Charming Turkey

Day 1 Istanbul
Your tour commences with an arrival transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to begin your exploration of this fascinating city. This evening your tour guide will host a Welcome Meeting at 18:00hrs. If you are arriving overnight, your guide will meet you in the morning.

Stay at: Arena Hotel (4 star) or similar
Meals included: -

Day 2 Istanbul
A full-day, guided city tour of Istanbul’s Old Town includes visits to the former seat of Ottoman power - Topkapi Palace, 12th century Hagia Sophia (exterior only*), the iconic Blue Mosque and Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest and largest markets in the world. You will understand why Istanbul served as a focal point of several ancient empires as numerous architectural wonders from those glorious eras still stand tall in the heart of the city.

Stay at: Arena Hotel (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 3 Istanbul - Cappadocia
After breakfast, fly to Kayseri in the Cappadocia region for a visit to Turasan wine factory and enjoy a wine tasting. Then explore the Cappadocia area on a jeep safari, visiting the picturesque Ortahisar Castle on the way, to Uzengi Valley where you’ll be able to see pigeon houses carved into the rocks. Later, arrive into Sahintepesi for a rest and drive back to Goreme via Pancarlik church.

Stay at: MDC Cave Hotel (4 star) or Yusuf Yigitoglu Konagi (4 star) or similar
Meals inlcuded: Breakfast and dinner

Day 4 Cappadocia
At dawn, you have the opportunity to take an awe-inspiring balloon ride over Cappadocia (optional). Then enjoy a fascinating, full-day excursion around the volcanic landscapes of Cappadocia, including the Kaymakli underground city, Goreme open-air museum and the natural fortress of Uchisar. Tonight, you will be offered an optional Turkish folklore evening with dinner.

Stay at: MDC Cave Hotel (4 star) or Yusuf Yigitoglu Konagi (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

Day 5 Cappadocia - Konya - Pamukkale
Depart early for Pamukkale with a stop en-route to the 13th century Sultan Han Caravanserai, the largest in Turkey, located along the famous Silk Road. Stop in Konya, where you will visit the Mausoleum of Mevlana before reaching Pamukkale.

Stay at: Adempira Termal & Spa Hotel (5 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

Day 6 Pamukkale - Izmir
After breakfast, your day is devoted to the ancient city of Hierapolis with its magnificent Necropolis, graveyard and the stunning lime cascades of Pamukkale. This afternoon, you will travel to Izmir via Selcuk to visit the remains of the Temple of Artemis - one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Stay at: Kaya Thermal Hotel (5 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

Day 7 Izmir - Ephesus - Izmir
Today, you will explore the spectacular ancient city of Ephesus, a Greco-Roman city with 2,000 years of history. Visit the city’s historic sites including its magnificent library, theatre and many temples. Later, travel to Selcuk for a special lunch of authentic Turkish gozleme in a nomadic tent. On the way back to to Izmir, stop at the picturesque village of Sirince where you will have some free time for shopping or perhaps find a cafe to sit and enjoy a glass of locally made wine.

Stay at: Kaya Thermal Hotel (5 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 Izmir - Pergamum - Canakkale
This morning's first stop is the ancient Greek city of Pergamum where you will see the preserved ruins of Asklepion, the healing centre in the Acropolis. Afterwards, drive to the ruins of Troy, founded 5,000 years ago and famous for the tales of the Trojan War in Homer’s Iliad. Continue to Canakkale where you will overnight.

Stay at: Hotel Kolin (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

Day 9 Canakkale - Gallipoli - Istanbul
Today, you will drive along the Dardanelles Strait to the battlefields of Gallipoli, which fought for the Entente's (UK, France and Russia) campaign to weaken the Ottoman Empire in World War I. See the sombre sites of Anzac Cove, the Nek, Lone Pine, Conk Bair and the 57th Regiment Memorial, and take a moment to commiserate those who have died in the war. Arrive at Istanbul for the night.

Stay at: Arena Hotel (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 10 Istanbul
Enjoy a food lover's heaven on a tour through the back streets to experience the smells and colours of Istanbul. Starting from the Spice Market, you will learn about the spices that dominated Ottoman cuisine. There is opportunity tp try Turkish delight or nuts before walking through Galata Bridge to Galata area, an up-and-coming cultural centre with design shops, heute culture designers, wine cellars and boutique hotels. You can stop to taste delicacies like baklava, one of the most popular desserts in Turkey, Turkish coffee perhaps accompanied by a sesame pretzel or roasted chestnuts on your way to Beyoglu. Lastly, you must sample the local favourite - mussels dolma (fried mussels) - before the tour ends at your hotel.

* Please note the possible food and beverage tastings during this tour are not included and are at guests own expense.

Stay at: Arena Hotel (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 11 Istanbul
Your Charming Turkey tour concludes with a departure transfer for your onward journey.

Meals included: Breakfast