Itinerary
- Day 1
Istanbul
You'll arrive at Istanbul airport and get transferred to your hotel. After checking in, the rest of the day is free to wander around and get a feel for the city. Istanbul's a fascinating place where you'll notice the mix of European and Asian influences, split right across two continents.
Optional Activities
- Explore Istanbul at leisure
- Day 2
Istanbul
Start with breakfast, then head to Topkapi Palace to walk through the Harem section and see the Treasury, including the famous emerald dagger. Next, you'll check out Yerebatan Underground Cistern with its 336 columns. After lunch, spend the afternoon at St. Sophia and the Blue Mosque, then walk through the historic Hippodrome and Sultanahmet Square. Dinner happens at Matbah Restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at Matbah Restaurant)
Included Activities
- Visit Topkapi Palace including Harem section
- Explore Yerebatan Underground Cistern
- Visit St. Sophia
- Visit Blue Mosque
- Walk through Hippodrome
- Explore Sultanahmet Square
- Dinner at Matbah Restaurant
Optional Activities
- Lunch at a Sultanahmet restaurant offering authentic Turkish cuisine (not included, paid locally)
Landmarks Topkapi Palace Yerebatan Underground Cistern St. Sophia Blue Mosque Hippodrome Sultanahmet Square Obelisk of Egypt Serpent Column German Fountain of Wilhelm II - Day 3
Istanbul
Begin at the Istanbul Archaeological Museum looking at ancient artifacts and civilizations. Then visit Little St. Sophia from the 6th century, followed by Yedikule, the Fortress of the Seven Towers built in the 5th century with great city views. Next you'll see the Byzantine Palace of the Porphyrogenitus. In the afternoon, explore the Greek heritage in Fener district and then head to Balat, the colorful Jewish quarter known for its historic wooden houses.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Istanbul Archaeological Museum
- Explore Little St. Sophia
- Visit Yedikule Fortress of the Seven Towers
- Visit Palace of the Porphyrogenitus
- Explore Fener district
- Explore Balat neighborhood
Landmarks Istanbul Archaeological Museum Little St. Sophia Yedikule Fortress of the Seven Towers Palace of the Porphyrogenitus Fener District Ecumenical Patriarchate Church of St. George Rum Lisesi Balat - Day 4
Istanbul
Walk through the vibrant streets starting with the Covered Bazaar, which has nearly 4,000 shops and dates back to the 15th century. You'll see the ornate Rustem Pasa Mosque with its 16th-century Iznik tiles, then wander through the Spice Bazaar from 1663 and taste local delicacies. Visit the Arab Mosque after that. Before the day ends, climb the Galata Tower for views of the city and stroll along the lively Istiklal Street.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Covered Bazaar
- Visit Rustem Pasa Mosque
- Explore Spice Bazaar
- Visit Arab Mosque
- Visit Galata Tower
- Explore Istiklal Street
Landmarks Covered Bazaar Rustem Pasa Mosque Spice Bazaar Arab Mosque Galata Tower Istiklal Street - Day 5
Istanbul - Hereke - Izmit - Ankara
After breakfast, drive to Hereke to visit the Ottoman silk rug factory and Hereke Castle with its panoramic views. Then you'll head to Izmit and stroll along Kapanca Street to see the Clock Tower. Later, explore the Ormanya forest in Sakarya before boarding a fast train to Ankara, Turkey's capital city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Hereke silk rug factory
- Explore Hereke Castle
- Visit Izmit Clock Tower
- Explore Ormanya forest
- Train journey to Ankara
Optional Activities
- Stroll Kapanca Street in Izmit
Landmarks Hereke Castle Hereke Silk Factory Izmit Clock Tower Ormanya Forest - Day 6
Ankara
Start with the Anatolian Civilisations Museum where you'll find artifacts from ancient Hittites and Phrygians. Visit Ankara Castle from the 7th century for city views, then pay respects at the Mausoleum of Ataturk with its grand marble architecture. Later in the day, drive to Gordion to walk through the Acropolis, check out the Local Museum, and see Midas' Tumulus, the legendary burial mound of King Midas.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Anatolian Civilisations Museum
- Visit Ankara Castle
- Visit Mausoleum of Atatürk
- Explore Gordion Acropolis
- Visit Gordion Local Museum
- Visit Midas' Tumulus
Landmarks Anatolian Civilisations Museum Ankara Castle Mausoleum of Atatürk Gordion Acropolis Gordion Local Museum Midas' Tumulus - Day 7
Ankara - Hattusas - Cappadocia
Drive to Cappadocia via Hattusas, stopping at Yazilkaya to see open-air sanctuary bas-reliefs. You'll explore the capital of Hattusas and walk through the Lion's Gate, Tunnel, King's Gate, Citadel, and Grand Temple. Then drive to Cappadocia for dinner at a local restaurant followed by a Whirling Dervishes show in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at a nearby restaurant followed by Whirling Dervishes show)
Included Activities
- Visit Yazılıkaya open-air sanctuary
- Explore Hattusas Lion's Gate
- Explore Hattusas Tunnel
- Explore Hattusas King's Gate
- Explore Hattusas Citadel
- Visit Hattusas Grand Temple
