Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Istanbul
You'll arrive at Istanbul airport and get picked up for a transfer to your hotel. Your tour guide gives you a quick briefing, then the afternoon and evening are open for you to start getting to know the city at your own pace.
- Day 2
Istanbul
After breakfast, join a half-day guided tour hitting the Hippodrome of Constantinople, the Blue Mosque with its 6 minarets and famous blue tiles, and Topkapi Palace where you'll see one of the world's largest porcelain collections plus the Spoonmaker's Diamond. Later, head to the Spice Market (Misir Carsisi) in Eminonu district to walk through different spice stalls and sample various flavors.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Half-day guided city tour of Istanbul including Hippodrome of Constantinople
- Blue Mosque visit
- Topkapi Palace visit with museum access
- Spice Market (Misir Carsisi) visit
Optional Activities
- Optional half-day city tour of Istanbul including Hagia Sophia, the Grand Bazaar and the underground Cistern Basilica (approx. $50 USD per person, to be paid to your guide at destination)
Landmarks/POIs Hippodrome of Constantinople Blue Mosque Topkapi Palace Spice Market (Misir Carsisi) - Day 3
Istanbul to Canakkale
From Istanbul, you'll drive south toward Canakkale with a stop at the Gallipoli battlefields, a significant site from the First World War and a major Ottoman military victory in 1915. After that, continue on to Canakkale for dinner and overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- First World War battlefields visit at Gallipoli
Landmarks/POIs Gallipoli Battlefields - Day 4
Troy - Pergamon - Izmir
Following breakfast, drive to Troy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site near Mount Ida and the Dardanelles strait. The archaeological site dates back around 3500 BC, and you'll see a reconstruction of the wooden horse from Greek mythology. Then head to Pergamon, a major center of the Greek world, to visit the Asclepeion, an ancient Roman spa. You'll have lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to Izmir for dinner and overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at a local restaurant), Dinner
Included Activities
- Ancient Troy archaeological site visit
- Wooden horse reconstruction viewing
- Pergamon visit
- Asclepeion visit
- Lunch at local restaurant
Landmarks/POIs Troy Pergamon Asclepeion Mount Ida - Day 5
Izmir
This day is yours to explore Izmir, Turkey's third largest city on the Aegean coast. Walk the large waterfront promenade and reach the historic clock tower at Konak Square, the city's busiest area. Stop for Turkish coffee at a local spot, then check out the Kizlaragasi Han Bazaar with its rare Ottoman architecture. Return for dinner and overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Optional full-day tour of the Ancient Greco-Roman city of Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary (approx. $75 USD per person, to be paid to your guide at destination)
Landmarks/POIs Konak Square Clock Tower Kizlaragasi Han Bazaar - Day 6
Izmir to Antalya via Hierapolis-Pamukkale
After breakfast, head toward Hierapolis-Pamukkale near Denizli, a natural site with brilliant white travertine terraces created by hot spring water. You'll visit the Greco-Roman spa city of Hierapolis from the 2nd century BC, including Apollo's temple that competed with Delphi's, the Nymphaeum for water goddesses, and the Roman theatre with its well-preserved necropolis. Continue to Antalya for dinner and overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Pamukkale terraces visit
- Hierapolis archaeological site visit
- Apollo's temple visit
- Nymphaeum visit
- Roman theatre visit
- Necropolis visit
Landmarks/POIs Pamukkale Hierapolis Apollo's Temple (Hierapolis) Roman Theatre (Hierapolis) - Day 7
Antalya
You have the day free to explore Antalya on the Turkish Riviera. Wander through the historic Kaleici district's cobbled alleys to see Hadrian's Gate, a Roman structure from 130 AD, and the Old Clock Tower. Check out Karaalioglu Park for sea and mountain views, where the Hidirlik Tower has overlooked the bay since the 2nd century AD. Return for dinner and overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Optional full-day tour including Antalya Archaeological Museum, Perge and Aspendos (approx. $60 USD per person, to be paid to your guide at destination)
Landmarks/POIs Kaleici Hadrian's Gate Old Clock Tower Karaalioglu Park Hidirlik Tower - Day 8
Antalya to Cappadocia
You'll depart for Cappadocia after breakfast. On the way, stop at the 13th-century Sultan Han caravanserai, a large structure that once provided Silk Road traders with heated rooms, food, medical care, equipment repair, and other services. Continue to Nevsehir in Cappadocia for overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Sultan Han caravanserai visit
Optional Activities
- Optional evening show including Whirling Dervishes performance (approx. $40 USD per person, to be paid to your guide at destination)
Landmarks/POIs Sultan Han Caravanserai - Day 9
Cappadocia
This day is free to discover Cappadocia's unique landscape. Head into one of the public underground cities like Göreme, where you can see the remarkable cliffs and hills shaped by erosion that make this region distinctive. Return for dinner and overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Optional Cappadocia Balloon Ride (approx. $230 USD per person, to be paid to your guide at destination)
- Optional full-day Cappadocia tour (approx. $60 USD per person, to be paid to your guide at destination)
Landmarks/POIs Göreme Underground City - Day 10
Cappadocia to Ankara
After breakfast, drive to Ankara, Turkey's capital. Visit the Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk, founder of the modern Turkish Republic, and the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, which holds Turkey's finest archaeological collection with items dating back 7500 years from every civilization that passed through Anatolia. Overnight in Ankara.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk visit
- Museum of Anatolian Civilizations visit
Landmarks/POIs Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk Museum of Anatolian Civilizations - Day 11
Ankara to Istanbul
You'll head back to Istanbul after breakfast. Spend the rest of the day exploring different areas like Fener and Balat, neighborhoods with small streets and colorful houses that feel village-like. Walk through Karakoy, the former Ottoman financial hub, and see the magnificent buildings constructed by the empire's wealthiest families. In the evening, join the group for a farewell dinner and overnight in Istanbul.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner with the group)
Optional Activities
- Optional Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise (approx. $50 USD per person, to be paid to your guide at destination)
Landmarks/POIs Fener District Balat District Karakoy District - Day 12
Departure from Istanbul
After breakfast, local representatives will meet you in your hotel lobby and transfer you to the airport for your flight home or your own onward arrangements.
- Meals
- Breakfast
