- Tour code
TURADV01
- Start
Istanbul
- End
Bodrum
- Min. age
16 years old
- Group size
Max 6-16 travellers
- Trip style
Explorer
- Trip pace
Active
- Language
English
Türkiye sits where Europe and Asia meet, and you can taste, see and hear that crossover everywhere you go: in the call to prayer drifting over the Bosphorus, in breakfasts of olives, cheese and simit, and in ruins left by Greeks, Romans and Byzantines.
This nine-day trip strings together four very different corners of the country. Istanbul opens with a private Bosphorus cruise at sunset and a morning among the Süleymaniye Mosque, the Basilica Cistern and Hagia Sophia. Cappadocia brings a sunrise balloon flight, hikes through rock valleys, a dinner with Turkish music and dance, and a pottery lesson with a master potter.
On the Aegean side you.ll spend two nights in the hillside village of Şirince, tasting local wine and olive oil, soaking in a hammam and cooking a Turkish meal that ends with baklava. Then it's the marble streets of Ephesus and two nights in Bodrum, including a full day aboard a traditional wooden gulet.
Your Soca Islands Host travels with the group throughout and takes care of the moves between regions, and groups are kept small, from 6 to 16 travelers. Whether this is your first time traveling solo or one of many, shared meals and a steady pace make it easy to settle in fast.
Why This Journey
Most first visits to Türkiye stop at Istanbul. This one keeps going, from the Old City to the volcanic valleys of the interior and then down to the Aegean coast, so in nine days you see how different the country feels from region to region, and you do it without planning internal travel, hotels or tickets yourself.
It's built around hands-on moments rather than a checklist: floating over Cappadocia at dawn, shaping clay in a potter's studio, scrubbing off the road in a hammam and swimming from a gulet in a quiet cove. It suits curious travelers who like culture and food in equal measure and want a little sea time at the end.
Where You'll Stay
Istanbul (1 night): Sura Hagia Sophia Hotel, in Sultanahmet near Hagia Sophia. Cappadocia (3 nights): Kayakapi Premium Caves - Cappadocia, in the old cave quarter of Ürgüp. Şirince (2 nights): Nişanyan Hotel, on the hillside above the village. Bodrum (2 nights): The Marmara Bodrum, above the town with views over the bay. Proposed accommodation (or similar), subject to confirmation. Rooms are based on two people sharing a double room with two beds.
Getting There
International Flights Not Included. International airfare to and from the destination is not included in the package price. Travelers are responsible for arranging their own flights and ensuring their arrival and departure align with the trip itinerary. Fly into Istanbul (IST) and out of Bodrum (BJV); arrival and departure airport transfers are included. Please share your confirmed flight details with Soca Islands so we can coordinate applicable arrival and departure arrangements.
What you will see and do
Istanbul's monuments, Cappadocia's valleys and ancient Ephesus
Dawn balloon flight, Bosphorus sunset and Aegean sailing
Turkish cooking, pottery, hammam and wine tasting
What's included
All activities mentioned on the itinerary
Accommodations in double rooms
One farewell group activity when possible
Experienced Soca Islands Host with you throughout the trip
One farewell group activity when possible
Max 16 travellers per group
Group transportation
Arrival and departure airport transfers
What's excluded
- International flights (travelers arrange their own)
- Travel insurance (required)
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Optional activities and personal expenses
- Single room supplement (single rooms on request, subject to availability)
- Private transportation (available on request)
- Extra hotel nights before or after the trip
Group itinerary
Land in Istanbul (IST), where your arrival transfer takes you to the hotel in the Old City. After check-in, meet your Soca Islands Host and the people you'll share the next nine days with. Strangers at the start, friends by the end of the week: that's usually how it goes.
As the light turns gold, board a private cruise on the Bosphorus and watch the skyline of two continents slide past: palaces on the waterfront, mosques on the hills and ferries crossing between Europe and Asia. Dinner follows, a first group introduction to a cuisine shaped by Ottoman, Mediterranean, Central Asian and Eastern European traditions.
