Day 1: ISTANBUL

Welcome to Istanbul. You will transferred to your hotel and the remainder of the day is yours, free to explore Istanbul. At 18:00 pm. you will have a meeting with your guide at the hotel lobby and will be informed about the tour.

Day 2: ISTANBUL

After breakfast, City tour of Istanbul, the exotic city that spans both Europe and Asia, visiting the Blue Mosque, St Sophia Museum, Topkapi Palace and the Hippodrome. The Blue Mosque, which owes its name to the exquisite tiles adorning its interior, dating from the 17th century, it is the only imperial Mosque with six minarets. Agia Sophia Mosque is known as one of the oldest standing churches in Istanbul dating back to 6th century. It is early domed-basilica architectural plan of famous Agia Sophia which was applied here first time in the history. Topkapi Palace was the principle residence of the Ottoman Sultans from the 15th to 19th century. Hippodrome, the place where chariot races and competitive athletic events took place during the Roman period, held 100.000 spectators and featured objects from all corners of the empire. In the afternoon cruise along the Bosphorus (optional), the beautiful strait that divides Europe from Asia. Winding between wooded hills, it is lined with mosques, castles, 19th century mansions, picturesque villages and extravagant baroque places of the late Ottoman Sultans.

Day 3: ANKARA / CAPPADOCIA

After breakfast we drive towards Ankara, the capital and the second largest city of Turkey. Upon arrival, visit the Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk, founder and first president of the Turkish Republic. Leading up to the Mausoleum, also known as the Anitkabir, lies a vast brick courtyard and monumental avenue lined with NeoHittite stone statues and cenotaphs beneath its colonnades. The most noted cenotaphs within the complex are those of General Ismet Inonu, a close comrade of Ataturk's and his successor, and that of Ataturk himself, a large and highly decorative marble cenotaph, beneath which lies his tomb. We continue on to the surreal landscape of Cappadocia.

Day 4: CAPPADOCIA

Today we tour the Goreme Open Air Museum, Pasabag, Uchisar Castle and Kaymakli Underground City. Photo opportunities are everywhere so have your cameras ready! Carpet weaving has long traditions in Turkey and at a carpet village we learn how carpets are made by hand and what determines their value. Tonight, don't miss the optional Turkish folklore evening featuring folklore and belly dancers.

Day 5: KONYA / PAMUKKALE

Leaving Cappadocia we head south along the ancient Silk Road just as the ancient traders did. Along the way we visit Sultanhani Caravansary, before stopping at Konya, a city renowned for its Seljuk architecture and also as the home of the "Whirling Dervishes.", to tour the Mevlana Museum, which is the mausoleum of Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, a Persian Sufi mystic also known as Mevlâna or Rumi. It was also the dervish lodge of the Mevlevi order, better known as the whirling dervishes.

Day 6: PAMUKKALE / APHRODISIAS

Visit the ruins of Hierapolis ("Holy City"), a UNESCO a World Heritage Site situated atop the Pamukkale hot springs, the Temple of Apollo, Necropolis, and stroll over the magnificent white calcium terraces of Pamukkale. The Pamukkale hot springs have served as a therapeutic thermal bath since the 2nd century B.C.We then drive to Aphrodisias, the City of Aphrodite, Goddess of Love, is one of the Aegean region's most interesting archeological sites.

Day 7: EPHESUS

Absorb yourself in history today with a guided tour of Ancient Ephesus where the Temple of Artemis, one of the "Seven Wonders of the Ancient World" once stood. Walk along the 2000 year old marble streets; see the Great Theatre, the Odeon, the Fountain of Trajan, Temple of Hadrian, and the Library of Celsus. Visit the peaceful House of the Virgin Mary, believed to be her last residence and the Basilica of St. John. Feel the mystical atmosphere of the ancient city and theatre. This afternoon we will enjoy a display of locally handcrafted leather goods before driving to Kusadasi.

Day 8: PERGAMUM / TROY / CANAKKALE

After breakfast, we will drive along the Aegean coast to the ancient city of Pergamum. The ancient Greek located near the Aegean Sea, was once the ancient world’s major power and center of learning and the arts. We will visit The Acropolis that with a library that once held 200,000 books, Temples of Athena and Trojan, Alter of Zeus- now at Berlin Museum, the Gymnasium situated on terraces and the lower Agora. We then continue north to tour the legendary city of Troy including: The Trojan Horse, Helen of Troy, The Trojan Wars, The battle between Achilles & Paris, Sacrificial Altars, The 3700 year old city walls, Houses of Troy I, The Bouleterium, The Odeon, Current excavations in progress; and Remains of the various cities from Troy I through to Troy IX.

Day 9: GALLIPOLI BATTLEFIELDS

After breakfast, we tour of the following areas: Brighton Beach, Beach Cemetery, ANZAC Cove, Ariburnu Cemetery, ANZAC Commemoration Site, Lone Pine Australian Memorial, Johnston’s Jolly (Turkish & Allied trenches & tunnels), 57th Regiment Turkish Memorial, The Nek; and Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial. Afterwars we drive to back to Istanbul.

Day 10: ISTANBUL / AIRPORT

After breakfast, our tour concludes and we say goodbye to our new friends before being transferred to the airport for your onward flight.