Welcome to Turkey and the legendary city of Istanbul. The city stretches over two continents, straddling the Bosphorus (Istanbul Strait), with one bank in Europe and the other in Asia, creating an atmosphere that is truly cosmopolitan. This unique location combines the vibrancy and liveliness of the Middle East with the sophistication and modernity of Europe, showcasing the contrast between traditional and contemporary elements of the city.

We don’t want you to miss out on any aspect of your small group tour. To ensure that you don’t, we recommend you arrive at your starting destination by 5:00pm.

This evening meet your fellow travellers and Tour Director for a lovely welcome drink.

Get set for a full day exploring the fascinating city of Istanbul! We begin our day with a visit to the Underground Basilica Cistern, the largest surviving Byzantium Cistern. Our next stop is a visit to the magnificent Topkapi Palace. Constructed between 1466 and 1478, the Topkapi Palace served as the residence of the esteemed Sultans and their households and functioned as the primary hub of the Ottoman Empire from the 15th to the 19th centuries. Today it is filled with treasures and antiquities including twelve thousand pieces of fine Chinese porcelain.

We’ll then visit the Hippodrome, once the heart of the political and sporting life of the city. It was the scene of games and riots throughout 500 years of Ottoman history.

This afternoon we’ll embark on a leisurely cruise along Istanbul’s most famous waterway, the Bosphorus. Our journey will take us along both European and Asian shores, where we’ll uncover marvellous monuments and districts, including the Maiden’s Tower (Kız Kulesi), Dolmabahçe Palace, Çırağan Palace, Ortaköy, Ahmat Fethi Pasa Mansion, Ortaköy Mosque, Beylerbeyi Palace, Kuleli Military School, Arnavutköy and Bebek.

Tonight, we’ll enjoy a group welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Today we travel to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cappadocia. The region is renowned for its otherworldly landscapes, characterised by towering rock formations and cone-shaped fairy chimneys that have been shaped by millions of years of volcanic activity and erosion.

Before our flight this afternoon, we tour the impressive domed Basilica of St. Sophia (Hagia Sophia), which has inspired architects and religious leaders for almost 1,500 years. The first church on this site was constructed in 326 by Constantine the Great; the current church dates back to 537 and has been a cathedral, a museum, and is now a mosque.

Our next destination is the one-of-a-kind Blue Mosque, constructed in 1609 under the patronage of Sultan Ahmet. As we step inside, we are consumed by the grandeur of its interior, adorned with over 20,000 exquisite Iznik tiles. These tiles, meticulously crafted with intricate patterns and varying shades of blue, narrate stories of craftsmanship and artistic brilliance that have withstood the test of time.

Later we transfer to the airport for our flight to Cappadocia, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed region renowned for its spectacular landscape – we’re in for a real treat!

We begin our sightseeing in the beautiful Ihlara Valley this morning, a 14-kilometre-long canyon formed by the Melendiz River thousands of years ago. Once bustling with life, this valley housed thousands of dwellings and about a hundred cave churches, whispering tales of its former vibrant past.

Later, we head to the Zelve Valley, once a bustling hub for Christians from the 9th to 13th centuries. Today, it's an outdoor museum, where we can wander among ancient dwellings and incredible churches carved into the rocks. After some time exploring this fascinating open-air museum, we return to our hotel.

Today, we will explore the secluded monastic valley of Paşabaği, renowned for its abundant rock-carved dwellings and churches.

We’ll then visit the local municipality carpet cooperation where we’ll learn about the production of famous Turkish carpets.

In the afternoon, we travel to the unique Göreme Valley. Over thousands of years, the rain has eroded this landscape to give rise to strange rock formations known as 'Fairy Chimneys'. Many of these formations now have homes and churches carved into them. Some of the grottoes are even magnificently decorated with colourful frescoes depicting biblical scenes.

This morning, our eyes are set on exploring the small village of Avanos, renowned for its exquisite hand-crafted pottery and ceramics. With its cobblestone streets and picturesque vistas overlooking the Red River, it’s no wonder Avanos is an extremely popular destination.

Later this afternoon, we’ll visit one of Cappadocia's fascinating underground cities. During the 6th century, the Christian inhabitants of this region began to tunnel into the large soft volcanic rock hills. Some of these tunnels are as deep as 80 metres with eight different levels where thousands of people are believed to have lived.