A morning with Istanbul's great monuments. Begin at the Süleymaniye Mosque, Sinan's masterpiece on the city's third hill, then descend into the columned half-light of the Basilica Cistern to find its two Medusa heads.
Finish at Hagia Sophia, which has served as church, mosque and museum over some 1,500 years and still stops people in their tracks when they step under the dome. After some free time, you leave the city behind and travel on to Cappadocia.
The alarm goes off early, and it's worth it. Drift above Cappadocia's valleys, cones and ridges as the sun comes up and dozens of other balloons rise around you.
Back on the ground, hike among the rock formations, castles and open-air museums of the region, where early Christians carved churches and homes into the soft volcanic stone. Tonight's dinner comes with a show of Turkish music and dance.
Start slowly: revisit a favorite viewpoint or take the morning to rest. Cappadocia has been a center of pottery for thousands of years, and in the afternoon a master potter shows you the traditional techniques as you shape your own ceramic piece to take home.
Dinner is an easy one at the hotel, featuring classic Turkish dishes such as lahmacun and çiğ köfte.
Today you trade Cappadocia for Şirince, a hillside village of stone and whitewashed houses in İzmir province. After check-in, lunch comes with valley views.
In the afternoon, taste local wines and olive oil with fresh bread for dipping. Spend the evening at an easy pace as the village quiets down under the stars.
Begin with a hammam, the traditional Turkish bath of steam and scrub, and come out feeling brand new.
Then roll up your sleeves for a cooking class using fresh local produce such as eggplant, lentils and pistachios. The sweet finish is baklava: layered, syrupy and centuries old.
Walk the marble streets of Ephesus, one of the largest ancient cities in the Mediterranean, shaped by Greek, Roman and Byzantine rule. Look for the facade of the Library of Celsus and the great theatre carved into the hillside.
Then continue to Bodrum on the coast, where a meze platter and sea views welcome the group.
Board a traditional wooden gulet for a final full day on the Turquoise Coast. Swim in quiet coves, stretch out on deck with a glass of wine and let the Aegean do the rest.
Tonight's farewell dinner is a chance to toast the week together.
Time to part ways. Grab a few last souvenirs in Bodrum and say goodbye to your travel companions before your departure transfer to Bodrum airport (BJV) for your flight home or onward.
Accommodations
Here's a glimpse of the hotels we selected for this adventure.
Sura Hagia Sophia Hotel
An 80-room hotel on a quiet side street off Divanyolu in Sultanahmet, about two minutes on foot from Hagia Sophia. The Basilica Cistern, the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar tram line are all close by, which makes it an easy base for a day among the Old City's monuments.
The hotel has several restaurants including a rooftop terrace, a pool with a view of Hagia Sophia, a spa with a Turkish bath and a fitness center, and serves a Turkish breakfast buffet.
Rooms are 22 m² (237 ft²).
Hotel websiteKayakapi Premium Caves - Cappadocia
A hotel created from the restored cave dwellings and stone mansions of the historic Kayakapı quarter on the hillside of Ürgüp, looking out over the town and the valleys of Cappadocia. Göreme, the open-air museum and the balloon launch areas are a short drive away.
Facilities include an outdoor pool, the Kayakapi Spa with a hammam, sauna and massage rooms, and two restaurants. Rooms and suites are carved into the rock or set in the old mansions, so each one is a little different.
Hotel websiteNişanyan Hotel
A hillside estate of restored stone houses, lodges and gardens just above the village of Şirince, among olive and fig trees with views down the valley. The village lanes, cafés and wine houses are a short walk below, and Ephesus is about a 20-minute drive.
Its secluded pool and quiet terraces make it a peaceful base for two nights in wine country, with breakfast served in the gardens.
