Wonders of Turkey

Welcome to Turkey! Meet in the hotel lobby at 7:00pm for an informal meeting with your group and guide. Until then, you can start to explore Istanbul like climbing to the top of the Galata Tower for epic views or splash some cash at the Grand Bazaar. After the meeting, join in an optional group dinner at a local restaurant to get to know your new travel mates.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight from Istanbul to Mardin, one of southeastern Türkiye’s most atmospheric cities. Upon arrival, meet your local guide and begin exploring this remarkable hilltop destination, where honey-coloured stone houses, narrow lanes, ancient faiths, and Mesopotamian views create a truly unforgettable setting.

Set out on a guided city tour through Mardin’s historic old town, discovering its layered cultural heritage, traditional architecture, and centuries-old streets. Visit key highlights such as the Great Mosque, Zinciriye Madrasa, Kasımiye Madrasa, and the bustling local bazaars, while your guide brings the city’s stories, craftsmanship, and diverse history to life.

After the tour, enjoy some free time to wander through the stone streets, browse local shops, sample regional flavours, or take in panoramic views over the plains of Mesopotamia. 

After breakfast, begin the day with a visit to Deyrulzafaran Monastery, one of the most important spiritual and historical landmarks in the region. Set just outside Mardin, this ancient Syriac Orthodox monastery is known for its peaceful courtyards, honey-coloured stone architecture, and centuries of religious heritage.

After exploring the monastery with your guide, continue towards Diyarbakır, a city rich in history, culture, and striking architectural character. Upon arrival, discover the city’s impressive old walls, atmospheric streets, and historic landmarks as you get a first taste of one of southeastern Türkiye’s most fascinating destinations.

Later, enjoy time to settle in, take a gentle walk through the old city, or experience Diyarbakır’s local atmosphere before the evening at leisure.

After breakfast, depart Diyarbakır and travel towards Mount Nemrut, one of Türkiye’s most extraordinary archaeological and natural landmarks. Sit back and enjoy the changing scenery as the journey leads through southeastern landscapes, rural settlements, and mountain roads towards this remarkable UNESCO-listed site.

Upon arrival, visit the summit of Mount Nemrut, famous for its colossal stone heads, ancient royal tomb sanctuary, and dramatic panoramic views. As your guide shares the story of the Kingdom of Commagene and King Antiochus I, take in the atmosphere of this remote mountain setting, where history, myth, and landscape come together in unforgettable fashion.

After exploring Mount Nemrut, continue to Adıyaman for check-in at your hotel. Enjoy the evening at leisure, with time to rest after a scenic and history-filled day.

After breakfast, depart Adıyaman and travel towards Göbeklitepe, one of the world’s most significant archaeological discoveries and a landmark that has transformed our understanding of early human history. Sit back and enjoy the changing scenery as the journey continues through the heart of southeastern Türkiye.

Explore the ancient site of Göbeklitepe with your guide, discovering its mysterious stone circles, carved pillars, and extraordinary ritual spaces dating back thousands of years. As you walk through this remarkable UNESCO-listed site, learn about its importance as one of the earliest known monumental temple complexes in the world.

Then, continue to Şanlıurfa, a city deeply connected to faith, history, and tradition. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, with time to wander through the atmospheric old town, sample local flavours, or soak up the city’s warm southeastern character.

After breakfast, depart Şanlıurfa and travel towards Harran, one of the region’s most distinctive historic settlements. Explore its famous beehive-shaped houses, ancient ruins, and atmospheric streets as your guide shares stories of Harran’s long history, once home to one of the world’s earliest centres of learning.

Continue your journey towards Gaziantep, stopping en route to discover the remarkable heritage of Zeugma. Known for its extraordinary Roman mosaics and ancient riverside history, Zeugma offers a fascinating glimpse into the artistic and cultural richness of the region’s past.

Upon arrival in Gaziantep, check in to your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure. You may choose to explore the city’s lively streets, sample its famous cuisine, or relax after a day filled with history, archaeology, and southeastern Türkiye’s unique character.

After breakfast, set out on a guided city tour of Gaziantep, one of southeastern Türkiye’s most vibrant cultural and culinary capitals. Explore the city’s historic streets, traditional bazaars, and atmospheric old quarters as your guide introduces you to Gaziantep’s rich heritage, local craftsmanship, and deep-rooted food culture.

Visit key highlights such as Gaziantep Castle, the Coppersmiths’ Bazaar, and the renowned Zeugma Mosaic Museum, home to some of the world’s most remarkable Roman mosaics. Along the way, enjoy time to experience the city’s famous flavours, from baklava and pistachios to regional dishes that have helped make Gaziantep a UNESCO-recognised gastronomy destination.

