Welcome to Istanbul! The largest city in Turkiye and born from a blend of European and Asian influences, Istanbul is full of intriguing sights and ancient wonders. From its spellbinding architecture dating back thousands of years to its exceptional cuisine, the city is a spectacular display of the Eastern Roman and Ottoman Empires.
Transfer to your hotel upon arrival and check in for an exceptional evening at leisure
Arrival & Transfers:
Please book your flights to arrive at Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) at any time. Airport transfers are included on the first day of your tour. Your transfer will meet you on arrival and take you to your hotel. Check-in on Day 1 is at 3pm.
Start your morning with a visit to the elaborate Topkapi Palace, former residence of sultans of the Ottoman Empire. Wander its sprawling grounds and intricately decorated halls, stop to visit the elaborate cistern that runs under the southwestern garden then sit down to refuel with lunch.
Later, journey to the streets of Istanbul’s fascinating Sultanahmet neighbourhood. Discover the area’s charm on a guided walk through the Hippodrome – once an ancient Roman circus and the lively heart of Constantinople – witness the grandeur of the Blue Mosque and its six soaring minarets, and admire the silhouette of the magnificent Hagia Sophia – a mind-bending 6th-century Byzantine mosque.
Spend the morning touring Istanbul’s most important neighbourhoods and uncover its historic and modern architectural treasures, walking alongside streetcars down bustling Istiklal Avenue. Reach the Grand Bazaar – one of the largest covered markets in the world – for time at leisure, where you can peruse the colourful wares of over 4,000 shopfronts.
Later, embark on a cruise along the Bosphorus Strait, gliding through the waters that separate Europe and Asia. Admire the verdant shorelines and palatial ‘yali’ – wooden mansions built right on the waterfront.
Back ashore, take your private transfer to the airport for your 6pm economy class flight to Cappadocia, where you’ll be transferred to your hotel for check-in and a satisfying dinner.
Travel time: Driving – approx. 30 minutes / Flight – approx. 1.5 hours
Adorned with stunning caves and ‘fairy chimneys’ – unique formations of eroded volcanic rocks – Cappadocia is a truly otherworldly landscape.
Gather your energy over breakfast and set your sights on the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Goreme Open Air Museum for a glimpse at its astounding houses, churches and monasteries carved straight into the cliff face. These unique Christian sanctuaries contain many examples of Byzantine art, houses of worship and colourful biblical frescoes dating back as far as the 12th century.
Later this morning, 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 ingenious construction of these labyrinthine tunnels, which once protected the many living spaces, wineries and barns against invaders.
This evening, relax at your hotel over dinner.
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 Cappadocia’s wider sprawl. Begin in Pigeon Valley and gaze into the ancient manmade dovecotes carved into the volcanic tuffs, then explore the Valley of Love’s many interesting rock formations sitting on a plateau.
Continue to Uchisar Castle, a formidable 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 savour 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 else take some time to unwind before dinner.
Fill up with a buffet breakfast at your hotel, then see a wonderfully preserved 13th-century caravanserai, a roadside inn for weary travellers of centuries past.
Continue to Konya, home of Turkiye’s famous Sufi whirling dervishes. Pay a visit to the Dervish Monastery before journeying to the spectacular Alaeddin Mosque. The Seljuk Sultan built this grand structure in 1220 AD, and it is now the largest and oldest surviving structure in Konya. Wander through its halls and be thrown into history as architectural quirks mark its evolution from a palace chapel to the city’s great mosque.
Travel time: Driving – approx. three hours
After breakfast, you will start your breathtaking coastal drive toward the resort city of Antalya. This Turquoise Coast destination is known for its crystal-clear, yacht-filled 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. Feel the refreshing spray of the ferocious lower and upper falls before heading 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 spectacular 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, so feel free to take advantage of the rejuvenating thermal hot springs at your hotel.
Travel time: Driving – approx. three hours
Start your day with breakfast before embarking on a drive to Bodrum. This fortress town is a sparkling seaside city with deep heritage spanning over two millenia.
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. The castle’s architecture reflects the blend of cultures that have shaped Bodrum’s history.
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 meters tall and was adorned with intricate sculptures by famous Greek artists Leocares, Briaxis, Scopas of Paros and Timotheus. Though mostly destroyed, its legacy lives on in the term ‘mausoleum’, which now means ‘monumental tombs’.
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 beautifully preserved Ephesus. A century’s worth of excavation has uncovered rich architectural history here, including the ruins of the imposing Temple of Artemis. Stand in awe of the ancient amphitheatre and gymnasium, gaze upon the baths and explore the restored Library of Celsius.
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 sparkling 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 once-mighty Greek city boasting the renowned Asklepion hospital. Wander through this sacred site, which once served as a prominent shrine and healing centre for more than 900 years. In ancient times, patients would enter the Asklepion temple via a sacred pathway believed to mark their journey back to good health.
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 formidable Trojan Horse. Follow your guide as you dive into this astounding archaeological site, one of the most famous in the world for its size and significance. Learn the tales of the ancient civilisations and the siege of Troy, told of in the Iliad.
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 bloody WWI battlefields, and ANZACs are commemorated here to this day. See the sombre 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, it’s time to bid farewell to your fellow travellers before checking out this morning and transferring to the airport for your onward journey.
Departure & Transfers:
Checkout on your final day is at 12pm. Please book your flights to depart from either Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) at any time. Airport transfers are included on the last day of your tour. Your transfer will meet you at your hotel and take you to the airport.