The Marmara Bodrum
A hotel on the hillside above Bodrum town, with terraces and rooms looking across the bay to Bodrum Castle and the marina. The town centre, harbor and waterfront are a short drive or taxi ride down the hill.
It has an outdoor pool, a spa and a restaurant, and its quiet setting above the town suits the final, slower days of the trip.
Hotel websiteRooms
You'll stay at Trip Hotel.
- Included
Shared double
Shared with the person you book with, or a fellow traveller of the same sex.
- +$1,648 per person
Single room
A room to yourself, subject to availability.
Room prices are per person for the Jun 13, 2027 departure and can differ on other dates. You choose your room when you book.
Tour FAQS
Fly into Istanbul Airport (IST) and out of Milas–Bodrum Airport (BJV).
Proposed accommodation is Sura Hagia Sophia Hotel in Istanbul (1 night), Kayakapi Premium Caves - Cappadocia in Cappadocia (3 nights), Nişanyan Hotel in Şirince (2 nights) and The Marmara Bodrum in Bodrum (2 nights), or similar hotels, subject to confirmation.
International Flights Not Included. International airfare to and from the destination is not included in the package price. Travelers are responsible for arranging their own flights and ensuring their arrival and departure align with the trip itinerary. Please share your confirmed flight details with Soca Islands so we can coordinate applicable arrival and departure arrangements.
Yes. An arrival transfer from Istanbul Airport (IST) and a departure transfer to Bodrum airport (BJV) are included. Please share your confirmed flight details with Soca Islands so we can coordinate applicable arrival and departure arrangements.
The trip includes 8 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 group dinners, as described in the itinerary. Other meals are at your own cost.
Extra nights can be requested, subject to hotel availability; contact our Customer Experience team for a quote.
There are no scheduled activities on the final day, so feel free to book your departure at your own convenience.
We recommend arriving before 3 pm on Day 1 to make it in time for the welcome event. But don’t worry no matter when you land, we’ll have an airport transfer ready for you.
Please Refer to your government’s travel advice or consult your local consulate. Remember, passport and visa requirements can change, so make sure to stay updated.
Excluding alcohol, we suggest budgeting around USD $40.00 per day for extras.
While we’re not medical professionals, we want to help you prepare for a safe and healthy adventure. Here are some tips:
- Consult with a healthcare professional: Schedule an appointment with your travel nurse or doctor at least eight weeks before your adventure to get any necessary vaccines or medications.
- Up-to-date medical advice:
- US residents: Check the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
- UK residents: Visit the NHS Fit For Travel website.
- Australian residents: Refer to the Smart Traveler Health website.
3. Government travel advice:
- US residents: Consult the US Department of State Travel Advice.
- UK residents: Check the FCDO Travel Advice.
- Australian residents: Visit the Smart Traveler website.
4. Medication tips: If you take prescription medication, bring enough to last the entire trip, plus a few extra days in case of delays. Carry a copy of your prescription in case you need to visit a clinic abroad.
We hope this helps you prepare for a safe and enjoyable adventure.
Please keep in mind that our itinerary, activities, and hotels might change. These adjustments could happen with little notice due to factors like availability, weather conditions, seasonal shifts, or other circumstances beyond our control. Rest assured, we always aim to minimise any impact on your experience. Occasionally, we may tweak the itinerary to try out fresh ideas and keep the adventure exciting.
We believe solo travelers shouldn’t have to pay extra to explore the world. That’s why our group trips are designed around shared accommodation and do not include a single supplement. Solo travelers joining our group trips are paired in twin or multi-share rooms with another traveler of the same sex for the duration of the trip.
Some of our Independent trips are structured differently. For these itineraries, solo travelers will need to book at the single occupancy rate.
Tips are not included in the cost of this tour. Remember, tipping is entirely at your discretion and based on what you feel comfortable with.
Would you like to learn more or customise our The Türkiye Trip trip?
Have questions about accommodations, accessibility, group preferences, or dietary needs? Complete the form below and our team will get back to you shortly.
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