Head to Cappadocia by overnight bus and spend 2 days exploring dramatic rock formations in the Devrent Valley, ancient pottery techniques in Avanos, and cutout cave homes in Kaymakli. Enjoy tasty meals along the way and stay the night in a comfortable 4-star hotel.

Day 1 Reach Cappadocia in the morning, after taking an overnight bus straight from Istanbul's bustling center. Spend the early afternoon snapping photos of “fairy chimneys”, monolithic rock formations scattered throughout the Devrent Valley. Try your hand at a centuries-old pottery-making technique in Avanos, and visit the stunning frescoes in the rock-carved chapels around Göreme.

Before you check in to your hotel, take a trip through the aptly named Pigeon Valley, meander through the petrified sights around Uchisar, and take in sweeping views of the valley from lofty vantage points.

Day 2 Grab a hearty breakfast before cruising to Kizilçukur for up-close looks at hospitals, monasteries, and entire cities carved out of vertical cliff faces and rugged rock formations. Between visits to Kaymakli and Çatalkaya, find out why Christians sought refuge from persecution in these underground passageways, and then wrap up your day with a grand finale view of Cappadocia's stunning valleys before catching your night bus back to Istanbul.