Highlights of Turkey - 10 days

Welcome to Istanbul and your first day of this magical trip around Turkey! Arrive at the airport and take a complimentary transfer to the hotel. Please note, the tour representative will meet travellers outside the terminal exit due to additional Covid-19 airport procedures. Get settled at the hotel and then the day is yours to wander through this vibrant city. Catch a tram to the Grand Bazaar and get lost in the bustling market. In the Bazaar there is an “alley” for gold, leather, bowls and even tea. Want to escape the crowd? Sip on some black tea as you sit on a rooftop terrace in the busy city. Enjoy the views and the call to prayer from mosques in the background.

After breakfast, your local guide will take you on a guided tour of Istanbul. Turkey is the only country to span over two continents! One side lies in Europe and the other in Asia. On our tour, we will see famous landmarks like the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya). Topkapi Palace and the Hippodrome also provide a glimpse into the past.

Today we visit the WWI Battlefields of Gallipoli. This is one of the most emotionally-touching places in Turkey. The tour includes visits to the Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair Memorials, ANZAC Cove, The Nek and Johnston’s Jolly. 25 April is commemorated in Turkey each year as ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) Day. After the battlefields tour, we travel onwards to Canakkale to spend the night and enjoy dinner which is included tonight!

Take a step back in time this morning when we visit the city of Troy. This is the home of the famed Trojan Horse and site of the Trojan War. After getting our fix of Trojan history, we make our way to the magnificent Acropolis of Pergamum (also known as Pergamon). Here, we embark on a tour of its impressive temples and library that made Pergamum a renowned cultural and political centre in its time. Next, we travel to Kuşadasi where we will stay overnight and enjoy an included dinner!

Immerse 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. Next, we move on to the former Greek village of Şirince, meaning ‘pleasant’. According to legend, it used to be called ‘Çirkince’ (‘ugly’) by freed Greek slaves so that others wouldn’t follow them there. Our final stop is at a carpet village. Carpet weaving has long traditions in Turkey and this afternoon you can experience the delicate craft first hand. This evening, spend some time relaxing at the hotel plus enjoy dinner which is included tonight.

Start off the morning by enjoying a display of local handcrafted leather goods. Next, we travel on to one of the highlights of this tour - Pamukkale! This town is home to magnificent white calcium terraces, known as travertines. In Roman times, the natural hot spring waters that flow down the terraces here were used for their therapeutic powers. Opt to visit nearby Cleopatra’s Pool complete with ancient columns and inviting thermal water! Choose to add on a hot air balloon trip over Pamukkale for unforgettable views! Wrap up the day with a tour of the ancient city of Hierapolis with an option to take in a traditional Whirling Dervish show in the evening. Enjoy an included dinner this evening.

Today we travel along the ancient Silk Road! Visit Sultanhani Caravanserai - a caravanserai is a roadside inn where traders used to stopover and rest on their travels. Follow in the footsteps of all the traders that came before you! We also make a stop in Konya at the Mevlana Museum along the way. This is home to the mausoleum of the famous poet, Rumi. Don’t miss out on the optional traditional Turkish folklore evening tonight!

Marvel at the lunar landscape of Cappadocia through the Göreme Valley Open Air Museum a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The museum is the first place travellers visit when going to Cappadocia. This array of rock-cut churches are bound to leave you awestruck. Why not jump in a hot-air balloon and see the fairytale-like chimneys from above? Alternatively, you could explore the many levels of Kaymakli - an underground city in Cappadocia or even enjoy a Turkish bath! Spend the night in Cappadocia.

We leave for Ankara early this morning. When we arrive, we visit Anitkabir, the mausoleum of the famed President Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. In 1923, Ataturk declared Ankara as the capital city of modern Turkey. This bustling capital is famous for its performing arts with a variety of cultural sights to experience. After exploring our last stop on our Highlights of Turkey tour, we head back to Istanbul for our last night.

We enjoy our final Turkish breakfast together as our tour comes to an end. After an incredible 10 days on tour, it’s time to say goodbye to your new travel friends.