Day 1, Istanbul

Welcome to Istanbul, a city steeped in history! You’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours, free to relax or explore this amazing city.

Day 2, Istanbul Old City

After breakfast, enjoy a fully guided tour of Istanbul – once known as the former imperial capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires. We visit the Blue Mosque, Aya Sofya, soak in the Sultan’s opulence at Topkapi Palace and explore the Hippodrome.

Day 3, Istanbul - Two Continents

Your full day tour will include Egyptian Spice Bazaar (Sundays replaced by Pierre Loti Cafe); Bosphorus Cruise through the waterway separating the two continents,Europe and Asia,with photo opportunities of marble palaces, ancient wooden villas of Ottoman architecture contrasted with modern residentials and luxurious apartements; view historic Rumeli Fortress; Beylerbeyi, the recent residence for Ottoman Sultans with 365 rooms and 22 saloons (Monday & Thursday replaced by Chori Museum). Cross Bosphorus Bridge, a unique chance to step across continents from Europe to Asia in 10 minutes. Tour concludes at Çamlica Hill for a panoramic overview of the city and Bosphorus from Istanbul’s highest point.

Day 4, to Gallipoli Battlefields

Early morning departure, headed towards the WW1 battlefields of Gallipoli. Our guided tour of the area will cover ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine Australian War Memorial and cemetery, Chunuk Bair New Zealand War Memorial and cemetery, the Nek, Johnston’s Jolly and the many fortified trenches still clearly visible amongst the scrub after all these years. Overnight Canakkale

Day 5, Troy & Acropolis of Pergamum

This morning, step back in time as we visit Troy, home of the famed Trojan Horse. Travelling along the coastline, we continue to the magnificent acropolis of Pergamum, Asia Minor’s former political powerhouse, although now a laid-back market town packed with ancient sites. Visit the impressive temples and library and interesting remains. Overnight Kusadasi.

Day 6, tour to Ephesus

Today feel the ancient times with a guided tour of Ephesus and a visit to the site of the Temple of Artemis. Explore this stunningly preserved city and learn about its past as a major trading centre. Discover the place where the Virgin Mary spent her last days. Visit a rug maker and find out about local craft this country is famous for. – carpet weaving. Overnight Kusadasi

Day 7, to Pamukkale & Hierapolis

This morning enjoy a wonderful display of locally handcrafted leather goods before heading to the fascinating, chalky terrace of Pamukkale. Take the opportunity to bathe in the healing thermal waters of the nearby hot springs of Hierapolis known for their therapeutic powers. Overnight Pamukkale (B, D)

Day 8, to Bursa & Istanbul

Today we return to Istanbul, passing through rural Turkey and ancient Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire and an important trading and cultural centre. We visit the famous Green Mosque and explore the Silk Bazaar. Overnight Istanbul

Day 9, to Australia

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Australia

Day 1, Istanbul

Welcome to Istanbul, a city steeped in history! You’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours, free to relax or explore this amazing city. Overnight Istanbul

Day 2, tour Istanbul Old City

After breakfast, enjoy a fully guided tour of Istanbul – once known as the former imperial capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires. We visit the Blue Mosque, Aya Sofya, soak in the Sultan’s opulence at Topkapi Palace and explore the Hippodrome. The evening is spent getting to know your travelling companions over a delicious welcome dinner.

Day 3, to Ankara

Morning free to explore this stunning city, or join an optional Bosphorous Cruise. Leave Istanbul in the afternoon and head towards the capital city of Ankara. Overnight Ankara

Day 4, to Cappadocia

Visit Anitkabir, mausoleum of the famed Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and Anatolian Civilisations Museum, one of the most beautiful & richest museums in the world. Overnight Cappadocia

Day 5, tour to Goreme, Underground City

Today we tour the Goreme open-air museum, Pasabag and Uchisar castle and underground city. Photo opportunities are everywhere so have your cameras ready! Tonight you will be entertained with a Turkish folklore evening featuring folklore and belly dancers... a night you won't forget! Overnight Cappadocia

Day 6, to Konya, Pamukkale

Leaving Cappadocia we follow ancient traders’ footsteps & head south along the Silk Road. En route we visit Sultanhani Caravanserai, before stopping at Konya to tour the Mevlana Museum. Overnight Pamukkale

Day 7, to Aphrodisias & Izmir

Visit the fascinating, chalky terrace of Pamukkale. The famous calcified falls and the ancient city of Hierapolis, with the calcified formations or ‘cotton castle’, spew down the mountainside impressively. In the afternoon we head towards Izmir, Turkey’s third largest city located on the Mediterranean coast. Overnight Izmir.

