Rise to your first traditional Turkish breakfast—a colorful spread of cheeses, olives, tomatoes, eggs, fresh bread, jams, and strong tea or Turkish coffee.

Today’s guided walking tour begins at Sultanahmet Square, once the Hippodrome of Constantinople, where Roman chariots once raced. Your guide will bring the square’s monuments to life: the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpent Column and the Walled Obelisk.

Step into the Blue Mosque, with its cascading domes and six slender minarets. Adorned with over 20,000 blue İznik tiles, this 17th-century masterpiece remains a working mosque and a marvel of symmetry.

Nearby stands the Hagia Sophia, once a Christian cathedral, later a mosque, and now a museum and mosque again—its soaring dome and mosaics recounting more than 1,500 years of spiritual history. Depending on your choice, you may also visit the Topkapi Palace the imperial seat of Ottoman sultans, where jeweled daggers and sacred relics reside in opulent chambers.

After lunch, ride the public ferry across the Bosphorus to Kadiköy on the Asian side—an energetic, bohemian district of Istanbul with market streets, bookshops, and charming cafes. So few tourists visit Kadiköy, it feels like an insider’s secret. Return by ferry, savoring the city skyline from the water.

You might also explore the Basilica Cistern, a haunting subterranean world of 336 marble columns, or visit the Spice Bazaar, where cinnamon, saffron, and Turkish delight await.

Depart early from Istanbul to Turkey’s capital, Ankara. The six-hour drive offers scenic windows into Anatolia—passing sunflower fields and sleepy villages as you move from ancient Constantinople to modern republic.

Your first stop is the Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the father of the modern Turkish Republic. Set on a hilltop, this monumental complex offers sweeping views over the city and a powerful introduction to 20th-century Turkish identity.

Next, visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, one of Turkey’s finest museums. Housed in a beautifully restored Ottoman building, its artifacts trace human history across 10,000 years—from Neolithic settlements to Hittite tablets and Phrygian treasures. Children and history buffs alike will be captivated.

This evening, settle into your centrally located hotel in Ankara and enjoy a leisurely dinner. The city has a thriving café culture and surprisingly cosmopolitan dining scene—be sure to try testi kebab or a glass of ayran if you haven’t yet.

Today you head into the heart of Anatolia. Leaving behind the bustling capital of Ankara, the landscape gradually transforms—rolling plains give way to valleys carved by wind and water. Your first stop is Hacibektas a peaceful town named after the revered 13th-century Sufi mystic, Haci Bektas Veli. The Hacibektas Museum, housed in his former dervish lodge, offers a moving glimpse into the Bektashi order, an Islamic sect known for tolerance, humility, and poetry. You’ll walk through tranquil courtyards, simple living quarters, and a sacred tomb draped in green cloth.

Continue onward to Cappadocia, one of Turkey’s most otherworldly regions. Your base for the next two nights is Göreme, a village nestled among volcanic spires and honeycombed hills. This afternoon, descend into the fascinating Kaymakli Underground City, a subterranean marvel once used by early Christians to escape persecution. Four levels are open to the public, revealing stables, kitchens, wineries, and air shafts—all carved from soft tuff stone.

In the evening, settle into your charming stone hotel. The views are unforgettable, especially at dawn when dozens of hot air balloons rise into the peach-colored sky—something to look forward to tomorrow.

This day is one of the tour’s highlights. If you’ve opted for a sunrise hot air balloon ride, prepare for an unforgettable experience as you drift above valleys etched by centuries of erosion. Back on solid ground, enjoy breakfast and prepare for a full day exploring Cappadocia’s natural and manmade wonders.

You’ll walk through the Love Valley or Red Valley, depending on conditions—both are stunning. Here, wind and rain have sculpted the land into soaring spires, rippled waves, and chimney-shaped pinnacles. These surreal landscapes have inspired artists, filmmakers, and spiritual seekers for generations.

