Highlights of Turkey

You will make your own way to the start hotel and check in. There is no

formal sightseeing planned today (an orientation walk is included on your

return to Istanbul on Day 14). Istanbul is one of the great cities of the

world with a history spanning thousands of years. It has been through several

incarnations, firstly as Byzantium, then Constantinople and finally Istanbul.

If there is time, you can wander through the bustling streets and absorb the

vibrancy of this exciting city that links Europe and Asia. 

This morning the welcome meeting will be at 9am. Then, we will depart for the

Gallipoli Peninsula, the site of many significant battles during the First

World War. We will visit the battlefields, learn about the events that took

place here, and their particular importance to the ANZAC (Australia and New

Zealand Army Corps). We will then cross the famous Dardanelles Strait,

arriving in the city of Çanakkale in the late afternoon.



Approx. driving time from Istanbul to Çanakkale is 5.5 hours (not including

stop in Gallipoli).*

This morning after breakfast we visit the city of Troy, immortalised in

Homer’s Iliad. Once thought to be a place of legend, we will see the

remnants of the ancient city walls and the famed wooden horse, while learning

more about the ground-breaking archaeological digs that have taken place

here.

We continue this afternoon to the seaside town of Ayvalik on Turkey's

north-western Aegean coast. Surrounded by an archipelago of picturesque

islands, the town is full of historic stone houses, narrow cobblestoned

streets and small shops/cafés selling local produce. We will have free time

to explore the town, perhaps sampling some of the renowned local olive oil or

Ayvalik /tost/ (similar to a club sandwich).

Approx. driving time from Çanakkale to Ayvalik is 3.5 hours.

After breakfast, we depart for the ancient Greek city and UNESCO World

Heritage Site of Pergamon, the capital of the Attalid dynasty during the

Hellenistic period (approx. 323-31 BC). We will take a scenic cable car up to

the Acropolis, which contains the most important remains of Pergamon. See the

temples, palaces, library, and theatre and learn about the significance of

this special archaeological site.



We will continue on to the coastal town of Kusadasi, where the evening will

be free for you to rest or explore at leisure.



Approx. driving time from Ayvalik to Kusadasi is 3.5 hours.

This morning we will visit the ancient site of Ephesus, one of the

best-preserved classical cities in the eastern Mediterranean and a great

example of Greco-Roman architecture. Always an important religious centre,

Ephesus was founded by Ionian Greeks in the 11th century BC and flourished

under Roman rule. The Greeks replaced the cult of the Anatolian fertility

goddess Cybele with Artemis and built a fabulous temple in her honour. With

the arrival of the Romans, it became the Temple of Diana and was one of the

original seven wonders of the ancient world. We visit the vast amphitheatre,

stroll the marble streets once graced by Cleopatra and Mark Antony, and

marvel at the gymnasium, baths and wonderfully restored Library of Celsus.



After the visit to Ephesus, we will head to Selçuk and visit Isa Bey Mosque

- a fine example of early Seljukian architecture - and St John's Basilica.

There will also be some free time, during which we recommend a visit to the

fascinating Ephesus Archaeological Museum. We return to Kusadasi for the

evening.



Approx. driving times between Kusadasi and Ephesus/Selçuk is 30 minutes.

*

Today, we will drive to the unique site of Pamukkale, also known as 'Cotton

Castle'. This spectacular natural phenomenon was created by deposits from

thermal waters that cascaded down the mountainside over hundreds of years,

forming myriad pools and terraces. As the water overflows from the pools,

dazzling cream-coloured stalactites are formed that, from afar, resemble

cotton or snow. The pools are filled with hot spring waters that supposedly

have healing properties. Close to Pamukkale are the ruins of Hierapolis,

which was founded by the King of Pergamon in 190 BC and by the 2nd century AD

had become an important Roman bath centre. The extensive ruins of Hierapolis

are well worth exploring and include a theatre, temple, holy area, monumental

fountain, bath, basilica and necropolis. We will spend the afternoon

discovering the travertines and ancient city. 



Approx. driving time from Kusadasi to Pamukkale is 3 hours. 

This morning we depart Pamukkale and travel to the seaside town of Kas. On

the way, we will stop to visit Xanthos, the capital city of the Lycian

Federation and arguably its most important city throughout Lycian history.

After a guided visit, we will continue on the road to Kas.



Situated on the Teke Peninsula, the small port town of Kas was known as

Habesos or Habesa in ancient Lycia, and as Antiphellos to the ancient Greeks.

Today, there are still several Lycian rock-cut sarcophagi in the town, as

well as a well-preserved Hellenistic theatre on the outskirts of town. The

afternoon is free to explore Kas' cobbled streets, handicraft shops and

lively cafés. 



