From Istanbul to Cappadocia: 7-Day Self-Drive Adventure

Points of Interest : Istanbul

Upon arrival in Istanbul, a private driver meets you at the airport and takes you to your boutique hotel in the historic district. After check-in, you have free time to rest or take a first stroll through the surrounding streets, soaking up the atmosphere between Europe and Asia, minarets on the skyline, and the buzz of cafés and shops.

• Meals included : None
• Accommodation : Celal Sultan boutique hotel, Istanbul

Points of Interest : Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Hagia Sophia, Grand Bazaar, Hippodrome of Constantinople

Today you dive into the historic heart of Istanbul, where every corner reveals centuries of history. Admire the monumental Hagia Sophia with its vast dome and mosaics, then be captivated by the elegance of the Blue Mosque and its cascade of domes. Descend into the atmospheric underground cisterns, such as the Basilica Cistern and Binbirdirek, masterpieces of Byzantine engineering. Wander among the remains of the ancient Roman Hippodrome, once the center of public life, before immersing yourself in the colors, scents and sounds of the famous Grand Bazaar, a labyrinth of shops and workshops where East truly meets West.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : Celal Sultan boutique hotel, Istanbul

Points of Interest : Topkapi, Bosphorus, Spice Bazaar, Balat, Rüstem Pasha Mosque

This day is dedicated to discovering Istanbul as locals live it. Using public transport, you reach the magnificent Topkapi Palace, former residence of the Ottoman sultans, with its courtyards and richly decorated rooms. At the Spice Bazaar, you are enveloped by clouds of saffron, sumac and other exotic aromas, while the small Rüstem Pasha Mosque fascinates with its exquisite ceramic tiles. Continue to the popular, multi-ethnic districts of Fener and Balat, lined with colorful houses, steep lanes and historic churches such as the Patriarchal Church of St. George. In the evening, you round off the day with a group cruise on the Bosphorus at sunset, gliding between two continents as palaces and minarets light up along the shores.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : Celal Sultan boutique hotel, Istanbul

Points of Interest : Cappadocia, Istanbul

It is time to say goodbye to Istanbul. Your private driver meets you in the hotel lobby and transfers you to the airport in time for your domestic flight to Cappadocia (flight ticket not included). On arrival, you pick up your rental car and head to your charming hotel, surrounded by the region’s lunar landscapes. You leave behind the energy of the metropolis and enter a world of sculpted valleys, rock cones and cave dwellings, where a journey through ancient history and otherworldly nature is about to begin.

• Meals included : Breakfast, Dinner
• Accommodation : Meleker Evi hotel, Cappadocia

Points of Interest : Kaymaklı Underground City, Göreme, Avanos, Paşabağ

At dawn, those who wish can enjoy an unforgettable experience: a hot air balloon flight over the fairy chimneys as the rising sun paints Cappadocia’s valleys in shades of pink and gold. Afterwards, you visit the Göreme Open-Air Museum, a UNESCO-listed complex of rock-hewn churches decorated with remarkable frescoes. At lunchtime, you head to Avanos, a town famed for its pottery workshops and riverside cafés, where you can watch artisans at work and sample local cuisine. In the afternoon, continue to the whimsical rock shapes of Devrent Valley and the lunar scenery of Paşabağ, with its iconic multi-headed fairy chimneys. Later, you descend into the fascinating underground city of Kaymakli, a labyrinth of tunnels and rooms once used as a refuge, before ending the day at a panoramic viewpoint overlooking Göreme at sunset.

• Meals included : Breakfast, Dinner
• Accommodation : Meleker Evi hotel, Cappadocia

Points of Interest : Urgub, Ortahisar, Çavuşin

Today you delve deeper into the most authentic corners of Cappadocia. Start with a visit to the lesser-known Özkonak Underground City, impressive for its ingenious ventilation and defence systems and the sense of timelessness underground. Continue to the Red Valley, where the rock layers glow in warm hues, carved by wind and water into spectacular formations that are especially beautiful at sunset. In the village of Çavuşin, walk among ancient rock churches and enjoy sweeping views over the surrounding valleys. The next stop is Ortahisar, dominated by its towering rock castle and a preserved village atmosphere with quiet lanes and stone houses. Round off the day in the evocative Pigeon Valley, dotted with dovecotes carved into the cliffs. As evening falls, you enjoy an aperitif on the Appagusto terrace, watching the sun set over the silent, magical valleys spread out before you.

• Meals included : Breakfast, Dinner, Aperitif
• Accommodation : Meleker Evi hotel, Cappadocia

Points of Interest : Cappadocia

On your final day, you leave your hotel and allow around three hours before your flight time to drive back to the same airport where you first arrived in Cappadocia. After a last look at the surreal landscape along the road, you return your rental car at the departure terminal and continue with your onward or return flight.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Last day : Drive to the airport and drop off the rental car before your flight