Welcome to Istanbul, a city unlike any other. Spanning two continents, Istanbul straddles the Bosphorus, with one shore in Europe and the other in Asia, creating a distinctive fusion of diverse cultures. From traditional tea houses to contemporary art galleries, this compelling mix of contrasts is truly captivating. With its extraordinary blend of East and West, Istanbul offers an unforgettable journey through time and culture.

We don’t want you to miss out on any aspect of your small group tour. To ensure that you don’t, we recommend you arrive at your starting destination by 5:00 pm.

At 6:00pm, meet your fellow travellers and Tour Director before walking to a local restaurant for a drink and a lovely welcome dinner.

Get ready to spend a full day immersing in the incredible Istanbul. We begin our day with a visit to the Underground Basilica Cistern, the largest surviving Byzantium Cistern. Built in 532 AD during the reign of Emperor Justinian, this unique spot is truly a sight to behold with its hundreds of columns brightly lit up. We then continue to a local café that’s renowned for their traditional treats since 1864. Yum!

Once we’ve satisfied our taste buds, we’ll proceed to explore Istanbul’s most famous architectural wonders. First up, is the impressive domed Basilica of St. Sophia (Hagia Sophia), which has inspired architects, scholars and historians for almost 1,500 years. The first church on this site was constructed in 326 AD by Constantine the Great; the current church dates back to 537 AD and has been a cathedral, a museum, and is now a mosque. Our next destination is the Hippodrome, once the heart of the political and sporting life of the city. It was the scene of games and riots throughout 500 years of Ottoman history.

We will then head to the one-of-a-kind Blue Mosque, constructed in 1609 AD under the patronage of Sultan Ahmet. As we step inside, we are consumed by the grandeur of its interior, adorned with over 20,000 exquisite Iznik tiles. These tiles, meticulously crafted with intricate patterns and varying shades of blue, narrate stories of craftsmanship and artistic brilliance that have withstood the test of time.

This morning, we say goodbye to Istanbul as we set our eyes on Gallipoli, our destination for the day. Today is an incredibly moving day. It is a tangible reminder of a not-so-distant past and a significant event in history that shaped Australia's national identity.

We visit the World War I battlefields, most notable for being held by the ANZACs from 25th April to 20th December 1915, during what is referred to as The Gallipoli Campaign or Battle of Gallipoli. At the end of the war the bodies, still unburied, were cleared by the Allies on returning to the peninsula. Of the 22,000 graves at the 31 war cemeteries, only 9,000 are identified burials with grave markers. The remaining graves are commemorated with a special memorial.

We’ll continue onto Çanakkale, our home for the night. Situated on the southern shore of the Dardanelles, Çanakkale is an ancient port city that has housed several civilisations over the past 6,000 years!

We start our day with a short drive to the legendary ancient city of Troy. Over its 4,000-year existence, Troy has experienced the rise and fall of nine distinct settlements, spanning from the Stone Age to the Roman Empire. If that doesn't give you goosebumps, the sight of the Trojan Horse replica at the city gates certainly will. We'll continue to explore the surroundings, including the famed city central to the Iliad, the Odyssey of Homer, and Virgil's Aeneid. Once thought to be purely mythical, these sites were unveiled as real when archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann unearthed the ruins near the modern city.

Our next stop is the Adatepe Olive Oil Museum. Here, we’ll delve into the rich history and traditional techniques of olive pressing and harvesting in Türkiye. We’ll also have the chance to sample some of the local produce.

We’ll then continue to Kuşadası, our home for the next two nights.

Our morning begins with a visit to the extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ephesus. As the largest and most significant Roman city ever unearthed, stepping into Ephesus is like traveling back in time. Its remarkably preserved ruins span centuries of history, from classical Greece to the Roman Empire, when it served as the Mediterranean's primary commercial centre.

Walking along the marble-paved streets of Ephesus offers a glimpse into daily life from those eras. We'll explore ancient gymnasiums and bathhouses, marvel at the Library of Celsus, and see the remains of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. We'll also visit a local leather factory, where you'll have the opportunity to watch artisans at work and purchase exquisite, handcrafted Turkish leather products.

Next, we'll head to the charming and breathtaking village of Şirince. This scenic town is rich in history and culture, with its beautiful stone houses gracing the hillside, creating a truly picturesque setting.

After a long day, we'll unwind with an evening at leisure upon returning to our hotel in Kuşadası. This lively coastal paradise, blessed with around 300 days of sunshine each year, offers plenty to explore. Or you can simply choose to unwind and watch the world go by at one of the town's many seafront restaurants.

After a leisurely morning in Kuşadası, we’ll make our way to the Karnas Vineyards, tucked away in the lush rolling hills of the Aegean Valley.

Renowned for their award-winning wines produced with traditional and sustainable methods, this family-owned boutique winery is set on endless stretches of sprawling vines. A visit here will make you feel as if you’ve stepped right into a postcard! They’re known for growing several varieties of grapes, including Zinfandel, Syrah (Shiraz), Cabernet Franc and Vermentino.

