On arrival at Istanbul Airport, you will be met by a local representative and transferred to your boutique hotel in the Old City. This personal welcome sets the tone for your journey, with assistance and guidance from the moment you land. After check-in, the rest of the day is at leisure. You may like to stretch your legs with a gentle walk around the neighbourhood, discovering nearby cafés, shops and the first glimpses of Istanbul’s minarets and historic skyline. Or simply relax at the hotel and recover from your flight, knowing your small-group adventure is about to begin. Istanbul is a city of layers, and even your first evening offers the chance to feel the rhythm of daily life the call to prayer in the distance, locals gathering over tea, and the energy of a city that has bridged continents for centuries. Overnight in Istanbul.

After breakfast, your journey begins in earnest with a full-day exploration of Istanbul’s historic heart. With your expert guide and a maximum of 18 fellow travellers, you’ll visit Topkapi Palace, the opulent residence of the Ottoman sultans, where lavish courtyards and intricate tiles frame views across the Bosphorus. Continue to the awe-inspiring St. Sophia (Hagia Sophia), a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture whose vast dome and ancient mosaics tell stories of empires and faith. Nearby stands the graceful Blue Mosque, famed for its six minarets and the blue İznik tiles that give it its name. Later, step into the vibrant world of the Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest covered markets in the world, where hundreds of stalls display jewellery, textiles, leather goods, ceramics and colourful souvenirs. Throughout the day your guide shares historical context, anecdotes and practical tips, helping you navigate both the sites and the culture with ease. Return to your hotel with the evening free to dine independently or simply unwind. Overnight in Istanbul. (B)

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before transferring to Istanbul Airport for your included domestic flight to Cappadocia. This seamless connection saves long hours on the road and allows you to arrive refreshed in one of Turkey’s most extraordinary regions. Upon arrival, travel to Turasan Winery, where you’ll sample local wines produced from Anatolian grapes and learn how the region’s volcanic soils shape their character. The experience continues with an exhilarating jeep safari through Cappadocia’s surreal valleys. Drive from Goreme towards Ortahisar Castle, pause at lookouts over Uzengi Valley, and follow the streamside tracks past rock-cut pigeon houses. Continue to Sahintepesi for wide panoramas before returning via the Pancarlik Church area, where soft rock formations and quiet countryside reveal another side of Cappadocia. Arrive at your atmospheric cave-style or character hotel in time to relax before dinner. The evening is at leisure to enjoy the property and the unique setting. Overnight in Cappadocia. (B,D)

An unforgettable day awaits in Cappadocia’s otherworldly landscape. After breakfast, you begin with a visit to one of the region’s underground cities, a remarkable labyrinth of tunnels, storage rooms, kitchens and chapels carved deep into the rock. These subterranean refuges once sheltered entire communities during times of danger. Continue to the Goreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where rock-hewn churches decorated with vivid frescoes offer a powerful glimpse into early Christian life in Anatolia. After lunch at a local restaurant, travel to Uchisar, a natural rock fortress that commands sweeping views across the valleys dotted with fairy chimneys and cave dwellings. Along the way, stop at local workshops to discover Cappadocia’s artisan traditions, including hand-knotted carpets, onyx, ceramics and Turkish tiles. Your guide will explain how these crafts are made and their place in local culture. In the evening, you may choose to join an optional Turkish night show with dinner, featuring regional music and dance. Overnight in Cappadocia. (B,L)

Optional Hot Air Balloon:
This morning, guests may add an early-morning hot air balloon experience. The option includes hotel pick-up before sunrise, a light breakfast, transfers and a breathtaking flight over Cappadocia’s valleys. Advance booking is strongly recommended.

Depart Cappadocia early and drive across the Anatolian plateau, following ancient trade routes once used by caravans. Your first stop is the impressive Sultanhan Caravanserai, a 13th-century Seljuk masterpiece that once provided lodging, stables and security for merchants on the Silk Road. Walk through its large courtyard and robust stone halls as your guide explains how these caravanserais functioned as vital commercial hubs. Continue to Konya, spiritual centre of the Mevlevi order, to visit the Mausoleum of Mevlana, the revered poet and mystic known as Rumi. Here you’ll learn about the philosophy behind the Whirling Dervishes and Konya’s role as a centre of learning and spirituality. In the afternoon, continue through rural Turkey towards Pamukkale, arriving in time to check into your hotel and relax. The white terraces of Pamukkale can often be glimpsed in the distance, hinting at the natural spectacle to come. Dinner is served at the hotel, and the evening is at leisure. Overnight in Pamukkale. (B,D)

