Best of Turkey

Day 1  Istanbul        
Arriving in vibrant Istanbul, you will be transferred to your hotel before joining your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a memorable meal to kick off your adventure.

Day 2  Istanbul        
Spend your day delving into a city where modern and ancient coexist effortlessly. Gain insights into the Ottoman Empire's power during your guided tour of the Topkapi Palace, see the Egyptian obelisk and the exquisite Blue Mosque. This afternoon, head to the Grand Bazaar and haggle with passionate market vendors lining its labyrinthine lanes.  

Day 3  Istanbul to Çanakkale  
Pay tribute to the brave souls who lost their lives at Gallipoli, when visiting the moving memorial. See Anzac Cove and the Dardanelles, and visit the cemeteries of Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair, the final resting place of many Allied soldiers. Continue to Çanakkale where dinner will be at your hotel tonight.

Day 4  Çanakkale to Izmir
Explore the legends of Troy and see the symbolic replica of the famous Wooden Horse the Greeks used to break their siege of this ancient city. Visit the ancient Asclepion Medical Centre in the city of Pergamon before retiring in seaside Izmir this evening where we'll dine at our hotel.

Day 5  Izmir
Stroll through the ruins of the ancient Greek city of Ephesus, past the amazingly intact façade of the Library of Celcus and down to what was once its thriving port. See the House of Virgin Mary at Mt. Koressos then spend the rest of the day at leisure. This evening you may choose to dine at a local restaurant in Izmir and indulge in some of the local raki.

Day 6  Izmir to Pamukkale        
Leave the coastal city of Izmir behind as you journey inland to Pamukkale. Relax and enjoy the blissful thermal pools at your hotel before dinner.

Day 7  Pamukkale to Antalya      
Trace the footsteps of ancient Romans who sought relief at the health spa at Hierapolis, then admire the bubbling pools and delicate white cascades of Pamukkale's Cotton Castle Springs. Travel through scenic countryside and meet the Yazir community in the Taurus Mountains for lunch. Arrive in Antalya and amble through the winding lanes of its old city this evening, join your companions for a Regional Dinner.

Day 8  Antalya  
Enjoy a morning on your terms to soak up the enchanting seaside atmosphere of the Turkish Riviera, embarking on an optional yacht cruise or relaxing at the hotel pool. This afternoon, we travel to the Roman city of Perge to visit the impressive Antalya Archaeological Museum and see treasures spanning the centuries.

Day 9  Antalya to Konya        
Witness an antique theatre when stopping in Aspendos this morning, before continuing to Konya, to unveil the mystical Whirling Dervish sect whose remains lie in the Mevlana Museum and Mausoleum. Continue to the Karatay Tile Museum, spellbound by its exquisitely Seljuk-tiled dome, before returning to your hotel for dinner tonight.

Day 10  Konya to Cappadocia      
Today journey to Cappadocia with its honey-coloured rocky spires providing an enchanting backdrop for our visit to the underground city of Saratli along ancient Silk Road. Stop by King’s Valley eco farm to learn how it was created to preserve traditional farming. This evening, indulge in the flavours of pottery kebabs, before retiring to your hotel located alongside the ancient Ortahisar rock castle.

Day 11  Cappadocia        
The other-worldly landscapes of Cappadocia take centre stage today as we explore its volcanic landscape dotted with caves and troglodyte dwellings. Visit the Göreme Open-Air Museum to admire the extraordinary rock-hewn churches and learn about the art of pottery making in Avanos before dining in your hotel this evening. 

Day 12  Cappadocia to Ankara
Arrive in the youthful capital of Turkey today, and visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations and the final resting place of the country's beloved Atatürk, the first president of the modern Turkish nation. This evening delight in dinner at your hotel.

Day 13  Ankara to Istanbul
Returning to Istanbul, enjoy the rest of the day on your own. Delve into the depths of the Basilica Cistern, savour the intoxicating smells of the Spice Market or ascend Galata Tower for exquisite views of east and west. Consider an optional cruise navigating the waters of the Bosphorus before meeting your Travel Director and fellow companions for a memorable Farewell Dinner.

Day 14  Istanbul
Transfer to the airport for you departing flight.