Europe
Day 1 – Arrival in Istanbul (Tuesday)
Meet at Malta International Airport at 08:00 for flight TK1370, departing at 10:25 and arriving in Istanbul at 14:00. Transfer to Hotel Gonen Taxim 4★, located in the vibrant Beyoglu district near Taksim Square. Check-in and free time for orientation with your tour leader.
Day 2 – Dolmabahce Palace & Bosphorus Cruise (Wednesday)
Buffet breakfast, followed by a morning excursion to Dolmabahce Palace, an architectural gem of Istanbul. Explore the Underground Cistern before enjoying a scenic Bosphorus Cruise (included, optional), seeing the meeting point of Europe and Asia, as well as the Sea of Marmara.
Day 3 – Istanbul Historical City Tour (Thursday)
Buffet breakfast, then a guided tour of Istanbul’s historic sites:
Lunch included. Stop for photos at Topkapi Palace, the grand Ottoman palace (15th–19th centuries), home to exquisite collections including crystals, silverware, Chinese porcelain, Imperial Treasury jewels, and Prophet Muhammad’s relics. Conclude with a visit to the Spice Market. Return to hotel.
Day 4 – Free Day or Optional Bursa Excursion (Friday)
Breakfast. Free day for shopping or optional excursion to Bursa (extra cost), the romantic city with historic highlights, lunch included. Take the Uludag Ski Centre cable car for panoramic views before returning to Istanbul.
Day 5 – Transfer to Cappadocia (Saturday)
After breakfast, transfer to Istanbul Airport for flight TK2004 at 11:25, arriving in Nevsehir at 12:45. Enjoy a panoramic tour before checking in at Altinoz Hotel 4★ in central Nevsehir. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 6 – Goreme Open Air Museum & Uchisar Castle (Sunday)
Optional early-morning hot air balloon ride, offering spectacular views of Cappadocia’s valleys and rock formations (extra cost).
Buffet breakfast, followed by a visit to Goreme Open Air Museum, exploring rock-cut churches and cave dwellings. Lunch included at a local Turkish restaurant. Continue to Uchisar Castle, a unique rock castle with tunnels and chapels. Return to hotel for dinner and free evening.
Day 7 – Derinkuyu Underground City & Pigeon Valley (Monday)
After breakfast, excursion to Derinkuyu Underground City, a remarkable subterranean site perfect for adventure and history enthusiasts. Lunch at a Turkish restaurant, followed by a visit to the picturesque Pigeon Valley. Return to hotel for dinner and free time.
Day 8 – Departure to Malta (Tuesday)
Breakfast and free time in the morning before transfer to Nevsehir Airport for the return flight via Istanbul with Turkish Airlines, arriving in Malta at 18:25.
