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.

At 6.00pm, join your fellow travellers and tour leader for a drink and lovely welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Get ready to spend a full day immersing in the incredible Istanbul. We begin our day with a visit to the Underground Basilica Cistern, the largest surviving Byzantium Cistern. Built in 532 during the reign of Emperor Justinian, this unique location is truly a sight to behold with its hundreds of columns brightly lit up. We then continue on to a local café that’s renowned for their traditional Turkish treats since 1864.

Today, we’ll also get the chance to marvel at some of Istanbul’s most famous architectural wonders. First, we’ll 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 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.

We will then head to 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.

This morning we say goodbye to Istanbul as we set our eyes on Gallipoli, our destination for the day. 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.

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.

We’ll continue onto Çanakkale, our home for the night. 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!

We begin our day with a visit to 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.

Next on the agenda is visiting the quaint Adatepe Village, a charming Greek-Turkish village nestled in the foothills of the stunning Ida Mountains. While here we’ll visit the Adatepe Olive Oil Museum, where we’ll learn about the rich history of olive oil in Turkey. The locals will show us traditional methods and techniques, and we’ll also delight in the chance to sample some of the local products.

We’ll continue on to Kuşadası, our home for the next two nights.

Welcome to the lively Kuşadası! One of Turkey’s most popular beachside towns, Kuşadası boasts an impressive 300 days of sunshine each year. It also serves as the gateway to the remarkable Roman ruins of Ephesus, our first stop this morning!

The largest Roman city ever uncovered, a visit to Ephesus 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.

With a population of under 500 residents, the quaint and incredibly beautiful village of Şirince is a total must-see while in the İzmir region. This picturesque town is bursting with history, culture and beautiful scenery with stone houses adorning the town’s hillside. We’ll return back to the idyllic Kuşadası, where the rest of the day is at leisure.

Sitting on a rugged peninsula of the same name, the coastal city of Bodrum is our destination today. Offering visitors a true Mediterranean experience, this town boasts abundant bays and pristine beaches along its stunning coastline. The sparkling waters of the Aegean Sea are beyond inviting. Beautiful scenery aside, this town is bursting with history and iconic landmarks, and has a rich cultural heritage to match. Plus, the cuisine found here is otherworldly – if you are a fan of seafood, prepare to find heaven in Bodrum!

After a morning at leisure in Kuşadası, we’ll hit the road with our eyes set on Bodrum.

Tucked away in the lush rolling hills of the Aegean Valley is Karnas Vineyards, our destination this afternoon. Renowned for their award-winning wines produced with traditional and sustainable methods, this family-owned boutique winery is set on endless stretches of sprawling vines – a visit here will make you feel as if you’ve stepped right into a postcard! They’re known for growing several varieties of grapes, including Zinfandel, Syrah (Shiraz), Cabernet Franc and Vermentino.

Arriving in Bodrum, we’ll enjoy the remainder of the evening at leisure.

We will spend this morning discovering one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, a magnificent tomb constructed between 353 and 350 B.C. Initially located in the ancient city of Halicarnassus, which is now known as Bodrum, the Mausoleum stood at approximately 45 metres high and was adorned with intricate sculptures. This iconic architectural marvel was unfortunately destroyed by several earthquakes between the 12th and 15th century.

We continue on to explore the Bodrum Castle, also known as the Castle of St. Peter, a medieval waterfront fortification. Situated on a small rocky peninsula, the castle was built from 1402 onwards by the Knights of St. John. While here, we’ll visit the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, housed within the rooms and towers of the Bodrum Castle. This fascinating museum features artifacts from the 16th century, including remains from ancient shipwrecks.

We will enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Why not stroll along the spectacular coastline, or wander the city centre and explore the many boutiques, cafes and restaurants?

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. We’ll transfer to the airport for our midday flight, via Istanbul to Cappadocia.

Complimenting Cappadocia’s otherworldly charm is our accommodation for the next two nights. We’ll get the chance to stay in ‘cave rooms’, an unforgettable experience that seamlessly blends together history, culture and comfort – this is a perfect way to immerse yourself in the true Cappadocia!

Please note: The cave hotel is located right in the heart of Cappadocia, which dates back thousands of years. This means there are multiple flights of stairs, plenty of steps and uneven cobblestone ground to navigate. Rooms are scattered across multiple levels - they are not inside a singular building. Meeting our mobility and fitness requirements are essential. No two rooms are the same with quirky layouts that can be dimly lit. While these rooms are still comfortable remember you are staying in a cave! These are incredibly unique and a once in a lifetime experience to stay in this unforgettable location

We will begin our sightseeing later this morning to rest after our early start for those that chose to do hot air ballooning. Our first stop of the day is the local municipality carpet cooperation where we’ll learn about the production of famous Turkish carpets.

We continue on 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.

Later today, we will visit a local family where we’ll get the chance to learn about their lifestyle and local way of life in Cappadocia. This evening we’ll enjoy dinner in a local family restaurant.

Our sights are set back on Istanbul today, as we say goodbye to the enchanting vistas of Cappadocia.

Before our flight to Istanbul tonight, we’ll enjoy some sightseeing around the Cappadocia region. We begin our day by driving to the charming village of Avanos, a town famous for its centuries long tradition of pottery making and carpet weaving. While here, we’ll enjoy a lecture by locals on ceramic art.

We continue our journey to Kaymakli to discover the incredible Kaymakli Underground City. Featuring a maze of tunnels, chambers and rooms carved into soft volcanic rock over eight levels, this underground city is one of the best preserved in the area. It can hold an incredible 3,000 people and is over 85 metres deep into the Earth. Today, only four of these levels are accessible by the public. It is believed that the origins of Kaymakli date back to the eight and seventh centuries B.C.E. and was established by the Phrygians.

Later, we transfer to the airport for our flight to Istanbul.

Get set for our final full day exploring the fascinating city of Istanbul! Our first stop of the day 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 continue our journey 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. We’ll also make 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.

Later this afternoon, we will 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 will enjoy a farewell dinner at a beautiful local restaurant.

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