Turkey Unplugged - 10 Days

Explore Istanbul and its bazaars and grand Mosques, wander round the battlefields of Gallipoli, see Roman ruins, the beautiful Aegean Coast, Pamukkale and the jewel in Turkey’s crown - Cappadocia, with its amazing underground cities and whimsical landscape.

Day 1: Istanbul
Saturday. Welcome to Turkey! Arrive Istanbul and transfer to hotel in Sultanahmet. Rest of day free. Overnight - Istanbul
Day 2: Old City sights
Enjoy a tour of old Istanbul. The only city to span two continents sits on the Bosphorus - the strait of water that divides the continents of Europe and Asia. Its illustrious past leaves a rich legacy of churches, mosques, palaces and museums, complemented by the behemoth Grand Bazaar and colourful street life. Sultanahmet, the compact old city of Istanbul, is full of parks, gardens and stunning sights. The Blue Mosque is famed for it’s blue Iznik tiles and unique 6 minarets. The Hagia Sofia, constructed in the 6th century, reigned as the grandest and biggest church in Christendom until the conquest of Constantinople in 1453, when it became a mosque. Just around the corner is the stunning Topkapi Palace and the Underground Cistern. Rest of day free. Tonight, we are free to explore or relax in our hotel. Overnight - Istanbul (B)
Turkey Unplugged - 10 Days Go Guide : :Check out the go guide for details of the tour, info on visas, climate, money, what to bring and more!
Fountains in front of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul
Day 3: Gallipoli
Istanbul – Gallipoli. Today, we enjoy a visit to battle-scarred Gallipoli. On the 25th April 1915, under the guidance of the British Command, the combined forces of Australia and New Zealand, otherwise known as the ‘ANZACs’, mounted an assault at a beach in North-Western Turkey. The futile campaign, infamously known as Gallipoli, is poignantly etched in history due to the enormous loss of lives and the impossibly hopeless situation faced by these brave young soldiers, many of whom had left home for the first time, destined never to return. In the fierce struggle for Turkish territory, thousands perished as the odds were resolutely stacked against them. The Turks sustained terrible losses. Thousands of British, French and Indian Allied troops also died. As always in war, common men died, cruelly robbed of their potential because of actions and decisions of military leaders. Overnight - Gallipoli region (B, D)
Day 4: Troy & Kusadasi
Gallipoli – Kusadasi. At Troy (inspiration for Homer's Illiad and much more recently the movie Troy) we visit the Trojan Horse and ruins. We enjoy a guided tour of the ancient city that dates back to 3000BC! En route to Kusadasi, we explore the ruins of Pergamum with it's impressive temples, library and medical facilities which made it a famous cultural and political centre of it's time. Overnight - Kusadasi (B, D)
A man sunbathing at the cotton castles of Pammukale
Day 5: Kusadasi
Today, we explore the legendary Roman ruins of Ephesus. Positively the best preserved classical city in the eastern Mediterranean, Ephesus, under the Romans, was a vast city with a population nearing 250, 000 and became the Roman Capital of Asia Minor. It revelled in it's prosperity from commerce and visiting pilgrims who came to see the great Temple of Artemis - one of the Seven Ancient Wonders. Exemplifying the finesse of Roman urban life, Ephesus boasts carefully restored elements including a Great Theatre, Curetes Way, the Temple of Serapis and the Library of Celsus. Stop by the ancient public toilets and public brothel! Afterward, we stop at a local leather manufacturer. Turkey produces some of the finest leather goods in the world and many are made here before branding in Italy. Overnight - Kusadasi (B, D)
Day 6: Thermal Pools
Kusadasi – Pamukkale. Driving east, we arrive at Pamukkale - home of the amazing calcium terraces and Roman Hierapolis where you can where you can opt for a dip in the thermal waters. Overnight - Pamukkale (B, D)
An on the go group at the Goreme Valley in Cappadocia
Days 7 - 8: Cappadocia
Pamukkale - Cappadocia. Today we travel to Cappadocia, stopping en route to visit the Whirling Dervish Museum in Konya and ancient caravanserais such as Sultanhani. Tonight, a fun optional Turkish folklore evening is available.

On day 8 we take a guided tour of the region, taking in the World Heritage listed site of the Goreme Valley, Zelve and Devrent Valley. Cappadocia is an extraordinary national treasure and perhaps even the top jewel in Turkey's illustrious crown. The utter improbability of the seemingly surreal landscapes have to be seen to be believed, with the 'stuff of fables' cave dwellings and phallic ' fairy chimneys' landscape. Whole troglodyte villages, subterranean churches and fortresses hewn from the soft, eroded volcanic rock make great sightseeing. Enjoy a guided tour of the region on day 8 and dinner. Overnight - Cappadocia (B:2, D:1)
Day 9: Ankara
Cappadocia - Istanbul. Via Ankara - the nation’s capital, we visit the Mausoleum of Mustafa Ataturk - the father of modern Turkey, before continuing to Istanbul. Overnight - Istanbul (B)
Day 10: Istanbul
Monday. Our tours ends after breakfast, consider doing a spot of last minute souvenir shopping in the behemoth Grand Bazaar and Egyptian Spice Market. (B)

Note: Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays, whilst the Hagia Sofia is closed on Mondays. Please consider this when booking. Grand Bazaar and Egyptian Spice Market are both closed on Sundays.