Wonders of Turkey

Or similar hotel

Or similar.

Or similar.

Or similar.

Or similar.

Or similar.

Or similar.

Merhaba! Welcome to Istanbul, where East meets West!
Upon your arrival at Istanbul International Airport, a tour guide will be waiting for you outside the arrival gate to welcome and accompany you to your hotel.
Overnight in Istanbul.

Today, you will discover the historical highlights of Istanbul. You will meet your guide at your hotel lobby and your tour will begin at the Sultanahmet district, the heart of old Istanbul with a visit to Hagia Sophia.
Also known as “the Great Church,” Hagia Sophia is largely considered to be the epitome of Byzantine architecture. Erected in the sixth-century by the Emperor Justinian I of the Byzantine Empire, it was converted into a mosque in 1453 after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople. It now stands as a museum whose massive dome still dominates the skyline of old Istanbul in Sultan Ahmet Square.
Next, we visit the Blue Mosque, which takes its name from the exquisite blue tiles adorning its interior, an imperial mosque with six minarets. It was instructed by Sultan Ahmet I in the early 17th century to complement the imposing Hagia Sophia.
Nearby these historical sites is the Grand Bazaar. Once a bustling market during Byzantine times, it later grew to an even larger size when the Ottomans arrived. It continues to be the commercial heart of the old city with 61 covered halls and 4,000 shops full of treasures including carpets and kilims, silks, jewelry, ceramics, and leather goods. Wandering through the Grand Bazaar, travellers can indulge in some tasting and shopping.
In the afternoon, we continue our tour to Topkapi Palace, where an estimated 30 Ottoman Sultans ruled the Empire. We will explore the palace starting from the Imperial Treasury, home to unrivalled collections of objects made from or decorated with gold, silver, rubies, emeralds, jade, and pearls. The Topkapi Palace also houses numerous Ottoman court costumes and ceramics, notably including one of the world’s finest collections of Chinese celadons, many of which were gifts from empires of old.
Within the Palace is the Baghdad Kiosk, where you will be able to enjoy the most beautiful viewpoint of the Palace. We will also explore the Imperial Armoury, displaying centuries of Ottoman weaponry. Perhaps the loveliest features of Topkapi Palace are its courtyards with their ancient trees; it is easy to imagine the Sultan strolling here far from the cares of state and empire.
Overnight in Istanbul.

We begin with a brief visit to the 17th-century Spice Bazaar, one of Istanbul’s most colorful, fragrant, and often the most fun – as visitors can taste the goods on offer. This bustling bazaar is also known as the Egyptian Bazaar.
Next, we will go to the Golden Horn to embark on an unforgettable cruise along the Bosphorus, the majestic strait that links the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara. The Bosphorus also separates parts of Asian Turkey (Anatolia) from European Turkey.
From your boat, you will view the dramatic sights lining the Bosphorus’ wooded shores: mosques, a bridge that for a time was the world’s longest bridge, and Rumeli Hisari, a massive fortress built by Mehmet the Conqueror in just three months as he prepared to take Istanbul in 1452. This fortress created a military-financial control point by managing and charging taxes on passing ships in the Bosphorus, implementing a strong resistance base to prevent attacks from the north of the Bosphorus.
Also noteworthy on this tour are the 19th-century mansions of the Ottoman elite and the Sultans’ fanciful gingerbread palaces and hunting lodges.
Overnight in Istanbul.

Today’s trip begins with a drive to Gallipoli where you will have a full-day tour. One of the most emotionally touching experiences in Turkey, the WWI Battlefields of Gallipoli tells visitors about the tragic stories of the past.
The first place to visit will be Brighton Beach. On the dawn of April 25th, 1915, allied forces of the Commonwealth and France landed on this beach with the goal of capturing the Gallipoli Peninsular and then Constantinople, the capital of the Ottoman empire. This was planned in order to remove a major German ally from the East, thus relieving the deadlock of the Western Front in Europe and securing control of a supply route to Russia through the Dardanelles and the Black Sea. However, this was not the case due to poor command and communication.
To learn more about the history of the WWI Battlefields of Gallipoli, our tour will continue to visit the following sites:
• Beach Cemetery
• ANZAC Cove
• Ariburnu Cemetery
• ANZAC Commemorative Site
• Respect to Mehmetcik Statue
• Lone Pine Australian Memorial
• Johnston's Jolly, (Turkish and Allied trenches and tunnels)
• Turkish 57. Infantry Regiment Cemetery
• The Nek
• Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial
After the tour check-in to your hotel.
Overnight in Canakkale.