- Dinner at a Cappadocia restaurant
- Watch Whirling Dervishes show
Landmarks Yazılıkaya Hattusas Lion's Gate Hattusas King's Gate Hattusas Citadel Hattusas Grand Temple - Day 8
Cappadocia
Wake up around 4 am for a 60-minute hot air balloon flight with views of Cappadocia's fairy chimneys and landscapes. You'll land, have champagne and cakes, then return for breakfast. Spend the day visiting Devrent Valley's rock formations, Pasabagi Monks Valley, pottery workshops in Avanos, and Goreme Open Air Museum's rock-cut churches. Stop at Pigeon Valley, optionally taste Cappadocian wine, then have dinner at a rock-carved venue with Turkish music.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at rock-carved venue with Turkish music and dances)
Included Activities
- Hot air balloon flight for 60 minutes
- Champagne and cakes after landing
- Visit Devrent Valley
- Visit Pasabagi Monks Valley
- Visit Avanos pottery workshops
- Tour Goreme Open Air Museum
- Visit Pigeon Valley
- Dinner at rock-carved venue with Turkish music and dances
Optional Activities
- Wine tasting at a local Cappadocian winery
Landmarks Devrent Valley Pasabagi Monks Valley Avanos Goreme Open Air Museum Pigeon Valley - Day 9
Cappadocia - Konya
After breakfast, explore Kaymakli Underground City where early Christians once took refuge. Visit Sultanhan Caravanserai, a 13th-century Seljukian structure that sheltered Silk Road traders. Finally, spend time at the Mausoleum of Mevlana, the final resting place of the Persian poet and mystic Rumi.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Kaymakli Underground City
- Visit Sultanhan Caravanserai
- Visit Mausoleum of Mevlana
Landmarks Kaymakli Underground City Sultanhan Caravanserai Mausoleum of Mevlana - Day 10
Konya - Pamukkale
Drive to Pamukkale and stop at Laodicea, an ancient city from the 3rd century BC that was once a major trade and banking center. Walk through the ruins including the stadium, theatre, and Temple of Apollo. Continue to Hierapolis at Pamukkale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its white travertine terraces created by mineral-rich thermal waters.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Laodicea ruins
- Visit Temple of Apollo at Laodicea
- Visit Hierapolis at Pamukkale
Landmarks Laodicea Temple of Apollo Hierapolis Pamukkale Travertines - Day 11
Pamukkale - Kuşadası
Start by exploring Pamukkale's healing thermal baths and petrified waterfalls. Then check out Hierapolis' Necropolis with ornate tombs, Main Street, Thermal Baths, Apollo Temple, Devil's Hole, and Theatre. Visit Aphrodisias, an ancient city named after the goddess of love, and walk through its Museum, Temple of Aphrodite, Grand Theatre, Stadium, Agora, Hadrian Baths, Odeon, and Bishop's Palace. End the day in Kusadasi, a scenic Aegean resort town.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Pamukkale thermal baths and petrified waterfalls
- Explore Hierapolis Necropolis
- Walk Main Street in Hierapolis
- Explore Thermal Baths in Hierapolis
- Visit Apollo Temple in Hierapolis
- Witness Devil's Hole in Hierapolis
- Visit Theatre in Hierapolis
- Visit Aphrodisias Museum
- Visit Temple of Aphrodite
- Visit Aphrodisias Grand Theatre
- Explore Aphrodisias Stadium
- Explore Aphrodisias Agora
- Visit Hadrian Baths in Aphrodisias
- Visit Aphrodisias Odeon
- Visit Bishop's Palace in Aphrodisias
Landmarks Hierapolis Necropolis Hierapolis Thermal Baths Apollo Temple Devil's Hole Hierapolis Theatre Aphrodisias Aphrodisias Museum Temple of Aphrodite Aphrodisias Grand Theatre Aphrodisias Stadium Aphrodisias Agora Hadrian Baths Aphrodisias Odeon Bishop's Palace - Day 12
Kuşadası
After breakfast, drive to Selcuk and visit Ephesus Antique City, one of Turkey's most popular ancient sites. You'll explore the Hillside Houses and see the Temple of Artemis, a 6th-century BCE structure with 127 marble columns. Continue to the Ephesus Archaeological Museum, then visit the House of Virgin Mary. End at the charming hilltop village of Sirince with its cobblestone streets and historic houses, tasting local wines before returning to Kusadasi.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Ephesus Antique City
- Explore Hillside Houses at Ephesus
- Visit Temple of Artemis
- Visit Ephesus Archaeological Museum
- Visit House of Virgin Mary
- Explore Şirince village
Optional Activities
- Visit a local wine house in Şirince to taste local wines
Landmarks Ephesus Antique City Hillside Houses Temple of Artemis Ephesus Archaeological Museum House of Virgin Mary Şirince - Day 13
Kuşadası - Kütahya
After breakfast, drive to Kutahya and stop at Aizonai along the way. You'll explore ancient Aizonai ruins from the Hellenistic period including the Temple of Zeus. Then spend time in Kutahya, known for its ceramics, thermal springs, and Ottoman architecture. Visit Kutahya Castle, an ancient fortress on a hill offering panoramic views and showcasing the city's cultural heritage.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Aizonai ancient ruins
- Visit Temple of Zeus at Aizonai
- Visit Kütahya Castle