Later, visit Uçhisar Castle, a fortress carved into a giant rock outcrop with panoramic views over the region. Then, step into the Goreme Open-Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that preserves some of the most exquisite rock-cut churches in Cappadocia. Inside, 10th- to 12th-century frescoes still glow with scenes of Christ, angels, and saints—a testament to Byzantine artistry and devotion.

Enjoy free time this evening to sample local cuisine or relax at your hotel’s terrace with a glass of local wine.

Departing early from Cappadocia, your road westward traces ancient trade routes across the Anatolian plateau. First, stop at the Sultanhani Caravanserai, the largest and best-preserved roadside inn of its kind in Turkey. Built in 1229 by the Seljuks, it sheltered traders and travelers along the Silk Road. Inside, you’ll walk through an arched courtyard and stables once used by camel caravans.

Next, arrive in Konya, a spiritual center of Turkey and the home of Rumi, the great 13th-century Persian poet and founder of the Mevlevi Order—better known as the Whirling Dervishes. At the Mevlana Museum, you’ll find Rumi’s turquoise-domed tomb, surrounded by poetic inscriptions, ceremonial robes, and instruments once used in the dervishes’ mesmerizing rituals.

Continue your journey south to Antalya, arriving by early evening. Nestled between rugged mountains and the turquoise Mediterranean Sea, Antalya’s charming Old Town (Kaleiçi) is lined with Ottoman mansions, Roman walls, and flower-filled courtyards. Enjoy a stroll to the historic harbor or relax at your hotel after a long but rewarding day of travel and discovery.

This morning’s journey takes you along the dazzling Turquoise Coast to the enigmatic ruins of Olympos. Once a thriving Lycian city, Olympos was famed for its devotion to Hephaestus the god of fire. Nestled in lush greenery and flanked by mountain cliffs, the ruins whisper stories of pirates, poets, and Roman patricians.

From here, take a short but scenic hike uphill to the legendary Chimaera—eternal flames that flicker from cracks in the mountainside, fed by natural gas vents that have burned for millennia. The myth tells of a fire-breathing creature defeated by the hero Bellerophon, and these flames are said to mark the monster’s resting place.

Afterward, continue along one of Turkey’s most breathtaking coastal roads to Kaş a laid-back harbor town beloved for its Greek-style houses, artisan boutiques, and relaxed vibe. Check in to your hotel and unwind for the evening with a sunset stroll and fresh seafood dinner.

Today is yours to shape. For adventurers, join an optional sea kayaking trip to the sunken city of Kekova. Paddle over submerged ruins, peek into underwater courtyards, and float above history as your guide recounts tales of Lycian sailors and Byzantine storms.

Prefer dry land? Consider an excursion to the UNESCO-listed ruins of Xanthos, once the capital of the Lycian Federation and famed for its fierce defenders. Here you’ll find remarkably preserved mosaics, columned temples, and a theater where echoes of ancient voices still linger.

Back in Kas, wander through cobblestone streets lined with jasmine-scented cafes, browse handicraft stalls, or take a dip in the turquoise sea. The pace is slow, the people warm, and the backdrop unforgettable.

Departing early, drive to Dalyan, where the pace slows and nature rules. Board a boat and cruise the reed-lined Dalyan River, keeping watch for loggerhead turtles gliding through the shallows. As you float along, the rock-cut tombs of Caunos emerge from the cliffs—ornate Lycian facades carved into sheer rock faces over 2,000 years ago.

Disembark to explore the ruins of Caunos itself: an ancient port town with a Hellenistic theater, Roman baths, and city walls lost in olive groves. Then, sail to the unspoiled Iztuzu Beach, a protected nesting ground for endangered sea turtles. There’s time to swim in the gentle surf and visit the nearby Turtle Conservation Centre (DEKAMER).

Later, return to the tranquil outskirts of Dalyan to check in at your peaceful hotel for the night. This is one of the most relaxing and meaningful days on the trip—an ideal blend of ancient wonders and modern conservation.

