On arrival in Istanbul you will be met by our local representative and transferred to your hotel. This personal meet-and-greet takes the stress out of arrival and ensures a smooth start to your journey. After check-in, the remainder of the day is at leisure. You may like to take a gentle stroll around your neighbourhood, absorbing the first impressions of this compelling city where Europe and Asia meet. Cafés, shops and busy streets offer a taste of daily life, while the distant outline of domes and minarets hints at the treasures you will explore in the days ahead. Alternatively, you may choose to simply relax at the hotel and unwind after your flight. Istanbul’s energy is all around you, but there is no fixed program today, allowing you to set your own pace from the very beginning. Overnight in Istanbul.

After breakfast, your exploration of Istanbul begins with a guided tour of its most iconic historic sights. Visit Topkapi Palace, the former residence of the Ottoman sultans, where lavish courtyards, pavilions and treasury collections reveal the opulence of imperial life. Continue to the magnificent St Sophia (Hagia Sophia), a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture whose vast dome and layered history make it one of the world’s great monuments. Nearby, you visit the graceful Blue Mosque, renowned for its elegant proportions and the distinctive blue tiles that adorn its interior. Your day concludes at the atmospheric Spice Market, where stalls overflow with fragrant spices, teas, Turkish delight and dried fruits. Throughout the tour your guide shares stories and historical context, bringing these landmarks vividly to life. The evening is at leisure to relax or explore independently. Overnight in Istanbul. (B)

After breakfast, depart Istanbul and travel towards the Gallipoli Peninsula, a place of deep significance, especially for Australian and New Zealand travellers. On arrival you will visit the key ANZAC sites, including ANZAC Cove, where the landings took place, as well as Nek, Conk Bair, Lone Pine and the 57th Regiment Memorial. As you walk through these now-quiet battlefields and memorials, your guide will help you understand the events of 1915 and the enduring legacy of the campaign. After your visit, cross the Dardanelles by ferry to reach the Asian side at Canakkale. This strategic waterway has linked continents and empires for centuries, and today it marks your entry point to Turkey’s Aegean region. On arrival in Canakkale, check into your hotel and enjoy dinner, with the remainder of the evening at leisure. Overnight in Canakkale. (B,D)

After breakfast, begin the day with a visit to ancient Troy, a site where archaeology and epic legend intertwine. Walk among the remains of city walls, gates and excavation areas that reflect multiple layers of settlement stretching back thousands of years. Departing Troy, your journey continues through the scenic Ida Mountains to Pergamum. Here you visit the Acropolis, dramatically positioned on a hilltop with sweeping views over the surrounding countryside. The ruins offer insight into Pergamum’s former status as a major political and cultural centre. In the late afternoon, travel onwards to the coastal town of Kusadasi, located on the Aegean Sea. On arrival, check into your First Class hotel and enjoy dinner. The evening is at leisure to rest after a full and varied day, or perhaps take a short walk along the waterfront. Overnight in Kusadasi. (B,D)

After breakfast, drive a short distance to one of Turkey’s most important archaeological sites, the ancient city of Ephesus. Here you will have the opportunity to walk along marble streets once used by Roman citizens and admire significant remains such as temples, theatres and public buildings, gaining a sense of the city’s former grandeur. During your visit, there will also be an opportunity to learn about local handicrafts, including hand-made carpets and leather goods, which reflect long-standing traditions in the region. Later, continue to the charming village of Sirince, set on the hillside with narrow streets and stone houses. You can explore the small shops, enjoy tastings of the village’s well-known fruit wines and soak up the relaxed rural atmosphere. In the afternoon, return to Kusadasi for your overnight stay. Dinner is included at the hotel, with the remainder of the evening free. Overnight in Kusadasi. (B,D)

Following breakfast, leave Kusadasi and travel inland across the Meander plain, an area noted for its fertile agricultural lands and cotton farms. Your destination today is Pamukkale, famous for its striking white limestone formations created by mineral-rich thermal waters. On arrival, you will have time to appreciate the unique terraces, often described as “cotton castles” for their unusual appearance. You will also visit the ancient city of Hierapolis, located adjacent to the terraces. Here you can walk among ruins such as the theatre, necropolis and bath complexes, gaining insight into the site’s role as a spa and religious centre in antiquity. After your visit, check into your hotel in Pamukkale. Dinner is included this evening, and you have time to relax after a day of travel and exploration. Overnight in Pamukkale. (B,D)

After breakfast, depart Pamukkale and drive towards the lakeside town of Koycegiz. This tranquil setting introduces you to the natural beauty of southwest Turkey. Here you board a boat and enjoy a cruise on Koycegiz Lake and its connecting waterways, heading towards Turtle Beach, an area known for its sandy spit and surrounding nature. During the cruise there is also the opportunity to experience a local mudbath, a light-hearted and memorable part of the day for many guests. After your time on the water, continue by road to Fethiye on the Turquoise Coast. On arrival, check into your hotel and enjoy dinner. The evening is at leisure to relax, reflecting on a day that has combined natural scenery, gentle adventure and coastal charm. Overnight in Fethiye. (B,D)

