Turkey Highlights Full Itinerary

Day 1: In Istanbul
Arrive in Istanbul and transfer to your charming boutique style hotel in the old city. In the evening you will meet your tour guide and fellow travellers over a drink in the hotel bar (not included). This will be followed by dinner at the hotel restaurant (included). (D)

Overnight in boutique style hotel in the old part of Istanbul

Day 2: In Istanbul
This morning you enjoy your first traditional Turkish breakfast consisting of Turkish bread, feta cheese, olives, eggs, sliced tomatoes and cucumbers, and tea. After breakfast, you leave the hotel for a full day of sightseeing. Your first visit is to the Hippodrome where chariot races took place in Roman times, followed by the Blue Mosque with its unequalled blue mosaics and six minarets. After lunch at a local restaurant, you will visit the fabled Topkapi Palace from where the Ottoman Sultans ruled the empire for over four hundred years. Here, you will see the Harem Quarters (the Sultan’s Private Apartments) and the Treasury, as well as the main palace complex. The evening is free. (B/L)

Overnight in boutique style hotel in the old part of Istanbul

Day 3: Istanbul – Gallipoli - Çanakkale
Early departure for the battlefields of Gallipoli travelling along the European shore of the Sea of Marmara. Gallipoli (Gelibolu in Turkish) is a peninsula now declared a National Park to honour the Allied and Turkish soldiers who fought and died here in 1915. You will see all the major sites including Anzac Cove, Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair, the Nek, of this beautiful and moving battlefield. You will also see First World War trenches and some of the Turkish memorials. You will then cross the Dardanelles straits and head to your hotel in Çanakkale. (B/L/D)

Overnight in a comfortable 4 star hotel - Çanakkale.

Day 4: Çanakkale - Bergama - Kuşadasi
The coastline of the Aegean Sea is a treasure trove of historical and archaeological sites. Today your first stop is at the legendary city of Troy, the site of nine ancient cities where Greek and Trojan heroes fought the “Trojan War” for the honour of the beautiful Helen. You will continue to the ancient Hellenistic city of Pergamon where you will see Asklepion, the famous centre of learning and medicine in the times of the ancient Greeks and Romans. You will arrive at the seaside resort town of Kuşadasi close to the ancient site of Ephesus in late afternoon. (B/L/D)

Overnight in a restored Caravanserai Hotel - Kusadasi.

Day 5: Kuşadasi – Ephesus - Kuşadasi
Today you will have an extensive tour of Ephesus widely regarded as the best-preserved Roman city in the Eastern Mediterranean. Other highlighted visits include the nearby Virgin Mary’s house and Selçuk museum where most of the artefacts from Ephesus are housed. You return to your hotel in the afternoon and the rest of the day is free. Tonight you can sample the culinary delights that appeal to you, as dinner is not included. (B)

Overnight in a restored Caravanserai Hotel - Kusadasi.

Day 6: Kusadasi –Pamukkale
After breakfast, you will head inland to visit the famous 'cotton castles' of Pamukkale. On the way you will visit the thriving weaving centre of Buldan where exquisite items of cloth are made entirely from natural fibres such as silk, wool and mohair. After lunch at Buldan (not included), you arrive in Pamukkale in the early afternoon to see the fascinating “cotton castles” (lime deposits) and the ancient city of Hierapolis nearby. There will be time for a swim in the ‘Antique Pool’ adorned with sunken marble columns or to further explore the ruins. You then check into your hotel where you can relax in the hotel thermal pool or enjoy the spectacular sunset. (B/D)

Overnight in comfortable 4 star hotel – Pamukkale.

Day 7: Pamukkale – Konya - Cappadocia
After an early departure, you travel through the ‘Lake District’ of Turkey to the religious city of Konya, the home of the Whirling Dervishes. After lunch at a local traditional restaurant, you will visit the Mevlana Museum before departing for the eerie lunar landscapes of Cappadocia. On the way, you visit the famous Sultanhani Kervansaray, one of the many “Luxury Motels of the 13th Century” along the ancient Silk Road. Dinner is the hotel. (B/L/D)

Overnight in a special “Cave House” hotel – Cappadocia.

Day 8: Cappadocia
Two full days to explore this fascinating troglodyte landscape with its amazing rock formations, cave churches and rock carved village homes. On the first day you will visit Uçhisar castle, Goreme Open Air Museum with frescoed churches and traditional ceramics workshops. In the evening, dinner is in a local traditional restaurant. Well, no trip to Cappadocia is complete without a spectacular balloon flight over the deep canyons and lush fertile valleys of this fairyland. So, you will have the opportunity to do just that early this morning. (optional extra). (B/L)

Overnight in a special “Cave House” hotel – Cappadocia.

Day 9: Cappadocia - Istanbul
Today’s program includes visits to Kaymakli underground city dating back to the 6th century, where Christians took refuge from the advancing Persian and Arab armies, fairy chimneys of Pasabag and a demonstration of traditional carpet making. You will then drive to Kayseri to catch your evening flight to Istanbul. (B/L)

Overnight in a special “Cave House” hotel – Cappadocia.

Day 10: Istanbul
After breakfast, you will visit the architectural marvel of St Sophia Museum, an ancient basilica with its immense dome rising 55 metres above the ground. Your last organised visit is to Yerebatan Cistern, the underground Roman cistern of Emperor Justinian. Rest of the day is free in Istanbul. Go shopping in the Grand Bazaar with thousands of shops, go sight seeing, or visit the museum of Islamic Arts or the magnificent Suleymaniye Mosque, the largest in Istanbul and the most notable creation of the famous Ottoman architect Sinan. Alternatively, you may visit a Turkish Bath or relax in one of numerous cafes and restaurants. (B)

Overnight in boutique Ottoman style hotel - Istanbul.

Day 11: Istanbul
Tour ends after breakfast. Those with late departures can spend the day as they please. Arrangements will be made for evening transfer to the Airport for flights to Australia and most other ongoing destinations. Those participating in “Add-on Packages” or taking earlier flights will be advised of transfer arrangements. (B)