Special Turkey & Cappadocia

On arrival in Istanbul, we meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Check in and settle in, then enjoy the rest of the day at leisure – you can explore the city at your own pace or simply relax after your journey. Overnight in Istanbul.

After breakfast, we begin our Istanbul city tour at the Hippodrome – once the arena for chariot races – where we see the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. We continue to the Sultanahmet Imperial Mosque, widely known as the Blue Mosque for its interior of blue Iznik tiles, then visit Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque – a landmark of Byzantine architecture that was, for nearly 1,000 years, the largest church in the world and is noted for its sixth–century mosaics. After lunch, we head to Asil Efendi – you can browse spices and herbs, traditional Turkish sweets and coffee, souvenirs and more – before we transfer back to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

We depart Istanbul early for Gallipoli to visit the First World War battlefields. On the way we make a short stop at a restaurant area where you can have breakfast and relax before we continue the journey. On arrival in Gallipoli we pause for lunch at a local restaurant, then begin at the Gabatepe Museum. We continue to Ariburnu Cemetery and Anzac Cove – key landing sites – followed by Beach Cemetery, Lone Pine and Chunuck Bair. After the tour we drive to your hotel in Canakkale for check-in and dinner – overnight in Canakkale.

After breakfast we check out and depart for Troy for a guided visit to this famed archaeological and mythological site – associated with the Trojan Horse and Helen of Troy. After the tour we continue to Pergamon – around three hours – stopping for lunch at a local restaurant before exploring the Acropolis of Pergamon, whose temples and library once made it a renowned cultural and political centre. Pergamon is known for its jewellery, stones and silver, so we also visit a jewellery centre. We then arrive in Kusadasi to check in and enjoy dinner at the hotel – overnight in Kusadasi.

After breakfast we set out on a fully guided tour of Ephesus – one of the world’s best preserved ancient cities. En route we visit the Temple of Artemis, then continue along Curetes Street to see the Roman baths, the Celsus Library and the Grand Theatre. After a lunch break, we visit a carpet weaving centre to observe this age old craft in practice.We then continue to the hillside village of Sirince, noted for its Anatolian Greek architectural style and houses painted white. You have free time to explore the village, which is renowned for its fruit wines. On the return, we stop at one of the region’s well known leather production centres with the chance to shop at factory rates – with our guide on hand so you can browse without hassle and learn about traditional craftsmanship. We return to the hotel for dinner. Overnight in Kusadasi.

After breakfast we depart for Pamukkale. On arrival we check in to the hotel and have lunch. In the afternoon we visit the calcium terraces of Pamukkale – known as the cotton castle – and the ruins of Hierapolis, with time to walk around this natural phenomenon. You can choose to lie in the waters of the natural springs. We also visit one of Pamukkale’s well known textile factories before returning to the hotel for dinner. Overnight in Pamukkale.

After breakfast, we depart Pamukkale for Antalya, pausing for a coffee break after about two hours before continuing. On arrival, we check in to the hotel and you have the rest of the day at leisure to explore or relax at your own pace. Dinner will be served at the hotel – overnight in Antalya.

After breakfast, we explore Antalya’s Old Town – Kaleiçi – taking in the marina, the Clock Tower, Hadrian’s Gate, the Broken Minaret and Hıdırlık Tower. Kaleiçi is the historic core of the city, shaped by Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman periods. Hadrian’s Gate is a Roman triumphal arch built in honour of Emperor Hadrian. The Broken Minaret belongs to the Korkut Mosque, which was originally a Roman temple in the 2nd century AD and therefore had no minaret. Hıdırlık Tower stands where Kaleiçi meets Karaalioglu Park – it is believed to date from the Hellenistic era on a square plan and to have been made circular in the 2nd century AD, serving either as a fortification or a lighthouse.We pause for lunch, then depart for the Düden Waterfalls. The streams of this region descend towards the Mediterranean, forming numerous cascades – there are more than twenty. After the tour we return to the hotel and the rest of the day is free at leisure for you to relax or explore. Dinner is served at the hotel. Overnight in Antalya.

After an early breakfast we drive to Konya by road, pausing en route for a coffee break and a short rest before continuing. After lunch we visit the imposing green–tiled Mausoleum of Mevlana – the mystic founder of the Whirling Dervishes Sufi order. We then continue to Cappadocia, check in at the hotel and enjoy dinner there. Overnight in Cappadocia.

After breakfast, we collect you from the hotel and drive to Ozkonak Underground City, one of Cappadocia’s best preserved subterranean settlements. We then explore the Goreme Open Air Museum – renowned for rock cut churches with 10th century frescoes depicting the life of Jesus and monastic scenes – before continuing to Cavusin, an abandoned village with old cave houses built by Greek communities. We head to Avanos for lunch, then visit a pottery workshop to see how traditional pieces are made. In the afternoon we take in the distinctive formations of Love Valley, continue to Devrent Valley – also known as Imagination Valley – where the rocks resemble animals, and finish at the Three Beauties, a trio of fairy chimneys that is a symbol of Cappadocia. We return to the hotel for dinner. Overnight in Cappadocia.

After breakfast, you have free time in Cappadocia to relax or explore at your own pace. Later, we depart for Kayseri Airport for your domestic flight to Istanbul – this flight is not included – and your onward journey home. We hope you enjoyed the tour and look forward to welcoming you again.