Turkey's land promises ancient glories and expressions of history. The country's glories are everywhere and this first day is free so you can gently explore at your own pace. There will be a welcome briefing at the hotel where you'll meet the guide and driver for your trip.
The historic neighborhood of Sultanahmet is the starting point for your guided narrative through Turkey. Stand at the site of the old Roman Hippodrome, flanked by the domes of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. Visit the Topkapi Palace & the Grand Bazaar.
Visit Lone Pine Cemetery, Chunuk Bair, the Anzac Cove, and Gabatepe War Museum, before crossing the sparkling Dardanelles and spending the night in Canakkale. Like each day, dinner is included in the itinerary and your guide handpicks the finest dining in town.
Few ancient cities can ignite the imagination like Troy, the town glamorized by Homer and made more famous by Hollywood. It's still being excavated and the ruins stretch over a vast area. The wooden horse stands proud as a centerpiece, flanked by crumbling stone, temple remains, and a real sense of mystique.
Like Troy, Ephesus has a long and almost mythical history. Gaze upon the Temple of Artemis, admire the Library of Celsus, and tour Ionian remains of allure and beauty. Visit St Mary's Cottage & beaches of Kusadasi.
Visit the wonderland of Pamukkale overtakes your view. White lime terraces cascade down the hillside, the calcified thermals glistening beneath the sun, the ancient city of Hierapolis, city of Apollo & indulge in the hotel's thermal pools and spa.
Visit the ancient city of Perge and stand amongst antiquity, everything left in an evocative state of ruin. Then the coastline beckons and the beaches of Antalya make for a serene afternoon. Sapphire waters, quaint cafes, miles of sand; Turkey offers traditional impressions of beach bliss that befit its Mediterranean allure.
Set sail on the blue waters as you spend a day cruising along the Mediterranean on a luxury yacht. A spacious deck is a prime position to soak up the sun and take in the panoramas. Forested hills stand above empty beaches, rugged coastlines hide pristine bays, and there are countless options for your route.
Konya is where the tradition started and their history is revealed in the Mevlana Museum, alongside some of the earliest ever copies of the Koran. While the day provides the history, the evening is all about the beauty.
Cappadocia is not merely about unparalleled landscapes. Visit the underground city. Kaymakli stretches many stories below the ground; the eerie corridors lined with cave houses and ingenious means of survival.
Hot air ballooning is the best way to admire the phenomenon and, as you float across the sky, you take in new impressions of scale. In Cappadocia Rock-cut churches stand side by side in Goreme, many of them decorated with sublime frescos.
Ankara is relaxed and peaceful for a capital city. Explore its two most famous sights - The Ataturk Mausoleum s a lofty memory to Turkey's founder & the Anatolian Civilizations Museum.
Istanbul is situated on the continental divide and a Bosphorus river cruise journeys along the water between Europe and Asia. Look around and the architectural differences are slight & visit the Spice Bazaar.
After breakfast you're transferred to the airport for your international departure. Though this journey may be over, you will surely be planning a return trip soon and, in the meantime, you will have plenty of memories to tide you over.