Day 8, tour to Kusadasi & Ephesus

Today feel the ancient times with a guided tour of Ephesus and a visit to the site of the Temple of Artemis. Explore this stunningly preserved city and learn about its past as a major trading centre. Discover the place where the Virgin Mary spent her last days. Visit a rug maker and find out about the local craft this country is famous for – carpet weaving. Overnight Izmir

Day 9, to Pergamum, Troy & Canakkale

This morning we will enjoy a display of locally handcrafted leather goods before driving along the Aegean coast to the ancient city of Pergamum. We visit the magnificent Acropolis of Pergamum, its impressive temples and library that made Pergamum a renowned cultural and political centre in its time. We then continue north to tour the legendary city of Troy. Overnight Canakkale.

Day 10, to Gallipoli Battlefields & Istanbul

After breakfast we drive to the battlefields of Gallipoli. Here, we’ll embark upon a guided tour of the region,including ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine Australian War Memorial and cemetery, Chunuk Bair New Zealand War Memorial and cemetery, the Nek, Johnston’s Jolly and the many fortified trenches. Drive to Istanbul for an overnight stay.

Day 11, to Australia

After breakfast, our tour concludes and we say goodbye to our new friends before being transferred to the airport for your flight.to Australia

Day 1, Istanbul

Welcome to Istanbul. You will transfer to your hotel and the remainder of the day is yours, free to explore Istanbul.

Day 2, Istanbul Old City

Tour the exotic city that spans both Europe and Asia visiting the Blue Mosque, the Aya Sofya, Topkapi Palace, the Basilica underground cistern and the Hippodrome. Late in the afternoon, we will drive through to Bosphorous bridge to visit Camlica Hill on Asian side. Overnight Istanbul.

Day 3, to Pamukkale

Passing through rural Turkey and ancient Bursa to visit the famous Green Mosque and explore the Silk Bazaar. Continue to Pamukkale for overnight.

Day 4, tour to Hierapolis

This morning we will enjoy a display of locally handcrafted leather goods before heading to the the magnificent white calcium terraces, known as Travertines, in Pamukkale where we also tour the ancient city of Hierapolis. Take a dip, amongst ancient columns, in the hot springs that were used in Roman times for their therapeutic powers. Overnight Pamukkale.

Day 5, to Kusadasi, Ephesus

Absorb yourself in history today with a guided tour of Ephesus and a visit to the Temple of Artemis. Feel the mystical atmosphere of the ancient city and theatre. Carpet weaving has long traditions in Turkey and at the carpet village we learn how the carpets are made by hand what determines their value. Overnight Kusadasi

Day 6, to Acropolis of Permamum & Troy

First we tour tour the magnificent acropolis of Pergamum. Its impressive temples and library made Pergamum a renowned cultural and political centre in its time. Coninue to Troy, home of the famous Trojan Horse. Overnight Canakkale.

Day 7, to Gallipoli Battlefields & Alexandroupolis

After breakfast, we visit the WWI Battlefields of Gallipoli including Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair Memorials, Anzac Cove, Johnston's Jolly and Gallipoli Museum, before driving to the Turkey/Greece border where you will change coaches and crew before proceeding to Alexandroupolis in Greece for overnight.

Day 8, to Kalambaka

En the way to Kalambaka, time to stop at Greece’s second largest city and capital of Macedonia region- Thessaloniki. Enjoy a short town tour before travelling to Kalambaka for overnight.

Day 9, tour to Meteora

Morning visit Meteora and enjoy the unique and most impressive scenery of the ageless monasteries, containing priceless historical treasures, standing between earth and sky atop huge rocks. Afternoon return to Kalambaka for overnight.

Day 10, to Delphi

This morning visit to the Delphi museum and the Sanctuary of Apollo. The Archaeological Museum of Delphi exhibits the history of the Delphic sanctuary, site of the most famous ancient Greek oracle. Its rich collections reflect its religious, political and artistic activities from its early years in the eight century BC to its decline in Late Antiquity. Later drive to the picturesque village of Arachova. Overnight Delphi

Day 11, to Olympia

Travel via Patras to Olympia to visit Olympia’s archaeological sites including the Sanctuary of Zeus, Olympic Stadium and the Museum. Overnight Olympia.

Day 12, to Navplion - Athens

Today visit Epidaurus Amphitheatre, one of the most beautiful archaeological sites in all of Greece and where the tragedies of Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides were performed. Then on the way to Athens visit Mycenae (kingdom of King Agamemnon). Cross the Corinth Canal and arrive in Athens.

Day 13, tour Athens

Morning city tour of Athens to include House of Parliament and the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier, Olympic Stadium, Temple of Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch and the Acropolis.

Day 14, tour to Saronic Islands

Leave Athens at 8:15 a.m. by bus to Paleon Phaleron, Trocadero Harbour. Sail for the island of Aegina (optional visit to the famous Temple of Athena Aphaia). Cruise through the straits to Poros (visit). Lunch on board. Then onto Hydra for time to shop or swim. Sail back to Trocadero Harbour and transfer by bus to Athens.

Day 15, to Australia

This morning transfer by coach to Athens Airport for flight to Australia.