Itinerary

Day 1 Istanbul

You can arrive at any time on Day 1 as there are no activities planned. Today is a good day to explore the Aya Sofya as it's closed on Mondays. There will be a brief meeting in the evening where you will meet your Tour Leader and fellow group members, as well as completing some admin and learning more about our trip to come. After the meeting, you may choose to join your leader and group for an optional dinner in a local restaurant.
Day 2 Istanbul/Ankara (1B)

We begin our day with an orientation tour of Istanbul on foot, with your Tour Leader. During this tour we will point out attractions such as the Aya Sofya and the Topkapi Palace, which you will want to return to and explore during your free time, as well as visiting and hearing the stories behind many of Istanbul’s sights and discovering some of your leader's hidden city secrets.

Our walk will include a wander through the atmospheric Spice Bazaar. Built in 1660, and also known as the Egyptian Bazaar as this is where many of the spices were originally imported. This market was, and is the centre of Istanbul's spice trade. We head downhill to the Bosphorus. The many local ferries departing from here are a great way to see the city from the water, on the cheap! The newly renovated Galata bridge now houses many bars and restaurants, and is a great place to grab the traditional Turkish fisherman's lunch of fresh, fried fish in a roll washed down with a cold beer. Walking back towards the Sultanahmet area, your leader will point out the Topkapi Palace, home of the Ottoman sultans and their harems, as well as the fascinating Archaeological and Ancient Oriental Museums located in a nearby park. Once in Sutanahmet Park, your leader will explain a little of the tumultuous history behind the Aya Sofya – we recommend a visit during your free time.

We explore the fabulous Blue Mosque, admiring the beautiful symmetry and internal tile work of the building. As it is a working mosque, take the chance to learn more about the ceremony behind Islam, the religion of around 98% of today's Turks. In front of the Blue Mosque, the ancient Hippodrome was once the scene of chariot races and now houses monuments from various moments in Istanbul’s history. Although there is little sign of it now, Divan Lu was once famous amongst travellers on the 70’s Hippy Trail for its western food and relaxed atmosphere. En route, your leader will point out a couple of hamams, or Turkish baths- an unmissable Turkish experience for any visitor.

Passing by various graveyards, mosques and tea houses, our path leads uphill to Istanbul’s grandest mosque complex and hilltop landmark, the Suleymaniye Camii. Learn more about the famous Sultan who is buried here, as well as the master architect who designed these beautiful buildings almost 500 years ago. There are many traditionally dressed sellers in this area touting refreshing glasses of sherbet for just a few cents- worth a try on a hot day.
Transfer to Ankara for the evening.

Approx travel time:
Istanbul to Ankara, 6 hours
Days 3-5 Cappadocia (2B,1D)

We transfer by private vehicle from Ankara to the town of Goreme, our base for exploring Cappadocia, where there will be plenty of free time for exploration. Why not visit the Goreme Open Air Museum, a complex of medieval painted cave churches carved out by Orthodox monks. There are more than 10 caves to visit, with many of the churches up to 1000 years old and still retaining amazing colour and vibrancy.

Hire a bike or catch a local bus and explore some of the other villages in the area. The village of Mustafapasa, is a popular choice. Many of the houses date back to the end of the nineteenth and beginning of the twentieth centuries and display fine examples of stonework.

One of the best ways to explore Cappadocia is on foot. Take the two hour trek through the beautiful Pigeon Valley, named for its many dovecotes. Explore old houses, churches and orchards, all blessed with stunning views over the surrounding countryside. The walk finishes in the town of Uçhisar, which is well worth exploring. Its natural castle like fortress is riddled with man-made cave homes and pigeon houses, and dominates the skyline of Cappadocia. This is a great place to take a lunch break in one of the many restaurants before catching a local bus back to Goreme.
Ask your tour leader about the many other walking and hiking options available in the area.

One of the most spectacular vantage points for viewing this beautiful and unusual region is from the air. Why not book a dawn balloon ride for a beautiful bird’s eye view.

While here, there will be the chance to visit a local pottery centre where you can take the opportunity to create your own masterpiece, as well as a carpet demonstration, to learn more about the process involved in making these Turkish works of art.

During one of your evenings here, we will travel to a village and have dinner with a local family. While enjoying the home made menu, with dishes which change according to the food in season, take the chance to ask our friendly hosts all about life in rural Cappadocia.

Overnight in Göreme (3 nights).

Approx travel time: Ankara to Göreme, 5 hours
Day 6 Konya (1B,1D)

A busy day today as we departing Göreme early (7.30am), and head to the underground city of Derinkuyu. First built by the Phrygians in the eighth–seventh centuries BC, the underground city of Derinkuyu was most famously used as the hiding place for the first Christians who were escaping from the persecution of the Roman Empire between the fifth and tenth centuries AD.

