Best of Turkey by Land

Welcome to Turkey! At the Istanbul airport terminal keep your eyes peeled for the Travel Talk sign for your transfer to the hotel. 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…

• Accommodation
  Ottoman Legacy Hotel – 5 Star
• Included Activities
  Welcome Meeting
• Optional Activities
  Group Dinner

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.

• Accommodation
  Ottoman Legacy Hotel – 5 Star
• Meals Included
  Breakfast
• Included Activities
  Sightseeing of Blue Mosque
  Sightseeing of Hagia Sophia
  Sightseeing of Topkapi Palace Museum
• Optional Activities
  Bosphorus Boat Cruise – 10 EUR
• Entrance Fees
  Blue Mosque – Free
  Hagia Sophia – Free
  Topkapi Palace Museum – 500 TL

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.

• Accommodation
  Kolin Hotel – 5 Star
• Meals Included
  Breakfast, Dinner
• Included Activities
  Sightseeing of Anzac Cove
  Sightseeing of Beach Cemetery
  Sightseeing of Lone Pine
  Sightseeing of Chunuk Bair
  Sightseeing of War Trenches

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. Spend the afternoon in the the seaside town of Kusadasi.

• Accommodation
  Ramada Hotel & Suites by Wyndham – 4 Star
• Meals Included
  Breakfast, Dinner
• Included Activities
  Sightseeing of Troy Ancient City
• Entrance Fees
  Troy Ancient City – 200 TL

After breakfast, our first stop is 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. In the afternoon we depart for Fethiye where we can explore the buzzing resort town.

• Accommodation
  Hotel Greenland – 4 Star
• Meals Included
  Breakfast, Dinner
• Included Activities
  Sightseeing of Ephesus Ancient City
• Entrance Fees
  Ephesus Ancient City – 400 TL

After breakfast we make our way to Saklikent, one of the deepest canyons in the world. We will then continue our journey to Oludeniz. Besides its spectacular beaches, glittering waters and breathtaking natural scenery, Oludeniz is also popular for its water sport. Here you can relax on the exquisite beach or join one of the adventure activities including paragliding and microlighting. Late in the afternoon we depart for our overnight stay in Fethiye.

• Accommodation
  Hotel Greenland – 4 Star
• Meals Included
  Breakfast, Dinner
• Included Activities
  Sightseeing of Saklikent
  Sightseeing of Oludeniz
• Optional Activities
  Paragliding – EUR 120
• Entrance Fees
  Saklıkent – 13 TL
  Oludeniz Beach – 7 TL

Our next stop is Dalyan, a small town situated along the south-western coast popular for its natural and unspoiled beauty. We will join a boat trip to visit the most popular mud bath in Turkey, and we then continue to Iztuzu beach, homeland of world famous Caretta Caretta turtles. After a fantastic boat ride we will reach Iztuzu sandbar with fine sand and turquoise sea.

• Accommodation
  Hotel Greenland – 4 Star
• Meals Included
  Breakfast, Dinner
• Included Activities
  Dalyan Boat Trip
  Mud Bath
  Iztuzu Beach
• Optional Activities
  Mudbath
  Iztuzu Beach
• Entrance Fees
  Mud Bath – 50 TL
  Iztuzu Beach – 7 TL

It’s time to get your cameras out, because today is a photographers dream! Today we will visit Pamukkale, or ‘cotton castle’ in Turkish. 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. Spend time bathing in its pools, or explore the natural and unusual landscape.

• Accommodation
  Hierapark Hotel – 4 Star
• Meals Included
  Breakfast, Dinner
• Included Activities
  Sightseeing of Pamukkale White Terraces
• Entrance Fees
  Pamukkale White Terraces – 400 TL

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 Derinkuyu Underground City, a city complete with a church, wells, food stores, and even stables which is all located 60m under the ground. End the day with an optional traditional Hamman (Turkish bath).

• Accommodation
  Avrasya Hotel – 4 Star
• Meals Included
  Breakfast, Dinner
• Included Activities
  Sightseeing of Derinkuyu Underground City
  Sightseeing of Ihlara Valley
• Optional Activities
  Turkish Bath Experience – 30 EUR
• Entrance Fees
  Derinkuyu Underground City – 200 TL

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. In the afternoon we will visit local handicraft manufacturers and learn about traditional art. Tonight get your dancing shoes on for our optional Turkish night.

• Accommodation
  Avrasya Hotel – 4 Star
• Meals Included
  Breakfast, Dinner
• Included Activities
  Goreme Open Air Museum Visit
  Sightseeing of Cavusin
  Sightseeing of Pigeon Valley
  Sightseeing of Uchisar
• Optional Activities
  Turkish Night Show – 35 EUR
  Hot Air Balooning – 290 EUR
• Entrance Fees
  Goreme Open Air Museum – 300 TL

This morning we visit the dramatically beautiful Ihlara Valley before departing for Istanbul where we arrive late in the evening.

• Accommodation
  Orka Royal Hotel – 4 Star
• Meals Included
  Breakfast

Our trip will end after we say goodbye to our new friends over breakfast, bid you safe travels, and check-out of the hotel (11:00am).

• Meals Included
  Breakfast