Today we make our way west to Beyşehir, a central Anatolian town located on the shore of Lake Beyşehir. With a backdrop of the scenic Taurus Mountains, this charming town is bursting with a vibrant local culture and an impressive history. Here you’ll be able to wander quaint streets adorned with traditional Ottoman architecture.

Our journey begins after breakfast, as we drive southwest to Konya, one of Turkey's oldest cities. En route, we’ll visit one of the largest surviving caravanserai’s along the Silk Road, the 13th century Sultanhanı Caravanserai. Historically, a caravanserai was a roadside inn, where travellers and merchants could rest and recover from the day’s journey. Not only did they provide accommodation and food, it was also an opportunity for merchants to exchange goods with people from across the vast regions the Silk Road covered.

In Konya we’ll visit the Mevlana Museum and learn about the mystical religious order known as the Whirling Dervishes. They use music and dance to induce themselves into a trance-like state. As the ceremonial music plays, they begin whirling, and their long skirts billow, giving the impression that they are floating on air.

In the evening, we will reach Beyşehir and have some time to unwind before dinner this evening.

Our journey takes us southward today, along the stunning Mediterranean coast until we arrive at Antalya, the region's largest city and a lively hub of tourism boasting the longest beach in Turkey. Despite the modern tourism infrastructure, Antalya has retained its rich history dating all the way back to 133BC, with its ancient monuments and spectacular tombs surviving the test of time.

We begin the day with a short drive to Eflatun Pinar, a Hittite spring sanctuary dating back to the late Bronze Age. We’ll then stop at a small village on the shores of lake Beyşehir to visit a friendly local family. This will provide us with a wonderful opportunity to gain further insight into the culture and way of life of Turkey through the eyes of local residents.

Our last stop today is at the fascinating Esrefoğlu Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in Turkey. A mostly wooden structure constructed in the 13th century, this impressive mosque showcases the distinctive Seljuk style with its elegant minaret and intricately decorated façade.

Later this afternoon we’ll arrive in Antalya.

Enjoy the day at leisure to relax or explore at your own pace. Why not sample some of the delicious street cuisine or visit the spectacular Düden Waterfalls?

We make our way to the quaint fishing village of Kaş today, located on the coast of the sparkling Mediterranean. Kaş is a captivating blend of cultural periods, where the ancient ruins of Antiphellos, dating back to the 4th century BC, stand in juxtaposition with modern structures. A unique destination where old meets new, this town has managed to maintain its authentic charm and character despite its popularity.

We travel along the Turkish coastline, stopping at Hadrian’s Gate, a triumphal arch built in honour of the Roman Emperor Hadrian. It’s considered the region’s most beautiful gate with pillars built entirely of white marble. Next, we continue our travels to Phaselis. Set up by the Rhodians in 700BC, the city is located on an isthmus that separates two harbours; it became the most important harbour city of western Lycia.

We’ll arrive in Kaş in the afternoon, where you can soak up the village’s relaxed ambience at leisure.

On the cruise we’ll learn about the ancient sunken city of Simena, off the island of Kekova. In the 2nd century the area was hit by a series of fierce earthquakes, which in turn sank the city beneath the Mediterranean waters.

Remember to pack your swimwear today as their will be plenty of time for a relaxing swim!

Pamukkale is an extraordinary blend of natural beauty and historical significance. Standing out as one of the highlights of Turkey, this incredible location is where we will spend the night!

Over the last 14,000 years, calcium rich water from an underground thermal spring has flowed over the mountainside and slowly solidified, creating shallow white basins and twisted stalagmites. The water at Pamukkale is well-known for its positive effects on the skin and eyes, as well as its ability to alleviate symptoms of asthma and rheumatism.

On arrival we’ll visit the site of Hierapolis, an ancient Greek city that sits atop the famous cascading pool terraces. Established by the kings of Pergamum at the end of the 2nd century BC, this ancient spa town is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site revered for its striking natural formations and its complex Greco-Roman engineering techniques.

Kuşadası is one of Turkey’s popular beachside towns boasting an impressive 300 days of sunshine each year. It also serves as the gateway to the remarkable Roman ruins of Ephesus!

