Istanbul & Cappadocia Balloon Adventure

Our Turkish adventure begins as we fly from London Luton to the vibrant city of Istanbul – where Europe meets Asia. After landing, we’ll transfer into the heart of the city and check into our hotel near bustling Taksim Square.

The rest of the day is yours to settle in, soak up the atmosphere and perhaps enjoy your first taste of Turkish cuisine at one of the many nearby cafés or restaurants. From colourful streets and rooftop views to the distant call to prayer echoing across the city, Istanbul is an unforgettable first impression of Turkey.

Today we dive into the rich history and vibrant atmosphere of Istanbul with a guided walking tour through the famous Old Town. We’ll explore some of the city’s most iconic sights including the magnificent Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Grand Bazaar and the atmospheric Basilica Cistern hidden beneath the streets.

After the tour, there will be free time to relax, shop for souvenirs, sample Turkish coffee or simply wander the colourful streets at your own pace.

In the evening, we’ll enjoy a fabulous Bosphorus dinner cruise between Europe and Asia, complete with Turkish cuisine, music, dancing and glittering night-time views across the city skyline. A brilliant way to experience Istanbul after dark.

This morning we leave Istanbul behind and fly to the extraordinary region of Cappadocia — famous for its fairy chimneys, cave dwellings and breathtaking volcanic landscapes.

After arriving in Cappadocia, we’ll transfer to the beautiful town of Göreme and check into our traditional cave hotel nestled amongst the rock formations. There will be a little time to relax before we head out on our guided sunset electric trike tour through the valleys and panoramic viewpoints of this magical region.

Travelling quietly through the landscape on our eco-friendly trikes is a wonderfully unique way to experience Cappadocia, with plenty of stops for photographs as the sun begins to set across the valleys.

This evening, we’ll enjoy a traditional Turkish meal together in the heart of Göreme.

Today is the moment many people dream about — a sunrise hot air balloon flight above the spectacular landscapes of Cappadocia.

Before dawn, we’ll head to the launch site where hundreds of colourful balloons slowly rise into the morning sky. As the sun appears over the valleys, we’ll float above fairy chimneys, caves and dramatic rock formations in one of the most breathtaking experiences on earth.

After our balloon adventure, we’ll return to the hotel for breakfast and some free time to relax, explore Göreme or simply soak up the magical atmosphere from the rooftop terrace.

There will also be the option to join Julia on an adventurous walk through the stunning Love Valley, famous for its unique rock formations and panoramic scenery. For those wanting even more culture, optional activities such as Turkish cooking classes, pottery workshops or the Göreme Open Air Museum are also available.

After one final morning in magical Cappadocia, we’ll transfer to the airport for our return journey home via Istanbul.

As we leave behind the fairy chimneys, cave hotels and sunrise balloons, there will hopefully be plenty of incredible memories, photographs and stories to take home from this unforgettable Turkish adventure.

Depending on flight timings, there may also be time for a final Turkish coffee or a little last-minute duty-free shopping before we board our flight back to the UK.