TURKEY SOLO TRAVEL HIGHLIGHTS

• The highlights of Istanbul; visit the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and charismatic bazaars of Istanbul
• A day dedicated to the battlefields of Gallipoli including touring with a specialist Gallipoli guide
• Visit Ephesus, considered as the world’s best- preserved classical city 
• Visit the spectacle of the hot springs of Pamukkale
• Enjoy two nights in Fethiye, located on the border of the Aegean and Mediterranean Sea.
• A river boat day cruise
• An easy paced stay in Antalya on Turkey’s fabled turquoise coast.
• A superb 3 night stay in Cappadocia, exploring underground dwellings 
• Highlight dining experiences
• Small group touring, solo travellers only

PRE TOUR STAY
Consider arriving a day before the tour starting date, or enjoy a stopover.  You can relax and refresh after your flight.  The cost of the additional night/s of stay applies. Ask our travel team about this option, and the additional costs. 

DAY 1

Arrive Istanbul 

Welcome to Turkey! Istanbul is a treasure chest of East and West and a unique destination, which once served as the capital of empires, religions, cultures and cuisine. A visit to Istanbul is like walking through a time tunnel, where history and tradition coexist in harmony.  Meet with the group and your tour director, end of day, then followed by an evening at your leisure. 

Meals: n/a 

SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:

• Group meet up 

DAY 2

Istanbul

 After breakfast set off for a day exploring Istanbul’s highlights. Highlights include The Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Saint Sophia, The Underground Cistern and the Grand Bazaar.

Visit the historic peninsula a Unesco World Heritage Site where we will see Saint Sophia built by the Emperor Justinian and inaugurated in 537 AD. Visit The Blue Mosque, one of the most important temples of worship in the world, named for the blue Iznik tile work that decorates its interior and its dome can be seen from all over the Sultanahmet district. Experience the Grand Bazaar, an enormous labyrinth of covered streets lined with thousands of shops selling artefacts from hand-woven carpets and kilims, to jewellery, ceramics, leather goods and more. The Underground Cistern also known as ‘the Sunken Palace, you may recall from the James Bond movie From Russia with Love.

Tonight, a highlight dinner with a view of the Golden Horn and The Sea of Marmara at a long established city restaurant renowned for its Ottoman cuisine.

Meals: Breakfast, Highlight Dinner

SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:

• Day touring, Istanbul’s highlights
• Highlight group dinner 

SPECIAL NOTES: 
Modest dress required for the visit to The Blue Mosque

DAY 3

Istanbul - Canakkale

This morning, carry on with your Istanbul discoveries with a visit to Topkapi Palace before we travel from Istanbul to Canakkale for our the next two nights of stay.

Meals: Breakfast

SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:

• Half day sightseeing excursion, Istanbul
• Travel to Canakkale

DAY 4

Gallipoli - ANZAC Day

The day is dedicated to touring the sites of Gallipoli. We will cross to the Gallipoli Peninsula where we learn about the Gallipoli battlefields of World War I & visit poignant memorial sites of the ANZACS including Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair Cemetery. At this dramatic site, insightful commentary from a special Gallipoli guide will be shared.  

HIGHLIGHT EXPERIENCE – ANZAC DAY 25 APRIL 2024
ANZAC Day Dawn Service at the ANZAC Commemorative Site. An early start, commencing with boxed breakfast 1:30AM and arriving 3AM to the carpark for the site where shuttle services transport attendees 3km to the ANZAC commemorative site. Security checks apply and the dawn services commences 530AM and ends by 7AM.

Attendance Pass: individuals apply online at Australian Government website –  opens for registration in November (year prior).

