Turkish Cities and Culture Exploration

Upon arrival at Antalya Airport, we will transfer you to your hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day is yours to relax or explore the local area at your own pace. In the evening, enjoy dinner served at the hotel. Overnight stay in Antalya.

Today’s focus is on Ephesus – Turkey’s largest archaeological site. Once the world’s second-largest city after Rome in the 1st century AD, Ephesus was home to over 250,000 people. We explore its remarkable ruins, including the theatre, the marble street, the Library of Celsus, and Hadrian’s Temple. The journey to Ephesus takes us across the Taurus Mountains and through a fertile valley, offering scenic views along the way. After the tour, we continue to Izmir for your overnight stay.

After breakfast, we visit two more UNESCO World Heritage sites – Pergamon and Troy. In Pergamon, once home to the famous Altar of Zeus, we explore the Acropolis Hill, including the steep theatre, the remains of the library, and the partially restored Temple of Trajan. We then drive along the scenic coastline to Troy, the legendary city brought to light by Heinrich Schliemann and one of Turkey’s most renowned ancient sites. The afternoon is dedicated to exploring Troy and its Homeric connections. We finish the day with dinner and an overnight stay in Canakkale.

Today, you leave the ancient world behind as we travel by car and ferry to Istanbul, Turkey’s vibrant city straddling two continents. Crossing the legendary Dardanelles by car ferry, we arrive in Istanbul, a city rich in history and culture. We visit Topkapi Palace, the former residence of Ottoman sultans for 400 years, now a museum showcasing collections of costumes, porcelain, and weaponry. Later, you’ll have free time to explore the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets, featuring 61 streets and over 4,000 shops. Overnight in Istanbul.

After breakfast, we embark on a full-day tour of Istanbul, a vibrant city once known as Byzantium. Our first stop is the Hippodrome in Sultanahmet Square, an ancient arena that was the heart of public life in Byzantine times, primarily hosting chariot races. Next, we visit the Blue Mosque, famed for its striking interior adorned with blue tiles and notable as the only mosque in Istanbul with six minarets, built in the early 17th century. We conclude the morning at the UNESCO-listed Hagia Sophia, a remarkable structure that has served as a church, mosque, and museum over its 1,500-year history. The afternoon is yours to explore at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul.

Today we cross from Europe to Asia via one of the world’s longest suspension bridges, offering impressive views as we travel. Continuing through the Central Anatolian highlands, we arrive in Pamukkale. Here, you can unwind with a thermal bath at your hotel, taking advantage of the region’s renowned natural hot springs. Overnight in Pamukkale.

Today we explore the remarkable thermal terraces of Pamukkale, a UNESCO-listed natural wonder formed over millennia through mineral-rich sedimentation. We then visit the ancient city of Hierapolis, renowned for its exceptionally well-preserved Roman necropolis. After the tour, we travel back to Antalya for your overnight stay.

After breakfast, a transfer will take you to Antalya Airport for your onward journey. This marks the end of your tour and your time in Turkey.