About this trip
Ten days through Turkey with a day trip across to the Greek island of Samos, taking in Istanbul, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Antalya and Cappadocia along the way.
The pace is easy and the route well-trodden but for good reason — you get Istanbul's big landmarks, the ruins at Ephesus, Pamukkale's travertine terraces, Antalya's old town and coast, then Cappadocia's volcanic scenery, all in one loop.
The Samos crossing breaks things up nicely, swapping mosques and ruins for a slower, village-and-vineyard day on Greek soil before you're back on the Turkish coast.
What you'll do
- See Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque in Istanbul
- Cruise the Bosphorus where Europe meets Asia
- Walk the ancient streets of Ephesus
- Take the ferry from Kusadasi to Samos Island for the day
- Walk the white terraces of Pamukkale and the ruins of Hierapolis
- Explore Cappadocia's fairy chimneys and underground cities, with an optional sunrise balloon flight
- Partially guided and easy-paced, suited to families and small groups
- The Samos day involves a ferry crossing each way, so it's a longer travel day
- The Cappadocia hot air balloon flight is optional and booked separately
Worth it if you value stellar guides and seamless logistics. Think twice if you're budget-hotel sensitive or dislike frequent airport transfers.
- Guides like Yesra, Bunyamin, Utku and Gigi were genuinely knowledgeable, attentive and fun to travel with daily.
- Operator Zerrin handled all transfers, flights and logistics flawlessly, plus organised extras without hesitation.
- Standard hotels were hit-or-miss; Irenic in Antalya reeked of cigarette smoke even in bedrooms.
- Lots of airport transfers between cities, though included in price; some hotel locations require hefty suitcase carries.
Distilled from real traveller reviews on TourRadar — we don't edit out the bad bits.
The same-vibe trips, side by side — price, value per day, and how each is moving. Only we can lay two operators' trips out honestly.
Sorted by fit — never by who paid. Price moves and availability come from our own daily tracking.
Getting there
Opens Trip.com, pre-filled — one-way so you can book your return whenever. Prices & booking shown there.
Where to stay
A night before your tour in Istanbul · 20 Jul – 21 Jul
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