Itinerary
- Day 1
Istanbul
You'll arrive in Istanbul and get transferred to your hotel. Once you settle in, you'll meet your Travel Director and the other travelers on the tour over dinner to start things off.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner with Travel Director and fellow travelers)
Included Activities
- Welcome dinner with Travel Director and fellow travelers
- Day 2
Istanbul
Your Local Specialist takes you through Byzantine and Ottoman Istanbul, visiting the Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace. The afternoon is yours to relax or take an optional Bosphorus cruise if you'd like. Later there's an optional traditional Turkish dinner with entertainment.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Hippodrome with 4th-century Egyptian obelisk
- View Blue Mosque
- Visit Hagia Sophia
- Guided tour of Topkapi Palace with Local Specialist
Optional Activities
- Bosphorus cruise
- Traditional Turkish dinner with drinks, dancers and musicians performance
Landmarks/POIs Hippodrome Egyptian Obelisk Blue Mosque Hagia Sophia Topkapi Palace - Day 3
Istanbul to Çanakkale
You'll cross the Dardanelles Strait by ferry to Çanakkale and see the Archaeological Site of Troy with its replica wooden horse. After checking in at your hotel, you'll head out later for the Dawn Service.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ferry crossing across Dardanelles Strait
- Visit Archaeological Site of Troy
- View replica wooden horse
Landmarks/POIs Dardanelles Strait Troy Archaeological Site - Day 4
Gallipoli
Early morning you'll attend the dawn tribute at Anzac Cove and pay your respects at ceremonies held at Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair. From there you'll return to your hotel in Çanakkale and have the rest of the day to yourself.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Dawn Service at Anzac Cove
- Ceremonies at Lone Pine
- Ceremonies at Chunuk Bair
Landmarks/POIs Anzac Cove Lone Pine Chunuk Bair - Day 5
Gallipoli to Izmir
You'll cross back over the Dardanelles Strait and visit Anzac Cove, Lone Pine, and Chunuk Bair to reflect on World War I sacrifices. After that you'll head back to Çanakkale and then continue on to Izmir for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ferry crossing across Dardanelles Strait
- Visit Anzac Cove
- Visit Lone Pine
- Visit Chunuk Bair
Landmarks/POIs Anzac Cove Lone Pine Chunuk Bair - Day 6
Izmir to Pamukkale
Walking through the ruins of Ephesus, you'll see the House of Virgin Mary at Mt. Koressos. Then you'll travel on to Pamukkale for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Ephesus ruins
- Visit House of Virgin Mary at Mt. Koressos
Landmarks/POIs Ephesus House of Virgin Mary - Day 7
Antalya
You'll visit the Roman health spa at Hierapolis and see Pamukkale's Cotton Castle Springs with their white cascades. Later you'll travel through scenic countryside to the Taurus Mountains for a be my guest lunch with the Yazir community. The day continues with a visit to the Antalya Archaeological Museum, a walk through the old city's winding lanes and Ottoman architecture, then dinner at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Be My Guest lunch with Yazir community in Taurus Mountains), Dinner (Dinner at local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Visit Hierapolis Roman health spa
- Explore Pamukkale Cotton Castle Springs
- Be My Guest lunch with Yazir community in Taurus Mountains
- Visit Antalya Archaeological Museum
- Explore old city of Antalya
- Dinner at local restaurant
Landmarks/POIs Hierapolis Pamukkale Cotton Castle Antalya Archaeological Museum Antalya Old City - Day 8
Antalya
You'll have the day at your own pace taking in the seaside atmosphere of the Turkish Riviera. Wandering through charming winding streets of the old city lets you see the well-preserved Ottoman architecture. Optional activities include a yacht cruise or guided tour of Antalya's historic old town.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Yacht cruise and guided tour of Antalya's historic old town
Landmarks/POIs Antalya Old City - Day 9
Antalya to Konya
First you'll see Aspendos and its well-preserved ancient theatre. From there you'll head to Konya to explore the Mevlana Museum and Mausoleum of the Whirling Dervish sect. After visiting the Karatay Tile Museum with its Seljuk-tiled dome, you'll return to your hotel for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Aspendos theatre
- Visit Mevlana Museum and Mausoleum
- Visit Karatay Tile Museum
Landmarks/POIs Aspendos Theatre Mevlana Museum and Mausoleum Karatay Tile Museum - Day 10
Konya to Cappadocia
You'll see a well-preserved 13th-century caravanserai from the ancient Silk Road. Traveling to Cappadocia, you'll explore the underground city of Saratli. At King's Valley Eco Farm you'll have a hands-on experience with Ali learning about sustainable farming. You'll stay at a property with valley views and views of the ancient Ortahisar rock castle.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit 13th-century caravanserai
- Explore underground city of Saratli
- MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience at King's Valley Eco Farm with Ali
Landmarks/POIs Caravanserai Saratli Underground City King's Valley Eco Farm Ortahisar Rock Castle - Day 11
Cappadocia
Exploring Cappadocia's volcanic terrain with its caves and cave dwellings, you'll visit Göreme Open-Air Museum to see rock-hewn churches and fairy chimneys of Paşabağı. You'll try your hand at pottery making in Avanos. Dinner features traditional pottery kebabs at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Traditional pottery kebabs at local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Explore Cappadocia volcanic terrain
- Visit Göreme Open-Air Museum
- View fairy chimneys of Paşabağı
- Learn pottery making in Avanos
- Dinner with traditional pottery kebabs at local restaurant
Landmarks/POIs Göreme Open-Air Museum Paşabağı Fairy Chimneys Avanos - Day 12
Cappadocia to Ankara
You'll arrive in Turkey's youthful capital and visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations and the final resting place of Atatürk, the country's beloved first president. After that you'll return to your hotel for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Museum of Anatolian Civilisations
- Visit Atatürk's final resting place
Landmarks/POIs Museum of Anatolian Civilisations Atatürk's Mausoleum - Day 13
Ankara to Istanbul
Back in Istanbul, you'll explore the Grand Bazaar walking through its hidden lanes and watching artisans at work along the bustling thoroughfares. You'll have time to haggle with market vendors. The day ends with a memorable dinner with your Travel Director and fellow travelers.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Memorable dinner with Travel Director and fellow companions)
Included Activities
- Visit Grand Bazaar
- Explore hidden lanes and watch artisans at work
- Memorable dinner with Travel Director and fellow companions
Landmarks/POIs Grand Bazaar - Day 14
Istanbul
Your journey through ancient lands ends as you say goodbye to Istanbul and the friendships you've made along the way.
- Meals
- Breakfast
