Essential Turkey 2026

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
  Legacy Ottoman 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
  Legacy Ottoman 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 – 25 EUR
  Topkapi Palace Museum 1700 TL

Today we sit back and relax in the coach. Watch the amazing Turkish scenery unfold before us and see small towns and villages as we pass on by. We will drive through the capital city of Ankara before we reach Cappadocia. 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 Hammam (Turkish bath).

• Accommodation
  Avrasya Hotel – 5 Star
• Meals Included
  Breakfast, Dinner
• Included Activities
  Sightseeing of Derinkuyu Underground City
• Optional Activities
  Turkish Bath Experience – 30 EUR
• Entrance Fees
  Derinkuyu Underground City – 13 EUR

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. Tonight, get your dancing shoes on for our optional Turkish Night.

• Accommodation
  Avrasya Hotel – 5 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 – 20 EUR

Start an unforgettable day by exploring the famous underground city of Kaymakli where ancient Christians took refuge to escape raids and wars for centuries. Here you will discover the complex network of underground tunnels, storerooms, burial chambers and chapels dating back to various eras. Together with the unique geology, each civilization and culture have shaped this marvelous heritage over thousands of years into a one-of-a-kind experience for all travelers. 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.

• Accommodation
  Novotel Konya Hotel – 5 Star
• Meals Included
  Breakfast, Dinner
• Included Activities
  Kaymaklı Underground City
  Karatay Madrasa Visit
  Mevlana Museum Visit

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.

• Accommodation
  TBA
• Meals Included
  Breakfast, Dinner
• Included Activities
  Karatay Madrasa Visit
  Mevlana Museum Visit
  Perge visit
  Aspendos visit

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.

• Accommodation
  TBA
• Meals Included
  Breakfast, Dinner
• Included Activities
  Sightseeing of Kaleici
  Visit to Lower Duden Waterfall

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.

• Accommodation
  Signature Blue Resort – 5 Star
• Meals Included
  Breakfast, Dinner
• Included Activities
  Sightseeing of Pamukkale White Terraces
• Entrance Fees
  Pamukkale White Terraces – 30 EUR

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.

• Accommodation
  Signature Blue Resort – 5 Star
• Meals Included
  Breakfast, Dinner
• Included Activities
  Sightseeing of Ephesus Ancient City
• Entrance Fees
  Ephesus Ancient City – 40 EUR

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.

• Accommodation
  Kolin Hotel – 5 Star
• Meals Included
  Breakfast, Dinner
• Included Activities
  Sightseeing of Troy Ancient City
• Entrance Fees
  Troy Ancient City – 27 EUR

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.

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

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.

• Meals Included
  Breakfast