Along the way we’ll visit Aphrodisias, a city dedicated to the Goddess of Love ‘Aphrodite’, which was once a prominent hub for the arts. The Sculpture School of Aphrodisias gained widespread recognition for its excellence. This is evident in the fine marble statues and architectural reliefs scattered throughout the site. We also see the grandeur of the biggest stadium in the classical world, which could accommodate 30,000 spectators. While this stadium was originally constructed for athletic competitions, it was later repurposed for various events such as games, circuses, gladiator fights, and displays of wild animals, after being damaged by an earthquake in the 7th century.

After our sightseeing we continue on to Kuşadası.

This morning is at leisure for you to relax or explore the sights of Kusadasi before we make our way to Ephesus, the largest Roman city ever uncovered.

A visit here is truly like stepping back in time. Initially established as a port, it was used as a very important commercial centre due to its strategic position. Once populated with 300,000 people, Ephesus has an enormous amphitheatre, which can still hold 24,000 spectators.

As we walk down the marble-paved streets, we gain a sense of the daily life during those times. We also observe various structures, including gymnasiums, bathhouses, public latrines, the Library of Celsus, and the remnants of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. We’ll also stop at a local leather factory where handmade leather goods are produced.

As the site of Ephesus is quite large with little shade, we recommend taking a hat and plenty of water with you as drinks are only sold outside of the complex.

This evening we’ll head to a renowned vineyard in western Turkey for a delicious wine tasting and dinner. There’s over 20 wine grape varieties grown in the vineyards here, both local varieties and some completely new to Turkey, so we’re in for a real treat during our sampling.

Situated on the southern shore of the Dardanelles, Çanakkale is an ancient port city that has housed several civilisations over the past 6,000 years. Çanakkale is also widely regarded as the entry point to the Gallipoli Peninsula.

On the way to Çanakkale, we stop at the Pergamum where we’ll visit the Asclepion, a famed ancient medical centre and the world's first psychiatric hospital. Pergamum stands today as a supreme example of the region’s multi-layered cultural landscape.

This afternoon we’ll visit Troy, one of the oldest discovered sites in Asia Minor. It actually holds nine settlements, dating from the Stone Age to the Roman Empire along with a replica of the famous Trojan Horse. The celebrated city of the Iliad, the Odyssey of Homer and the Aeneid of Virgil were long believed to be fictional until eccentric archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann discovered the ruins near the modern city.

We visit the World War I battlefields, most notable for being held by the ANZACs from 25th April to 20th December 1915, during what is referred to as The Gallipoli Campaign or Battle of Gallipoli. At the end of the war the bodies, still unburied, were cleared by the Allies on returning to the peninsula. Of the 22,000 graves at the 31 war cemeteries, only 9,000 are identified burials with grave markers. The remaining graves are commemorated with a special memorial.

Today is an incredibly moving day. It is a tangible reminder of a not-so-distant past and a significant event in history that shaped Australia's national identity.

Later this afternoon we’ll return to Istanbul.

We begin the day with a visit to the famous Grand Bazaar. Built in 1457, the Grand Bazaar is one of the largest covered markets in the world. It is most famous for its antique shops, jewellery, carpets, hand-painted ceramics, embroideries and spices.

Making our way to the exotic Spice Bazaar, you’ll have some time to browse through the stalls at your leisure and soak up the scents of hundreds of spices permeating the air.

Next, we’ll take a walking tour through the neighbourhoods of Fener and Balat, perhaps two of the most historically rich districts in Istanbul. Fener is the historic Greek neighbourhood of Istanbul and is nestled on the shores of the Golden Horn. It is a neighbourhood with a unique atmosphere, where colourful houses share fences with ancient mosques and churches. The adjacent district of Balat is renowned for its Jewish heritage and centuries-old synagogues, historic mansions and diverse array of architectural styles. Both areas boast historical significance in Istanbul and are included in UNESCO’s World Heritage list.

Enjoy a relaxing afternoon basking in the culture of this beautiful city for the last time. Why not head to Eminonu and join the locals for the best fast food you can find? If you have the opportunity, try some Dondurma, a Turkish ice cream – it’s chewy, stretchy and does not melt!

Tonight, we’ll enjoy a lovely group farewell dinner.

Our tour concludes after breakfast this morning. Today marks the completion of our adventure through fascinating Turkey. We hope you leave with fantastic memories!