Legends of Turkey - 14 Days

Once you have arrived in Istanbul, you will be met and transferred to the hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is at leisure, giving you time to begin exploring Istanbul at your own pace. You may wish to take a stroll through the lively neighbourhoods near your hotel, sample some traditional Turkish cuisine, or simply relax and unwind.

Please note: Arrival transfers from Sabiha Gokcen Airport may incur an additional fee.

Istanbul - Gallipoli - Canakkale. This morning, we leave Istanbul and travel towards Gallipoli, a place of great historical significance from the First World War.

Here, we visit Anzac Cove, where Australian and New Zealand troops made their landing in 1915, and the Nek, a site of fierce fighting. At Chunuk Bair, we pay our respects at the New Zealand Memorial before continuing to Lone Pine, the principal Australian memorial on the peninsula. We also stop at the 57th Regiment Memorial, dedicated to the Turkish soldiers who fought with great courage during the campaign.

Later, we cross the Dardanelles Strait to the Asian side and make our way to Canakkale for an overnight stay.

Canakkale - Troy - Bergama - Kusadasi. Today, we begin with a visit to the legendary city of Troy, immortalised in Homer’s Iliad and known as the setting of the Trojan War. We explore the archaeological remains of this ancient city, where myth and history intertwine, before continuing our journey across Mount Ida, a landscape rich in mythological tales.

Our travels then take us to Pergamum, now known as Bergama, once a major cultural and political centre of the Hellenistic world. Here, we visit the Acropolis, where temples, theatres and monumental buildings showcase the city’s former grandeur. From here, we continue to Kusadasi, where we spend the night.

Kusadasi - Ephesus - Sirince - Kusadasi. We start the day with a short drive to Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world and once a thriving centre of trade and culture in Asia Minor. As we walk through its marble streets, we see remarkable remains such as the Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre, gaining a real sense of the city’s former grandeur.

Along the way, we also learn about traditional local handicrafts, including hand-made carpets and fine leatherwork, which have been part of the region’s heritage for centuries.

In the afternoon, we continue to the charming hillside village of Sirince, famous for its traditional houses, welcoming atmosphere, and fruit wines. Here, you can browse small shops for local products and sample some of the village’s well-known wines. Later, we return to Kusadasi for an overnight stay.

Kusadasi - Hierapolis - Pamukkale. After breakfast, we drive through the fertile Meander Plain, passing fields of cotton that shape the local landscape, before arriving in Pamukkale. Here we take time to enjoy the striking white terraces formed by natural limestone deposits, often called the “Cotton Castle” for their unique appearance.

We also explore the ancient city of Hierapolis, a Greco-Roman spa town built above the travertine pools. Walking among its ruins, we see highlights such as the theatre, necropolis, and the remains of thermal baths that once drew visitors from across the empire. After, we make our way to our overnight stay in Pamukkale.

Pamukkale - Koycegiz - Fethiye. Today, we travel to the lakeside town of Koycegiz, set beside a peaceful natural lagoon. From here, we board a boat for a relaxing cruise that takes us along the waterways to Iztuzu, better known as Turtle Beach, a protected nesting site for loggerhead turtles.

We also stop to experience the local mud baths, where you can cover yourself in the mineral-rich mud, said to have health and skin benefits.

Later, we continue our journey to Fethiye, a lively harbour town on the Turquoise Coast, where we enjoy dinner and spend the night.

Fethiye - Kayakoy - Oludeniz - Fethiye. Leaving Fethiye this morning, we make our way to Kayakoy, a once-thriving Greek village that was abandoned in the 1920s and now stands as a poignant ghost town. Its stone houses and churches offer a glimpse into the region’s multicultural past.

In the afternoon, we drive to Oludeniz, famous for its stunning blue lagoon and one of the most photographed beaches in Turkey. Here, you will have time to swim or simply relax by the water before we return to our hotel.

This evening, you may choose to join an optional sunset cruise, including dinner, for a memorable end to the day.

Fethiye - Antalya. After breakfast, we depart Fethiye on a scenic drive along the Mediterranean coast to Antalya. Here, we walk through Antalya’s charming Old Town, exploring its narrow streets and seeing Hadrian’s Gate, a triumphal arch built in honour of the Roman emperor. We also visit the Düden Waterfalls in Lara, where the cascading water flows dramatically into the Mediterranean. We will then make our way to our hotel in Antalya.

Antalya - Aspendos - Konya - Cappadocia. Early this morning, we set off towards Konya, pausing along the way to see the magnificent Aspendos Theatre. Exceptionally well preserved, this Roman masterpiece is still in use for performances today.

On arrival in Konya, we visit the Mevlana Mausoleum, the resting place of the poet and philosopher Rumi, and explore the former lodge of the Whirling Dervishes, an important centre of Sufi culture.

We then continue across the Anatolian plain, stopping at a historic caravanserai that once welcomed merchants along the Silk Road. By evening, we reach Cappadocia for dinner and an overnight stay.

Early this morning, you may choose to join an optional hot-air balloon ride over Cappadocia, a remarkable way to admire the region’s otherworldly landscapes from above.

After breakfast, we set out on a full-day excursion, beginning with Kaymakli Underground City, once used as a safe haven by ancient communities. We continue to the Göreme Open-Air Museum, where rock-carved churches are decorated with vivid frescoes, before travelling on to Uçhisar, a natural rock fortress offering wide views across the valleys.

This evening, you may join an optional Turkish folklore show with dinner.

Cappadocia - Ankara - Safranbolu. Today, we depart for Safranbolu, making a stop in Ankara along the way. Here, we visit the Mausoleum of Atatürk, the final resting place of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the modern Republic of Turkey. The site also houses a museum dedicated to his life and legacy, offering insight into his role in shaping the nation.

We then continue our journey to Safranbolu, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed town renowned for its beautifully preserved Ottoman architecture. Often described as an open-air museum, its cobbled streets, traditional houses, and historic marketplace reflect the charm of a bygone era.

This evening, we stay in an old Ottoman mansion, adding to the sense of history and atmosphere.

Safranbolu - Istanbul. We begin the day exploring the old town of Safranbolu, famed for its Ottoman-era houses and traditional atmosphere. Here, you can sample authentic Turkish delight, a sweet treat the town is well known for.

From Safranbolu, we continue our drive to Istanbul. In the afternoon, we visit the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, where thousands of shops line its bustling lanes selling everything from carpets and ceramics to jewellery and spices.

Tour Itinerary Rewriter said:

Today, we set out on a guided tour of Istanbul, beginning with Topkapi Palace, the former residence of Ottoman sultans and home to an impressive collection of treasures. We then visit Hagia Sophia, celebrated for its immense dome and rich history as both a Byzantine church and an Ottoman mosque, followed by the Blue Mosque, famous for its striking blue Iznik tiles and elegant architecture.

Our day concludes at the Spice Market, where the air is filled with the scent of herbs, spices and sweets from across the region. We return to our hotel for an overnight stay in Istanbul.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Istanbul Airport at 9 am. If your flight is later, you may take the shuttle at 1 pm.