After breakfast, explore the fascinating combination of natural and archaeological wonders at Pamukkale and Hierapolis. Stroll through the ancient city of Hierapolis, where colonnaded streets, bath complexes and the theatre reflect a once-thriving spa destination. The vast Necropolis, with its varied tombs and sarcophagi, provides insight into Roman burial practices and the city’s importance over the centuries. You’ll also have time to admire the famous terraced pools of Pamukkale, formed by mineral-rich thermal waters flowing over white travertine formations. After this visit, travel towards Selçuk to see the site of the Temple of Artemis, once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Although only a few remains are visible today, your guide will bring to life the scale and significance of this legendary temple. Continue on to Izmir, a lively coastal city on the Aegean, where you check into your hotel and enjoy dinner. The evening is free to rest or take a stroll along the waterfront promenades. Overnight in Izmir. (B,D)

Today is devoted to the magnificent ancient city of Ephesus, one of the most important archaeological sites in the Mediterranean. After breakfast, drive to Ephesus and walk along its marble streets, passing temples, fountains, and public buildings that reveal the sophistication of Roman urban life. Highlights include the Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre, and intricately decorated houses that belonged to the city’s elite. Your guide will help you imagine the city at its peak, bustling with traders, scholars and pilgrims. For lunch, enjoy a special experience in a nomadic-style tent near Selçuk, where you can taste traditional Turkish gozleme, prepared fresh on a griddle. In the afternoon, continue to the delightful hillside village of Sirince, known for its stone houses, narrow lanes and local wines. Take time to browse small shops, sample fruit wines or simply soak up the relaxed village atmosphere. Return to Izmir in the late afternoon. Dinner is included at the hotel, and the evening is at leisure. Overnight in Izmir. (B,L,D)

After breakfast, depart Izmir and travel north to Bergama, site of ancient Pergamum, once an important cultural and medical centre. You will visit the Asklepion, a renowned healing complex dedicated to the god Asklepios. Here, your guide will explain the therapies used in antiquity, from sacred springs and dream interpretation to early forms of psychological treatment. The colonnaded walkways, theatre and treatment rooms evoke the advanced understanding of health and wellbeing in ancient Pergamum. Continue your journey towards Troy, a city woven into myth and history thanks to Homer’s epics. Explore the archaeological site, where multiple layers of settlement reveal thousands of years of occupation and ongoing scholarly debate. Learn how legend and archaeology intersect here, and view reconstructions that help visualise the city’s layout. In the late afternoon, drive on to Canakkale, located on the shores of the Dardanelles. Check into your hotel, enjoy dinner, and relax after a full day of exploration. Overnight in Canakkale. (B,D)

This morning, cross the Dardanelles by ferry and drive to the Gallipoli Peninsula, a place of profound significance, particularly for Australian and New Zealand travellers. Your guided tour visits key sites including ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair, Nek and the 57th Regiment Memorial. As you stand on these quiet ridges and beaches, your guide will recount the stories of the 1915 campaign, highlighting both the hardship and the extraordinary courage shown on all sides. The experience is moving and reflective, offering space to honour those who served. After the visit, begin the drive back to Istanbul, arriving in the late afternoon or early evening. Check into your hotel and enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure, perhaps with a final stroll through the streets of the Old City or along the waterfront. Overnight in Istanbul. (B)

Today offers a very different way to experience Istanbul through its flavours. After breakfast, join your guide for a back streets culinary walk that explores the city’s markets, local eateries and everyday food culture. Start near the Spice Market, where stalls overflow with fragrant spices, teas, dried fruits and sweets. Sample Turkish delight and roasted nuts before walking across the Galata Bridge, taking in views of the Golden Horn and the city’s skyline. In the Galata and Beyoğlu areas, now vibrant cultural districts, you will taste local favourites such as baklava, Turkish coffee, street snacks like simit (sesame bread rings), fried or stuffed mussels, pickles and seasonal treats such as roasted chestnuts. As you wander through these neighbourhoods, your guide explains how food, trade and daily rituals reflect Istanbul’s layered identity. This relaxed, flavour-filled day is often a highlight for guests, providing a warm and personal glimpse into local life. Return to your hotel with the evening at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul. (B)

After breakfast, enjoy any remaining free time for last-minute shopping, a final Turkish coffee or simply a quiet moment to reflect on your journey. At the appropriate time, you will be transferred from your hotel to Istanbul Airport for your onward flight. As you depart, you carry with you a rich tapestry of experiences, from Cappadocia’s dreamlike valleys and ancient cities to powerful moments at Gallipoli and the vibrant tastes of Istanbul’s backstreets. (B)