Explore the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia in the morning. Admire the architecture at the intersection of East and West.
Visit the Hippodrome and Topkapi Palace, the former residence of the Ottoman Sultans, in the afternoon.
Nighttime: Before taking a nighttime flight to Cappadocia (from Kayseri or Nevşehir airport), get lost at the Grand Bazaar for some souvenir shopping.
Stay: In Göreme or Uçhisar, check into your cave hotel.
Sunrise: Hot Air Balloon Ride Optional. This is the ideal day to try, although Day 3 is still an option if bad weather prevents it.
Morning: See historic churches built out of the rocks at the Göreme Open-Air Museum.
Afternoon: Visit the most recognizable “fairy chimney” rock formations at Pasabag (Monks Valley) and Devrent (Imagination Valley).
Experience: See a demonstration of traditional pottery-making in Avanos.
Morning: Go down into the Derinkuyu or Kaymakli Underground City, where hundreds of people used to reside in order to flee assailants.
In the afternoon, hike through the verdant Ihlara Valley or enjoy the expansive vistas from the region’s highest point, Uçhisar Castle.
Evening: Unwind with a sunset supper overlooking Pigeon Valley or a traditional Turkish Night performance.
Return to Istanbul by plane in the morning.
Afternoon: Take a Bosphorus cruise to see the city from the water—the perfect final view of Istanbul’s palaces and bridges.
Evening: Before you travel abroad, do some last-minute shopping at the Spice Market.
