Your itinerary
Day 1: UK - Istanbul.
Fly to Istanbul where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay. Included welcome drink on arrival. Late arrivals may have the welcome briefing the following morning.
Day 2: Istanbul - Gallipoli - Canakkale.
Skirting the Sea of Marmara, we head for Gallipoli on the European side of the Dardanelles, where we visit the Anzac Cemetery and the sites of the famous World War I battlefields. Then a short ferry journey takes us to the charming city of Canakkale, at the mouth of the Koca River, where you will stay overnight.
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Day 3: Canakkale - Troy - Izmir - Kusadasi.
Our first stop is the ancient Homerian city of Troy, famous for its 'Wooden Horse'. The site, excavated in 1871, actually displays nine ancient metropolises, dating back to 3000BC. Then we head south to the lovely Bay of Edremit, with its distant views of the blue mountains of the Greek island of Lesbos. Travelling through forests of pine and valonia oak, we arrive in the bustling Aegean port of Izmir for an orientation drive which will include the Karsiyaka district. Then it's on to the popular seaside resort of Kusadasi for a two-night stay.
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Day 4: Kusadasi. At leisure.
Situated between ancient Ephesus and Priene, Kusadasi is a charming, cosmopolitan resort with a delightful climate and white sandy beaches. The day is yours to relax or explore. Alternatively, why not take one of our great-value optional excursions to Ephesus or the Virgin Mary House?
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Day 5: Kusadasi - Pamukkale - Denizli area.
We travel past Aydin, entering what is known as the 'Greek Meander', the most fertile region in Turkey. Our first stop is for optional sightseeing at the ancient site of Aphrodisias. Later we drive past Denizli at the foot of Mount Gokbel to Pamukkale, the amazing 'Cotton Castle'. Marvel at the extraordinary white terraces, formed over the centuries by water cascading down the hillside. Here we will visit the ancient archaeological site of Hierapolis. Then it's on to your hotel in the Denizli area for an overnight stay.
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Day 6: Denizli area - Dinar - Konya.
Today we drive eastwards to Dinar and then continue past Lake Acigol surrounded by cherry gardens and opium fields. Enjoy splendid mountain scenery on the way to Konya, one of the oldest urban centres in the world, for an overnight stay.
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Day 7: Konya - Goreme - Cappadocia.
Today we travel further east into the great central plateau which separates Konya from Aksaray, making a stop to see the great Agzikarahan 'Caravanserai'. In the afternoon, there's an included visit to Goreme to see the amazing churches and chapels carved into the rock; the whole area is outstandingly impressive. We then head for the ancient town of Cappadocia for a two-night stay.
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Day 8: Cappadocia. At leisure.
The first records of Cappadocia date from the 6th century BC, and over the many centuries since it has been a strategically important town for several civilisations, including the Persians, the Romans and the Byzantines. The day is yours to explore at your leisure. Or why not take our optional sightseeing tour? You'll visit the amazing natural amphitheatre, bounded by almost vertical cliffs into which have been hewn chambers, porticos and arcades, as well as underground cities where early Christians sheltered from Roman persecution.
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Day 9: Cappadocia - Ankara.
We head north via Aksaray to Ankara, the Turkish capital, for an overnight stay. You'll arrive in time for an orientation drive, then spend the afternoon relaxing, exploring at your leisure, or taking our optional half day excursion to the museum of Anatolian Civilisations and Ankara Mausoleum of Ataturk.
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Day 10: Ankara - Bursa.
We travel into the ancient kingdom of Phryge to Gordion, where legend has it that Alexander the Great cut the proverbial knot. This is one of Turkey's most important archaeological sites, and we've included a visit to the fascinating Tomb of King Midas. Then it's on to ancient Bursa, standing in the shadow of the mountain of Ulu Dag - the ancient Mysian Olympus, and famous for its great Mosque, covered bazaar and silk market, for an overnight stay.
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Day 11: Bursa - Istanbul (included sightseeing).
We drive to the shores of the Sea of Marmara, then a short ferry crossing on the Izmit Bay to the exotic city of Istanbul, straddling Europe and Asia. Our included sightseeing tour with local guide will include visits to the Roman Hippodrome and the stunning Blue Mosque. Later why not join us for an optional evening out with dinner and typical Turkish entertainment?
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Day 12: Istanbul. At leisure.
Founded in 600BC, Istanbul is a magical city with wonderful architecture, ancient mosques, exotic bazaars with pedlars and stalls selling almonds, pistachios, iced drinks and black coffee. The day is yours to explore the city at your leisure. Or why not take our optional morning excursion by private boat to the Bosphorus, and in the afternoon our optional half day historical tour of this captivating city?
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Day 13: Istanbul - UK.
Transfer to Istanbul airport for your flight to the UK.
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Hotels On Tour
Istanbul: Askoc (3*); Canakkale: Tusan (4*); Kusadasi: Grand Onder (4*); Denizli: Herkales (3*); Konya: Balikçilar (4*); Cappadocia: Irmak (4*); Ankara: Segmen (3*); Bursa: Kervansaray (3*).
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