After breakfast, we will start our day by visiting the ancient city of Troy. Famous for the legendary Trojan horse from the times of Beautiful Helen, Queen of Sparta and the home of the famed Trojan Horse.
The tour will continue with a drive to ancient Pergamon (also known as Pergamum). In the first century, Pergamon was the principal city of the Roman empire, and some of its ruins still stand on a hill overlooking the town of Bergama. Most striking of all is a steep theater built into the side of a cliff.
Pergamon is also home to one of the Seven Churches of Revelation in Turkey. Here, we will first visit the Asclepion of Pergamon, the most famous medical centre in the world in the city’s heyday. Afterward, we will discover the Acropolis on the hilltop to the east.
Finally, we will visit famous Red Basilica in Bergama, the biggest Roman structure standing in the Ancient Greek World. After the tour we will continue to Kusadasi.
Overnight in Kusadasi.

Following breakfast, we will begin the tour by visiting the famous Greco-Roman city of Ephesus, with a history dating back to the Neolithic period. Your tour guide will walk you through the Magnesia Gate, after which you will take in many historic sites such as the Odeon Theatre, the Celsius Library, the Temple of Hadrian, and the Fountain of Trajan. You will also see the Great Theatre, which holds a capacity of 24,000 people and is believed to be the place where St. Paul preached to the Ephesians.
The tour will continue to the Seven Wonders of the ancient world – the Temple of Artemis. Today, you will take in the sculptured columns and the remaining foundation of what was once known as the greatest temple in the ancient Mediterranean.
We will then travel to the Virgin Mary’s House where she spent her last years.
Overnight in Kusadasi.

After having breakfast at the hotel, we will travel 3 hours to Pamukkale to delve into the offerings of this city – the spas, pools, and the white calcified terraces known as the Cotton Castle.
Upon arrival, your tour will begin by walking up a beautiful hill encrusted with white calcified terraces known as the Cotton Castle, which is surrounded by pools of clear water. Once you reach the top of the hill, you will see the Hierapolis, renowned for its large and diverse necropolises worldwide.
After the tour, you will travel 3.5 hours via bus to Fethiye. Upon your arrival, you will be greeted and escorted to your hotel.
Overnight in Fethiye

On day 8, you will be picked up from your hotel at approximately 10:00 am and escorted to Fethiye’s harbour to embark on your gulet, which will be your home for the next three days. A gulet is a wooden classic yacht built usually in Bodrum or Marmaris from the southwestern coast of Turkey. Built to approximately 20 to 30 meters length, gulets feature 4 to 8 cabins for your comfort and leisure. After a briefing on your cruise and check-in, your gulet will sail to Butterfly Valley for swimming, lunch, and an optional hike up to the waterfall.
Butterfly Valley is known to be the home to roughly 100 species of butterflies, however, in the summertime it is difficult to spot.
Afterward, you will visit Oludinez beach, Europe’s most photographed beach. Oludinez (dead sea) is sheltered by a fronting curve of a bay, which has created a famous blue lagoon with crystal-clear waters surrounded by a white sandy beach and a lush green national park that is Babadag mountain.
Tonight, you will anchor at St. Nicholas Island and arrive in time to walk up through the island's ruins and take in the setting sun.
Overnight on the boat.

Today, we cruise to Kalkan (Aquarium Bay) for breakfast and swimming. This village was once an Ottoman Greek fishing village that attracts travellers for its beauty and charm despite inevitable modern development. It is also very well known for its crystal-clear waters that are perfect for snorkelling.
Afterwards, we will sail to Kas, another charming fishing village with mazes of small walking streets, shops, and viewpoints to explore. Whitewashed houses cascade down winding the mountains, which are covered with pink bougainvillaea flowers and large terraces to enjoy the mid-day sun.
After enjoying your lunch on the boat, you will have time to explore the local shops, including many handmade jewellery and clothes stores. We will spend the night in one of the secluded bays between Kas and Kekova.
Overnight on the boat.

After breakfast we will sail to the area of Kekova to discover the ancient and mysterious Sunken city partially submerged on the shores of Kekova Island.
This ancient Lycian settlement was destroyed by an earthquake and now every summer visitors arrive here by gulets to look out over the water and view the remnants of a once flourishing city that is now mostly underwater. We will sail over this protected World Heritage Site. Due to its protected status no swimming, diving, or snorkelling is currently allowed in this area.
Next, we embark to Simena Castle where villagers have made their homes on this ancient site. After a steep walk up the winding, cobbled path and past houses with locals selling home-made souvenirs, you will reach the top of Simena Castle. Here, you will be rewarded by a stunning panoramic view over the bay.
After a late afternoon lunch, you will disembark from Cayagzi (Andriake) Harbour in Demre. Upon arrival, our land team will meet you and escort you to your hotel in Antalya.
Overnight in Antalya.

