Turkey Delight
Turkey is a nation straddling eastern Europe and western Asia with cultural connections to ancient Greek, Persian, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires. Cosmopolitan Istanbul, on the Bosphorus Strait, is home to the iconic Hagia Sophia, with its soaring dome and Christian mosaics, the massive 17th-century Blue Mosque and the circa-1460 Topkapı Palace, former home of sultans. Ankara is Turkey’s modern capital.
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1: Istanbul
Welcome to Istanbul! You will be transferred to your hotel upon arrival. Remainder of the day is yours, free to explore.
Overnight Istanbul
Day 2: Istanbul Old City
After breakfast, enjoy a fully guided tour of the only city to span two continents, visiting the Blue Mosque, the AyaSofya, Topkapi Palace and the Hippodrome.
Overnight Istanbul
Day 3: Gallipoli Battlefields
One of the most emotionally touching places in Turkey, today we visit the WWI Battlefields of Gallipoli including Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair Memorials, ANZAC Cove, The Nek and Johnston’s Jolly, original trenches and tunnels.
Breakfast, dinner. Overnight Canukkale
Day 4: Troy, Acropolis of Pergamum
This morning, step back in time as we visit Troy, home of the famed Trojan horse and then tour the magnificent acropolis of Pergamum. The impressive temples and library made Pergamum a renowned cultural and political centre in its time.
Breakfast, dinner. Overnight Kusadasi
Day 5: Ephesus, Kusadasi
Absorb yourself in history today with a guided tour of Ephesus and a visit to the site of the Temple of Artemis. Feel the mystical atmosphere of the ancient city and theater before continuing to the village of Sirince, famous for producing fruitwines. Carpet weaving has long traditions in Turkey and so we visit a carpet village to learn how the carpets are made by hand and what determines their value.
Breakfast, dinner. Overnight Kusadasi
Day 6: Pamukkale, Hierapolis
This morning we will enjoy a display of locally handcrafted leather goods before heading to the magnificent white calcium terraces, known as Travertines, in Pamukkale where we also tour the ancient city of Hierapolis. Take a dip amongst ancientcolumns in the hot springs that were used in Roman times for their therapeutic powers.
Breakfast, dinner. Overnight Pamukkale
Day 7: Bursa, Istanbul
Today we head back to Istanbul, passing through rural Turkey and ancient Bursa to see the famous Green Mosque and explore the Silk Bazaar.
Breakfast. Overnight Istanbul
Day 8: Istanbul
After breakfast our tour concludes as we say goodbye to our new friends.
