Itinerary
- Day 1
Istanbul
You'll arrive in Istanbul and connect with your Ciconia representative at the airport for a transfer to your hotel. Later in the afternoon, you'll attend a welcome meeting where you can meet your Tour Director and other travelers. Dinner tonight features a variety of Turkish dishes, so you'll get a taste of the local food right away.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hilton Bosphorus Hotel or Conrad Hotel), Hotel (Divan Istanbul Hotel (2026 Departures))
Included Activities
- Welcome Meeting
Optional Activities
- Group Dinner
- Day 2
Istanbul to Cappadocia
After breakfast, you're flying to Cappadocia to see the fairy-chimneys and volcanic rock formations that make the region so distinctive. You'll stop in Avanos for a pottery workshop where you can try your hand at traditional clay work. Once back at your hotel, you'll have dinner and settle in for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Cappadocia Marriott Hotel)
Included Activities
- Pottery workshop in Avanos
Landmarks Avanos - Day 3
Cappadocia
If weather permits, there's an optional hot-air balloon flight early in the morning over the fairy-chimneys. Later, you'll walk through the Goreme Open-Air Museum, a UNESCO site with carved underground cities, chapels, and homes dating back centuries. You'll also visit a carpet-weaving workshop to learn about traditional techniques. The evening is yours to relax or choose from available activities.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Cappadocia Marriott Hotel)
Included Activities
- Goreme Open-Air Museum
Optional Activities
- Hot Air Ballooning - €250
- Turkish Night Show - €50
- Whirling Dervishes Live Performance
- Wine Tasting Session
Landmarks Goreme Open-Air Museum - Day 4
Cappadocia to Konya
You'll explore Kaymakli Underground City, moving through old tunnels, storerooms, burial chambers, and chapels where Christians once sought refuge. Then you're driving to Konya, the home of the whirling dervishes. After settling in, you'll have dinner at your hotel.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Dedeman Konya Hotel)
Included Activities
- Kaymakli Underground City
Optional Activities
- Whirling Dervishes Performance - €30
Landmarks Kaymakli Underground City - Day 5
Konya to Antalya
The day starts with the Karatay Madrasa from the 8th century, an architectural building you won't want to miss. Next you'll visit the Museum and Mausoleum of Mevlana, exploring the life and work of the 13th-century poet and scholar. During the afternoon drive to Antalya on the Mediterranean coast, you'll grab lunch at a local restaurant. You'll arrive late afternoon and have dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ramada Plaza Antalya)
Included Activities
- Karatay Madrasa
- Mevlana Museum
Landmarks Karatay Madrasa Museum and Mausoleum of Mevlana - Day 6
Antalya
You're heading 15 km east of Antalya to Perge, where you can see ruins from the ancient Pamphylia city and Bronze Age mosaics. Then it's on to Aspendos to check out one of the best-preserved ancient theatres, which could hold 12,000 people and has remarkable acoustics. After exploring both sites, you'll return to Antalya to rest.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ramada Plaza Antalya)
Included Activities
- Perge
- Aspendos
Landmarks Perge Aspendos - Day 7
Antalya to Pamukkale
You'll travel inland to Pamukkale, also called the Cotton Castle, where you can walk through shallow pools filled with mineral-rich thermal water surrounded by white travertine terraces. After that, you'll explore the ancient city of Hierapolis and its 15,000-seat amphitheater. If you're interested, spa and massage services are available at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Doga Thermal Health & SPA)
Included Activities
- Pamukkale Travertines
- Hierapolis Sightseeing
Optional Activities
- Spa services
- Massage services
Landmarks Pamukkale Travertines Hierapolis - Day 8
Pamukkale to Izmir
You're driving to the ancient city of Ephesus, a UNESCO World Heritage site where you'll walk through well-preserved streets and see the historic library. Then you'll head to Virgin Mary's House in the mountains, believed to be where she spent her final years. For lunch, you'll stop at a countryside restaurant serving Gozleme. Later you'll arrive in Izmir on the coast for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Swissotel Buyuk Efes Izmir or Izmir Marriott Hotel), Hotel (Izmir Marriott Hotel or Swissotel Buyuk Efes)
Included Activities
- Ephesus
- Virgin Mary's House
Landmarks Ephesus Virgin Mary's House - Day 9
Izmir to Çanakkale
You'll travel to Pergamon to explore the Asklepion, an important healing center from Roman times. From there, you'll see the legendary ruins of Troy and have the chance to pose with the famous Trojan Horse. Then you're driving to Canakkale for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Doubletree by Hilton Çanakkale), Hotel (Kolin Hotel or Doubletree by Hilton Çanakkale)
Included Activities
- Pergamon & Asklepion
- Trojan Horse
Landmarks Pergamon Asklepion Troy - Day 10
Çanakkale to Istanbul
After breakfast, you're heading to Gallipoli's World War I sites where Turkish and Australian soldiers fought. You'll visit historical locations including Anzac Cove, Lone Pine, and Chunuk Bair to pay your respects. In the afternoon, you'll drive back to Istanbul through scenic countryside, then relax at your hotel before joining the group for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Divan Istanbul Hotel (2026 Departures))
Included Activities
- Anzac Cove
- Lone Pine
- Chunuk Bair
Landmarks Anzac Cove Lone Pine Chunuk Bair - Day 11
Istanbul
You'll explore Istanbul's Old Town with a local guide, visiting the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, and the Cistern Basilica. You'll have a meal near Hagia Sophia, then spend time on your own discovering local culture and hidden spots. In the afternoon, you're taking a cruise on the Bosphorus between Europe and Asia.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Exquisite meal next to Hagia Sophia)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hilton Hotel Bosphorus), Hotel (Divan Istanbul Hotel (2026 Departures))
Included Activities
- Istanbul Old Town
- Blue Mosque
- Cistern Basilica
- Bosphorus Cruise
Landmarks Hippodrome Blue Mosque Cistern Basilica Hagia Sophia Bosphorus - Day 12
Istanbul Departure
Your tour ends with breakfast and a chance to exchange contact information with other travelers. Check out by 11:00, and complimentary airport transfers are available throughout the day for your departure.
- Meals
- Breakfast
