ITINERARY
Day 1 – İstanbul
Welcome to Istanbul! You will be transferred to your hotel and the remainder of the day is yours, free to explore at your own pace.
Overnight Istanbul. Dosso Dossi Downtown Hotel (5 stars) (Breakfast)
Day 2 – İstanbul Old City
After breakfast, you enjoy a fully guided tour of the only city to span two continents, visiting the Blue Mosque, St Sophia Museum, Topkapi Palace and the Hippodrome.
Overnight Istanbul. Dosso Dossi Downtown Hotel (5 stars) (Breakfast)
Day 3 – Gallipoli Battlefields
Today we visit the WWI battlefields of Gallipoli including Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair Memorials, ANZAC Cove, The Nek, Johnston’s Jolly, original trenches and tunnels.
Overnight Çanakkale. Büyük Truva Hotel (4 stars) (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 4 – Troy, Acropolis of Pergamum
Step back in time today as we visit Troy and its famed Trojan Horse, followed by a tour of the magnificent acropolis of Pergamum. Its impressive temples and library made it a renowned cultural and political centre in its time.
Overnight Kuşadası. Ilayda Avantgarde Hotel (Boutique) (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 5 – Ephesus, Kuşadası
Absorb yourself in history today with a guided tour of Ephesus and a visit to the site of the Temple of Artemis. Feel the mystical atmosphere of the ancient city and theatre before continuing to the former Greek village of Sirince, famous for its fruit wines. Carpet weaving has long traditions in Turkey and at the carpet village we learn how the carpets are made by hand and what determines their value.
Overnight Kuşadası. Ilayda Avantgarde Hotel (Boutique) (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 6 – Pamukkale, Hierapolis
This morning we will enjoy a display of locally handcrafted leather goods before heading to the magnificent white calcium terraces, known as Travertines, in Pamukkale where we also tour the ancient city of Hierapolis. Take a dip, amongst ancient columns, in the hot springs that were used in Roman times for their therapeutic powers.
Overnight Pamukkale. Colossae Thermal Hotel (5 stars) (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 7 – Aphrodisias, Antalya
Today we drive to Antalya, visiting the ancient site of Aphrodisias, home of the famous Temple of Aphrodite, along the way.
Overnight Antalya. Best Western Khan Hotel (4 stars) (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 8 – Aspendos, Manavgat Waterfalls
Today, we will visit famous theatre at Aspendos which is known for one of the best preserved theatres of Asia Minor, still used today. Then we will visit Manavgat Waterfalls for a pleasant respite.
Overnight Antalya. Best Western Khan Hotel (4 stars) (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 9 – Konya
Early departure for Konya, en-route visiting the mausoleum of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi with its accompanying museum.
Overnight Konya. Pasapark Hotel (4 stars) (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 10 – Konya, Cappadocia
This morning we visit Sultanhani Caravansary, the largest in Anatolia before we trek through the beautiful Ihlara Valley. Tonight, don’t miss the optional traditional Turkish folklore evening.
Overnight Cappadocia. Blue Valley Hotel (Boutique Cave) (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 11 – Göreme, Uçhisar Castle
Marvel at the lunar landscape with a fully guided tour of Goreme Valley, the fairy chimneys, Uchisar castle, explore the many levels of an underground city and more.
Overnight Cappadocia. Blue Valley Hotel (Boutique Cave) (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 12 – Safranbolu
Early morning departure toSafranbolu. Visiting some of the finest surviving traditional Turkish civil architecture. Stroll along the town’s cobbled streets to Cinci Caravanserai and Bath, Kaymakamlar (Governors) House, Izzet Mehmet Pasa Mosque and the old bazaar.
Overnight Safranbolu. Havuzlu Asmazlar Konagi (Boutique) (Breakfast)
Day 13 – İstanbul
This morning, we will drive back to Istanbul. In the afternoon, you will enjoy some free time.
Overnight Istanbul. Dosso Dossi Downtown Hotel (5 stars) (Breakfast)
Day 14 – İstanbul
After breakfast our tour concludes and we say goodbye to our new friends and are transferred to the airport for your onward flight.
Inclusions
Tour includes:
- Inbound Airport Transfer – Istanbul – Atatürk Airport (IST) OR Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW)
- Outbound Harbour Transfer – Kusadasi – Kusadasi Harbour
- Professional English-speaking tour guide for the duration of the tour
- Transportation in a fully air-conditioned, non-smoking vehicle
- Car ferry fees between Canakkale and Eceabat
- Tips except driver and guide
- Entrance fees
- 13 nights accommodation
- 2 night 4 star Antalya Best Western Khan Hotel
- 1 nights 4 star Çanakkale Büyük Truva Hotel
- 2 nights Boutique Cave Cappadocia Blue Valley Hotel
- 3 night 5 star İstanbul Dosso Dossi Downtown Hotel
- 1 nights 4 star Konya Pasapark Hotel
- 2 nights Boutique Kusadasi Ilayda Avantgarde Hotel
- 1 night 5 star Pamukkale Colossae Thermal Hotel
- 1 nights Boutique Safranbolu Havuzlu Asmazlar Konagi
- 13 Breakfasts, 9 Dinners
Tour does not include:
- Suggested optional activities
- Tips – driver and guide
Highlights
- Istanbul – Old City Tour
- Istanbul – St Sophia Museum
- Istanbul – Blue Mosque
- Istanbul – Topkapi Palace
- Istanbul – Hippodrome
- Gallipoli Battlefields Tour
- Gallipoli – ANZAC Cove
- Gallipoli – Lone Pine – Australian Memorial
- Gallipoli – Johnson’s Jolly – original tunnels
- Gallipoli – The Nek – original trenches
- Gallipoli – Chunuk Bair – New Zealand Memorial
- Troy
- Bergama – Pergamum Tour
- Site of the Temple of Artemis
- Ephesus
- Sirince – Village
- Pamukkale – Calcium Travertines
- Pamukkale – Hierapolis
- Aphrodisias – Ancient Site
- Aspendos – Ancient Site
- Manavgat Waterfalls
- Konya – Mevlana Museum
- Cappadocia – Ihlara Valley
- Sultanhani Caravansary
- Göreme Open Air museum
- Cappadocia – Kaymakli – Underground City
- Cappadocia – Üçhisar – Citadel
- Safranbolu – UNESCO Heritage site
