Itinerary
- Day 1
Istanbul
You'll be transferred to your hotel when you arrive in Istanbul. After settling in, the rest of the day is yours to wander around and get a feel for the city that bridges Europe and Asia. This is a good time to grab dinner somewhere local and start adjusting to the time zone.
Optional Activities
- Istanbul Classics full-day tour (9am-4pm) visiting St Sophia Museum, Byzantine Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and Grand Bazaar
- Bosphorus Cruise afternoon cruise (1 hour plus 30 mins transport to/from port)
- Traditional Turkish Folklore Evening with dinner, unlimited beer, wine, Turkish Raki, soft drinks and entertainment (belly dancers, folk dancers, traditional musicians)
- Bosphorus by Night cruise departing 8pm with dinner
- Istanbul Two Continents Tour visiting Spice Bazaar, Bosphorus Cruise, Rumeli Fortress, Dolmabahce Palace, Bosphorus Bridge, and Camlica Hill
- Bosphorus by public ferry (takes majority of a day, easy to arrange independently)
- Prince's Islands by public ferry day trip to Buyuk Ada (Big Island)
- Day 2
Istanbul
Today focuses on Istanbul's major historical sites. Start with Topkapi Palace, including Hagia Irene and the Harem, then head to the Blue Mosque and St Sophia Museum. From there, walk through the historic Hippodrome area. You'll see centuries of Ottoman and Byzantine history in one day, so wear comfortable shoes and plan to spend several hours on your feet.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Topkapi Palace including Hagia Irene and the Harem
- Visit Blue Mosque
- Visit St Sophia Museum
- Visit the Hippodrome
Optional Activities
- Topkapi Palace Harem optional visit (in addition to included tour)
Landmarks/POIs Topkapi Palace Hagia Irene Blue Mosque St Sophia Museum Hippodrome 
- Day 3
Istanbul to Cappadocia
After breakfast, you'll take a 1-hour Bosphorus cruise on a public ferry in the afternoon. Your guide will point out historical sites along the way. Later that day, you fly to Cappadocia and get transferred to your hotel. The evening is free, so you can explore the town or rest up before the next day's activities.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Bosphorus cruise by public ferry (1 hour) with guide narration on historical sites
Landmarks/POIs Bosphorus Strait 
- Day 4
Cappadocia
Cappadocia's otherworldly landscape is the focus today. You'll visit Goreme Valley Open Air Museum and see the famous fairy chimneys up close. Later, explore the underground city with its multiple levels carved into the rock. The scenery here offers plenty of photo opportunities. There's an optional Turkish folklore evening available if you want to experience local traditions.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Goreme Valley Open Air Museum
- Explore fairy chimneys
- Visit underground city with multiple levels
Optional Activities
- Traditional Turkish Folklore Evening with belly dancers, traditional folk dancers, and traditional Turkish musicians (show only without dinner, or with dinner included)
- Hot Air Ballooning - Short Flight (45 minutes) over the moonscapes of Cappadocia with experienced pilots rising up to 2000 feet into valleys (EUR 20 surcharge for credit card payments; longer flights available on request; prices subject to change; early morning departure recommended for best booking)
- Turkish Bath traditional experience (approximately 1 hour including sauna, marble slab lying, exfoliating scrub, and washing)
Landmarks/POIs Goreme Valley Open Air Museum - Day 5
Cappadocia to Konya
Start by visiting the Mevlana Museum, the mausoleum of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi, a 13th-century Sufi mystic and poet. Inside you'll see his tomb, ancient manuscripts, and information about the Whirling Dervishes. Then continue along the Silk Road to the Catalhoyek Museum, which displays artifacts from one of the world's oldest and most advanced Neolithic settlements.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Mevlana Museum and mausoleum of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi
- Explore exhibits on Whirling Dervishes and their spiritual traditions
- Visit Çatalhöyük Museum
Landmarks/POIs Mevlana Museum Çatalhöyük Museum - Day 6
Konya to Pamukkale
You're heading to Pamukkale today to see its impressive white calcium travertines. Check out the Hierapolis ruins, including the Temple of Apollo and Necropolis. Then walk across the magnificent white terraces themselves. The mineral-rich waters here have been valued for centuries, and the stark white landscape contrasts beautifully with the blue sky.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit ruins of Hierapolis
- Visit Temple of Apollo
- Visit Necropolis
- Explore white calcium terraces of Pamukkale
Optional Activities
- Hot Air Ballooning - Short Flight (45 minutes) viewing amazing landscape of Pamukkale early in the morning (EUR 20 surcharge for credit card payments; longer flights available on request; prices subject to change)
- Whirling Dervish Show evening ceremony inspired by Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi symbolizing stages of mystic journey to perfection through love and service
- Cleopatra's Pool thermal spring swimming among ruins (shaped by 7th century AD earthquake; swim amongst marble portico with Ionic arrangement)
Landmarks/POIs Hierapolis Temple of Apollo Pamukkale - Day 7
Pamukkale to Kuşadası
This morning you'll explore Laodicea, the chief city of the Lycus River Valley region, originally called Diospolis. In the afternoon, there's a display of locally handcrafted leather goods. This gives you a chance to see traditional craftspeople at work and pick up something unique if you'd like.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Laodicea ancient city
- Display of locally handcrafted leather goods
Landmarks/POIs Laodicea - Day 8
Kuşadası
Today you have a guided tour of Ephesus, a historic trade hub and religious center. You'll see the Temple of Artemis site, the Library of Celsus, and the impressive amphitheater. Later, check out the Ephesus Archaeology Museum and learn about carpet weaving traditions at a local carpet village. The day finishes with a wine tasting in the nearby village of Sirince.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Ephesus
- Visit Temple of Artemis site
- Visit Library of Celsus
- Visit Ephesus amphitheater
- Visit Ephesus Archaeology Museum
- Learn carpet weaving at carpet village
- Wine tasting in Sirince
- Wine Tasting
Landmarks/POIs Ephesus Temple of Artemis Library of Celsus Ephesus Archaeology Museum 
- Day 9
Kuşadası to Çanakkale
Travel to Bergama and climb up to the Pergamon acropolis, which features impressive temples and an ancient library that made it a cultural and political center. From there, you'll continue to Troy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and visit the award-winning Troy Museum. This is a full day of ancient history and archaeological sites.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Pergamon acropolis
- Explore Pergamon temples
- Visit Pergamon library
- Explore Troy ancient city (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Visit Troy Museum
Landmarks/POIs Pergamon Acropolis Troy Troy Museum - Day 10
Çanakkale to Istanbul
After breakfast, you'll visit the WWI Battlefields of Gallipoli, including Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair Memorials, ANZAC Cove, The Nek, Johnston's Jolly, and original trenches and tunnels. This is a moving and historically significant day. Afterward, you'll drive back to Istanbul for your final evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit WWI Battlefields of Gallipoli
- Visit Lone Pine Memorial
- Visit Chunuk Bair Memorial
- Visit ANZAC Cove
- Visit The Nek
- Visit Johnston's Jolly
- Explore original trenches and tunnels
Landmarks/POIs Gallipoli Battlefields Lone Pine Memorial Chunuk Bair Memorial ANZAC Cove - Day 11
Istanbul
After breakfast, your tour comes to an end. You'll have time to say goodbye to people you've met over these days before being transferred to the airport for your flight home. Pack the night before so you're ready to head out.
- Meals
- Breakfast