After breakfast, set out to explore the nearby Greek village of Kayakoy. Once a thriving community, it was largely abandoned in the early 20th century and today stands as a poignant “ghost village” of stone houses and churches set on the hillside. Walking through its quiet streets offers a tangible sense of the region’s layered history. In the afternoon, you are driven to Oludeniz, famed for its renowned lagoon and clear turquoise waters. Here you have time at leisure to swim, relax on the beach or simply enjoy the spectacular coastal views. Later, return to your hotel in Fethiye. This evening, an optional sunset cruise with dinner is available for those wishing to spend more time on the water, although it is not included in the tour price. Overnight in Fethiye. (B)

Today, after breakfast, you depart Fethiye and travel along the scenic coastal and inland routes towards Antalya, one of Turkey’s most attractive Mediterranean cities. On arrival, a walk through the Old Town (Kaleici), where narrow lanes, traditional houses and harbour views create a charming atmosphere. You will see Hadrian’s Gate, a Roman triumphal arch that marks one of the entrances to the historic district. Later, visit the Duden Waterfalls in the Lara area, where cascades tumble dramatically over the cliffs towards the sea. These visits offer a pleasing combination of history and nature. After sightseeing, check into your hotel in Antalya. Dinner is included this evening, and you have time to relax or stroll locally at your own pace. Overnight in Antalya. (B, D)

Following breakfast, depart Antalya and head inland. En route, stop at the ancient theatre of Aspendos, one of the best-preserved classical theatres in the region, noted for its impressive architecture and acoustics. Continue your journey to Konya, historically an important centre for the Mevlevi order. Here you visit the Mausoleum of Mevlana, dedicated to the poet and mystic who inspired the Whirling Dervishes, as well as the associated convent. Your guide will explain the spiritual and cultural significance of this site. Afterwards, continue the drive towards Cappadocia, often described as a “biblical” landscape for its unusual rock formations and early Christian heritage. On the way, visit an ancient caravanserai along the Silk Road, once used by traders and travellers for rest and protection. Arrive in Cappadocia, check into your hotel and enjoy dinner. Overnight in Cappadocia. (B,D)

An optional hot air balloon tour is available early this morning for those who wish to experience Cappadocia’s unique landscape from above at sunrise. After breakfast, enjoy a full-day excursion through some of the region’s most famous sights. Visit Kaymakli Underground City, a remarkable complex of tunnels and rooms carved into the rock, once used as a refuge during times of conflict. Continue to the Open Air Museum in Goreme, where rock-cut churches adorned with frescoes reveal the rich monastic history of the area. You will also see the natural fortress of Uchisar, whose high vantage point offers sweeping views over the valleys and rock formations. There is time to appreciate the scenery and local culture before returning to your hotel. In the evening, an optional Turkish folklore evening with dinner is available for those interested, though it is not included in the standard program. Overnight in Cappadocia. (B)

After breakfast, depart Cappadocia and travel north towards Ankara, the modern capital of Turkey. Here you will visit the Mausoleum of Ataturk and its museum, an important national monument honouring the founder of the Republic. The complex combines symbolic architectural elements with exhibits that trace the establishment of modern Turkey. Following your visit, continue the journey to Safranbolu, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage town for its remarkably well-preserved Ottoman-era houses and streets. On arrival, you will check into an old Ottoman mansion, allowing you to experience the atmosphere of traditional architecture firsthand. Dinner is included this evening, and you have time to relax in this historically rich setting. Overnight in Safranbolu. (B,D)

After breakfast, explore the old town of Safranbolu, wandering among its timber-framed houses, cobbled streets and small shops. During your visit there is the chance to taste fine examples of locally produced Turkish delight, one of the town’s specialties. In the late morning, depart Safranbolu and drive back to Istanbul. On arrival, you will visit the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s largest and oldest covered markets. Here you can browse an extensive array of stalls offering jewellery, textiles, ceramics, leather goods and many other items, or simply enjoy the lively atmosphere. Later, transfer to your hotel for your final night in Istanbul, with the evening at leisure to rest or enjoy a last stroll through the city. Overnight in Istanbul. (B)

After breakfast, there is free time until your transfer to Istanbul Airport for your onward flight. Depending on your departure time, you may have a final opportunity for a short walk, last-minute shopping or a leisurely coffee as you reflect on the experiences of the past two weeks. Your journey through Turkey’s historic sites, natural wonders and character-filled towns comes to an end today, but the memories of Gallipoli, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Fethiye, Antalya, Cappadocia and Safranbolu will remain with you long after your return home. At the appropriate time you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to the airport for departure. (B)