This morning, travel inland to one of Turkey’s most photogenic and surreal sites—Pamukkale, meaning 'Cotton Castle' in Turkish. Formed by calcium-rich mineral springs, these gleaming white travertine terraces cascade down the hillside like frozen waterfalls.

Above them lies the ancient spa town of Hierapolis, founded in the 2nd century BC. With your guide, stroll through its impressive ruins, including a Roman theater, the Temple of Apollo, and crumbling baths converted into an archaeological museum. You’ll learn how this place lured emperors and pilgrims alike to soak in its healing waters.

There’s free time to dip your feet in the thermal pools and capture unforgettable photos. In the afternoon, check into your resort-style hotel nearby. This evening, unwind by the pool or soak in your hotel’s own thermal baths.

Leave Pamukkale behind and journey westward to one of Turkey’s most underrated archaeological treasures—Aphrodisias. Named after Aphrodite, the goddess of love, this ancient city is a captivating mix of Greco-Roman elegance and sacred devotion. Wander the streets of this once-vibrant center of art and sculpture, with highlights including the marble-lined Stadium, the beautifully carved Tetrapylon, and the grand Temple of Aphrodite. The onsite Aphrodisias Museum holds some of the finest statuary ever unearthed in Anatolia.

Continue to Selçuk, a town shadowed by ancient greatness. Here, spend the evening at your leisure—perhaps stroll past the Byzantine aqueduct or enjoy a quiet dinner in the shadow of St. John’s Basilica. This is your home base for exploring Ephesus tomorrow, and its calm atmosphere invites you to reflect on the journey so far.

This morning, set out early to explore Ephesus, one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman cities in the world. Once home to over 250,000 people, Ephesus was a vibrant port of politics, trade, and faith. Walk the Marble Avenue, once trodden by Cleopatra and St. Paul. Marvel at the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, and the Grand Theatre, which once seated 24,000 people.

Later, visit the sparse but evocative site of the Temple of Artemis—one of the original Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Though only a few columns remain, its significance is profound.

Return to Selçuk and enjoy a free afternoon. You may visit Isa Bey Mosque browse local handicrafts, or relax in a café. Every corner here is steeped in stories—let them unfold slowly.

Rise early for a day of classical grandeur and Homeric legend. First stop: Pergamon, a hilltop city of science, healing, and power. Ride a cable car or ascend the Acropolis road to explore the ruins of temples, terraced theaters, and one of the ancient world’s greatest libraries. Learn how Galen, the father of pharmacy, practiced medicine here under Roman rule.

After lunch, continue north to Troy, the legendary city of kings, gods, and a wooden horse. Walk through layered remains of nine ancient cities stacked atop one another, including Troy VI, the likely setting of Homer’s Iliad. Your guide will bring myths to life—Priam, Helen, Achilles—as you stand at the gates where history meets legend.

This evening, stay in the vibrant port city of Çanakkale, a lively place to dine, reflect, and prepare for your final days on the Gallipoli Peninsula.

Board a ferry across the Dardanelles to the hallowed grounds of Gallipoli. Here, in 1915, Allied and Turkish troops fought fiercely in one of WWI’s most tragic and defining campaigns. Visit Anzac Cove, the Lone Pine Memorial, and Ari Burnu Cemetery, where the cost of war is etched in stone and silence. Your guide will share the poignant stories that make this site deeply moving for Australians, New Zealanders, and Turks alike.

In the afternoon, return to Istanbul. Arrive in the early evening, with time for a final walk through Sultanahmet or a celebratory dinner beneath the glow of the city’s minarets.

Your journey across Turkey ends after breakfast. If your flight departs later in the day, enjoy a final Turkish tea or explore nearby sites at your leisure. Airport transfers are available on request. As you leave, take with you the sounds of the call to prayer, the warmth of Turkish hospitality, and the stories carved into every stone you've walked past.