After the dawn service, touring continues to key points of interest at ANZAC Cove/Gallipoli Peninsula area.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:

• Travel to the Gallipoli Peninsula
• Gallipoli tour with a Gallipoli specialist guide
• Group lunch at a local restaurant 

SPECIAL NOTES: 
ANZAC Day Dawn Service - Rug up – mornings are very cold! Umbrellas during the service are not permitted, we recommend wet weather gear/raincoats with hoods and ponchos for rain protection.  A longer day of travel and sightseeing, come prepared with comfortable footwear and a daypack with sun protection, and a warn jacket and warm clothes for pre dawn travel including a beanie and gloves. We recommend convenient snacks like protein bars for sustained energy.

See ANZAC DAY More Info section.

DAY 5

Canakkale – via Troy Museum - Sirince or Selcuk

An early morning departure to travel to Troy on our way to Sirince, or Selcuk. Troy was one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world.  As you wander through the city, marvel at the ancient ruins and learn about the iconic wooden Trojan Horse, the development of the area and hear stories of the Bronze Age and the mythical Trojan War.  There’s a charming lunch stop on the way to Selcuk.  Arriving to Selcuk there will be some time to wander the village.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:

• Visit Troy
• Transfer today is a longer day of road travel
• Local lunch stop
• Road travel from Canakkale to Selcuk 
  
  

DAY 6

Selcuk/Sirince to Pamukkale

This morning, an impressive visit of Ephesus. We set off early to miss the crowds that arrive later with cruise ship day trippers. Ephesus is considered to be the world’s best preserved classical cities and famous throughout history for its Temple of Artemis which was one of the wonders of the ancient world.  Ephesus was undoubtedly one of the most important cultural centres of the ancient world. Among its impressive structures, marvel at the Library of Celsus, Temple of Hadrian, The Great Theatre and the Odeon.   

After, we continue to Pamukkale, a UNESCO World Heritage site where we stay overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:

• Ephesus historical site
• Travel by road to Pamukkale
• Dinner at hotel 

DAY 7

Pamukkale – Fethiye

This morning, we head out to visit the Necropolis and the ancient city of Hierapolis (“Holy City”) situated atop the Pamukkale Hot Springs. The Pamukkale Hot Springs have served as a thermal bath since the 2^nd century B.C and are a marvel for the eyes; a splendid view of white travertine. In the afternoon we travel to the coast, to arrive to Fethiye for our next two nights of stay and dinner in house.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:

• Visit the ancient city of Hierapolis
• Pamukkale Hot Springs
• Travel to Fethiye
• Dinner at hotel

DAY 8

A Dalyan River Boat Cruise

A full day Dalyan River Cruise; explore the natural scenery of the Dalyan delta as you float around the islands and reed beds, stopping to view the ancient Lycian tombs of Kaunos, carved high in the cliff sides. Spot loggerhead turtles on İztuzu Beach, cool off with a swim along the coast and take a dip in the mineral-rich mud pools, then enjoy lunch at a riverfront restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:

• Full day river boat cruise
• Riverfront restaurant lunch 

SPECIAL NOTES:
Bring swimwear
 

DAY 9

Antalya

This morning drive to Antalya, Turkey’s fabled Turquoise Coast.  Antalya is the pearl city of the Mediterranean and the Turkish Riviera as well Turkey's 9th largest city. Soak up the charm of Antalya with a relaxing two night stay. This afternoon in Antalya we visit the Old Town including Hadrian’s Gate built back in 130AD, the Clock and Bramn Tower, the Yivliminare Mosque. Tonight a group highlight dinner at a local restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Highlight Dinner

SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:

• Travel by road to Antalya.
• Afternoon Antalya sightseeing
• In the afternoon tour
• Group highlight dinner 

DAY 10

Perge and Aspendos Visit

A morning visit of Perge where you'll be greeted by a monumental gate with fortified towers. Walk around the ancient angora full of soaring columns, enter ancient baths, and see the beautifully preserved ancient stadium where the best athletes had competed for crowns of laurels. The next stop is the Roman Aspendos Theatre, considered to be the best preserved in the world, with majestic walls, stage, and arcades. We return this afternoon to Antalya and there is some time at leisure to explore this coastal city.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:

