Essential Turkey

After breakfast, we begin to explore the magical old town of Istanbul. Stroll through the historical heart of the old city, making stops along the way to the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, majestic Topkapi Palace and the Hagia Sophia. In the afternoon take an optional cruise down the Bosphorus river and see the epic skyline. • Accommodation in Istanbul Hotel – 4 Star • Meals Included Breakfast • Included Activities Sightseeing of Blue Mosque Sightseeing of Hagia Sophia Sightseeing of Topkapi Palace Museum • Optional Activities Bosphorus Boat Cruise • Entrance Fees Blue Mosque Hagia Sophia Topkapi Palace Museum

Today we sit back and relax in the coach. Watch the amazing Turkish scenery unfold before us and see small towns and villages as we pass on by. We will drive through the capital city of Ankara before we reach Cappadocia. In the afternoon, we will visit Derinkuyu Underground City, a city complete with a church, wells, food stores, and even stables which is all located 60m under the ground. End the day with an optional traditional Hamman (Turkish bath). • Accommodation in Cappadocia Hotel – 4 Star • Meals Included Breakfast • Included Activities Sightseeing of Derinkuyu Underground City • Optional Activities Turkish Bath Experience – 30 EUR • Entrance Fees Derinkuyu Underground City – 13 EUR

Rise and shine, it will be an early start for our optional sunrise hot air balloon ride over the stunning landscapes and fairy chimneys of Cappadocia. Or if preferred enjoy a leisurely start to the morning before we all fill up on breakfast. We will explore the UNESCO World Heritage listed Göreme, and tick off bucket list sights along the way including Göreme Musuem, Pigeon Valley, Uchisar and Cavusin. Tonight, get your dancing shoes on for our optional Turkish Night. • Accommodation in Cappadocia Hotel – 4 Star • Meals Included Breakfast • Included Activities Goreme Open Air Museum Visit Sightseeing of Cavusin Sightseeing of Pigeon Valley Sightseeing of Uchisar • Optional Activities Turkish Night Show Hot Air Balooning • Entrance Fees Goreme Open Air Museum

It’s time to hit the road to Konya, home of the famous whirling dervishes – members of the Sufism order. Along the way we will stop at Devrent Valley, a unique honeycombed canyon with rock-cut underground dwellings and churches from the Byzantine period. You can relax and replay cherished moments of discovery at our overnight stay in Konya. • Accommodation in Konya Hotel – 4Star • Meals Included Breakfast • Included Activities Sightseeing of Devrent Valley

Meet the diverse Turkish culture and its various facades today. Starting with an 8-century-old center of education and architectural beauty, Karatay Madrasa, continue to the Museum and Mausoleum of Mevlana, also globally known as Rumi. Explore the ideas and works of the famous scholar, poet and theologist of the 13th century, whose teachings of understanding and acceptance have lived on to this day. From cultural to natural wonders, we travel towards to the Cotton Castle of Turkey, Pamukkale. Your seat for dinner is already reserved at the hotel restaurant.. • Accommodation in Pamukkale Hotel – 4 Star • Meals Included Breakfast • Included Activities Sightseeing of Karatay Madrasa Mevlana Museum Visit

Get your cameras ready, as it is time to visit Pamukkale, or ‘cotton castle’ in Turkish. Pamukkale is a natural site that contains hot springs and travertine, giving the appearance of terraces made by carbonate minerals left by the flowing water. The ancient city of Hierapolis was built on top of the white castle and people have bathed in its pools for thousands of years. Our next stop is the spectacular, well preserved ancient city of Ephesus. Ephesus was cited in the book of Revelations, and historians believe the Gospel of John was written here. Famed for the Temple of Artemis which was completed around 550 BC and is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. We will sleep overnight in the seaside town of Kusadasi. • Accommodation in Kusadasi Hotel– 4 Star • Meals Included Breakfast • Included Activities Sightseeing of Pamukkale White Terraces Sightseeing of Ephesus Ancient City • Entrance Fees Pamukkale White Terraces Ephesus Ancient City

After breakfast we will depart for ancient city of Troy. You may of heard of Troy from Greek mythology or maybe just watched the Brad Pitt movie, but now you will visit the ruins and archaeological site of the city of Troy, and of course the famous wooden horse. We will stay overnight in Canakkale. You will have the evening to relax and discover the town. • Accommodation in Canakkale Hotel – 4 Star • Meals Included Breakfast • Included Activities Sightseeing of Troy Ancient City • Entrance Fees Troy Ancient City

Today we depart for the shores of Gallipoli. A place of important significance for Aussies and Kiwis, we will visit the beach and cemeteries at ANZAC Cove, before paying our respects at memorial sites Chunuk Bair and Lone Pine. In the afternoon, we will drive back to where our adventure began, Istanbul. • Accommodation in Istanbul Hotel – 4 Star • Meals Included Breakfast • Included Activities Sightseeing of Anzac Cove Sightseeing of Beach Cemetery Sightseeing of Lone Pine Sightseeing of Chunuk Bair Sightseeing of War Trenches

Our trip will end in Istanbul after we say goodbye to our new friends over breakfast and check-out of the hotel by 11:00am. • Meals Included Breakfast