm water terraces which were formed by running warm water that contains calcium. The temperature of the water is about 35 degrees. The extraordinary effect is created when water from the hot springs loses carbon dioxide as it flows down the slopes, leaving deposits of limestone. The layers of white calcium carbonate, built up in steps on the plateau, gave the site the name Pamukkale (cotton castle). Then, we are transferred to our hotel in Pamukkale for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast. our first visit will be to the Burberry textile outlet. Later we will make our way to Konya. Enroute, we will have time to stop for lunch (extra). Once we arrive in Konya, will visit Mevlana Mauseleum. It is the mausoleum of Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, a Persian Sufi Mystic. It was also the dervish lodge (tekke) of the Mevlevi order, better known as the whirling dervishes. Afterwards we are transferred to our hotel in Konya for dinner and overnight.

After having breakfast, we will start our drive for Cappadocia, on the way will stop at Caravanserai. On the way will be visiting some valleys, Ortahisar Panorama and Goreme Panorama and will have some free time to shop for some jewellery. Once arrived in Cappadocia, will check-in at the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Optional: Hot Air Balloon riding available early in the morning! A unique experience). After breakfast, we go on a full-day excursion to visit Cappadocia. Here, we can see the main Goreme Open Air Museum situated in the Goreme Valley, home of early Christian churches decorated with unique frescos. We proceed to Pasabaglari (Monk’s Valley) to see the world-famous fairy chimneys which have a unique shape. Time for lunch (extra) and visit Avanos, the well known pottery and craft centre. Afterwards will return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Early breakfast and we get transferred to the airport for our return Turkish Airlines flight departing at 10.40am and arriving in Malta at 6.20pm.