Itinerary
- Day 1
Istanbul
You'll touch down at Istanbul airport where someone from Travel Talk meets you for the ride to your hotel. Check in and get together with your group and guide at the hotel reception between 6pm and 7pm. After everyone meets up, you can choose to head out with the group for dinner at a local restaurant or just rest up.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Antik Hotel)
Included Activities
- Welcome Meeting
Optional Activities
- Group Dinner at local restaurant
- Day 2
Istanbul
This morning starts with sightseeing through old Istanbul's historical center. You'll see the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Topkapi Palace, and Hagia Sophia throughout the morning and early afternoon. Later on, there's an optional Bosphorus river cruise if you want to see the skyline from the water, or you can spend the afternoon on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Antik Hotel)
Included Activities
- Sightseeing of Blue Mosque
- Sightseeing of Hagia Sophia
- Sightseeing of Topkapi Palace Museum
- Bosphorus Boat Trip
Landmarks/POIs Blue Mosque Hippodrome Topkapi Palace Hagia Sophia - Day 3
Istanbul to Cappadocia
You'll travel by coach through Turkish countryside, passing small towns and villages, then through Ankara before reaching Cappadocia. In the afternoon, head to Derinkuyu Underground City, an old settlement carved 60 meters down with a church, wells, storage areas, and stables. If you're interested, finish the evening with an optional traditional Turkish bath.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Avrasya Hotel)
Included Activities
- Sightseeing of Derinkuyu Underground City
Optional Activities
- Turkish Bath Experience - 30 EUR
Landmarks/POIs Derinkuyu Underground City Ankara - Day 4
Cappadocia
Start your morning with either an optional early hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia's rock formations and fairy chimneys, or sleep in for a leisurely breakfast. Spend the day walking around Göreme, a UNESCO site, checking out the local museum, Pigeon Valley, Uchisar, and Cavusin. That evening, you can opt for a Turkish Night show with dancing and entertainment.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Goreme Open Air Museum Visit
- Sightseeing of Cavusin
- Sightseeing of Pigeon Valley
- Sightseeing of Uchisar
Optional Activities
- Hot Air Ballooning - 290 EUR
- Turkish Night Show - 50 EUR
Landmarks/POIs Göreme Open Air Museum Pigeon Valley Uchisar Cavusin - Day 5
Cappadocia to Pamukkale
Head by coach toward Pamukkale with a stop at Ihlara Valley, a canyon carved with Byzantine-era rock dwellings and churches. You'll have time to take photos and look around before continuing on to Pamukkale for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Tripolis Hotel)
Included Activities
- Photo Break over the Ihlara Valley
Landmarks/POIs Ihlara Valley - Day 6
Pamukkale to Selçuk
Check out Pamukkale, known as 'cotton castle,' where hot springs and white travertine terraces line the hillside. Walk through Hierapolis, the ancient city sitting on top of those white terraces where people have been bathing in thermal pools for thousands of years. Later, drive to Ephesus, a well-preserved ancient city famous for the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. You'll stay overnight in the seaside town of Selçuk.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Signature Blue Resort)
Included Activities
- Sightseeing of Pamukkale White Terraces
- Sightseeing of Ephesus Ancient City
Landmarks/POIs Pamukkale White Terraces Hierapolis Ephesus Temple of Artemis - Day 7
Selçuk to Ayvalik
After breakfast, travel to Pergamum to see the Asklepion, an ancient healing center. Then drive to Ayvalik where you have the afternoon free to relax and wander around this charming coastal town.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Grand Temizel)
Included Activities
- Sightseeing of Asklepion Ancient City
Landmarks/POIs Asklepion - Day 8
Ayvalik to Gallipoli
Head to Troy, the archaeological site famous from Greek mythology. You'll see the ancient ruins and the well-known wooden horse replica. By evening, drive to Gallipoli's shores and get settled at the ceremony space so you can get a good spot for the dawn service tomorrow.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sightseeing of the ancient city of Troy
Landmarks/POIs Troy - Day 9
Gallipoli
Rise before dawn to watch the sun come up over the Gallipoli battlefield while reflecting on the soldiers who died there. Later in the day, take part in national ceremonies and services at Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair. In the afternoon, head out to Canakkale.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Parion Hotel)
Included Activities
- Dawn Ceremony
- National Ceremonies
Landmarks/POIs Lone Pine Chunuk Bair - Day 10
Gallipoli to Istanbul
Spend the day on the Gallipoli peninsula in quiet reflection to understand the ANZAC spirit. Visit Kabatepe War Museum, Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair, Johnston's Jolly, North Beach, Ari Burnu, Hell Spit, Brighton Beach, Shrapnel Valley, Artillery Road, and the Turkish Memorial. You'll get a deeper look at the region's history and what happened here. In the afternoon, drive back to Istanbul where everything started.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Antik Hotel)
Included Activities
- Sightseeing of Anzac Cove
- Sightseeing of Beach Cemetery
- Sightseeing of Lone Pine
- Sightseeing of Chunuk Bair
- Sightseeing of War Trenches
Landmarks/POIs Kabatepe War Museum Lone Pine Chunuk Bair Johnston's Jolly North Beach Ari Burnu Hell Spit Brighton Beach Shrapnel Valley Artillery Road Turkish Memorial Beach Cemetery Anzac Cove - Day 11
Istanbul
Your trip wraps up in Istanbul. Share breakfast with your new friends, then check out of the hotel by 11:00am and head home with plenty of memories.
- Meals
- Breakfast