Today, we will drive 18 km from Antalya to visit the ancient city of Perge, once the capital city of the vast Roman province of Pamphylia. This magnificent ancient city features the best-preserved Roman Stadium in Western Turkiye, exquisite Roman Baths, towering Hellenistic Defenses, and long rows of beautiful colonnaded streets.
Afterwards, we will visit Aspendos theater, the best-preserved Roman theater on the Asian continent. The glorious city of Aspendos came under Roman control in 190 BCE and reached its epoch during the Roman period, when trade and commerce flourished here.
Centuries later, the theater was built in the 2nd century CE, during Marcus Aurelius' reign, by an architect called Zenon. This vast semi-circular edifice is big enough to host 15000 people and was used to stage plays in the second century A.D.
After visiting the amphitheater, you can experience the amazing engineering of the city's high aqueduct near the Eurymedon river and visit Seljuk Bridge over the Eurymedon River before enjoying your lunch.
After a lunch break, we will drive to discover Side village located in a peninsula, famous for its Roman theaters. Side village used to be one of the most important trade centers in antiquity and now it has become one of the most popular holiday resorts in Southern Turkey.
Overnight in Antalya.

Early in the morning we will start our scenic journey from the Mediterranean Coast of Turkey and pass through the Taurus Mountains and reach the steps of Central Anatolia.
Our first stop will be Konya, a historical city that once acted as the capital city of the Seljuk Empire during its most significant periods from the 12th and 13th centuries. During this time, many public buildings were built that still remain intact as good examples of Seljukian stone carvings.
Once you arrive in Konya, our first destination will be the Mausoleum of Mevlana (the Shrine of Rumi, the great Sufi poet, 1207-1273). It was also the dervish lodge (tekke) of the Mevlevi order, better known as the Whirling Dervishes. You will visit all available sections in Mevlana Museum such as Matbah (Kitchen), tombs, Tilavet Chamber (Quran Reading and Chanting), and Semâ-Hâne (Ritual Hall).
Our tour will continue to Selimiye Mosque, located next door to the Mausoleum of Mevlana. The mosque (1566-1574) is a prime example of classic Ottoman architectural style with beautiful interior decoration that was commissioned by and named for Sultan Selim II.
Our final stop before Cappadocia will be in one of the largest Caravanserai in Turkey that dates back to the 13th Century on the route to Cappadocia. Our arrival to Cappadocia will be in the evening and we will check into our cave hotel.
Overnight in Cappadocia.

After breakfast, the tour will start at Goreme Open Air Museum (Dark Church is excluded; entrance requires an additional admission fee). Here, you will experience and enjoy some well-preserved, rock-cut churches and monasteries with frescos adorning their walls.
The tour will continue to Zelve Valley. Fairy chimneys with multiple stems and caps can be found here. A chapel dedicated to St. Simeon and a hermit’s shelter were built into a fairy chimney with three heads.
Then, we will visit one of the prime regions of Cappadocia, Devrent Valley, also known as Imagination Valley. We will explore this valley by walking through fairy chimneys and animal-shaped rocks among other interesting formations.
Cavusin Village is our next destination with one of the oldest settlements in the area. The church of St. John Baptist offers a panoramic view of the village. This church and its paintings date back to the 5th- century, making it the oldest church in the region.
The tour will continue to the vibrant and scenic town of Avanos, which is known for its pottery. The clay obtained from the red soil is from the residue of the Kizilirmak river, the longest river in Turkey to pass through Avanos. If you are interested in handmade clays, this is a place to buy souvenirs and support locals.
Overnight in Cappadocia.

Start your day with a delicious breakfast before embarking on a journey to discover the hidden gems of Cappadocia.
Our first stop will be at the Kaymakli Underground City, an underground settlement built to protect its inhabitants from foreign invasions. This city reaches a depth of 40 meters and has eight floors, with four open to the public.
Next, we'll visit the recently discovered Sahinefendi (Sobesos) and its impressive mosaic houses and archaeological excavation site. Marvel at the picturesque villages nestled in the valleys and surrounded by towering "tabletop" mountains.
We'll then head to the Keslik Monastery, one of the largest in Cappadocia, and take in the peaceful atmosphere and architectural treasures including churches, kitchens, sleeping quarters and hermit caves carved into the rocks by monks.
After a lunch break, we'll continue to the charming Greek town of Mustafapaşa (Sinasos) to explore its well-preserved Greek houses and architecture.
Our next stop will be the Saruhan Caravanserai, a historic roadside inn dating back to 1249, showcasing the architectural influences of the Seljuk era.
The tour concludes with a visit to the natural wonder of the Red Valley, where you'll be awestruck by the surreal rock formations and pinkish-red hues. Take in the panoramic views before the tour ends.
Overnight in Cappadocia.

Experience the breathtaking beauty of Cappadocia on our tour before bidding farewell on the last day. Wake up to an early breakfast and head to the airport for your flight to Istanbul where you'll catch your international flight home. To make the most of your journey, consider extending your stay with additional nights.
Don't forget to check your flight details: depart Cappadocia at 9:45 AM and arrive in Istanbul at 11:20 AM.
Let us make your vacation unforgettable!
Updated 23 January 2023