Start your day with breakfast at the hotel before exploring Istanbul’s top sights with your guide. Visit the 17th-century Blue Mosque, known for its six minarets and striking Ottoman architecture. Discover the Basilica Cistern, an underground structure nearly 1,500 years old and explore Hagia Sophia, a landmark of ancient architecture and religious significance. Next, visit the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s largest and oldest covered markets, with over 3,000 stalls offering handcrafted jewellery, textiles and books.
Spend the rest of the day at your leisure.
Today, you will go on a half-day tour with a visit to the aromatic Spice Market and the Bosphorus Strait cruise, passing wooden mansions along the waterway dividing Europe and Asia.
Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.
Bosphorus Strait cruise
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and travel southwest to Canakkale, the gateway to the Gallipoli battlefields of World War I. After checking into your hotel, enjoy a free afternoon.
In the evening, have dinner with your group before heading to Anzac Cove in Gallipoli to spend the night in remembrance and get ready to welcome in the dawn.
Travel time: Drive – approx. five hours
Watch the sunrise in silence at the Anzac Commemorative Site, reflecting on the events that took place 111 years ago. During the Dawn Service, honour the sacrifices that took place at Gallipoli. You will have blankets, mats and a breakfast hamper included in the morning. Next, you have time to explore the area – from Anzac Cove to Lone Pine Cemetery.
In the afternoon, return to your hotel to rest and enjoy a free day in Canakkale.
Travel time: Drive – approx. two hours
111th anniversary Dawn Service at Gallipoli
Today, visit the historic city of Troy, famous for the Trojan War. See the replica of the Trojan Horse, explore the site with your guide and visit the Troy Museum.
Next, you’ll travel to the town Bergama to learn about the region’s lost history of carpet-weaving.
Later, you’ll continue on to Izmir to check into your hotel for the evening and spend the rest the evening at your leisure.
Travel time: Drive – approx. five hours
This morning, explore the Greco-Roman ruins of Ephesus with your guide. Discover the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Visit the ancient amphitheatre, gymnasium, baths and the restored Library of Celsus.
Next, you’ll visit Sirince, a village known for its olive oil and fruity wines.
After exploring Sirince, you’ll travel to Pamukkale for a restorative dinner at your hotel.
Trave time: Drive – approx. four hours
Start your day exploring Pamukkale, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site known for its mineral-rich hot springs, petrified waterfalls and stalactites. Take a guided tour of the travertine pools, Hierapolis and the Cleopatra Antique Pools within the ruins.
Enjoy the landscape before heading to the city of Konya for check-in and a local dinner.
Travel time: Drive – approx. five hours
Cleopatra Antique Pools visit
Your day begins with a guided tour of Konya, known for its Sufi whirling dervishes. Visit the Mevlana Museum to learn about their history and see Rumi’s gold brocade sarcophagus.
Then, travel to the region of Cappadocia, famous for its cave dwellings and ‘fairy chimneys’ – unique volcanic rock formations. In the town of Goreme, check into your cave hotel before attending a mesmerising whirling dervish ceremony in the evening.
Travel time: Drive – approx. 3.5 hours
Cappadocia cave hotel stay
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before heading to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Goreme Open Air Museum. Explore the cliff-carved houses, churches and monasteries that feature Byzantine art and 10th- to 12th-century frescoes.
Next, visit Uchisar Castle, a rock-cut tower, before driving to Pigeon Valley, where cave dwellings are painted white to attract birds that fertilise the land with their droppings. End the day with an optional demonstration of onyx cutting and polishing.
Begin your day in Urgup, exploring the Old Village and the unique Three Beauties Fairy Chimneys. Enjoy views of the Red Valley, shaped by centuries of erosion. Watch a traditional pottery demonstration to learn about local clay-shaping techniques before enjoying lunch at a women’s cooperative (surcharges apply locally).
Then, visit the underground city of Ozkonak, studying its stone doors and unique construction.
Enjoy a Turkish night dinner in the evening with your fellow travellers.
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and then transfer to Kayseri Erkilet Airport (ASR) for your flight to Istanbul. After check-in, enjoy a free afternoon to explore the city, with options like visiting the Topkapi or Dolmabahce palaces or visiting a hammam for a cultural experience (at own expense).
End your day with a farewell dinner to celebrate your journey with your fellow travellers.
Travel time: Flight – approx. two hours
After one last breakfast at your hotel, it’s time to bid farewell to your fellow travellers before checking out this morning before being transferred to Istanbul Airport (IST) for your onward journey.