Itinerary
- Day 1
Istanbul
You'll arrive in Istanbul and head to your hotel to settle in. After dropping your bags, spend the afternoon walking around the city on your own to get a feel for the place. Stop by local restaurants and cafes as you wander through neighborhoods at whatever pace works for you. Later this evening at 8pm, there's a welcome meeting where you'll meet your guide and get to know the other travelers on the tour.
Optional Activities
- Explore Istanbul's Old City on foot
- Visit local restaurants and cafes
- Enjoy a leisurely stroll or drinks at a local bar
- Day 2
Istanbul
This morning starts with a guided tour through Istanbul's Old City with your guide leading the way. You'll see the Blue Mosque with its distinctive blue tiles, then walk through the ancient Hippodrome where chariot races once happened. From there, you'll check out the exterior of Hagia Sophia and tour Topkapi Palace, the former residence of Ottoman sultans. Throughout the day, your guide explains the history of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires and how they shaped these incredible structures.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Blue Mosque
- Visit ancient Hippodrome
- View exterior of Hagia Sophia
- Guided tour of Topkapi Palace
Optional Activities
- Explore interior of Hagia Sophia during free time (entrance fee applies)
Landmarks/POIs Blue Mosque Hippodrome Hagia Sophia Topkapi Palace - Day 3
Istanbul to Gallipoli
You'll travel to Gallipoli for a guided tour of the historic battlefields with a focus on the soldiers from Australia and New Zealand. The tour includes ANZAC Cove where troops landed, the Lone Pine Memorial and Cemetery, Chunuk Bair Memorial and Cemetery, the Nek, and Johnston's Jolly. You'll also see the ancient fortified trenches. Your guide shares the stories of what happened here during the campaign and the significance of these sites to ANZAC history.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Gallipoli battlefields
- Visit ANZAC Cove
- Visit Lone Pine Memorial and Cemetery
- Visit Chunuk Bair Memorial and Cemetery
- Explore the Nek and Johnston's Jolly
- View fortified trenches
Landmarks/POIs ANZAC Cove Lone Pine Memorial and Cemetery Chunuk Bair Memorial and Cemetery - Day 4
Gallipoli to Kusadasi/Izmir
You're heading to Troy, the ruins that inspired Homer's Iliad, where you can see the iconic Trojan Horse dating back to 3000 BC. After exploring the site, you'll drive to Pergamum to walk through the ruins of grand temples, an ancient library, and medical facilities that are spread across the hillside. Before continuing on to Kusadasi or Izmir, there's a stop at a carpet emporium where you can browse and shop if interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Troy ruins
- View Trojan Horse
- Guided tour of Pergamum ruins
- Visit carpet emporium
Landmarks/POIs Troy Pergamum - Day 5
Ephesus - Sirince
You'll explore the well-preserved ruins of Ephesus, one of the best-maintained ancient cities in the region. Walk through the Great Theatre where thousands once gathered, stroll down Curetes Way lined with ancient buildings, and see the Temple of Serapis. The Library of Celsus is particularly impressive with its restored facade. Later, you'll see the ancient public toilets and brothel to get a sense of Roman daily life. Before wrapping up in Ephesus, there's a carpet weaving demonstration. Then you'll head to Sirince, a charming Greek village located in a vineyard valley where you can spend time exploring the village streets and local shops.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Ephesus ruins
- Visit Great Theatre
- Walk Curetes Way
- Visit Temple of Serapis
- Visit Library of Celsus
- Explore ancient Roman sites
- Carpet weaving demonstration
- Visit Sirince village
Landmarks/POIs Ephesus Library of Celsus Great Theatre of Ephesus - Day 6
Sirince to Pamukkale to Marmaris
The drive takes you through cotton farms on the way to Pamukkale, known for its white travertine terraces created by calcium-rich hot springs cascading down the mountainside. You can paddle through the warm mineral pools or relax in the Thermal Bath House where you'll see submerged ancient marble columns beneath the water. There's also a stop at a leather fashion house before you continue traveling to Marmaris for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Roman Hierapolis ruins
- Explore Pamukkale travertine terraces
- Paddle through thermal terraces
Optional Activities
- Relax in Thermal Bath House with submerged ancient marble fragments (additional cost)
Landmarks/POIs Pamukkale Hierapolis - Day 7
Marmaris
Your tour concludes after breakfast this morning. If you want to extend your trip, there are options to stay longer or book a day trip out to Rhodes Island. Otherwise, you'll have time to head to the airport or make other travel arrangements.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- 3 night Marmaris Beach Stay add-on
- Day trip to Rhodes Island by catamaran
Landmarks/POIs Rhodes
