Itinerary
- Day 1
Istanbul
You'll arrive in Istanbul and head to your hotel to get settled. The rest of the day is yours to explore this city where Europe and Asia meet, with its mix of old and new around every corner. This evening, you'll meet your Travel Director and the other people on your tour at dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner with Travel Director and travel companions)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Istanbul Zeytinburnu)
Optional Activities
- Explore Istanbul at your own pace
Landmarks Istanbul 
- Day 2
Istanbul
Start with Topkapi Palace, where you can see the former home of Ottoman sultans and take in views across the Bosphorus. From there, you'll visit Hagia Sophia and the Byzantine Hippodrome, then head to the Blue Mosque with its six minarets and blue Iznik tiles covering the interior. After stopping by the museum of Classical Turkish Music, you'll have the evening free to walk around the city on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Istanbul Zeytinburnu)
Included Activities
- Visit Topkapi Palace
- Visit Hagia Sophia
- View the Byzantine Hippodrome
- Visit the Blue Mosque
- MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience at the museum of Classical Turkish Music
Optional Activities
- Further explore Istanbul in the evening
Landmarks Topkapi Palace Hagia Sophia Byzantine Hippodrome Blue Mosque Museum of Classical Turkish Music - Day 3
Istanbul to Çanakkale
You'll travel to Gallipoli to honor the soldiers who fought there during World War I. The day includes time at Lone Pine Cemetery and the historic battlefields, then a quiet visit to Anzac Cove and Chunuk Bair, where some of the heaviest fighting took place. Later, you'll head to Çanakkale for dinner and the night at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at the hotel)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Kolin)
Included Activities
- Visit Lone Pine Cemetery at Gallipoli
- View the Gallipoli battlefields
- Visit Anzac Cove
- Visit Chunuk Bair
Landmarks Lone Pine Cemetery Gallipoli Battlefields Anzac Cove Chunuk Bair 
- Day 4
Çanakkale to Izmir
This morning you'll explore Troy and see where the stories of King Priam, Hector, Paris, and Helen played out. The archaeological site shows nine different layers of civilization, and you'll see the replica wooden horse. After that, you'll visit the village of Demircidere for a Be My Guest experience, meeting local women and visiting the bakery before having lunch made with fresh local produce. From there, it's on to Izmir for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch made with fresh, homegrown produce in a local home), Dinner (Dinner at the hotel)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Kaya Izmir Thermal & Convention)
Included Activities
- Explore the archaeological site of Troy
- View the replica wooden horse at Troy
- Be My Guest experience in Demircidere village
- Meet the women of Demircidere
- Visit the local bakery in Demircidere
- Lunch with fresh, homegrown produce in Demircidere
Landmarks Troy Demircidere - Day 5
Izmir to Pamukkale
You'll spend the day at Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient Greek cities. You'll see the Library of Celsus facade, walk through the remains of the Temple of Artemis, and visit the House of the Virgin Mary and Temple of Hadrian with its Medusa head carving. The Great Theatre is still in use today, and you can check it out. Later, you'll learn about Turkish carpet weaving at a local emporium, then head to Pamukkale where you can relax in the thermal pools at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Colossae Thermal)
Included Activities
- Explore the ruins of Ephesus
- View the Library of Celsus facade
- Visit the Temple of Artemis remains
- Visit the House of the Virgin Mary
- Visit the Temple of Hadrian
- Visit the Great Theatre
- Learn about Turkish carpet weaving at a local emporium
- Relax in the thermal pools at your hotel
Landmarks Ephesus Library of Celsus Temple of Artemis House of the Virgin Mary Temple of Hadrian Great Theatre of Ephesus - Day 6
Pamukkale to Konya
Morning brings a leisurely look at the ruins of Hierapolis, known as the Holy City, where people came long ago to use the thermal springs in the limestone formations. You'll then travel to Konya to visit the Mevlana Museum and Mausoleum, a former dervish lodge that shows the roots of Sufism and Rumi's spiritual influence. Dinner tonight is at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at the hotel)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Dedeman)
Included Activities
- Visit the ancient ruins of Hierapolis
- Visit the Mevlana Museum and Mausoleum
Landmarks Hierapolis Mevlana Museum and Mausoleum - Day 7
Konya to Cappadocia
You'll head to Cappadocia and explore a 13th-century caravanserai and the underground city of Saratlı along the old Silk Road. There's a culture session on traditional pottery making in Avanos, and you can choose to attend an optional Whirling Dervishes ceremony followed by dinner at a local restaurant. Tonight you'll stay in one of the hotels carved right into the rock formations.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at a local restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Exedra)
Included Activities
- Visit a 13th-century caravanserai
- Explore the underground city of Saratlı
- Learn about traditional pottery making in Avanos
Optional Activities
- Witness the Whirling Dervishes ceremony
Landmarks Caravanserai Saratlı Underground City Avanos - Day 8
Cappadocia
Spend the full day in Cappadocia's unusual landscape. You'll visit the Göreme Open-Air Museum, then walk through the Paşabağı and Kızıl Vadi valleys, taking in the strange rock formations that make this place so different. Later, you'll join the rest of the group for dinner together.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner with fellow travellers)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Exedra)
Included Activities
- Visit the Göreme Open-Air Museum
- Explore Paşabağı valley
- Explore Kızıl Vadi valley
Landmarks Göreme Open-Air Museum Paşabağı Valley Kızıl Vadi - Day 9
Cappadocia to Istanbul
A short flight gets you back to Istanbul this morning. You'll spend time at the Grand Bazaar, one of the world's largest covered markets with 60 streets and over 5,000 shops, picking up souvenirs and gifts. Tonight, your Travel Director and tour companions will join you for a final dinner together.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner with Travel Director and fellow companions)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Istanbul Zeytinburnu)
Included Activities
- Shop for souvenirs at Istanbul's Grand Bazaar
Landmarks Grand Bazaar Istanbul - Day 10
Istanbul
It's time to say goodbye to Turkey and the friends you've made on this trip. You'll head to the airport for your flight home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
