This unique adventure begins in Turkey’s capital city, Istanbul, which straddles both Europe and Asia. From there, you’ll venture south along the coast, taking in the Gallipoli Peninsula, several ancient cities, a range of natural wonders and endless miles of spectacular coastline, before returning to Istanbul.
Day 1. Arrive Istanbul
On arrival, be met and transferred to your hotel, before tonight’s Welcome Reception.
Day 2. Istanbul Sightseeing
Today, enjoy a tour of majestic Istanbul. Drive by Taksim Square, the hippodrome and Galata Tower, then visit the famous Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. This afternoon enjoy a cruise along the stunning Bosphorus, a narrow strait forming a boundary between Europe and Asia and connecting the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara. This evening, take part in a cooking class. Learn some of the traditional methods used to create exotic Turkish dishes, then sample the results of your efforts at a special Welcome Dinner.
Day 3. Istanbul, Freedom of Choice Touring
This morning, choose your touring activity in Istanbul. You might choose to embark on a tour of Topkapi Palace, the official and primary residence of the Ottoman Sultans from 1465 to 1853. Alternatively, relax with a Turkish bath experience and massage. Or you may like to visit the Rüstem Pasha Mosque then wander around the Spice Bazaar, before indulging in lunch at the Orient Express railway restaurant.
Day 4. Istanbul, Çanakkale
This morning after breakfast, leave Istanbul and travel to the Gallipoli Peninsula. Arrive in Gelibolu for lunch at a local restaurant then continue to the national park area for a special tour of the war memorials, including Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair. Later, on arrival in Çanakkale, check in to your hotel and enjoy time at leisure before dinner.
Day 5. Çanakkale, Troy, Pergamon, Izmir
This morning, head south along the Turkish coast. First stop is the World Heritage-listed city of Troy, referred to in Homer’s Iliad. Stop to have a look around and learn about this ancient city that played host to the Trojan War. Next, visit the ancient city of Pergamon. Explore the Acropolis, the Temple of Athena and the famous library. Afterwards, continue to Izmir, on the outlying waters of the Gulf of Izmir by the Aegean Sea. Tonight enjoy dinner in a local restaurant.
Day 6. Izmir, Ephesus, Kusadasi
This morning take a tour of Izmir, Turkey’s third most populous city. Then, journey to one of the best-preserved archaeological sites in the world - Ephesus. With your guide, see the Odeon, where the advisory council held its meetings, and the Baths as well as many other monuments, ruins and columns. Later, travel to the resort town of Kusadasi, right on the Aegean coast. On arrival, check in to your hotel.
Day 7. Kusadasi at Leisure
After breakfast, today is yours to enjoy at leisure. Perhaps go shopping or head to the beach for a swim in the warm turquoise water of the Aegean. You might like to venture across to tiny Pigeon Island to visit the well-maintained flower garden that surrounds a 15th century fortress.
Day 8. Kusadasi, Pamukkale
Take a trip to the magical natural site of Pamukkale. Here, for thousands of years an underground spring has poured streams of hot, mineral-saturated water. As it has flowed down the mountainside, the water has hollowed large circular basins in the earth, and the rich mineral content has coated them in a smooth layer of white rock. Today enjoy time to bathe in these amazing hot springs.
Day 9. Pamukkale, Hierapolis
Built near the natural hot springs, the city of Hierapolis attracted pilgrims, who came to bathe in the curative waters nearby. Today enjoy a visit to ancient Hierapolis, as well as more time at leisure to bathe in the natural hot springs.
Day 10. Pamukkale, Antalya
Today journey to the city of Antalya, located on a cliff on the Mediterranean. With a lovely Mediterranean climate, amazing coastal views, mountainous surrounds, Ottoman era streets and centuries of history, Antalya is a very popular tourist destination. On arrival, check in to your hotel.
Day 11. Perga, Aspendos
Today travel east to the ancient ruins of Perga, located on the coastal plain. Stop to explore the ruins, including an acropolis dating back to the Bronze Age. Then head to Aspendos, an ancient Greco-Roman city thought to have one of the world’s best-preserved theatres of antiquity. Later return to Antalya and enjoy an evening at leisure.
Day 12. Antalya, Cappadocia
Head inland to the city of Konya, home to one of the largest universities in Turkey. After time here, continue to the Cappadocia region. Cappadocia is the ancient name of a large region in the centre of Anatolia (today it refers specifically to the valleys of Göreme and Ürgüp).
Day 13. Göreme, Ürgüp
Today on a tour of Göreme and Ürgüp, absorb stunning geological formations. Here, natural pinnacles and amazing rock formations abound, the result of volcanic activity centuries ago. Visit the Göreme Open Air Museum, one of the most famous sites in central Turkey. It is a complex featuring more than 30 rock-carved churches and chapels containing superb frescoes, dating from the 9th to 11th centuries. Then return to your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure to relax or explore.
Day 14. Cappadocia, Istanbul
Transfer to the airport for your included flight back to Istanbul. Tonight, you’ll enjoy a special dinner accompanied by a Turkish belly dancing performance.
Day 15. Istanbul
This morning after breakfast, transfer to the airport in Istanbul.
