Essential Turkey

Begin your adventure in the transcontinental city of Istanbul, an enthralling cultural powerhouse packed with history, architecture and incredible cuisine. If you have time after your flight, you may want to explore the city solo before a deeper exploration tomorrow. Want more time in Istanbul? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative. Upgrade to a suite today – speak to your sales representative for more details. Stay: Beethoven Premium Hotel (or similar).

Say merhaba to your tour leader and fellow travellers this morning, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. We then join our tour leader for a walking tour, which takes in two great Istanbul landmarks: the Blue Mosque and Sultanahmet Square. The former is a masterpiece in Ottoman architecture, with intricate blue iznik tiles, six towering minarets and 13 domes. The latter features three significant structures from the Roman and Byzantine eras: the Theodosius Obelisk, the Serpent Column, and the Walled Obelisk, each of which showcases unique architectural styles and the historic and legendary legacies of the city.

In the afternoon, you have free time to explore solo – your tour leader will happily make suggestions based on your interests.

This evening, we gather together for our welcome dinner – a chance to get to know each other a little better in a relaxed setting. Stay: Beethoven Premium Hotel (or similar) (B/D).

Rise early and bid farewell to Istanbul, as we transfer (3hr 30min) to Gallipoli. Here, we gain a deep understanding of the Battle of Gallipoli, which was fought during the First World War. With our tour leader telling us more about the campaign, in which Allied forces aimed to capture the Dardanelles Strait, we visit the commemorative site and the cemeteries. After, we cross continents, taking the ferry from Europe to Asia on our way to Çanakkale city – our jumping off point to dive even further into history tomorrow. Stay: Cura Hotel (or similar) (B).

We dive into legend today with an exploration of Troy. The ancient city is best known as the site of the Trojan War, documented by Greek poet Homer in his epic, The Iliad. Alongside recounting the stories of Achilles, Helen and the wooden horse, your tour leader will show you the ruins of the city and discuss the history of the site, which dates back 5,000 years to the Early Bronze Age.

After, we drive (two hours) to Ayvalık for lunch, a delightful town in the Aegean region. It's well known for its excellent meze meals, but also for its rich history, lively culture and beautiful landscapes. We then transfer (three hours) to our winery hotel in the tranquil hills of Selçuk. If you would like to dip into the local wine scene, you can visit the vineyards or head to the restaurant for a wine tasting – an experience led by an expert from the hotel. Upgrade to a suite today – speak to your sales representative for more details. Stay: Yedi Bilgeler Hotel (or similar) (B).

We return to the ancient world this morning, this time visiting Ephesus, a city second only to Rome during the Roman empire and once home to the Temple of Diana, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Here, we visit the vast amphitheatre, stroll marble streets once graced by Cleopatra and Mark Antony, and marvel at the gymnasium, baths and wonderfully restored Library of Celsus. After, we head to the village of Sirince for an immersive cooking class in a restaurant run exclusively by women from the village.

Led by either restaurant owner Mrs Mujde or one of her daughters, we whip up three kinds of Turkish mezes, a main course with seasonal vegetables, a clay pot stew, and a Sirince-style semolina desert with pine nuts and ice cream. We enjoy our creations as a late lunch; then, filled with delicious food, we head to Pamukkale – home to the Cotton Castle. Please note: You may wish to create a light lunch from the breakfast spread this morning, as the cooking class is later in the afternoon. Stay: Anya Resort Hotel (or similar) (B/L).

We drive (30 minutes) to the spectacular natural wonder of Pamukkale, nicknamed the Cotton Castle. Here, thermal waters have cascaded down the mountainside over hundreds of years, forming myriad pools and terraces. Dazzling cream-coloured stalactites were formed that, from afar, resemble cotton or snow.

The pools are filled with hot spring waters that supposedly have healing properties and are a great place for a relaxing dip. Feeling rejuvenated, we drive (20 minutes) to Hierapolis, which was founded by the King of Pergamon in 190 BCE; by the second century CE, it had become an important Roman bath centre. Join the tour leader to explore the extensive ruins, including a theatre, temple, holy area, monumental fountain, bath, basilica and necropolis. After, we transfer (3hr 15min) to Antalya, where we can spend the late afternoon exploring the old town. Stay: Ring Downtown Hotel (or similar) (B).

Visit the ancient city of Perge this morning, birthplace of the Greek mathematician Apollonius of Perga. Then, we explore Aspendos, home to one of the best-preserved theatres from the ancient world. Once named Belkis, the city was founded by the Hittites, but it was Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius who ordered the 15,000-seater theatre to be built. After exploring the site, which is still used for performances, we have a free afternoon, in which you could visit the Antalya Archaeological Museum or head to the nearest beach for a swim. Stay: Ring Downtown Hotel (or similar) (B).

You've explored the ancient world, cooked a Turkish feast and soaked in the thermal pools of a cotton castle, but now it's time to begin your return journey home. Alternatively, if you'd like to extend your adventure, speak to your sales representative to discuss our large range of extension options (B).