13-Day Turkey Tour with Flights & Local Guide

Summary

Small Group Turkey Journey: Istanbul to Bodrum by Plane

This 13-day Turkey tour takes you from Istanbul’s grand mosques to Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys and Pamukkale’s thermal pools—all with local guides who know every shortcut and story. You’ll fly between regions (no endless bus rides), stay in unique boutique hotels, eat real Turkish food with locals, and have plenty of time to wander ancient ruins or relax by the sea—the kind of trip that lingers long after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

We’d just landed in Istanbul and honestly, my head was spinning a bit from the mix of sounds—car horns, seagulls, that distant call to prayer echoing off old stone. Our guide, Emre, waved us over at arrivals and before I knew it we were weaving through the city’s backstreets. That first morning, standing under the blue tiles of Sultan Ahmet Mosque with sunlight filtering through stained glass—well, I didn’t expect it to feel so peaceful despite the crowds. The air inside Hagia Sophia was cool and smelled faintly of candle wax and old marble. Emre pointed out faded mosaics high above us and told a story about emperors and sultans that made me forget what century I was in.

By day four we were deep in Cappadocia. The wind felt dry against my face as we hiked through Rose Valley—dusty pink rocks everywhere, and the only sound was our shoes crunching on gravel. We ducked into a cave church where you could still see bits of red paint on the walls if you looked close enough. Lunch was at a family-run spot in Avanos; I tried pottery for the first time (my bowl looked more like a pancake) but everyone laughed with me, not at me. Later that afternoon we wandered through Kaymakli Underground City—cool air brushing past as we squeezed down narrow tunnels lit by tiny bulbs.

Pamukkale came after—a place that looks fake in photos but is very real when you’re standing ankle-deep in warm water, feeling slippery minerals between your toes. There were kids splashing around and older folks just soaking quietly. In Ephesus, walking those ancient marble streets under the hot sun, I kept thinking how many feet had passed here before mine. Our guide handed out cold water bottles while explaining how the Library of Celsus survived earthquakes and empires.

The last few days slowed down along the coast—Antalya’s old town smelled like orange blossoms and grilled fish at night; Bodrum’s harbor glowed gold at sunset while locals played backgammon outside tiny cafes. Evenings were for wandering cobbled lanes or just sitting by the sea with fresh bread and olives from a market stall. Looking back now, it’s all kind of a blur—so many places stitched together by good food, friendly faces, and those little moments you don’t plan for.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival in Istanbul

• Arrival at Istanbul Airport and transfer to hotel

Day 2 — Istanbul City Highlights

• Visit Hagia Sophia
• Visit Blue Mosque
• Tour Topkapi Palace
• Explore Grand Bazaar

Day 3 — Bosphorus Cruise and Flight

• Visit Spice Bazaar
• Bosphorus Cruise
• Drive to Airport for flight to Kayseri
• Arrival and transfer to hotel in Cappadocia

Day 4 — Cappadocia Underground Cities

• Visit Rose and Red Valley
• Explore Cavusin Village
• Walk Pigeon Valley
• Tour Kaymakli Underground City
• Visit Ortahisar

Day 5 — Fairy Chimneys and Villages

• Visit Goreme Open-Air Museum
• Explore Devrent Valley
• Visit Pasabagi (Monks Valley)
• Lunch and pottery experience in Avanos
• View Goreme Panorama
• Visit Uchisar Castle

Day 6 — Flight to Antalya

• Transfer to airport and flight to Antalya
• Arrival and transfer to hotel in Antalya

Day 7 — Leisure Day in Antalya

• Free day to explore Antalya

Day 8 — Pamukkale and Kusadasi

• Visit Pamukkale Thermal Pools
• Tour ancient Hierapolis
• Drive to Kusadasi and check-in

Day 9 — Ancient Ephesus Tour

• Visit House of Virgin Mary
• Explore Ancient Ephesus
• Visit Temple of Artemis

Day 10 — Travel to Bodrum

• Transfer to Bodrum hotel
• Leisure time in Bodrum

Day 11 — Leisure Day in Bodrum

• Free day to explore Bodrum

Day 12 — Flight to Istanbul

• Transfer to Bodrum Airport and flight to Istanbul
• Arrival and transfer to hotel in Istanbul

Day 13 — Departure from Istanbul

• Transfer to Istanbul Airport and end of service

Top questions

Is this Turkey tour suitable for families with children?

Yes—it’s designed for all ages. Strollers are fine in most places; infant seats are available for transfers; kids under 8 get free entry to historical sites.

Are domestic flights included in this 13-day Turkey itinerary?

Yes—three domestic flights are included (Istanbul–Cappadocia–Antalya–Istanbul), each with checked baggage allowance.

What kind of hotels do we stay at during this Turkey tour?

You’ll stay in centrally located boutique or “special class” hotels reflecting each region’s character—not big chain hotels used by large groups.

Is lunch or dinner included every day?

The meal plan follows the itinerary—breakfast is always included; some lunches are provided at family-owned restaurants; dinners are mostly free so you can explore local spots.

What’s included

Your journey covers airport pickup and drop-off in Istanbul plus all domestic flights between regions so there’s no long overland travel. You’ll have guided tours led by locals in each city (with skip-the-line tickets ready), boutique hotel stays throughout Istanbul, Cappadocia, Antalya, Kusadasi, and Bodrum—all transport handled by comfy minibus—and breakfasts daily plus some lunches at family-run places along the way.