• Visit the ancient city of Perge
• Visit the Aspendos Theatre
• Lunch at a local restaurant near Aspendos
• An evening at leisure in Antalya

Day 11

Antalya to Konya

Travel from Antalya to Konya. In Konya we visit the tomb of Rumi, the great 13 century poet. Tonight, dinner together for a relaxed evening at our hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:

• Travel by road to Konya
• Visit the tomb of Rumi
• Dinner at our hotel
  
  

DAY 12

Konya to Cappadocia

On the way from Konya to Cappadocia visit Sultan Hani  Caravanserai, built in the 13^th century and is one of the most significant attractions in central Anatolia. Caravanserais were roadside inns along major trade routes and this site is one of the largest in the world. Then we head to Avanos, a town of traditional pottery art and watch the art of pottery using a kick-wheel for manually spinning the wheel to make the pottery. From Avanos onto fascination Cappadocia, where you will check-in to your unique cave style hotel.

Cappadocia has an interesting and remarkable topography and a dream-like landscape, complete with beautiful villages and houses carved from soft volcanic ash, underground cities and frescoed churches. The so called fairy chimneys and troglodyte dwellings will take you to another world and will guarantee an unforgettable impression.

Meals: Breakfast 

SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:

• Travel by road to Cappadocia
• Visit the Sultan Hani Caravanserai
• A visit to the pottery town of Avanos
• Check in for 3 nights

DAY 13

Cappadocia Visits

Today we explore Cappadocia including Goreme Open Air Museum, Monks Valley, Pigeon Valley, Lecture about the art of Weaving Turkish Hand Made Rugs

Then Goreme Open Air Museum is a complex comprising more than 30 rock-carved churches and chapels containing some superb frescoes, dating from the 9th to the 11th century. Later today, you will have a chance to visit some local villages and craftspeople, possibly including a traditional rug workshop.

Meals: Breakfast

SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:

• Visit Goreme Open Air Museum

FREE TIME EXTRAS:
Optional hot air balloon ride / must pre book before departure

Early this morning we have the opportunity to go ballooning over the stunning Valleys of Cappadocia. Perhaps nothing more stunning than a bird’s eye view, we soar peacefully over the valley to absorb some of the most dramatic landscape in Turkey.
Pre booked before departure.

DAY 14

Cappadocia 

So much to explore in Cappadocia and delight your senses including exploring an underground city. 

Kaymakli Underground City takes visitors underground to explore the excavated ruins, including the remains of stables, cellars, storage rooms, kitchens, wineries, and wells. In addition to peeking into the gigantic ventilation shafts, you can see the defence systems and learn how food, wine, and even livestock were stored.

Then head to Zelve Valley which consist of three valleys where the fair chimneys are most abundant. Zelve became one of the important settlements and religious centres of Christians especially in the 9th and 13th centuries, and the first religious seminars were given to the priests in this region. Then head to Pasabag Valley attracting attention with its unique fairy chimneys. Inside the fairy chimneys, which are multi-bodied and multi-headed, chapels and seating spaces are carved. Our last visit today is to the one of the famous wineries of Cappadocia which is a great chance for a glimpse at the traditional wine production of the region where you will  have an opportunity to taste many different flavours of wine all made from the local grapes  grown in Cappadocia.

Meals: Breakfast 

SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:

• Visit local villages
• Experience an underground city
• A local winery visit

DAY 15

Cappadocia - Istanbul

This morning, we transfer to the airport for a flight back to Istanbul for our final night. You will have the afternoon at leisure; last minute shopping and souvenir purchases perhaps.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:

• One way flight Cappadocia to Istanbul (see MORE INFO page)
• Airport transfers

DAY 16

Istanbul Departure

Your turkey travels come to an end at the time of hotel check out.

Meals: Breakfast 

Itineraries may be subject to change, due to circumstances outside of our control. If there is any itinerary change prior to departure of significance, we aim to inform you prior to travel.  Itinerary changes while on tour will be informed by your tour leader/guide while on tour.