Marvellous Turkey 5-18 Sep 2026 $4900 pp

  Day 1 – Sat 05 Sep: Arrive Istanbul
Welcome to Turkey! On arrival, transfer to your centrally located hotel in Istanbul, a city that straddles two continents and has served as the heart of empires for centuries. Spend the afternoon unwinding or start exploring the lively neighbourhoods filled with cafés, spice shops, and the melodic call to prayer echoing through the air. This evening, meet your tour director and fellow travellers for a welcome meeting and introduction to your Turkish adventure.

Overnight: DoubleTree by Hilton Piyalepasa (4★)

  Day 2 – Sun 06 Sep: Istanbul City Tour
Today, immerse yourself in Istanbul’s rich heritage with a full-day guided tour of the Old Town. Visit the grand Topkapi Palace, once home to Ottoman sultans, admire the soaring domes of the Blue Mosque, and view the magnificent Hagia Sophia, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture. Wander through the Spice Market, alive with colourful stalls selling saffron, teas, and fragrant Turkish delight. Along the way, you’ll discover the layers of history that make Istanbul one of the world’s most fascinating cities.
 

Overnight: DoubleTree by Hilton Piyalepasa (4★)
Meals: Breakfast

  Day 3 – Mon 07 Sep: Istanbul – Gallipoli – Canakkale
Depart Istanbul this morning, crossing the Dardanelles Strait to the historic Gallipoli Peninsula. Walk in the footsteps of ANZAC soldiers at poignant sites including Anzac Cove, Lone Pine, and Chunuk Bair. Hear stories of courage and sacrifice that have shaped Australian and New Zealand history. Afterward, continue to the harbour city of Canakkale, a charming coastal town known for its lively waterfront promenade and views across the strait. Enjoy a relaxing evening reflecting on this moving day.
 

Overnight: Hotel Kolin (5★)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

    Day 4 – Tue 08 Sep: Canakkale – Troy – Pergamum – Kusadasi
Step into ancient legend as you visit the archaeological site of Troy, where myth and history intertwine in the tales of the Trojan War and the famed wooden horse. Continue to Pergamum, once a great centre of learning and art, whose Acropolis still towers above the modern town. Explore the Temple of Athena, the Hellenistic Theatre, and other magnificent ruins. In the evening, arrive in the seaside town of Kusadasi, a gateway to the treasures of the Aegean coast.
 

Overnight: Elite World Kusadasi (5★)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  Day 5 – Wed 09 Sep: Kusadasi – Ephesus – Sirince – Kusadasi
Travel to the awe-inspiring ancient city of Ephesus, one of the best-preserved archaeological sites in the Mediterranean. Walk along marble streets once trodden by Cleopatra, see the impressive Library of Celsus, and imagine life in this thriving Roman port. Later, continue to the hilltop village of Sirince, famed for its charming stone houses, cobbled streets, and locally produced fruit wines. Enjoy time to browse artisan boutiques and taste the region’s specialties before returning to Kusadasi.
 

Overnight: Elite World Kusadasi (5★)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  Day 6 – Thu 10 Sep: Kusadasi – Hierapolis – Pamukkale
Drive inland through fertile plains to Hierapolis, the ancient Roman spa city built around hot springs believed to have healing powers. Explore its theatre and necropolis before heading to the surreal travertine terraces of Pamukkale — dazzling white limestone pools cascading down the hillside. Take time to dip your feet in the warm, mineral-rich waters while admiring one of nature’s true wonders. This evening, unwind at your thermal hotel.

 Overnight: Adempira Termal & Spa Hotel (5★)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

           Day 7 – Fri 11 Sep: Pamukkale – Koycegiz – Fethiye
Journey south through mountain landscapes to the peaceful lakeside town of Koycegiz. Enjoy a relaxing boat cruise through a maze of reed-lined waterways to Turtle Beach, where loggerhead turtles nest, and experience the rejuvenating local mud baths. Continue to the resort town of Fethiye, nestled between pine-clad mountains and turquoise waters, and settle into your boutique accommodation overlooking the marina.
 

Overnight: Marina Boutique Hotel (4★)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  Day 8 – Sat 12 Sep: Fethiye – Kayakoy & Oludeniz – Fethiye
This morning, explore the hauntingly beautiful ghost village of Kayakoy, abandoned after the population exchange between Greece and Turkey in 1923. Its empty stone houses and hilltop church tell poignant tales of the past. In the afternoon, visit the famous Blue Lagoon of Oludeniz, where turquoise waters meet golden sands — the perfect spot for a swim or stroll along the shore. This evening, perhaps join an optional sunset cruise for dinner on the water.
 

Overnight: Marina Boutique Hotel (4★)
Meals: Breakfast

  Day 9 – Sun 13 Sep: Fethiye – Antalya
Travel along the scenic Turquoise Coast, passing pine forests and sparkling coves, en route to Antalya. On arrival, take a walking tour through the atmospheric Old Town (Kaleici) with its Ottoman mansions and narrow cobbled streets. Visit Hadrian’s Gate and admire the dramatic Duden Waterfalls, where cascades tumble directly into the Mediterranean Sea. The evening is yours to dine by the harbour and enjoy the relaxed coastal ambiance.
 

Overnight: Best Western Plus Khan Hotel (4★)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  Day 10 – Mon 14 Sep: Antalya – Aspendos – Konya – Cappadocia
Depart Antalya and stop at Aspendos to admire one of the best-preserved Roman theatres in the world. Continue to Konya, home to the Whirling Dervishes, and visit the Mevlana Museum dedicated to the Sufi poet Rumi. Journey along the ancient Silk Road, stopping at the impressive 13th-century Sultan Han caravanserai, before reaching the ethereal landscapes of Cappadocia — a region of otherworldly rock formations and cave dwellings.
 

Overnight: Crowne Plaza Nevsehir (5★)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  Day 11 – Tue 15 Sep: Cappadocia
Rise early for an optional hot air balloon ride at sunrise, drifting above Cappadocia’s valleys and fairy chimneys — an unforgettable experience. Later, explore the region’s highlights, including the Kaymakli Underground City, the Goreme Open-Air Museum with its ancient cave churches, and the hilltop fortress of Uchisar. Learn about traditional pottery and carpet weaving, two crafts central to local life. This evening, enjoy an optional Turkish folklore show with dinner and dancing.
 

Overnight: Crowne Plaza Nevsehir (5★)
Meals: Breakfast

  Day 12 – Wed 16 Sep: Cappadocia – Ankara – Safranbolu
Depart Cappadocia for Ankara, Turkey’s capital, and visit the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey. Continue north to Safranbolu, a beautifully preserved Ottoman town of cobbled lanes and timber-framed houses. Once an important stop on the caravan route to the Black Sea, Safranbolu is now a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its old-world charm and traditional sweets. Stay tonight in an atmospheric Ottoman mansion.
Overnight: Imren Lokum Konagi (4★)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner