Itinerary
- Day 1
Istanbul
You'll arrive in Istanbul and head to your hotel to get settled. Later this evening, you'll meet your guide and the other travelers in your group.
- Day 2
Istanbul
After breakfast, a guided tour takes you through Istanbul's major sites starting with the Blue Mosque and St. Sophia Museum. From there you'll visit Topkapi Palace to see the Harem section, then check out the Hippodrome before ending at the Grand Bazaar. An optional Turkish Folklore evening performance is available if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Fully guided tour of Istanbul
- Blue Mosque visit
- St. Sophia Museum visit
- Topkapi Palace visit including Hagia Irene and the Harem
- Hippodrome visit
- Grand Bazaar visit
Optional Activities
- Turkish Folklore evening
Landmarks Blue Mosque St. Sophia Museum Topkapi Palace Hagia Irene Hippodrome Grand Bazaar - Day 3
Istanbul to Çanakkale
You'll leave Istanbul early for a short tour of Gallipoli, then take a ferry across to Çanakkale. After checking into your hotel, you'll rest before departing around midnight for Anzac Cove, arriving around 1:00am for the overnight stay (note: April 24 tours may be cancelled depending on official restrictions, with alternative arrangements made if needed).
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Complimentary Gallipoli tour
Landmarks Gallipoli Anzac Cove - Day 4
Gallipoli/Anzac Cove
Wake up before sunrise to attend the ANZAC Day Dawn Service commemorating fallen soldiers. Afterward, you'll have the chance to attend either the Australian or New Zealand Memorial service before heading back to the hotel in the afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- ANZAC Day Dawn Service attendance
- Australian or New Zealand Memorial service
Landmarks Anzac Cove - Day 5
Çanakkale to Kuşadası
You'll leave Çanakkale and drive to Troy for the day. The Troy Museum gives you context first, then you'll walk through the ancient city walls of this UNESCO World Heritage Site where legendary battles took place.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Troy Museum visit
- Ancient city of Troy visit and walking tour
Landmarks Troy Troy Museum - Day 6
Kuşadası
A guided tour covers the ancient city of Ephesus and the Temple of Artemis site. Later you'll head to Sirince, a former Greek village known for its fruit wines, then visit a carpet village to learn about traditional hand weaving and what affects carpet pricing.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Ephesus
- Temple of Artemis site visit
- Sirince village visit
- Carpet village visit and demonstration
Landmarks Ephesus Temple of Artemis Sirince - Day 7
Kuşadası to Pamukkale
This morning you'll see a display of locally handcrafted leather goods before heading to Pamukkale's white calcium terraces. You'll tour the ancient city of Hierapolis and swim in the hot springs that Romans used for their therapeutic benefits.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Handcrafted leather goods display
- Pamukkale Travertines visit
- Hierapolis ancient city tour
- Hot springs dip
Landmarks Pamukkale Hierapolis - Day 8
Pamukkale to Antalya
You'll travel toward the resort town of Antalya, stopping at Laodicea, the main city of the Lycus River Valley region. Once in Antalya, you'll visit the Archaeological Museum in the afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Laodicea visit
- Antalya Archaeological Museum visit
Landmarks Laodicea Antalya Archaeological Museum - Day 9
Antalya
A full day covers the ancient ruins of Perge and Aspendos, with time to see the 2nd-century Roman Theatre that seated 15,000 people. Next you'll visit Side, one of Turkey's best classical sites with the Temple of Apollo and other ancient ruins.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Perge ancient ruins tour
- Aspendos visit
- Roman Theatre at Aspendos visit
- Side visit
- Temple of Apollo visit
Landmarks Perge Aspendos Roman Theatre Side Temple of Apollo - Day 10
Antalya to Konya
You'll visit the mausoleum of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi, the 13th-century Sufi mystic and poet, plus the Mevlana Museum with his tomb and exhibits on the Whirling Dervishes. Then you'll travel the Silk Road to the Çatalhöyük Museum featuring one of the world's oldest Neolithic settlements.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Mevlana Mausoleum visit
- Mevlana Museum visit
- Çatalhöyük Museum visit
Landmarks Mevlana Mausoleum Mevlana Museum Çatalhöyük Museum - Day 11
Konya to Cappadocia
You're heading to Cappadocia, stopping at the Sultanhani Caravansary, an ancient Silk Road merchant stop. You'll explore an underground city's many levels, then after checking in, enjoy dinner at a traditional Turkish home where you can take a cooking course and help prepare the meal.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Traditional Turkish home dinner)
Included Activities
- Sultanhani Caravansary visit
- Underground city exploration
- Traditional Turkish home dinner
Optional Activities
- Cooking course at traditional Turkish home
Landmarks Sultanhani Caravansary - Day 12
Cappadocia
This day focuses on Cappadocia's unique landscape. You'll visit the Goreme Valley Open Air Museum and see the fairy chimneys, explore Pigeon Valley and Red Valley, visit Cavusin village, and end in Avanos town learning about hand-made pottery.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Goreme Valley Open Air Museum visit
- Fairy chimneys viewing
- Pigeon and Red Valley visit
- Cavusin village visit
- Avanos town visit
- Hand-made pottery demonstration
Landmarks Goreme Valley Open Air Museum Pigeon Valley Red Valley Cavusin Avanos - Day 13
Cappadocia to Safranbolu
You'll leave Cappadocia early and drive to Safranbolu, known for its well-preserved Ottoman architecture. You'll explore the historical Cinci Han and its hamam, see the Clock Tower, and visit the restored Kaymakamlar Evi. Time to wander the old town's cobbled streets and browse local shops in this historical setting.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Cinci Han visit
- Safranbolu Clock Tower visit
- Kaymakamlar Evi visit
- Old town walking tour
Landmarks Cinci Han Safranbolu Clock Tower Kaymakamlar Evi - Day 14
Safranbolu to Istanbul
After breakfast, you'll head back to Istanbul, taking time to enjoy the scenic views during the drive.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 15
Istanbul
After breakfast, your tour comes to an end. You'll say goodbye to the friends you've made and transfer to the airport for your flight home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