Landmarks Aizonai Temple of Zeus Kütahya Castle - Day 14
Kütahya - Ayvallık
After breakfast, drive to Pergamum, an ancient Hellenistic city. You'll walk through the Pergamum Acropolis, see the Temple of Trajan, Hellenistic Barracks, and the world's steepest Theatre, plus the Altar of Zeus, Temple of Dionysus, library, and Asklepion healing center. Continue to Ayvalli with a stop at the Red Courtyard, which was originally dedicated to Serapis.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Pergamum Acropolis
- Visit Temple of Trajan
- Visit Hellenistic Barracks
- Visit Pergamum Theatre
- Visit Altar of Zeus
- Visit Temple of Dionysus
- Visit Pergamum Library
- Visit Asklepion
- Pass by Red Courtyard
Landmarks Pergamum Pergamum Acropolis Temple of Trajan Hellenistic Barracks Pergamum Theatre Altar of Zeus Temple of Dionysus Pergamum Library Asklepion Red Courtyard - Day 15
Ayvallık - Çanakkale
After breakfast, drive to the harbor of Assos to see Hellenistic and Byzantine fortifications and the majestic Temple of Athena with panoramic Aegean views and views of the Greek island of Lesbos. Head to Troy and explore the legendary city of the Trojan Wars. You'll discover 3,700-year-old city walls, reconstructed houses from Troy I, and archaeological treasures. End in Canakkale, a city known for its historical significance and the strategic Dardanelles Strait.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Assos fortifications
- Visit Temple of Athena
- Explore Troy city walls
- Explore Troy I reconstructed houses
- Visit Troy sacrificial altars
- Explore Troy Bouleterium
- Explore Troy Odeon
Landmarks Assos Temple of Athena Troy - Day 16
Çanakkale - Gallipoli - Çanakkale
Drive to Gallipoli to explore the historic World War I battleground. Visit Brighton Beach where ANZAC troops landed, pay respects at Beach Cemetery, and walk through Anzac Cove. You'll see Ariburnu Cemetery, Lone Pine Australian Memorial, Johnston's Jolly with its trenches and tunnels, 57th Regiment Turkish Memorial, the Nek, and Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial. Explore the western peninsula's Monument and Kilitbahir Fortress before returning to Canakkale.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Brighton Beach
- Visit Beach Cemetery
- Explore Anzac Cove
- Visit Ariburnu Cemetery
- Visit Lone Pine-Australian Memorial
- Explore Johnston's Jolly
- Visit 57th Regiment Turkish Memorial
- Visit the Nek
- Visit Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial
- Visit Gallipoli Monument
- Visit Kilitbahir Fortress
Landmarks Brighton Beach Beach Cemetery Anzac Cove Ariburnu Cemetery Lone Pine-Australian Memorial Johnston's Jolly 57th Regiment Turkish Memorial The Nek Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial Gallipoli Monument Kilitbahir Fortress - Day 17
Çanakkale - Bursa
After breakfast, drive to Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. Walk through the covered market with local cotton goods showcasing textile heritage, explore Koza Han silk cocoon caravanserai, and visit the Grand Mosque with its ornate early Ottoman architecture. See the Green Mosque with its elegant domes and blue-green tilework, then visit the Green Mausoleum next door, the resting place of Sultan Mehmed I. Spend leisure time shopping in Bursa's vibrant bazaars.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit covered market in Bursa
- Explore Koza Han silk cocoon caravanserai
- Visit Grand Mosque
- Visit Green Mosque
- Visit Green Mausoleum
Optional Activities
- Shop in Bursa's vibrant bazaars for souvenirs, textiles, spices
Landmarks Bursa Covered Market Koza Han Grand Mosque Green Mosque Green Mausoleum - Day 18
Bursa - Istanbul
After breakfast, drive to Iznik, historically known as Nicaea, where the seventh council of Christianity took place in 786 AD. Visit the St. Sophia Museum dating back to the 4th century BC and learn about Iznik's heritage as a ceramic center during the 16th and 17th centuries. You'll see tiles that once adorned imperial mosques in Istanbul. Continue back to Istanbul with leisure time to relax.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit St. Sophia Museum in Iznik
Landmarks Iznik St. Sophia Museum - Day 19
Istanbul
After breakfast, head to the pier to board a shared boat for a 1-2 hour journey through Istanbul's waterways. Sail through the Bosphorus dividing Asia and Europe, enjoying views of marble palaces, Ottoman wooden villas, and modern residential areas. You'll see iconic landmarks including the Maiden's Tower, Dolmabahce Palace, Ciragan Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, and the Bosphorus and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridges. Spend the afternoon at leisure.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Bosphorus boat tour
Landmarks Maiden's Tower Dolmabahce Palace Ciragan Palace Beylerbeyi Palace Bosphorus Strait Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge - Day 20
Istanbul
This morning is yours at leisure until it's time to transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Istanbul at leisure
