Itinerary
- Day 1
Istanbul
You'll meet your group and local leader at 1 pm in Istanbul and start exploring the Old City right away. The guided tour takes you through the ancient hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, and the Grand Bazaar with its maze of shops and stalls. You'll also see Suleymaniye Cami before heading to dinner with fellow travellers to try authentic Turkish kebab.
Included Activities
- Istanbul - Old City Walking Tour (Half Day)
- Visit Blue Mosque
- Visit Grand Bazaar
- Visit Suleymaniye Cami
- Visit ancient hippodrome
Optional Activities
- Bosphorus Boat Cruise (Public Boat) - TRY200
- Topkapi Palace Combined Ticket (Topkapi Palace + Hagia Irene + Harem) - TRY2000
- Galata Tower - EUR30
- Hagia Sophia - EUR25
- Archaeology Museum - EUR15
- Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts - EUR17
- Water Marbling - EUR35
- Private Bosphorus Cruise Sunset with Soft Drinks - EUR560
- Beyoglu Night Tasting Trail - EUR85
- Coffee Workshop - EUR32
- Mosaic Lamp Workshop - EUR50
- Dinner with fellow travellers
Landmarks Blue Mosque Grand Bazaar Suleymaniye Cami Hippodrome of Constantinople 
- Day 2
Istanbul to Canakkale
After breakfast, you're heading to Canakkale with a stop for a guided tour of Gallipoli. You'll learn about WWI history at ANZAC Cove and Brighton Beach, then visit the ANZAC Commemorative Site where you can see views of the Dardanelles Strait. The evening's free in Canakkale so you can grab dinner on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Gallipoli - Fully guided Gallipoli tour & visit to the Commonwealth graveyards
- Visit ANZAC Cove
- Visit Brighton Beach
- Visit ANZAC Commemorative Site
Optional Activities
- Dinner in Canakkale
Landmarks ANZAC Cove Dardanelles Strait - Day 3
Canakkale to Selcuk
You'll drive to Troy and explore the ancient ruins with your leader, including the replica Trojan Horse which is great for photos. From there you'll continue to Selcuk, getting an orientation walk that passes Isa Bey Mosque and the Byzantine Grand Fortress on Ayasoluk Hill. You'll have free time after to wander around and check things out on your own.
Included Activities
- Troy - Archaeological site visit
- Selcuk - Leader-led orientation walk
- Visit Isa Bey Mosque
- Visit Byzantine citadel of the Grand Fortress
Optional Activities
- Photo opportunity with replica Trojan Horse
Landmarks Troy Isa Bey Mosque Ayasoluk Fortress - Day 4
Selcuk to Izmir to Konya
A private minivan takes you to Ephesus, one of the world's best-preserved Greco-Roman cities. Your local guide shows you the Great Theatre and the Library of Celsus, then you'll watch local women make gozleme and have lunch. After some free time, you're transferred to Izmir to board an overnight train heading to Konya.
- Meals
- Lunch (Gozleme making demonstration and lunch)
Included Activities
- Ephesus - Archaeological site visit
- Selcuk - Gozleme making demonstration and lunch
- Visit Library of Celsus
- Visit Great Theatre
Optional Activities
- Watch gozleme making
- Lunch
- Explore Ephesus during free time
Landmarks Ephesus Library of Celsus Great Theatre of Ephesus - Day 5
Konya to Cappadocia
You'll wake up in Konya and visit the Mevlana Museum to learn about the whirling dervish tradition and the Sufi mystic Rumi. After stretching your legs in town, you're driving across the Anatolian plains to Cappadocia with a stop at an underground city. You'll arrive in Urgup for a sunset walk through the fairy chimneys and stay in a traditional cave-style hotel.
