Enchanting Turkiye

Day 1 : Istanbul

Upon your arrival, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel where you will receive a welcome briefing.

Day 2 : Istanbul

Enjoy a full-day tour of the city. Visit the Topkapi Palace Museum, previously the residence of the Ottoman Sultans. Explore the Hippodrome, once the centre of life where chariot racing and other public events took place during the Byzantine Empire. Tour the incredible Blue Mosque, built between 1609 and 1616, famous for its blue ceramic tiles.
Continue your tour to St. Sophia, a cathedral built in the 6th century during the Byzantine empire, and later converted to a mosque by the Ottomans. Finish your day-tour at the Grand Bazaar and its interesting vendors and colourful items. Join an optional dinner with belly dancing entertainment.

Day 3 : Istanbul > Gallipoli > Dardanelles > Canakkale

Travel to Gallipoli, the site of many battles during World War I. You will also visit the Anzac Cove, Lone Pine Cemetery, and Chunuk Bair. Overnight in Canakkale.

Day 4 : Canakkale > Troy > Pergamon > Izmir

Visit Troy with its famous wooden horse, best known for being the setting of the Trojan War – around the 12th or 13th century BCE. Enjoy lunch with locals in a traditional local village on the way to Pergamon. Once you have reached Pergamon, visit the ancient Medical Center in Asklepion. Overnight in Izmir

Day 5 : Izmir > Ephesus and St. Mary’s House > Izmir

Today drive to the famous ruins of Ephesus, an important cultural centre of the ancient world, and explore 2,000-year-old marble streets and many important sites, including the Library of Celsius and Hadrian’s Temple. Take a short drive to see St. Mary’s stone cottage where it is believed Virgin Mary spent her last years accompanied by St. John. Continue to a regional rug production centre to have a first-hand experience of this unique art form. Later you will be transferred back to Izmir.

Day 6 : Izmir > Bodrum

After breakfast, drive to Bodrum and visit the castle of St. Peter and the renowned Museum of Underwater Archaeology with fascinating artefacts dating back from the 16th century. The museum also sheds light on the history of Bodrum Peninsula.

Day 7 : Bodrum

Enjoy your day at leisure. You can join a tour to Kos Islands or explore Bodrum’s charming streets.

Day 8 : Bodrum > Pamukkale

After breakfast, drive through lush valleys to Pamukkale, the incredible views of the Cotton Fortress and its white limestone cascades formed by hot mineral springs. Visit ruins of the Roman health spa of Hierapolis and enjoy a swim in your hotel’s thermal pool.

Day 9 : Pamukkale > Antalya

This morning depart to Antalya and explore the old town centre as part of a walking tour. Antalya is known as the Turquoise Coast for its blue waters and ruins of its ancient Roman port.

Day 10 : Antalya > Perge > Aspendos > Antalya

Spend a full day at leisure. You can join an optional tour to Perge and Aspendos or explore the town’s hidden gems.

Day 11 : Antalya > Cappadocia

Early morning departure to Cappadocia with a visit to the 13th century Caravanserai. Later visit the underground city of Saratli.

Day 12 : Cappadocia

After breakfast, delve into Goreme, a historical region where ancient rock formations hide settlements first established during the Roman period. Many rock churches can still be observed today, as Christianity was then the prevailing religion in that region. Continue to the town of Avanos renowned for its high-quality pottery. Also visit Devrent and the Red Valley, and attend a brief pottery workshop. In the evening you can join an optional Whirling Dervishes performance.
Optional activity:
Early Morning Hot Air Balloon Tour: Experience floating through volcanic valleys, fairy chimneys, and caves at sunrise.

Day 13 : Cappadocia > Ankara

Early morning departure to the capital city of Ankara through the Salt Lake area. Visit the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the father of modern Turkey.

Day 14 : Ankara > Istanbul

After breakfast, depart for Istanbul. In the afternoon, you can join an optional half-day Bosphorus cruise through the strait that separates Asia and Europe. Its shores are lined with fine neighbourhoods, Ottoman palaces, fortresses, old wooden villas and lively streets. Finish your last-minute shopping at the Spice Market filled with the fragrance of the exotic east. Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner.

Day 15 : Istanbul

After breakfast transfer to airport where arrangements conclude.