Approx. driving time from Pamukkale to Kas is 4 hours. 

Today is a free day to relax or take advantage of the many activities

available on the Turquoise Coast in and around Kas. Options include a boat

trip to the sunken city of Kekova (minimum of 8 passengers required),

relaxing at Kaputas Beach or a visit to the ancient theatre in Kas.



*

This morning we depart for Antalya, one of Turkey's most popular beach

resorts. Arriving in the early afternoon, we will visit the ancient Kaleiçi

(old city). With its narrow, cobbled streets and historic Ottoman-era houses,

the Kaleiçi has retained much of its historical character while hosting a

plethora of bars, restaurants and shops. During our walk, you will see

Hadrian's Gate (also known as the Triple Gate due to its three archways), the

old Roman harbour and the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean. You may also

want to visit the Antalya Museum this afternoon, with its wonderful

collection of sculptures from the Roman period, or Phaselis Ancient City.



Approx. driving time from Kas to Antalya is 3.5 hours.

This morning we will visit Aspendos, considered to be the best-preserved

theatre of the ancient world. Once named Belkis, the city of Aspendos was

founded by the Hittites, but it was Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius (161-180

AD) who ordered the 15,000-seater theatre to be built. After exploring the

ancient site, which is still used for performances today, we continue on to

Konya, known as Iconium in Roman times. Konya was an important city of the

Seljuk Empire and is the birthplace of the mystic Sufi order popularly known

as the 'Whirling Dervishes'.



Approx. driving time from Antalya to Konya is 4.5 hours.

This morning we visit the Mevlana Museum, the former home of the Whirling

Dervishes and the location of Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi's tomb. Mevlana, also

known simply as Rumi, was a 13th century Anatolian mystic and Muslim saint

whose poetry is known across the world. The museum is now a pilgrimage site

and the building's fluted dome of turquoise tiles is one of Turkey's most

recognisable sights.



We continue to the fascinating Cappadocia region. Shaped by wind and water,

the rock formations, rock-hewn churches, cave dwellings and underground

cities must be seen to be believed! This afternoon we will visit the

Sultanhani caravanserai, one of the largest in the world. Constructed in the

13th century, this Seljuk caravanserai was used as a rest stop for merchants

and other travellers on the Silk Road.



Our last stop of the day is the breath-taking Ihlara Valley on the slopes of

Mount Hasan (one of the volcanoes responsible for the formation of

Cappadocia). We will embark on a walk beside the Melendiz River, seeing

beautiful natural scenery and dozens of rock-hewn churches and monasteries,

many of which are decorated with exquisite biblical frescoes. We end the day

at our accommodation in Göreme.



Approx. driving time from Konya to Cappadocia is 4 hours. 

*

Early in the morning, you have the option to experience a memorable hot air

balloon ride over Cappadocia's otherworldly fairy chimneys.



After breakfast, we will visit Cappadocia’s main attraction: the UNESCO

World Heritage-listed Göreme Open Air Museum, a vast monastic complex

comprising churches, monasteries and dwellings, as well as its underground

city. Thought to have started life as a Byzantine monastic settlement,

Göreme Open Air Museum became a pilgrimage site during the 17th century and

is a must-see location for all visitors to Cappadocia. The rock-hewn

churches contain wonderful frescoes, whose colours are still vivid after

hundreds of years.



We will also visit one of Cappadocia's fascinating underground cities

(Derinkuyu or Kaymakli, depending on availability and other local

considerations). It is believed that these cities were formed as early as the

8th century BC by the Phrygian people to protect their inhabitants

from wars and conflicts taking place above ground. The dwellings continued

to be used until the early 20th century, when they were abandoned.

This morning, we say goodbye to Cappadocia and take a flight to where it all began: Istanbul. On arrival, you may wish to join your leader for a trip across the Bosphorus to the Asian side of the city. Here you’ll find lively, close-knit communities and jumbles of cute cafes, markets and restaurants. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore more of this enthralling city. Or you may opt for a Turkish bath treatment.

The morning is free. In the afternoon, you may have free time or you can take an orientation walk around this culture- and history-rich city. We head to Sultanahmet (the Old City, formerly Constantinople), where ancient empires were found and historical sites intertwine with the living, breathing Istanbul of today. We visit sites including the Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome, where Byzantine emperors observed chariot races along with thousands of baying fans. We also meander through the Grand Bazaar, packed with more than 3,000 stalls of handcrafted jewellery, textiles and books, along with the renowned Spice Market.

Our adventure ends after breakfast in Istanbul. You may choose to take the

group transfer to the airport if you wish.