Turkey Unbound (5 Star)

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.

Today, you will embark on a guided journey through some of Istanbul’s most celebrated sites. At Topkapi Palace, the former seat of Ottoman power, you will learn about the empire’s rich history and its royal court life. Hagia Sophia, once a Byzantine cathedral and later an Ottoman mosque, stands as a symbol of the city’s layered past.

You will also admire the striking Blue Mosque, famous for its six minarets and intricate blue tiles, before experiencing the lively atmosphere of the Spice Market, where stalls brim with herbs, teas, and traditional delicacies. You will then spend another night in Istanbul.

Istanbul - Gallipoli - Canakkale. This morning, you will depart Istanbul and journey to Gallipoli, a place of great historical significance.

At Anzac Cove, you will see the shoreline where the Allied troops first landed in 1915. The Nek, a narrow ridge, is remembered for the fierce fighting that took place there. At Chunuk Bair, you will learn about the key role this high ground played in the campaign, while Lone Pine stands as a moving memorial to the Australian soldiers who fought with immense bravery. The 57th Regiment Memorial honours the Turkish troops who defended their homeland with equal courage.

Later, you will cross the Dardanelles Strait before continuing to Canakkale, where you enjoy dinner and spend the night.

Canakkale - Troy - Bergama - Kusadasi. After breakfast, you will leave Canakkale and travel to the legendary city of Troy, famous as the setting of the Trojan War and the tale of the wooden horse. Here, you will explore the layers of history that reveal centuries of settlement and myth.

Crossing Mount Ida, you continue to Pergamum, once a major centre of learning and culture in the ancient world. At the Acropolis, you will see the remains of temples, theatres, and fortifications that reflect the city’s former grandeur.

Later, you will continue to Kusadasi, where you will spend the night.

Kusadasi - Ephesus - Kusadasi. Today, you will depart on a short drive to Ephesus, one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in Turkey. The ancient city showcases grand avenues, temples, and theatres that bring the Roman world to life.

You will also have the opportunity to discover the traditions behind local handicrafts, including hand-made carpets and leatherwork, which remain an important part of the region’s culture.

The day continues with a visit to the House of the Virgin Mary, a revered pilgrimage site set in a peaceful hillside location. Afterwards, you return to Kusadasi for the night.

Kusadasi - Hierapolis - Pamukkale. This morning, you will drive through the fertile Meander Plain, passing cotton farms along the way, before arriving in Pamukkale. Here, you will have time to admire the dazzling white travertine terraces, formed by mineral-rich thermal waters cascading down the hillside.

You will also visit the ancient city of Hierapolis, known for its well-preserved theatre, necropolis, and sacred hot springs that made it a centre of healing in Roman times. After, you will be transferred to your hotel in Pamukkale, where you will enjoy dinner.

Pamukkale - Konya - Cappadocia. After breakfast, you will begin the drive towards Cappadocia. Along the way, you will stop in Konya to visit the Mevlana Mausoleum, the resting place of the 13th-century Sufi mystic Rumi and a centre of the Whirling Dervish tradition.

Later, continue your journey through the Anatolian countryside before arriving in Cappadocia, where you enjoy dinner and spend the night.

This morning, you will meet in the hotel lobby and set out for Devrent Valley, where you can walk among the striking fairy chimneys shaped by nature into extraordinary forms.

You will then continue to Pasabagi, also known as Monk’s Valley, famous for its unusual formations with multiple stems and caps found only in this region. From here, the journey takes you to Avanos, a town renowned for its pottery tradition that dates back to the Hittite period. Local craftsmen still use the distinctive red clay sourced from the Kizilirmak River, the longest river in Turkey.

After a break for lunch, you proceed to the Göreme Open Air Museum. Here you will see rock-carved churches, chapels, and monasteries from the 10th to 13th centuries, decorated with impressive frescoes (please note that the Dark Church requires an additional entry fee).

The day concludes with a photo stop in the surrounding valleys before returning to your hotel.

Cappadocia - Kayseri - Istanbul. Today, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Istanbul. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to relax or explore the city at your own pace.

After breakfast, depending on your flight time, you may have some free time to pick up last-minute souvenirs, explore a little more of Istanbul, or simply relax. You will then be transferred to Istanbul Airport for your departure flight. Safe Travels!