Highlights of Turkey

Begin your adventure in the transcontinental city of Istanbul, an enthralling cultural powerhouse packed with history, architecture and incredible cuisine.

If you have time after your flight, you may want to explore the city solo before a deeper exploration tomorrow.

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Say merhaba to your tour leader and fellow travellers this morning, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead.

After, you may wish to join your tour leader for a trip across the Bosphorus to the Asian side of the city, where you can explore lively, close-knit communities and jumbles of cute cafes, markets and restaurants. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore more of this enthralling city, or you may opt for a Turkish bath treatment.

This evening, our tour leader ensures a big Turkish welcome by arranging a group dinner.

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This morning is free for solo exploration. In the afternoon, join your tour leader for an orientation tour of this culture- and history-rich city. We head to Sultanahmet (the Old City, formerly Constantinople), where ancient empires were found and historic sites intertwine with the living, breathing Istanbul of today.

We visit landmarks of the city, including the Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome, where Byzantine emperors observed chariot races along with thousands of baying fans. We also meander through the Grand Bazaar, packed with more than 3,000 stalls of handcrafted jewellery, textiles and books, along with the renowned Spice Market.

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Depart for the Gallipoli Peninsula this morning, the site of many significant battles during the First World War. We visit the battlefields to reflect on the events that took place here, and their particular importance to the ANZAC (Australia and New Zealand Army Corps).

We then cross the Dardanelles Strait, arriving in the city of Çanakkale in the late afternoon.

Total drive time: 5hr 30min (not including stop in Gallipoli).

Visit the city of Troy this morning, immortalised in Homer’s Iliad and once thought to be a place of legend. We see the remnants of the ancient city walls and a reconstruction of the famed wooden horse, while learning more about the ground-breaking archaeological digs that took place here.

We continue this afternoon to the seaside town of Ayvalik on the Aegean coast. Surrounded by an archipelago of picturesque islands, the town is full of historic stone houses, narrow cobblestoned streets and small shops and cafes selling local produce. We have free time to explore the town, perhaps sampling some of the renowned local olive oil or Ayvalik tost (similar to a club sandwich).

Total drive time: 3hr 30min.

After breakfast, we depart for the ancient Greek city and World Heritage site of Pergamon, the capital of the Attalid dynasty during the Hellenistic period (approximately 323 BCE to 31 BCE).

We take a scenic cable car ride up to the Acropolis, which contains the most important remains of Pergamon. See the temples, palaces, library and theatre and learn about the significance of this special archaeological site. We continue to the charming town of Selçuk, where the evening is free for you to rest or explore at leisure.

Total drive time: 2hr 30min.

Visit Ephesus this morning, one of the best-preserved classical cities in the eastern Mediterranean and a great example of Greco-Roman architecture. Always an important religious centre, Ephesus was founded by Ionian Greeks in the 11th century BCE and flourished under Roman rule. The Greeks replaced the cult of the Anatolian fertility goddess Cybele with Artemis and built a fabulous temple in her honour. With the arrival of the Romans, it became the Temple of Diana, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

We visit the vast amphitheatre, stroll marble streets once graced by Cleopatra and Mark Antony, and marvel at the gymnasium, baths and wonderfully restored Library of Celsus.

After Ephesus, we head to Selçuk and visit Isa Bey Mosque (a fine example of early Seljukian architecture) and St John’s Basilica. There is free time, during which we recommend a visit to the fascinating Ephesus Archaeological Museum. We return to Selçuk for the evening.

Drive to Pamukkale today, nicknamed the cotton castle. This spectacular natural phenomenon was created by deposits from thermal waters that cascaded down the mountainside over hundreds of years, forming myriad pools and terraces. As the water overflows from the pools, cream-coloured stalactites are formed that, from afar, resemble cotton or snow. The pools are filled with hot spring waters that supposedly have healing properties – an excellent opportunity for a relaxing dip.

After, we visit nearby Hierapolis; founded by the King of Pergamon in 190 BCE, it became an important Roman bath centre by the second century CE. The extensive ruins are well worth exploring and include a theatre, temple, holy area, monumental fountain, bath, basilica and necropolis. We spend the afternoon discovering the travertines and ancient city.

Total drive time: 3hr-3hr 30min.