After the tour, transfer to the airport for your flight back to Istanbul.

After breakfast, we begin to experience the magnificence of Istanbul. We will stroll through the historical heart of the old city, making stops along the way to the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, majestic Topkapi Palace and the Hagia Sophia. In the afternoon take an optional cruise down the Bosphorus river and see the epic skyline.

Today we sit back and relax on the coach, as we head to Cappadocia. Watch the amazing Turkish scenery unfold before us and see small towns and villages as we pass on by. In the afternoon, we will visit the Özkonak Underground City, a city complete with very narrow and long openings providing communication and ventilation between floors, a winery, a water well, food stores, and sliding stone doors closing the entrances to the space. End the day with an optional traditional Hamman (Turkish bath).

Rise and shine, it will be an early start for our optional sunrise hot air balloon ride over the stunning landscapes and fairy chimneys of Cappadocia. Or if preferred enjoy a leisurely start to the morning before we all fill up on breakfast. We will explore the UNESCO World Heritage listed Göreme, and tick off bucket list sights along the way including Göreme Musuem, Pigeon Valley, Uchisar and Cavusin. Depending on our timing, we will stop by a pottery and weaving workshop to learn about these ancient local crafts (either in Cappadocia or Kuşadası). Tonight, get your dancing shoes on for our optional Turkish Night.

The journey continues towards Konya, home of the famous whirling dervishes – members of the Sufism order. Meet the diverse Turkish culture and its various facades today. Starting with an 8-century-old center of education and architectural beauty, Karatay Madrasa, continue to the Museum and Mausoleum of Mevlana, also globally known as Rumi. Explore the ideas and works of the famous scholar, poet and theologist of the 13th century, whose teachings of understanding and acceptance have lived on to this day. You can relax at your hotel over dinner and replay cherished moments of discovery.

Meet the diverse Turkish culture and its various facades today. Starting with an 8-century-old center of education and architectural beauty, Karatay Madrasa, continue to the Museum and Mausoleum of Mevlana, also globally known as Rumi. Explore the ideas and works of the famous scholar, poet and theologist of the 13th century, whose teachings of understanding and acceptance have lived on to this day. In the afternoon, we will make our way to Perge, located 15 km east of Antalya, and home to remarkable ruins of ancient Pamphylia city. The acropolis here holds incredible mosaics dating back to the Bronze Age. With a short drive away lies Aspendos, the sister town of Perge. Aspendos is known for having the best-preserved theatre of antiquity. Imagine an amphitheater maintained in excellent quality over 2,000 years and an unbelievable capacity of 12,000! Its incredible acoustics haven’t aged a day. Later on, bbreathe in the clean scent of the sea as we drive to Antalya. Antalya is a hugely popular seaside resort with endless beaches and premium service. Dinner at the hotel and personal leisure time in the evening.

Start your day by exploring the charming heart of Antalya — Kaleiçi. We will wander through its narrow cobblestone streets lined with Ottoman-era houses and soak in the blend of history, culture, and stunning sea views.

Next, we’ll head to the scenic Lower Düden Waterfalls, where fresh mountain water dramatically cascades off a cliff straight into the Mediterranean Sea. It’s a perfect photo opportunity and a refreshing break.

The afternoon is free for you to enjoy Antalya at your own pace, whether you prefer relaxing at the beach, shopping in the bazaars, or sipping Turkish tea with a view.

This morning, we make our way to Pamukkale, known as the Cotton Castle & spend the day there. Pamukkale is a natural site that contains hot springs and travertine, giving the appearance of terraces made by carbonate minerals left by the flowing water. The ancient city of Hierapolis was built on top of the white castle and people have bathed in its pools for thousands of years. We will sleep overnight in the seaside town of Kusadasi.

This morning get ready to uncover the spectacular, well preserved ancient city of Ephesus. Ephesus was cited in the book of Revelations, and historians believe the Gospel of John was written here. Famed for the Temple of Artemis which was completed around 550 BC and is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. We will return to our Kusadasi hotel for overnight stay.

After breakfast we will depart for ancient city of Troy. You may of heard of Troy from Greek mythology or maybe just watched the Brad Pitt movie, but now you will visit the ruins and archaeological site of the city of Troy, and of course the famous wooden horse. We will stay overnight in Canakkale. You will have the evening to relax and discover the town.

Today we depart for the shores of Gallipoli. A place of important significance for Aussies and Kiwis, we will visit the beach and cemeteries at ANZAC Cove, before paying our respects at memorial sites Chunuk Bair and Lone Pine. In the afternoon, we will drive back to where our adventure began, Istanbul.

Our trip will end in Istanbul after we say goodbye to our new friends over breakfast and check-out of the hotel by 11:00am.