Best of Turkey

Stand at the ancient crossroads between Europe and Asia, embarking on a journey of discovery through ancient lands and the marauding empires who fought to rule it. Arriving in vibrant Istanbul, you will be transferred to your hotel before joining your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a memorable dinner to kick off your epic adventure.

Begin your day at the Hippodrome, once the heart of Byzantine life, where you’ll see the 4th-century Egyptian obelisk. View the Blue Mosque, with its striking minarets, and the architectural masterpiece of Hagia Sophia. With your Travel Director, explore Topkapi Palace and learn how Ottoman sultans once ruled an empire. Later, Dive into Culture with a visit to Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar. Step into a maze of lantern-lit lanes where traders call out, artisans craft their wares and every turn tempts you to haggle for spices, ceramics and textiles. In the evening, another Optional Experience offers a taste of local culture, enjoy a traditional Turkish dinner with drinks as dancers and musicians take the stage in a lively performance.

Pay tribute to the brave souls who lost their lives at Gallipoli, where the national pride of both Turkey and Australia was awakened amidst the bloody battlefields of World War I, a legacy still commemorated today. See Anzac Cove and the Dardanelles, and visit the cemeteries of Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair, the final resting places of many Allied soldiers. Continue to Çanakkale, where you dine at your hotel tonight.

Visit a land of Trojan legends, where the ancient city of Troy has been immortalized by Homer in tales of King Priam, Hector, Paris and Helen. Explore the archaeological site revealing nine layers of civilization and see the replica wooden horse that recalls the Greek strategy used to end the legendary siege. Later, travel to the village of Demircidere for your Be My Guest experience. Meet local women, visit the village bakery and enjoy lunch made with fresh, homegrown produce. Continue to Izmir and settle into your seaside hotel before dining together this evening.

Stroll through the ruins of the ancient Greek city of Ephesus, past the amazingly intact facade of the Library of Celcus and down to what was once its thriving port. During your visit to a Turkish carpet emporium, learn about the rich heritage and intricate artistry of carpet weaving. Then, visit the House of Virgin Mary at Mt. Koressos. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. This evening, you may consider joining an optional dinner at a local restaurant in Izmir and indulge in some of the local raki.

Leave the coastal city of Izmir behind as you journey inland to Pamukkale. Relax and enjoy the blissful thermal pools at your hotel before dinner.

Tread in the footsteps of the ancients who sought relief and relaxation at the Roman health spa at Hierapolis, then admire the bubbling pools and white cascades of water of Pamukkale's Cotton Castle Springs. Our stop for the next two nights is the Mediterranean retreat of Antalya. Enjoy some time on your own ambling through the winding lanes of its old city and admiring Ottoman architecture. This evening, join your companions for dinner at a local restaurant.

Enjoy a day at your own pace, taking in the captivating seaside ambiance of the Turkish Riviera. Stroll through the charming, winding streets of the old city, where you can admire the well-preserved Ottoman architecture. For an Optional Experience, you may choose a yacht cruise and guided tour of Antalya's historic old town.

Witness the world's best-preserved theater of antiquity during your first stop in Aspendos this morning, before continuing to Konya, where you'll gain insights into the mystical Whirling Dervish sect whose remains lie in the Mevlana Museum and Mausoleum. Then, visit the Karatay Tile Museum, spellbound by its exquisitely Seljuk-tiled dome. Return to your hotel, where you'll dine tonight.

See a well-preserved 13th-century caravanserai, once a resting place for weary travelers along the ancient Silk Road. Journey to Cappadocia, where honey-colored rocky spires create an enchanting backdrop for your visit to the underground city of Saratli. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at King’s Valley Eco Farm, where your local host, Ali, shares how he transformed his grandfather's garden into a sustainable farm to preserve traditional farming methods and revive the local economy. Tonight, stay in one of Trafalgar's Stays With Stories located with views of the valley and ancient Ortahisar rock castle.

The otherworldly landscapes of Cappadocia take center stage today as you explore volcanic valleys dotted with caves and troglodyte dwellings. In the morning, you can rise early for an Optional Experience hot air balloon flight at sunrise for a bird’s-eye view of Cappadocia’s dreamlike terrain. Visit the Göreme Open-Air Museum to admire rock-hewn churches then stop by the fairy chimneys of Paşabağ. Dive into Culture and see how Avanos potters shape local clay into everyday works of art. Later, choose an Optional Experience performance of the Whirling Dervishes for a moving insight into a centuries-old spiritual tradition. This evening, tuck into the flavors of traditional pottery kebabs at dinner in a local restaurant.

Arriving in the youthful capital of Turkey today, visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations and the final resting place of the country's beloved Atatürk, the first president of the modern Turkish nation. This evening, dine at your hotel in Ankara.

Returning to Istanbul, the day is yours to enjoy at your own pace or you can choose to cruise the Bosphorus on an Optional Experience, taking in the sights from the water as Europe and Asia slide past on either shore. End the day with your Travel Director and fellow companions over a memorable dinner.

Your epic journey into antiquity has come to an end as you bid Istanbul and newfound friends a fond farewell.