Depart Pamukkale this morning and travel to the seaside town of Kaş. On the way, we stop at Xanthos, the capital city of the Lycian Federation and arguably the most important city throughout Lycian history.

After a guided visit, we continue on the road to Kaş. Situated on the Teke Peninsula, this small port town was known as Habesos or Habesa in ancient Lycia, and as Antiphellos to the ancient Greeks. Today, there are several Lycian rock-cut sarcophagi in the town, plus a well-preserved Hellenistic theatre on the outskirts. The afternoon is free to explore the cobbled streets, handicraft shops and lively cafes.

Total drive time: Four hours.

Today is a free day to relax or take advantage of the many activities available on the Turquoise Coast in and around Kaş. Options include a boat trip to the sunken city of Kekova (minimum of eight passengers required), relaxing at Kaputas Beach or a visit to the ancient theatre in Kaş.

This morning, we depart for Antalya, one of the most popular beach resorts in Turkey. Arriving in the early afternoon, we visit the Kaleiçi (historic city centre). With narrow, cobbled streets and Ottoman-era houses, the Kaleiçi has retained much historical character, while hosting a plethora of bars, restaurants and shops.

During our walk, we see Hadrian’s Gate (also known as the Triple Gate due to its three archways), the old Roman harbour and the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean. You may also want to visit the Antalya Museum this afternoon, which has a wonderful collection of sculptures from the Roman period or the ancient city ruins of Phaselis.

Total drive time: 3hr 30min.

We’re off to the ancient city of Perge this morning, home to magnificent Hellenistic and Roman ruins. Explore the key sites today, including a remarkably well-preserved theatre, the best-preserved Roman stadium in western Turkey, exquisite Roman baths, towering Hellenistic defences, and long rows of colonnaded streets.

We then continue our dive into history, driving to Aspendos, home to the best-preserved theatre of the ancient world. Once named Belkis, the city was founded by the Hittites, but it was Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius (161CE-180CE) who ordered the 15,000-seater theatre to be built.

After exploring the ancient site, which is still used for performances today, we continue to Konya, known as Iconium in Roman times. It was an important city of the Seljuk empire and is the birthplace of the mystic Sufi order popularly known as the Whirling Dervishes.

Total drive time: 4hr 30min.

Visit Mevlana Museum this morning, the former home of the Whirling Dervishes and the location of Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi’s tomb. Mevlana, also known simply as Rumi, was a 13th-century Anatolian mystic and Muslim saint whose poetry is known across the world. The museum is now a pilgrimage site and the building’s fluted dome of turquoise tiles is one of the most recognisable sights in Turkey.

We then continue to the fascinating Cappadocia region. Shaped by wind and water, the rock formations, rock-hewn churches, cave dwellings and underground cities are a true marvel. This afternoon, we visit the 13th-century Sultanhani Caravanserai, one of the largest in the world and once used by Silk Road travellers.

Our last stop of the day is the breath-taking Ihlara Valley on the slopes of Mount Hasan (one of the volcanoes responsible for the formation of Cappadocia). We embark on a walk beside the Melendiz River, seeing beautiful natural scenery and dozens of rock-hewn churches and monasteries, many of which are decorated with exquisite biblical frescoes.

Total drive time: Four hours.

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Early in the morning, you have the option to experience a memorable hot-air balloon ride over the otherworldly fairy chimneys of Cappadocia.

After breakfast, we visit the World Heritage-listed Göreme Open-Air Museum, a vast monastic complex comprising churches, monasteries and dwellings, plus an underground city. Thought to have started life as a Byzantine monastic settlement, Göreme Open-Air Museum became a pilgrimage site during the 17th century and is a must-see location for all visitors to Cappadocia. The rock-hewn churches contain wonderful frescoes, whose colours are still vivid after hundreds of years.

We also visit the fascinating underground city of Kaymakli, which is thought to have been formed as early as the eighth century BCE by the Phrygians to protect their inhabitants from wars and conflicts. The dwellings continued to be used until the early 20th century when they were abandoned.

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You’ve seen the wonders of Istanbul, bathed in a cotton castle and marvelled at the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia, but now it’s time to begin your return journey home – those booked on the group transfer will be taken to Kayseri Airport (ASR).

Alternatively, if you’d like to extend your adventure, speak to your sales representative to discuss our large range of extension options.