See how people transferred their surface lives to this underground world. There are cellars, rooms for food storage, kitchens, churches, stables, wine or oil presses, and shafts for ventilation. The underground city, which covers eight levels and extends to a depth of 85m, was large enough to shelter thousands of people together with their livestock and food stores. Part of its mystery is that what you see is only one tenth of the city’s actual size.

After our visit, we continue our journey to the beautiful Ihlara Valley. The Ihlara valley is a canyon with cliff-like walls 100-150m high and was created long ago when the Melendiz River eroded into the region’s porous volcanic rock. The valley proved to be an ideal place for the seclusion and worship of monks, and a hideaway and defense area for people during times of invasion. The churches in the valley were decorated between the sixth and thirteenth centuries. We will have time to wander the valley exploring the numerous dwellings, churches and graves built into the valley walls, some of which are connected by tunnels and corridors, all set in a spectacular riverside, canyon setting.

After a quick lunch, we make our way to the city of Konya. Konya was the capital of the Seljuk Turks, and is home to some of the best Seljuk architecture in the country. Wander the streets and enjoy these beautiful and historic buildings. It was also here in the thirteenth century that the poet, Mevlana Rumi, founded the mystic Islamic sect known as the whirling dervishes. Consider visiting the museum, dedicated to Mevlana Rumi. As well as finding out more about the history of the dervishes, it is a fascinating place to people watch, continuously flooded with faithful pilgrims coming to pay homage.

In the afternoon, we travel one hour to a local village.

On the way, we will stop at a rare traditional wooden mosque dating from the 13 century where we are lucky enough to have the local immam perform the call to prayer for us. This is a great chance to learn more about this and another Islamic religious traditions.

Here we will learn about local life and enjoy a home cooked dinner in our village home. Accommodations are very simple - mattresses on the floor of the family's living room - and include shared bathroom facilities but there is no better chance to learn about local Turkish life. All bedding is supplied for our overnight stay.

Overnight in village with simple accommodation.

Approx travel times: Goreme to Derinkuyu, 30mins; Derinkuyu to Ihlara, 50mins; Ihlara to Konya, 3hrs, Konya to village stay, approx 1 hour.
Day 7 Antalya (1B)

Today is an relatively early start (8am) as we travel by private vehicle directly to the city of Antalya. Arriving around lunchtime, spend your time wandering the charming cobbled hillside streets of the district of Kaleici. This is a great place to stop and have a drink at one of the restaurants with great views of the marina below.

Those searching for a little culture may want to check out the Antalya Museum, offering some great reconstructions of life under the Ottoman Empire. For a break from the hustle and bustle why not head for the greenery and teashops of one of Antalya's beautiful parks.

Sunlovers may want to head to one of the nearby beaches.

Approx travel time: Village stay to Antalya, 5hrs
Day 8 Uçagiz/Aegean Sea (B,D)

Today we continue to the beautiful coastal village of Uçagiz where after lunch, we board our boat for an unforgettable night on the sea.

On board, the facilities are very basic. We sleep on deck under the stars, with mattresses and full bedding, all of which is provided. There is a toilet and an open air shower on board. Dinner tonight is included and cold drinks are available for purchase. We do ask that no external drinks are brought onboard. This really is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the crystal waters Turkey is famous for!

Overnight on board the boat will take place between May and October only and will depend on weather conditions even then. The rest of the year and when the weather does not permit sleeping onboard, you will stay in a local hotel. This is a multi-share night on board a typical boat, mattresses will be put on the floor and you will be provided with bedding. There is one passenger toilet and one shower inside and one outside, both are shared. There is no hot water on board. No towels will be provided.

Overnight on the top deck of a boat/pension (depending on season).

Approx travel times: Antalya to Ucagiz, 4 hours.
Day 9 Kas (1B,1L)

After waking up on board and enjoying breakfast in the fresh air, we begin our full day boat excursion. We'll travel around Kekova Island by boat, allowing us to enjoy the sunshine and scenery and later walk up to the Simena Castle to enjoy the views and archaeological ruins. Spend your time swimming in the crystal water and relaxing on deck.

After enjoying lunch on board, we return to Ucagiz to board our private bus and make our way to the coastal town of Kas where we spend this evening. You’ll be charmed by the cobbled streets and white washed buildings of pretty Kas. Spend time wandering the many small antiques stores, or enjoying a coffee and cake at one of the stylish cafes. Afterwards head down to the picturesque harbour. While there is no beach as such, buying a drink at one of the many seaside cafes entitles you to a deck chair and direct access to the turquoise water.

In the evening, pick one of the many attractive outdoor restaurants for a meal of local seafood specialties.

