SOLO OFFER: 13-day Turkish Treasures Tour incl. Gallipoli & Flights

DAY 1, Monday - Depart for Turkey

Depart for Turkey

DAY 2, Tuesday - Arrive in Istanbul

Arrive in Istanbul, at the crossroads of Europe and Asia and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day is at leisure. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Dinner with your Tour Manager and fellow travellers.

Overnight: Istanbul
Meals: Dinner

DAY 3, Wednesday - Morning City Tour of Istanbul

Enjoy a half day morning tour of Istanbul, the only city that straddles two continents. Your tour includes a short briefing and the picture stop at the courtyard of the Blue Mosque, a 17th century Ottoman Mosque famous for its six minarets and magnificent interior made of blue tiles. Continue to the Hippodrome, the place chariot races and competitive athletic events took place during the Roman period. Then, head to the Topkapi Palace, residence of Ottoman Sultans housing the richness of 700 years. Afterwards, explore the Spice Market with its unforgettable aromas. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure, exploring this city that blurs the line between East and West, with incredible architecture that is rivalled only by its spectacular natural setting on the Bosphorus Strait. In the afternoon, join the fascinating optional tour to the St. Sophia, the great Byzantine Basilica built in the 6th century, which remained the largest cathedral in the world for almost a thousand years, it was later converted to a mosque and now serves as a museum. Then continue to the Grand Bazaar, where you can shop for carpets, jewellery, leather and more.

Optional: Half Day Istanbul with St. Sophia & Grand Bazaar (PM)
Overnight: Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 4, Thursday - Anzac Cemetery, Travel to Canakkale

This morning, drive to the town of Gallipoli, site of the famous Ottoman victory against the Allies during World War I. Visit the Anzac Cemetery, a memorial to the casualties of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, who's fame grew back home as word of their heroic efforts spread. April 25, 2015 marked the 100th Anniversary of the beginning of the Gallipoli Campaign. Afterwards, cross the Dardanelles by ferry and continue to the Canakkale province, located in northwest Turkey, where you will arrive in the early evening.

Overnight: Canakkale
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 5, Friday - Visit Troy, Pergamum, Travel to Izmir

This morning, proceed to the classical city of Troy. Tour this 4000-year-old city and legendary center of the Trojan War, made immortal by Homer's epic poem The Iliad. Then, drive to Pergamum, a powerful kingdom during the ancient Hellenistic period, and visit Asklepion, the ancient Roman spa center. Enjoy lunch in a local village before continuing to Izmir, a city believed to be the birthplace of Homer.

Overnight: Izmir
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6, Saturday - Full Day in Izmir

Enjoy a full day at leisure in Izmir. With over 3500 years of history, the port city known historically as Smyrna offers a variety of impressive archaeological sites, not to mention easy access to ancient Ephesus. Perhaps, relax in the city and sip Türk kahvesi, authentic Turkish coffee, at a café set along the scenic Pasaport Quay. Don't miss the optional tour to Ephesus, considered one of the greatest ancient cities of the world. Here, you'll visit the House of the Virgin Mary, Basilica of St. John, the library of Celsus, temple of Hadrian, the theatre and the Odeon. After lunch at a local restaurant return to Izmir.

Optional: Full Day Ephesus & House of the Virgin Mary with Lunch
Overnight: Izmir
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 7, Sunday - Necropolis & Hierapolis at Pamukkale

Today, depart in the early morning from Izmir and drive to Pamukkale en route to Antalya where you will arrive in the evening. Visit the Necropolis and the ancient city of Hierapolis ("Holy City"), situated atop the Pamukkale hot springs, which together constitute a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Pamukkale hot springs have served as a thermal bath since the 2nd century B.C., primarily for the ailing and elderly, many of whom have retired here.

