Itinerary
- Day 1
Istanbul
You'll arrive in Istanbul and get transferred from the airport to your hotel. After settling in, there's a welcome meeting in the afternoon where you'll meet your tour group and Tour Director. The day wraps up with a group dinner serving traditional Turkish food.
Optional Activities
- Group Dinner
Landmarks Istanbul 
- Day 2
Istanbul
An expert local guide takes you through Istanbul's old town, stopping at the Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, and Cistern Basilica. Lunch happens near Hagia Sophia, then you'll have free time to wander around on your own. Later in the afternoon, you'll cruise the Bosphorus and see the strait between Europe and Asia.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Hippodrome
- Visit Blue Mosque
- Visit Cistern Basilica
- Meal near Hagia Sophia
- Personal leisure time in old town
- Bosphorus cruise between Europe and Asia
Landmarks Hippodrome Blue Mosque Cistern Basilica Hagia Sophia Bosphorus - Day 3
Istanbul to Ankara
You're heading to Ankara, Turkey's capital, for a scenic drive across the country. Once there, the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations shows ancient civilizations that ruled Asia Minor. After dinner at your hotel, the evening is yours to check out the capital at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Museum of Anatolian Civilizations
Landmarks Museum of Anatolian Civilizations 
- Day 4
Ankara to Cappadocia
Start early visiting Anitkabir, the Mausoleum of Ataturk, Turkey's founding father. Then you'll drive through the Anatolian countryside toward Cappadocia. In Avanos, you can try your hand at pottery-making at an interactive workshop in this region known for its unusual fairy-chimneys and cave formations.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Anitkabir (Mausoleum of Ataturk)
- Interactive pottery-making workshop in Avanos
Landmarks Anitkabir Avanos Cappadocia - Day 5
Cappadocia
If weather cooperates, there's an optional hot-air balloon flight over the fairy-chimneys early on (subject to conditions). Later, you'll see the Goreme Open-Air Museum, a UNESCO site with underground cities, chapels, and cave houses. A carpet-weaving workshop teaches you about traditional Turkish crafts. The evening is flexible with optional activities or time at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Goreme Open-Air Museum
- Visit carpet-weaving workshop
Optional Activities
- Hot-air balloon flight over fairy-chimneys (weather dependent)
- Whirling dervishes live show
- Wine tasting session
- Turkish Night show
Landmarks Goreme Open-Air Museum - Day 6
Cappadocia to Konya
The Kaymakli underground city takes up the morning, where you'll walk through tunnels, storerooms, burial chambers, and chapels carved out by ancient Christians. From there, you'll travel to Konya, home of the famous whirling dervishes. Dinner and relaxation happen at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore underground city of Kaymakli
Landmarks Kaymakli Underground City 
- Day 7
Konya to Antalya
Konya's cultural side includes the 8th-century Karatay Madrasa and the Museum and Mausoleum of Mevlana (Rumi), the 13th-century scholar and poet. After lunch, you'll drive to Antalya, the seaside resort, stopping at a local restaurant along the way. You'll arrive late afternoon for dinner and some free time.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Meal at a local restaurant), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Karatay Madrasa
- Visit Museum and Mausoleum of Mevlana
Landmarks Karatay Madrasa Museum and Mausoleum of Mevlana - Day 8
Antalya
Ancient Perge sits 15 kilometers east of Antalya, showing off Pamphylian remains and Bronze Age mosaics. Next, Aspendos awaits with its famous ancient theatre that seats 12,000 and has remarkable acoustics. You'll return to Antalya afterward to rest and relax.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit ruins of Perge
- Visit Aspendos theatre
Landmarks Perge Aspendos Theatre 
- Day 9
Antalya to Pamukkale
Pamukkale, known as the Cotton Castle, is your destination inland. You'll walk through shallow pools filled with mineral-rich travertines forming white terraces. The ancient city of Hierapolis sits above with an impressive 15,000-seat amphitheatre. Back at your hotel, spa or massage services are available before dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walk through Pamukkale travertine pools
- Visit Hierapolis amphitheatre
Optional Activities
- Spa services
- Massage services
Landmarks Pamukkale Hierapolis 
- Day 10
Pamukkale to Izmir
You're heading to Ephesus, a UNESCO World Heritage site with well-preserved ancient structures and an impressive library. After that, Virgin Mary's house in the mountains is next, believed to be her final home. Lunch at a countryside restaurant serves Gozleme, then you'll arrive in Izmir by the sea for dinner and relaxation.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Gozleme at countryside restaurant), Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore ancient Ephesus ruins
- Visit Virgin Mary's house
- Meal featuring Gozleme at countryside restaurant
Landmarks Ephesus House of Virgin Mary 
- Day 11
Izmir to Çanakkale
Pergamon's Asklepion medical center comes first, one of the most important healing centers from the Roman world. Then you'll visit ancient Troy, legendary from history and mythology. A photo with the Trojan Horse happens before heading to Çanakkale for an evening arrival and dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Asklepion medical center in Pergamon
- Explore ancient Troy ruins
- Photo with Trojan Horse
Landmarks Asklepion Troy 
- Day 12
Çanakkale to Istanbul via Gallipoli
After breakfast, you're traveling to Gallipoli's shores to pay respects to fallen Turkish and Australian soldiers from World War 1. The day includes Anzac Cove, Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair, and other significant historical sites across the green battlefields. In the afternoon, you'll drive back to Istanbul for dinner and rest.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Anzac Cove
- Visit Lone Pine
- Visit Chunuk Bair
- Explore Gallipoli World War 1 historical sites
Landmarks Anzac Cove Lone Pine Chunuk Bair - Day 13
Istanbul
Your final full day is free to explore Istanbul as you wish. The Grand Bazaar is perfect for haggling and finding souvenirs for yourself and others. Dinner happens at your hotel in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Shopping at Grand Bazaar
Landmarks Grand Bazaar - Day 14
Istanbul Departure
The trip ends with breakfast among your new friends. You'll exchange contact information before checking out at 11:00 AM. Complimentary airport transfers are available throughout the day whenever you're ready to leave.
- Meals
- Breakfast
