10 days in The Balkans Itinerary

A physical and cultural bridge between Europe and Asia, the transcontinental city of Istanbul serves as a living reminder of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires.

Istanbul is known for sightseeing, historic sites, and museums. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Hagia Sophia Mosque, get engrossed in the history at Topkapi Palace, take a stroll through Ortakoy, and steep yourself in history at Galata Tower.

For where to stay, maps, and more tourist information, use the Istanbul day trip planning website.

Boracay, Philippines to Istanbul is an approximately 22.5-hour combination of ferry and flight. Traveling from Boracay to Istanbul, you'll gain 5 hours due to the time zone difference. When traveling from Boracay in May, plan for slightly colder days in Istanbul, with highs around 25°C, while nights are cooler with lows around 15°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 4th (Thu) early enough to fly to Canakkale.

A center of landmarks from Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman eras, Canakkale showcases natural beauty and myth.

On the 5th (Fri), brush up on your military savvy at Canakkale Naval Museum, witness the site of a historic battle at Gallipoli Battlefield, and then take in the exciting artwork at Rhapsodos Mozaik.

To see ratings, maps, where to stay, and tourist information, read Canakkale trip itinerary tool.

Traveling by flight from Istanbul to Canakkale takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. May in Canakkale sees daily highs of 27°C and lows of 17°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 5th (Fri) to allow enough time to drive to Pamukkale.

A popular spa since the second century BCE, the modern city of Pamukkale continues to draw worldwide attention with its hot springs and travertines--naturally formed calcite bathing pools.

Start off your visit on the 6th (Sat): glide through the air with a parasailing or paragliding tour, explore the ancient world of Hierapolis, and then witness a stunning natural landmark at Pamukkale Thermal Pools.

For reviews, maps, and more tourist information, read Pamukkale travel route website.

Traveling by car from Canakkale to Pamukkale takes 7 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and flight; or do a combination of bus and taxi. Finish your sightseeing early on the 6th (Sat) to allow enough time to drive to Kusadasi.

Unreservedly dedicated to tourism, Kusadasi sits on the Aegean coastline and acts as a gateway to the ancient city of Ephesus, one of the country's major Greco-Roman archaeological sites.

Kick off your visit on the 7th (Sun): see the interesting displays at Ephesus Museum, then steep yourself in history at Ancient City of Ephesus, then stop by Kusadasi Leather, and finally contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Kaleici Camii.

For photos, reviews, and more tourist information, use the Kusadasi trip website.

Drive from Pamukkale to Kusadasi in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 1 hour traveling from Pamukkale to Kusadasi. Expect a daytime high around 28°C in May, and nighttime lows around 19°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 7th (Sun) to allow time to fly to Goreme.

Famed for its landscape of unusually shaped stone formations and churches cut into the natural rocks, Goreme sits in the central part of the country, an area originally settled during Roman times.

Kick off your visit on the 8th (Mon): head outdoors with Outdoor Activities, soar above the sights with a balloon tour, and then stop by Tribal Collections Nomadic Rugs and Textiles. Here are some ideas for day two: trot along with a tour on horseback, explore the striking landscape of Goreme National Park, and then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at TokalI Church.

To see traveler tips, other places to visit, maps, and other tourist information, go to the Goreme day trip tool.

You can fly from Kusadasi to Goreme in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. You'll lose 1 hour traveling from Kusadasi to Goreme due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Kusadasi in May, plan for little chillier nights in Goreme, with lows around 11°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 9th (Tue) so you can travel back home.