Overnight: Antalya
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 8, Monday - Full Day in Antalya

Enjoy a full day at leisure in Antalya. Founded by King Attalos of Pergamum as "Heaven on Earth," Antalya is an international resort city that has become a prime destination in Turkey. Long popular among yachters, the city also offers the liveliest nightlife on the southern coast, fantastic beaches, and world-class shopping, in addition to historic ruins in the surrounding region. A fascinating optional tour is offered to the Pamphylian city of Perge and to the ancient city of Aspendos. On the return trip, visit the Antalya Archaeological Museum with its artifacts dating back over 2500 years.

Optional: Perge, Aspendos & Antalya Archaeological Museum
Overnight: Antalya
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 9, Tuesday - Cappadocia Caravanserai Sightseeing

Today, depart in the early morning to travel to Cappadocia. En route, visit the 13th-century Caravanserai of Sultanhan, a large abandoned city and shelter in Cappadocia, built on the Silk Road, whose main portal gate is considered a fine example of Turkish Seljuk art. During the Seljuk period, trade flourished, requiring roads for caravan transport and inns for the traveling traders. The Caravanserai provided these traders, both foreign and native, with heated rooms, food, medical attention, equipment repair and many other common conveniences. There was even a small mosque, known as "Kosk Mescid," in the courtyard's center where the travelers could conduct religious practices. Continue to Nevsehir in Cappadocia where you will arrive in the evening. Tonight, be sure to attend the optional performance of the world-famous Whirling Dervishes

*If time permits there may be a visit to a local school en route to Cappadocia.

Optional: Whirling Dervishes Performance (PM)
Overnight: Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 10, Wednesday - Full Day in Cappadocia

Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore the area independently. A region of surreal rock formations and incredible cultural heritage, Cappadocia is home to rock-cut temples, ancient underground cities, and unparalleled landscapes. Begin the day very early on an optional hot air balloon ride that takes you soaring over the magnificent Cappadocian landscape with its incredible fairy chimney rock formations. On the full day optional tour, visit the Open Air Museum in the Goreme Valley to see the early Christian churches and the Ozkonak Underground City.

The Cappadocia Balloon Ride tour ends before the Full Day Cappadocia tour begins. Both tours can be done on the same day.

Optional: Cappadocia Balloon Ride (AM)
Optional: Full Day Cappadocia (AM)
Overnight: Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 11, Thursday - Travel to Ankara, Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk

This morning depart for Ankara, the capital and the second largest city of Turkey. Upon arrival, visit the Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk, founder and first president of the Turkish Republic. Leading up to the Mausoleum, view the vast brick courtyard and monumental avenue lined with Neo-Hittite stone statues and cenotaphs beneath its colonnades. The most noted cenotaphs within the complex are those of General Ismet Inonu, a close comrade of Ataturk's and that of Ataturk himself, beneath which lies his tomb. Continue to the Anatolian Civlizations Museum - built in two Ottoman buildings located near Ankara Castle. The Museum's unique exhibits feature Anatolian archaeological artifacts dating back to the Paleolithic Age.

Overnight: Ankara
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 12, Friday - Return to Istanbul

This morning return to Istanbul. Arrive in the afternoon and spend the remainder of the day at leisure or join the optional cruise along the Bosphorus, the winding straits separating Europe and Asia. The humble fishing villages and contrasting suspension bridges set against the dramatic outline of the Strait demonstrates the link between the East and West. This evening, enjoy a Farewell Dinner at your hotel with your traveling companions.

Optional: Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise (PM)
Overnight: Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 13, Saturday - Depart Turkey

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

Meals: Breakfast

Advertised per-person pricing based on May 20, 2019 or May 27, 2019 tour with return airfares from Sydney. Prices may vary and are subject to availability at time of booking.

Accommodation will vary depending on departure day. Please enquire for more information on your preferred date. Hotels are subject to change.

Is this trip right for me?

This moderately active program covers a good amount of ground each day. Expect from three to four hours walking on some touring days. The pace is moderate, however a majority is over uneven surfaces, stairs, steps and significant slopes. Bus rides to Ankara and Istanbul are approximately seven to eight hours. Those who are claustrophobic or have preexisting knee or back conditions may want to avoid visiting the Underground Cities in Cappadocia. Passageways are narrow and may require crouching to navigate.