Itinerary
- Day 1
Istanbul Arrival
You'll arrive at Istanbul airport and get transferred to your hotel. Between 7 and 8pm, meet your group and guide at the hotel reception. There's an optional group dinner that evening if you want to get to know your travel companions before the trip officially starts.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Antik Hotel)
Included Activities
- Welcome Meeting
Optional Activities
- Group Dinner at local restaurant
- Day 2
Princes Islands
After breakfast, head to the ferry that takes you out to Büyükada, the largest of the Princes Islands. You'll walk through lavish mansions and summer villas scattered across the island while taking in the natural scenery and getting away from Istanbul's crowds for the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Antik Hotel)
Included Activities
- Ferry to Büyükada
- Sightseeing in Princes Islands
Landmarks/POIs Büyükada (Princes Islands) - Day 3
Istanbul Historical Sites
Spend the morning in Istanbul's old city checking out the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Topkapi Palace, and Hagia Sophia. Later in the afternoon, there's an optional cruise down the Bosphorus where you'll see the city's skyline from the water.
- 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 Hagia Sophia Topkapi Palace Hippodrome - Day 4
Istanbul to Cappadocia
Travel by coach through Turkish countryside, passing through small towns and villages on the way to Ankara and then Cappadocia. In the afternoon, explore Derinkuyu Underground City, which goes 60 meters below ground with its church, wells, food storage areas, and stables. An optional Turkish bath experience is available in the evening to unwind after the journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Avrasya Hotel)
Included Activities
- Coach journey with Turkish scenery
- Sightseeing of Derinkuyu Underground City
Optional Activities
- Turkish Bath Experience - 30 EUR
Landmarks/POIs Derinkuyu Underground City Ankara - Day 5
Cappadocia Highlights
You can either start early with an optional sunrise hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia's fairy chimneys or sleep in and have a leisurely breakfast. During the day, walk through the UNESCO World Heritage site of Göreme, visiting the Göreme Museum, Pigeon Valley, Uchisar, and Cavusin. An optional Turkish night show rounds out the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Avrasya Hotel)
Included Activities
- Göreme 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 6
Cappadocia to Pamukkale
Head toward Pamukkale with a photo stop at Ihlara Valley, a unique canyon with honeycomb rock formations and underground dwellings from the Byzantine period carved right into the stone. You'll reach Pamukkale and settle in for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Tripolis Hotel)
Included Activities
- Photo Break over the Ihlara Valley
Landmarks/POIs Ihlara Valley - Day 7
Pamukkale and Ephesus
See Pamukkale's white travertine terraces and natural hot springs created by mineral-rich water flowing down the hillside. Explore the ancient city of Hierapolis built on top, where thermal pools have been used for thousands of years. After that, continue to Ephesus to see the ruins of the Temple of Artemis and other ancient structures. 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 Ancient City Temple of Artemis - Day 8
Pergamum and Ayvalik
Following breakfast, travel to Pergamum and check out the ruins of the Asklepion, an ancient healing center. Later, drive to the seaside town of Ayvalik where you'll have free time in the afternoon to relax and explore at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Grand Temizel)
Included Activities
- Sightseeing of Asklepion Ancient City
Landmarks/POIs Asklepion - Day 9
Troy and Gallipoli
Head to the ancient city of Troy and explore the archaeological site and ruins of this legendary place from Greek mythology, including the famous wooden horse. In the evening, drive to Gallipoli and sleep in the ceremony space so you're positioned well for the dawn service tomorrow.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sightseeing of the ancient city of Troy
Landmarks/POIs Troy Ancient City - Day 10
Gallipoli Dawn Service and Ceremonies
Wake before sunrise to watch the light come over the Gallipoli battlefield and reflect on the soldiers who died there. You'll attend national ceremonies and services at Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair during the day. By afternoon, depart for Canakkale.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Parion Hotel)
Included Activities
- Dawn Ceremony
- National Ceremonies at Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair
Landmarks/POIs Lone Pine Chunuk Bair - Day 11
Gallipoli Peninsula Exploration and Return to Istanbul
Spend the day walking through Gallipoli peninsula at a quiet pace to honor the ANZAC spirit. You'll visit multiple war sites including 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. In the afternoon, drive back to Istanbul.
- 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 Anzac Cove Beach Cemetery - Day 12
Istanbul Departure
Your trip ends in Istanbul. Share breakfast with the friends you've made and check out of the hotel by 11am before heading home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
