Itinerary
- Day 1
Istanbul
You'll arrive at Istanbul airport where a transfer will take you to your hotel. After you've had time to settle in and freshen up, you'll meet your Travel Director and the other travelers for dinner at a local restaurant to kick things off.
- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional flavours at a local restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Radisson Blu Sisli, Istanbul)
Included Activities
- Dinner at a local restaurant
Landmarks Istanbul 
- Day 2
Istanbul to Gallipoli to Troy
This morning you'll travel along the Sea of Marmara heading to Gallipoli. There you'll visit Anzac Cove and Lone Pine Cemetery to learn about the Great War history. From there, you'll continue to Çanakkale and then make your way to Troy, where you'll walk through the ancient city and see the replica of the Trojan Horse.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (DoubleTree by Hilton Canakkale)
Included Activities
- Visit Anzac Cove and Lone Pine Cemetery
- Visit Troy ancient site with replica Trojan Horse
Landmarks Anzac Cove Lone Pine Cemetery Troy 
- Day 3
Çanakkale to Izmir
You'll start at the Copmadam women's co-op workshop to see how recycled materials get transformed into handmade items. Then you're heading to Izmir with a lunch stop at Nif Bağları, a family-owned wine producer where you'll eat farm-to-table style surrounded by the crop fields. You'll arrive at your coastal resort later in the afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Farm-to-Table lunch with seasonal crops grown on site at a local organic farm), Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Swissotel Büyük Efes, Izmir)
Included Activities
- Visit Copmadam women's co-op workshop
- Farm-to-Table lunch at Nif Bağları family-owned wine producer
Landmarks Copmadam Nif Bağları 
- Day 4
Izmir to Ephesus
Head to Selçuk this morning to visit the Archaeological Museum and get some context about the area's history. After that, you'll spend the rest of the day exploring Ephesus, walking through the Arcadian Way, seeing the Library of Celsus and the Amphitheatre. Before leaving, you'll visit the House of the Virgin Mary situated above the ruins.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Swissotel Büyük Efes, Izmir)
Included Activities
- Visit Archaeological Museum in Selçuk
- Explore Ephesus ancient site with Arcadian Way, Library of Celsus, Amphitheatre, and House of the Virgin Mary
Landmarks Archaeological Museum of Selçuk Ephesus Library of Celsus Ephesus Amphitheatre House of the Virgin Mary 
- Day 5
Kusadasi to Pamukkale
You'll travel to Pamukkale to check out the mineral-rich thermal waters and the chalk-white limestone terraces that make this place so distinctive. You'll also see Hierapolis, the ancient Roman spa city, with its well-preserved theatre and turquoise travertine pools. Later, you'll check into Doğa Thermal Health & Spa where you can use the indoor and outdoor thermal pools, steam room, and Turkish bath.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Doğa Thermal Health & Spa, Pamukkale)
Included Activities
- Visit Pamukkale travertine terraces and pools
- Explore Hierapolis ancient Roman spa city ruins and theatre
Landmarks Pamukkale Hierapolis 
- Day 6
Pamukkale to Cappadocia
You're heading to Urgup in Cappadocia's heart today. You'll visit the 13th-century Sultanhani Caravanserai, then go down into the underground city of Saratli to see the carved rooms, ventilation chimneys, and millstone doors. The golden volcanic landscapes surrounding this area are pretty striking, and you'll get a real sense of what makes Cappadocia so different.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (DoubleTree by Hilton Avanos, Cappadocia)
Included Activities
- Visit 13th-century Sultanhani Caravanserai
- Explore underground city of Saratli
Landmarks Sultanhani Caravanserai Saratli Underground City 
- Day 7
Cappadocia
You'll start in Göreme exploring the rock-hewn churches with their ancient wall paintings. Then head to Pasabag Valley to see the unusual fairy chimneys and troglodyte dwellings. A local guide will take you through a cave house and share stories about life in Cappadocia for families who've lived here for decades. By evening, you'll watch a Whirling Dervishes performance and have a regional dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Regional dinner of colorful Cappadocian dishes with Whirling Dervishes Sema performance)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (DoubleTree by Hilton Avanos, Cappadocia)
Included Activities
- Explore Göreme rock-hewn churches with ancient wall paintings
- Visit Pasabag Valley fairy chimneys and troglodyte dwellings
- Tour cave house with local Cappadocian resident
- Whirling Dervishes Sema performance
- Regional dinner of Cappadocia
Landmarks Göreme Pasabag Valley - Day 8
Cappadocia to Ankara
You'll learn about pottery making in Avanos, known for its earthenware traditions. Then you're traveling to Ankara where you'll visit the Hittite Museum and the Mausoleum of Atatürk, which honors Turkey's first President and greatest modern leader. This evening you'll relax at your hotel's spa and wellness center to unwind.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ankara HiltonSA)
Included Activities
- Learn about pottery making in Avanos
- Visit Hittite Museum
- Visit Mausoleum of Atatürk
Optional Activities
- Spa and wellness center at hotel
Landmarks Avanos Hittite Museum Mausoleum of Atatürk 
- Day 9
Ankara to Istanbul
You'll make your way to Istanbul, where East meets West with its blend of history, culture, and modern life. Your afternoon is spent in the Grand Bazaar where you can try your hand at bargaining for souvenirs and goods. The evening is yours to explore the city however you like.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Radisson Blu Sisli, Istanbul)
Included Activities
- Explore Grand Bazaar
Landmarks Grand Bazaar - Day 10
Istanbul
You'll explore the historic Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome, the site of old Roman chariot races. You have a choice between the Hagia Sophia History Digital Experience with interactive exhibits or Hagia Sophia itself, built in A.D. 537 and known for its incredible domed roof. You'll also visit Topkapi Palace which sits high above the Bosphorus. Later, you'll take a relaxing cruise on the Bosphorus seeing Ottoman palaces, old mansions and fortresses. Dinner at a local restaurant will wrap up the evening with a toast to your travels.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Traditional flavours at a local restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Radisson Blu Sisli, Istanbul)
Included Activities
- Visit Blue Mosque
- Visit Hippodrome
- Visit Topkapi Palace
- Bosphorus cruise
- Dinner at a local restaurant
Optional Activities
- Hagia Sophia History Digital Experience - immersive journey through landmarks marvels
- Visit Hagia Sophia, built in A.D. 537
Landmarks Blue Mosque Hippodrome Hagia Sophia Topkapi Palace - Day 11
Istanbul
Your trip comes to an end today as you say goodbye to the friends you've made. A transfer will take you to the airport for your onward flights. If you're staying longer, your Travel Director can suggest other places to check out next.