Included Activities
- Konya - Mevlana Museum
- Cappadocia - Kaymakli Underground City
- Cappadocia - Valley walk
- Sunset walk in Urgup valley
Optional Activities
- Whirling dervish dance performance - EUR30
Landmarks Mevlana Museum Kaymakli Underground City - Day 6
Cappadocia
You have the option to join a sunrise hot air balloon flight over Cappadocia, or you can watch the balloon-filled skyline from the ground if you prefer. Later there's a scenic valley walk with your leader featuring fairy chimneys and cave churches. The Goreme Open Air Museum is yours to visit during free time, and the evening brings a special home-cooked dinner with a local family.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner at Local Family Home)
Included Activities
- Cappadocia - Valley walk
- Cappadocia - Dinner at Local Family Home
Optional Activities
- Hot Air Balloon Regular Flight - EUR200
- Hot Air Balloon Deluxe Flight - EUR230
- Goreme - Open Air Museum - EUR20
- Valley Tour - EUR20
- Open Air Museum (including entrance & transport) (min. 4 participants) - EUR30
- Whirling dervish performance - EUR30
- Turkish Night with Dinner - EUR50
Landmarks Goreme Open Air Museum - Day 7
Cappadocia to Istanbul
You'll fly back to Istanbul, arriving between 1 pm and 4 pm, then check into your hotel. In the evening you'll take a stroll to a trendy neighbourhood where traditional tradesmen work alongside cool cafes and galleries. You can try local street food like balik ekmek and baklava, then maybe explore bars with your group or have Turkish tea overlooking the Bosphorus.
Included Activities
- Evening stroll to trendy Istanbul neighbourhood
Optional Activities
- Dinner - local street food or restaurant
- Balik ekmek (fish sandwich)
- Baklava
- Bar visit with group
- Turkish tea at Bosphorus viewpoint
Landmarks Bosphorus - Day 8
Istanbul
This is your free day to explore Istanbul however you like. You can check out anything you missed or return to your favourite areas, browse the Grand Bazaar for souvenirs, or just relax at a cafe. Your leader's available for recommendations if you need them. In the evening you'll meet your new group for a briefing about the next part of your trip, then head out to dinner with the new travellers.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Browse Grand Bazaar for souvenirs
- Cafe visit
- Dinner with new group
Landmarks Grand Bazaar 
- Day 9
Istanbul to Sivas
You're boarding a train to Sivas in the heart of Anatolia for a long travel day, so bring a book or load up on podcasts. When you arrive, there's an orientation walk through the old quarters known for Seljuk architecture. You'll visit the Cifte Minare and Buruciye Madrasahs to learn about the region's history, and the evening is free.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sivas - Old city walking tour
- Visit Cifte Minare
- Visit Buruciye Madrasahs
Optional Activities
- Dinner in Sivas
Landmarks Cifte Minare Buruciye Madrasahs - Day 10
Sivas to Adiyaman
You're leaving Sivas and heading southeast to Adiyaman. Your day centers on Mount Nemrut, a UNESCO World Heritage site from the 1st century BC, with a stop at the ancient Roman Cendere Bridge along the way. You'll reach the summit for sunset where the giant stone heads glow in the golden light while you learn about this magnificent site's history.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Adiyaman - Cendere Bridge
- Adiyaman - Sunset at Mt. Nemrut
Landmarks Mount Nemrut Cendere Bridge - Day 11
Adiyaman to Mardin
You're setting off early toward ancient Mardin. First there's a stop in Diyarbakir, known for its black basalt walls, rich Kurdish culture, and local food like liver kebab. Then you'll continue through rugged Mesopotamian landscape to Mardin, a hilltop city with golden stone buildings and sweeping views. Your leader will take you on a walk to get your bearings, and later you can explore the winding streets and maybe try local Syriac wine.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Mardin - Leader-led orientation walk
- Diyarbakir - Diyarbakir Castle
Optional Activities
- Try liver kebab in Diyarbakır
- Glass of local Syriac wine
Landmarks Diyarbakir Castle - Day 12
Mardin
After breakfast you'll take a guided walk through Mardin's old streets with your local leader, checking out the city's main sights, historic madrasahs, and lively bazaars. You'll visit the Living Museum to meet local artisans including copper workers and telkari artists keeping centuries-old traditions alive. The afternoon is free to explore on your own, with the Deyrulzafaran Monastery and Kasimiye Medrese available just outside the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Mardin - City walking tour
- Mardin - Living Museum
Optional Activities
- Visit Deyrulzafaran Monastery
- Visit Kasımiye Medrese
- Free time to explore the city
Landmarks Deyrulzafaran Monastery Kasımiye Medrese - Day 13
Mardin to Sanliurfa
Your day starts at Gobekli Tepe, an archaeological site over 11,600 years old with the oldest known megaliths. You'll walk through tall T-shaped stone pillars decorated with animals and symbols while learning about ancient religious rituals. Then you're heading to Sanliurfa (City of Prophets) for a home-cooked lunch and a story about Nahil Guesthouse supporting local women. The afternoon's free to visit the Sanliurfa Archaeology Museum or explore bazaars, with an optional Sira Gecesi Night celebration in the evening.