Approx travel time: Ucagiz to Kas, 40mins
Day 10 Pamukkale (1B)

Time to leave sea level behind as passing through almond orchards, we make our way from Kas to Pamukkale. In the afternoon, we'll visit the famous white cliffs of Pamukkale. 2700m long and 160m high, visible from up to 20kms away, Pamukkale is made up of 17 hot water springs in which the temperature varies between 35 and 100 degrees. The white cliffs, or travertine are formed when the calcium carbonate, which is deposited at first as a soft jelly, hardens with time.

We also explore the ancient site of Hierapolis built on top of the white "castle". This UNESCO world heritage site is evidence that the hot springs of Pamukkale were used as a spa since the second century BC, and there are large, ancient baths within the city.

Approx travel time: Kas to Pamukkale, 5 hours
Day 11 Selçuk (1B)

Today we travel to the town of Selçuk. In the afternoon visit the ruins of the ancient Roman town of Ephesus. One of the foremost cities of the world in its time, with a strategic location on the trade route, this well preserved city is one of the best places in the world to get a real feeling of what life must have been like during Roman times.
The massive, well preserved theatre dominates the view down Harbour Street, which leads to the long-silted-up harbour.

The impressive two storey library, whose façade has been carefully reconstructed from all original pieces, was built in 125 AD and once held nearly 12,000 scrolls. There is even a chance to see 2000 year old public toilets!
Once part of Ephesus but now the outskirts of Selçuk are the remains of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Temple of Artemis. Today only one column remains of this ancient structure.

After our visit, we return to town where you can use your free time to visit the small but exquisite Ephesus Museum, walk up to the remains of the St John basilica, visit the mosque of Isa Bey or just wander the streets and cafes of this vibrant Turkish town.
Catch a local “dolmus” bus 8kms to the picturesque village of Sirince where you can sample some of the local wine or shop for crafts.

The beach at Kusadasi is also within reach for the dedicated sunseekers.

Approx travel time: Pamukkale to Selçuk, 3hrs
Day 12 Ayvalik (1B)

You’ll be charmed by Ayvalik’s blend of old Ottoman architecture, cobbled streets and attractive harbour.
If you are itching to get back into the turquoise sea, the beach of Sarimsakli is only a short bus ride away.

For those who cannot get enough of life at sea, it may also be possible to charter a boat from the harbour for a short cruise. Be sure to set the price before departure and check if it is per person or per boat.

After you have finished exploring, head down to one of the waterside restaurants for a sunset drink or meal. Enjoy the hospitality and beautiful views from our family-run pension. Located in a restored Ottoman house, it is always a highlight for our travellers. Please note that this accommodation has shared bathroom facilities and some rooms may be multi-share.

Approx travel time: Selçuk to Ayvalik, 2.5hrs
Day 13 Troy/Çanakkale (1B)

On our way to the city of Çanakkale, our base for the night, we pay a visit to the world famous Troy. Troy was first made famous by the Iliad, Homer's epic poem, and more recently by Orlando Bloom and Brad Pitt in the film of the same name! For centuries this story in the Iliad, was regarded as just a myth, until the ruins of the city were found in in the mid-nineteenth century. While today not too much remains, it is possible, with a bit of imagination to get a feel for what a great city this must once have been. Of course you won’t want to miss your chance to have your photo taken with the Trojan horse!

We continue a further 32km to the harbour town of Çanakkale, a busy port with a thriving student population. Join the crowds as they stroll the waterfront nightly, seeing and being seen. Why not try "kumpir", the Turkish version of a stuffed potato? Yum!

Approx travel time: Ayvalik to Troy, 2.5hrs; Troy to Çanakkale, 40mins
Day 14 Gallipoli/Istanbul (1B)

This morning we make an early morning visit to Gallipoli, where thousands gave their lives during WWI in the battle of the same name. Here the Turks fought off the numerically superior but badly commanded Allied forces who were forced to withdraw nine months later. We will visit ANZAC Cove, the war cemeteries, Lone Pine and other important sites. Even for those who are not familiar with this battle, this is a moving and beautiful site, completing any trip to Turkey.

We'll continue our journey to Istanbul where there will be the opportunity to continue your sightseeing or get in some last minute shopping. Why not top off a wonderful adventure with dinner at one of Istanbul's atmospheric restaurants.

Overnight in Istanbul.

Approx travel time: Çanakkale to Gallipoli, 20mins (ferry) + 20mins (bus); Gallipoli to Istanbul, 5hrs
Day 15 Istanbul (1B)

You are free to depart at any time today. Please note that check-out time from the hotel is normally mid-morning, but luggage storage facilities are available. We are able to organise extra post-trip accommodation if you wish to extend your stay for a few more days. Please ask at the time of booking.

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