Our next stop is Bodrum , a coastal city sitting on a rugged peninsula that offers a true Mediterranean experience. This town boasts abundant bays and pristine beaches along its stunning coastline. The sparkling waters of the Aegean Sea are beyond inviting. Beautiful scenery aside, this town is bursting with history and iconic landmarks and has a rich cultural heritage to match. Plus, the cuisine found here is otherworldly – if you are a fan of seafood, prepare to find heaven in Bodrum!

Arriving here, we’ll enjoy the remainder of the evening at leisure.

We will spend this morning exploring Bodrum Castle, also known as the Castle of St. Peter, a medieval waterfront fortification. Situated on a small rocky peninsula, the castle was built from 1402 AD onwards by the Knights of St. John. While here, we’ll visit the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, housed within the rooms and towers of the Bodrum Castle. This fascinating museum features artifacts from the 16th century, including remains from ancient shipwrecks.

The remainder of the day is yours to explore Bodrum at your own pace. Relax at a seaside café or wander through the lively bazaars, where you’ll find everything from handmade goods to beautiful jewellery and unique souvenirs.

Today we travel to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cappadocia. The region is renowned for its otherworldly landscapes, characterised by towering rock formations and cone-shaped fairy chimneys that have been shaped by millions of years of volcanic activity and erosion. We’ll transfer to the airport for our midday flight, via Istanbul to Cappadocia.

Complimenting Cappadocia’s otherworldly charm is our accommodation for the next two nights. We’ll get the chance to stay in ‘cave rooms’, an unforgettable experience that seamlessly blends together history, culture and comfort – this is a perfect way to immerse yourself in the true Cappadocia!

Please note: The cave hotel is located right in the heart of Cappadocia, which dates back thousands of years. This means there are multiple flights of stairs, plenty of steps and uneven cobblestone ground to navigate. Rooms are scattered across multiple levels - they are not inside a singular building. Meeting our mobility and fitness requirements are essential. No two rooms are the same with quirky layouts that can be dimly lit. While these rooms are still comfortable remember you are staying in a cave! These are incredibly unique and a once in a lifetime experience to stay in this unforgettable location.

For those that choose to do hot air ballooning, we have an early start this morning.

We will have time to rest before commencing with the rest of the days’ sightseeing. Our first stop of the day is the local municipality carpet cooperation where we’ll learn about this intricate and age-old artform of Turkish weaving.

We continue on to explore the spectacular landscape of Göreme Valley. Over thousands of years, the rain has eroded this landscape to give rise to unique rock formations known as 'Fairy Chimneys'. Many of these formations now have homes and churches carved into them. Some of the grottoes are even magnificently decorated with colourful frescoes depicting biblical scenes.

Later today, we will visit a local family where we’ll get the chance to learn about their lifestyle and the local way of life in Cappadocia. This evening we’ll enjoy dinner in a local family restaurant.

We begin our day by driving to the charming village of Avanos, a town famous for its centuries long tradition of pottery making and carpet weaving. While here, we’ll enjoy a lecture by locals on ceramic art.

Next, we make our way to the incredible underground city of Ozkonak. Featuring a maze of tunnels, chambers and rooms carved into soft volcanic rock over ten levels, this underground city is one of the best preserved in the area. It can hold an incredible 60,000 people and is over 40 metres deep into the Earth. Today, only four of these levels are accessible by the public. It is believed that the origins of Ozkonak dates back to the fourth century BC and was greatly expanded and deepened during the Byzantine era.

Later, we transfer to the airport for our flight back to Istanbul.

Get set for our final full day exploring the fascinating city of Istanbul! Our first stop of the day is a visit to the magnificent Topkapi Palace. Constructed between 1466 and 1478 AD, the Topkapi Palace served as the residence of the esteemed Sultans and their households and functioned as the primary hub of the Ottoman Empire from the 15th to the 19th centuries. Today, it is filled with treasures and antiquities, including 12000 pieces of fine Chinese porcelain.

We continue our journey to the famous Grand Bazaar. Built in 1457 AD, the Grand Bazaar is one of the largest covered markets in the world. It is most famous for its antique shops, jewellery, carpets, hand-painted ceramics, embroideries and spices. We’ll also make our way to the exotic Spice Bazaar, where you’ll have some time to browse through the stalls at your leisure and soak up the scents of hundreds of spices permeating the air.

Later this afternoon, we will embark on a leisurely cruise along Istanbul’s most famous waterway, the Bosphorus. Our journey will take us along both European and Asian shores, as we gently cruise past marvellous monuments and districts, including the Maiden’s Tower (Kız Kulesi), Dolmabahçe Palace, Çırağan Palace, Ortaköy, Ahmat Fethi Pasa Mansion, Ortaköy Mosque, Beylerbeyi Palace, Kuleli Military School, Arnavutköy and Bebek.

It’s almost time to bid farewell to this mesmerising country, but not before we feast on a lavish spread of Ottoman cuisine at a beautiful local restaurant.

Our tour concludes after breakfast this morning. We bid farewell to our amazing new friends and to the spectacular Türkiye. We hope you leave with memories of a lifetime.