Start your morning in Istanbul’s historic Sultanahmet neighbourhood with a visit to the Topkapi Palace, former residence of the Ottoman sultans. Wander its sprawling grounds and opulent halls, then witness the eerie stillness of the Basilica Cistern, an underground reservoir supported by hundreds of ancient columns.
Refuel with lunch before continuing your guided exploration of the area. Walk through the ancient Hippodrome – once a Roman circus and the social heart of Constantinople – before standing beneath the soaring domes of the Blue Mosque and the magnificent 6th-century Hagia Sophia.
Spend the morning exploring some of Istanbul’s most iconic sites, beginning with a visit to the Grand Bazaar – one of the largest covered markets in the world – where you’ll have time at leisure to browse the wares of over 4,000 shopfronts. Continue to the Spice Markets, filled with colourful stalls and the scent of saffron, sumac and dried rose petals.
Later, embark on a cruise along the Bosphorus Strait, gliding through the waters that separate Europe and Asia. Back ashore, take your private transfer to the airport for your economy class flight to Cappadocia.
Characterised by terraces and skies often dotted with hot air balloons, Cappadocia is a fairytale-like landscape of caves and ‘fairy chimneys’ – unique formations of eroded volcanic rock. Check in to your hotel with sweeping views of the surrounding landscape and enjoy dinner before a relaxing evening.
Travel time: Driving – approx. 30 minutes / Flight – approx. 1.5 hours
Cappadocia stay
Choose to start this morning early with an optional bucket-list experience: a hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia at sunrise (surcharges apply).
Gather your energy over breakfast and discover the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Goreme Open Air Museum. Examine its houses, churches and monasteries carved straight into the cliff face. These Christian sanctuaries contain many examples of Byzantine art, houses of worship and biblical frescoes dating back as far as the 12th century.
Later, descend into the underground avenues of either Ozkonak or Mazi, subterranean cities dating back to the early Roman and Byzantine periods. Marvel at the stone doors and the construction of these tunnels, which once protected the many living spaces, wineries and barns against invaders.
Enjoy a traditional Turkish dance performance outside the hotel.
This evening, relax at your hotel over dinner.
Cappadocia stay
Choose to start this morning early with an optional bucket-list experience: a hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia at sunrise (surcharges apply).
Following breakfast, depart for an exploration of the broader area surrounding Cappadocia. Begin in Pigeon Valley and gaze into the ancient manmade dovecotes carved into the volcanic tuffs, then explore the Valley of Love’s many rock formations.
Continue to Uchisar Castle, a troglodyte village formed around the base of an ancient fortress. Then, join a traditional pottery demonstration to discover the skilled process and local techniques used in shaping clay.
In the afternoon, you will enjoy a wine tasting at a typical Turkish cellar door. If you wish, you may also delve into one of the oldest and finest Turkish crafts on a visit to a carpet-weaving workshop, or take some time to unwind before dinner.
Cappadocia stay
Turkish cellar door wine tasting
Today you will see a 13th-century caravanserai, once a roadside inn for weary travellers.
Continue to Konya, home of Turkiye’s famous Sufi whirling dervishes. Pay a visit to the Dervish Monastery before visiting the Alaeddin Mosque. The Seljuk Sultan built this structure in 1220 AD, and it is now the largest and oldest surviving structure in Konya.
Travel time: Driving – approx. three hours
After breakfast, you will take a coastal drive toward the resort city of Antalya. This Turquoise Coast destination is known for its crystal-clear waters. Historic landmarks such as the 2nd-century Hidirlik Tower and Hadrian’s Gate are reminders of its ancient heritage as a Roman port. En route, your group will stop at the Aspendos Theatre, said to be the best preserved ancient theatre of the Greco-Roman world.
In the afternoon, behold the majesty of Duden Waterfalls, your first stop in Antalya. Then, head to the Antalya Archeological Museum, housing 13 exhibition halls and an open-air gallery with artifacts from the Paleolithic Age to Ottoman times.
Travel time: Driving – approx. 3.5 hours
Rise and shine for a day exploring Pamukkale, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed site full of mineral-rich hot springs, petrified calcareous waterfalls and stalactites. Tour the travertine pools, admiring their cloud-like appearance.
Visit Hierapolis, the ancient city founded by the King of Pergamon atop the thermal terraces in 130 BCE. This area’s well preserved ruins offer a glimpse into the Greco-Roman influence of the time, with a necropolis, theatre, temple and museum.
The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure.
Travel time: Driving – approx. three hours
Pamukkale hot springs visit
Start your day with breakfast before embarking on a drive to seaside Bodrum.
Begin your adventure at Bodrum Castle, a 15th-century fortress built by the Knights Hospitaller. Overlooking the Aegean Sea, it served as a crucial defense during the Crusades and now houses the Museum of Underwater Archaeology.
Next, visit the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Built in the 4th century BCE for Mausolus, this grand tomb stood 46 metres tall and was adorned with intricate sculptures by famous Greek artists Leocares, Briaxis, Scopas of Paros and Timotheus.
Travel time: Driving – approx. 3.5 hours
Today is yours to enjoy at your leisure. Consider joining an optional boat excursion (surcharges apply) or just relax at your seaside hotel.
This morning, enjoy breakfast at your hotel before departing to another of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Follow your guide through the Greco-Roman ruins of Ephesus. A century’s worth of excavation has uncovered rich architectural history here, including the ruins of the imposing Temple of Artemis.
Sit down for a delicious lunch, before heading to the nearby village of Sirince, a traditional Greek-Ottoman village known for its olive oil and fruity wine production. If you’re lucky, you might get to see a parade showing off the town’s traditional leather production. Turkiye is one of the largest producers of leather products in the world, and each piece is crafted with great care and tireless labour, using methods passed down through generations.
In the afternoon, arrive at your Kusadasi accommodation with time to check in and relax before dinner.
Travel time: Driving – approx. 2.5 hours
Spend today at your own pace, or choose to take an optional boat tour on the Aegean Sea (surcharges apply).
In the evening, come together with your group for dinner and a chance to catch up on the day’s adventures.
Today is yours to spend how you choose once more. An optional tour to the Greek island of Samos – birthplace of mathematician Pythagoras and philosopher Epicurus, and known for sweet Muscat wine production – is recommended (surcharges apply).
Set off this morning to Pergamon, a Greek city boasting the renowned Asklepion hospital. Wander through this sacred site, which once served as a shrine and healing centre for more than 900 years.
Next, head northwest to Canakkale, home to the historic city of Troy, immortalised in the tales of the Trojan War. Beside the city’s walls stands a replica of the Trojan Horse. Follow your guide as you dive into this archaeological site, one of the most famous in the world for its size and significance.
Travel time: Driving – approx. five hours
Today, travel to Gallipoli and pay tribute to the brave souls who lost their lives here. The national pride of Australia was awakened at the site of the WWI battlefields, and ANZACs are commemorated here to this day. See the sites that mark the final resting place of many Allied soldiers.
This afternoon you will return to Istanbul and enjoy your final dinner together with the group.
Travel time: Driving – approx. five hours.
After one last breakfast at your hotel, bid farewell to your fellow travellers before checking out this morning before a transfer brings you to the airport for your onward journey.