- Meals
- Lunch (Home-cooked lunch)
Included Activities
- Sanliurfa - Gobeklitepe guided tour
- Sanliurfa - Home-cooked lunch
Optional Activities
- Sanliurfa - Sira Gecesi Night Entertainment
- Visit Sanliurfa Archaeology Museum
Landmarks Gobekli Tepe - Day 14
Sanliurfa to Gaziantep
You'll stop in Halfeti, a Cittaslow network member by the Euphrates River, famous for the sunken old village of Savasan with its partially submerged mosque. There's a hike along the lesser-known Degirmendere Trail through rocky landscapes and lakes, then a boat tour on the Euphrates to see the sunken city. You'll arrive in Gaziantep in the afternoon and can find a local restaurant for dinner or sample the city's famous pistachios and baklava.
Included Activities
- Halfeti - Countryside hike
- Halfeti - Boat tour
Optional Activities
- Dinner in Gaziantep
- Sample local pistachios and baklava
Landmarks Halfeti - Day 15
Gaziantep
Today's all about tasting local flavours in Gaziantep, Turkey's culinary capital and a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. You'll start like locals with a hot bowl of Beyran soup, then do a street food crawl sampling ali nazik, katmer, and pistachio-infused Turkish coffee. You can discover where baklava was born and watch layers of pastry being made carefully. The spice markets and coppersmith bazaars are great for buying handmade souvenirs or fragrant local spices.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Gaziantep - Local Street Food crawling
- Gaziantep - Baklava making demonstration
- Day 16
Gaziantep to Konya
After breakfast you're traveling to Catalhoyuk, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the world's oldest and best-preserved Neolithic settlements. You'll explore closely packed mudbrick houses and learn about daily life in this early community. Then you're driving to Konya through wide plains and beautiful Anatolian landscapes, with the rest of the day free to explore at your own pace and ask your leader for dinner recommendations.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Konya - Catalhoyuk guided tour
Optional Activities
- Dinner in Konya
Landmarks Catalhoyuk - Day 17
Konya to Antalya
You're heading south toward the Mediterranean coast, stopping for lunch in Ormana Village, an old Yoruk settlement tucked in the Taurus Mountains. You'll stroll through cobbled streets with stone and timber houses, some restored and others holding stories of the past. After continuing to Antalya, a lively coastal city with Roman history and beach vibes, the rest of the day is free to explore the Old Town's Ottoman mansions and Roman harbour or relax at a seaside cafe. You'll head out for dinner with fellow travellers to celebrate your time across Turkey.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Antalya - Ormana Village visit
- Antalya - Leader-led Orientation Walk
Optional Activities
- Explore Old Town Ottoman mansions and Roman harbour
- Relax at seaside cafe
- Dinner with fellow travellers
Landmarks Ormana Village - Day 18
Antalya
Your trip ends this morning after breakfast. If you'd like to stay in Antalya longer, contact your booking agent ahead of time to arrange an extension.
- Meals
- Breakfast
