Arrival and assistance. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel in İstanbul. Meals: Breakfast
Day 2: İstanbul / Saturday Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and spend the day at leisure. Optional Full-Day City Tour (with Lunch) Begin with a visit to the Hagia Sophia, an architectural masterpiece and former church. Explore Topkapi Palace, the historic sultans' residence with its buildings and gardens. Admire the Blue Mosque's six minarets and domes. In the afternoon, visit the Roman Hippodrome, formerly used for chariot races, and end with shopping at the Grand Bazaar. Return to the hotel for accommodation. Meals: Breakfast and optional lunch.
Day 3: Istanbul / Sunday Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and spend the day at leisure with an overnight stay in Istanbul. Optional Full-Day City Tour (with Lunch) Begin with a visit to the Egyptian Bazaar (Spice Bazaar) in Eminönü. Next, embark on a scenic Bosphorus boat tour, passing landmarks such as Dolmabahce Palace, Çıragan Palace, and Rumeli Hisar Fortress. Explore Beylerbeyi Palace, a magnificent Ottoman summer residence, and end with a panoramic view of Istanbul and the Bosphorus from Çamlica Hill. Return to the hotel. Lunch included.
Day 4: Istanbul – Ankara (bus) / Monday Pick up from city-center hotels between 12:00-13:00. Depart for Ankara (450 km) by deluxe coach, crossing the intercontinental bridge in Istanbul. Arrive in Ankara and enjoy dinner at the hotel. Meals: Breakfast and Dinner.
Day 5: Ankara – Salt Lake – Cappadocia / Tuesday Start with breakfast at the hotel, then visit Ankara’s Anatolian Civilizations Museum, showcasing artifacts from various ancient civilizations, and the Ataturk Mausoleum, honoring the founder of modern Turkey. Depart for Cappadocia (290 km) with a stop at an underground city built by early Christian communities for protection. Explore the stables, common rooms, and family spaces. Arrive in Cappadocia for an overnight stay at the hotel. Meals: Breakfast and Dinner.
Day 6: Cappadocia / Wednesday After breakfast, spend the day exploring Cappadocia’s unique landscape. Visit the spectacular fairy chimneys and the Goreme Valley, known for its cave churches with 10th-11th century paintings. Stop at the troglodyte village of Uçhisar, enjoy the scenic views in Avcilar, and marvel at the natural rock formations in Devrent Valley. Have time to visit artisan workshops specializing in carpets and onyx-stone jewelry. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay. Meals: Breakfast and Dinner.
Day 7: Cappadocia- Pamukkale / Thursday After breakfast, depart for Pamukkale (610 km), with a stop at the Sultanhan Caravanserai, a medieval Seljuk inn. Continue to Pamukkale and enjoy free time to explore the 'Cotton Castle', renowned for its natural limestone hot springs and travertine waterfalls. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Pamukkale. Meals: Breakfast and Dinner.
Day 8: Pamukkale – Ephesus – İzmir / Friday After breakfast, depart for Selçuk-Ephesus (200 km). Explore the Ephesus archaeological site, including the Odeon, Temple of Hadrian, House of Love, Library of Celsus, Agora, Marble Street, and the grand Theater. Visit the House of the Virgin Mary, believed to be her final residence. Stop at a leather production center before continuing to İzmir (~85 km), Turkey’s third-largest city. Enjoy dinner and stay overnight at the hotel in İzmir. Meals: Breakfast and Dinner.
Day 9: İzmir - Pergamon – Troy – Çanakkale / Saturday After breakfast, depart for Pergamo (110 km), now Bergama, and visit the Asclepion ruins, once Asia Minor's most significant hospital with its therapeutic center. Continue to Troy (~190 km), the renowned archaeological site linked to Homer's Iliad. Proceed to Çanakkale (~25 km) for dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel. Meals: Breakfast and Dinner.
Day 10: Çanakkale – Gallipoli – Anzac Cove – Istanbul / Sunday After breakfast, cross the Dardanelles Strait by car ferry to the Gallipoli Peninsula. Visit the poignant WWI battlefields, including Brighton Beach, Beach Cemetery, ANZAC Cove, Ariburnu Cemetery, ANZAC Commemorative Site, Respect to Mehmetcik Statue, Lone Pine Australian Memorial, Johnston's Jolly, Turkish and Allied trenches, 57th Regiment Turkish Memorial, The Nek, and Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial. Return to Istanbul for an overnight stay. Meals: Breakfast.
Day 11: Istanbul / Monday Breakfast. Transfer to the airport for final departure.Meals: Breakfast.
