Itinerary
- Day 1
Istanbul
You'll arrive in Istanbul and get picked up by private transfer to head to your hotel. The afternoon is yours to settle in, relax, or take a walk around if you feel like it. Later in the evening there's a welcome meeting where you'll get the rundown on what to expect from the trip and meet your guide.
Optional Activities
- Explore Istanbul on your own during the afternoon
- Day 2
Istanbul
This morning you'll join a guided tour through Istanbul's Old City starting with the Blue Mosque, known for its distinctive blue tiles and six minarets. From there you'll see the ancient Hippodrome and check out the exterior of Hagia Sophia. Next up is Topkapi Palace where you can walk through the beautiful courtyards and see how the Ottoman sultans lived. The tour wraps up at the Underground Cistern, where you'll walk among Corinthian columns and spot those famous Medusa heads.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Istanbul's historic Old City
- Visit the Blue Mosque
- Explore the Hippodrome
- Admire the exterior of Hagia Sophia
- Tour Topkapi Palace and courtyards
- Visit the Underground Cistern
Landmarks Blue Mosque Hippodrome Hagia Sophia Topkapi Palace Underground Cistern 
- Day 3
Istanbul to Çanakkale
You'll head out early from Istanbul and travel to Gallipoli for a guided tour of the battlefields. The day includes ANZAC Cove, the Lone Pine Australian War Memorial and Cemetery, and the Chunuk Bair New Zealand War Memorial and Cemetery. You'll walk through preserved trenches and see actual battle sites. After that you'll take a ferry across the Dardanelles Strait with nice views, then return to your hotel to relax.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Gallipoli battlefields
- Visit ANZAC Cove
- Visit Lone Pine Australian War Memorial and Cemetery
- Visit Chunuk Bair New Zealand War Memorial and Cemetery
- Explore fortified trenches and battle sites including The Nek and Johnston's Jolly
- Ferry crossing of the Dardanelles Strait
Landmarks ANZAC Cove Lone Pine Australian War Memorial and Cemetery Chunuk Bair New Zealand War Memorial and Cemetery - Day 4
Çanakkale to Kusadasi
Heading south from Gallipoli, you'll visit Troy where you can see where the legendary Trojan Horse story took place. From there you'll move on to Pergamum with its impressive acropolis and steep amphitheater that used to be a major cultural center. By evening you'll reach Kusadasi, a charming coastal town where you can settle in at your hotel and have some downtime.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit the ancient city of Troy
- Guided tour of Pergamum
- Explore Pergamum's acropolis and amphitheater
Landmarks Troy Pergamum - Day 5
Kusadasi
Today is all about Ephesus, one of the best-preserved classical sites around. A guide will take you through marble streets and you'll see the Library of Celsus, Gymnasium of Vedius, the great theatre, and an ancient stadium. You'll also find public toilets, fountains, temples, and a brothel that give real insight into how people lived in Roman times. After the tour wraps up, you'll head to a local workshop to watch someone doing traditional Turkish carpet weaving.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Ephesus
- Visit Library of Celsus
- Explore Gymnasium of Vedius
- Visit the great theatre
- Explore the ancient stadium
- Traditional Turkish carpet weaving demonstration
Landmarks Ephesus Library of Celsus - Day 6
Kusadasi to Pamukkale
You'll leave Kusadasi and travel to Pamukkale to see the white travertine terraces, often called the Cotton Castles. These formed over centuries as warm mineral water cascaded down the cliffs, and they're pretty unique. You can walk barefoot through the accessible areas and get a feel for this natural formation. If you want, there's the option to soak in the Pamukkale Thermal Pools which have submerged marble columns from the ancient spa town of Hierapolis. The evening is free for you to do what you like.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Pamukkale travertine terraces
Optional Activities
- Relax with a dip in the Pamukkale Thermal Pools
Landmarks Pamukkale Hierapolis - Day 7
Pamukkale to Istanbul
You'll transfer to Denizli Airport for your domestic flight back to Istanbul. Once you arrive, you'll say goodbye to your group and tour representative before heading out for your international flight home.
