Turkey Encircled

Once you have arrived in Istanbul, you will be met and transferred to the hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is at leisure, giving you time to begin exploring Istanbul at your own pace. You may wish to take a stroll through the lively neighbourhoods near your hotel, sample some traditional Turkish cuisine, or simply relax and unwind.

Please note: Arrival transfers from Sabiha Gokcen Airport may incur an additional fee.

This morning, we embark on a guided tour of Istanbul, where we will discover some of the city’s most remarkable landmarks. We begin at Topkapi Palace, once the opulent residence of Ottoman sultans, with its impressive courtyards and treasury of imperial treasures. We then see the exterior of the Hagia Sophia, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture that has served as both a cathedral and a mosque over its long history.

Our tour continues to the Blue Mosque, renowned for its striking domes and exquisite, blue-tiled interior, before concluding at the Grand Bazaar, one of the world's oldest and largest covered markets, where thousands of shops line a maze of colourful alleys.

Istanbul - Ankara - Cappadocia. After breakfast, we depart for Ankara, the capital of Turkey, where we will visit the Mausoleum of Atatürk and its museum. This impressive monument is the final resting place of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the modern Turkish Republic, and provides a fascinating insight into his life and achievements.

By evening, we arrive in Cappadocia, a region renowned for its extraordinary rock formations and cave dwellings carved into soft volcanic stone.

Early this morning, you will have the choice of joining an optional hot-air balloon ride over Cappadocia, an unforgettable way to admire the region’s surreal landscapes from above. (payable locally)

Later, we set out on a full-day excursion exploring Cappadocia. Our visits include one of the remarkable underground cities, once used as a refuge by ancient communities, the Göreme Open-Air Museum with its rock-cut churches decorated with vivid frescoes, and the natural fortress of Uchisar, which offers sweeping views across the valleys.

This evening, you may choose to join an optional night tour featuring a traditional Turkish show accompanied by dinner. (payable locally)

Cappadocia - Pamukkale. We set off early this morning for Pamukkale, travelling first to the Sultanhan Caravanserai, a striking 13th-century Seljuk inn that once served as a vital stop for traders along the Silk Road.

We continue our drive through the Anatolian countryside, arriving in Pamukkale.

Pamukkale - Izmir. After breakfast, we explore the ancient city of Hierapolis, once a thriving Roman spa centre. Here, we see the impressive Necropolis, one of the largest ancient cemeteries in Anatolia, alongside the striking travertine terraces formed by mineral-rich springs.

We then continue to Selcuk to visit the Temple of Artemis, once counted among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, before traveling onward to Äzmir.

Izmir - Ephesus - Selcuk - Sirince - Izmir. This morning, we drive to the ancient city of Ephesus, one of the best-preserved classical cities in the Mediterranean. Here, we explore its grand theatre, the elegant Library of Celsus, and the remains of temples that once showcased the city’s wealth and power.

We continue to the charming hillside village of Şirince. Known for its cobbled streets, stone houses, and welcoming atmosphere, Şirince is also famous for its locally produced fruit wines, which you will have the chance to sample. There is also time to browse the village’s small shops for handmade crafts and regional delicacies. Later, we return to Izmir for our overnight stay.

Izmir - Bergama - Troy - Canakkale. We depart early this morning for Bergama to visit the Asklepion, an important medical centre of the ancient world dedicated to the god of healing, Asklepios. Its well-preserved remains include treatment rooms, a theatre, and sacred pools that once drew patients from across the region.

Our journey then continues to Troy, the legendary city immortalised in Homer’s Iliad. Here, we see the ruins of its ancient walls and temples, along with reconstructions that bring to life the stories of the Trojan War. By evening, we arrive in Canakkale for our overnight stay.

Canakkale - Gallipoli - Istanbul. This morning, we depart from Canakkale and cross the Dardanelles before continuing to the Gallipoli Peninsula, a site of great significance from the First World War.

Here, we visit Anzac Cove, where the Australian and New Zealand troops landed in 1915, as well as The Nek and Chunuk Bair, both scenes of fierce fighting. We also stop at Lone Pine and the 57th Regiment Memorial, which honour the soldiers who lost their lives during the campaign. By late afternoon, we arrive in Istanbul for our overnight stay.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Istanbul Airport at 9 am. If your flight is later, you may take the shuttle at 1 pm.