TÜRKIYE

Day 1 | Friday 18 September
Arrive Istanbul
The tour commences at the hotel in Istanbul at 5.00pm, where after meeting our tour leader we embark on an orientation walk of Sultanahmet, the historic heart, taking in the impressive sights and landmarks including the ancient Hippodrome. We then return to the hotel for an introductory talk on Constantinople, before enjoying dinner on the rooftop terrace of our hotel, which offers sweeping views of the cityscape. Overnight Istanbul (D)

Day 2 | Saturday 19 September
The Byzantine World
This city has been known by many names – Byzantium, Constantinople, and finally Istanbul – each reflecting the layers of empires that have shaped its identity. We begin our day at one of its most famous Byzantine masterpieces: the Hagia Sophia. Spanning 1,500 years, the now Grand Mosque was once the world’s largest cathedral and remains one of the city’s most sacred and historic sites. We then descend beneath the city to the Basilica Cistern, dating back to the 6th-century during the reign of Emperor Constantine I. Here, the perfectly symmetrical columns of this vast underground chamber, illuminated from behind and reflected in the water, create an otherworldly atmosphere. After our lunch together in a local restaurant, we pay a visit to the 17th-century “Blue Mosque”, famed for its hand-painted Iznik tiles which cover its awe-inspiring interior. The afternoon is at leisure, and we reconvene in the evening for a private visit to the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum. Housed in a 15th-century palace owned by Ibrahim Pasha, Grand Vizier during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent, the museum boasts one of the most important carpet collections in the world, as well as reliefs from long- lost Seljuk and Ottoman buildings. Overnight Istanbul (B, L)

Day 3 | Sunday 20 Septembe
The Age of Suleiman “The Magnificent”
The 16th-century Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, also known as Suleiman Kanuni or “The Lawgiver,” marked a golden age of Ottoman dominance in the Mediterranean and a new era of diplomacy between Europe and the East. Our day begins with a talk at the hotel, followed by a visit to the stunning Suleymaniye Mosque, inspired by the Hagia Sophia and designed by the renowned Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan. With its vast domes, tall minarets, and spacious, elegant interiors, we will have free time to explore the large complex and see the beautifully tiled Mausoleum of Suleiman and his beloved queen, Hurrem Sultan, or Roxelana. Boarding our coach, we continue on, stopping en route for a group lunch before arriving at the Sadberk Hanim Museum. Housed in a historic 19th-century mansion (or yali) on the shore of the Bosphorus, we will explore a fantastic collection that includes Iznik ceramics, Ottoman silk textiles and costumes, early Greek, Hellenistic, and Roman glass, as well as a stunning assortment of jewellery and diadems from the Mycenaean, Archaic, and Classical periods. We end our day with a relaxed and scenic cruise back down the Bosphorus, with the rest of the evening at leisure.  Overnight Istanbul (B, L)

Day 4 | Monday 21 September
The Ottoman World
We dedicate our morning to the Golden Age of the Ottoman Empire with an in-depth visit to Topkapi Palace, meaning “cannon gate” in Turkish, one of the largest surviving palaces in the world. Constructed by Mehmed The Conqueror in the 15th-century, Topkapi, is a symphony of Islamic, European, and Ottoman architectural styles, consisting of four courtyards and over 400 rooms, and we will have the opportunity to explore the stunningly ornate and beautifully tiled chambers, which provide a fascinating insight into the private lives of the Ottoman Sultans. After free time for lunch, we pay a visit to the oldest and most famous covered market in the world, the Grand Bazaar, an architectural marvel that dates back to the 15th-century. Here, we will tour the rabbit’s warren of alleys and passageways, teeming with stalls beneath the ornately painted ceilings and glittering stained-glass windows. There will then be free time, and if time permits, the option to join your tour leader for a visit to Rustem Pasha Mosque, whose interior is almost entirely bedecked with blue and red Iznik tiles. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure. Overnight Istanbul (B)

Day 5 | Tuesday 22 September 22
Istanbul-Cappadocia – The Seljuk Age
Departing Istanbul this morning, we fly to Kayseri, once a Seljuk capital, marking our exploration of this once powerful medieval Turko-Persian empire. We pay a visit to the Seljuk Civilisation Museum, housed in a double madrasa, which features exhibits on the Anatolian Middle Ages and the Seljuk Dynasty. After free time for lunch, we visit the Mahperi Hunat Hatun Mosque Complex. Built in the 13th-century by Mahperi Hatun, wife of Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad I, the complex consists of a mosque, madrasa, tomb and bath house, and is one of the most beautiful and most important examples of Seljuk architecture in Anatolia. We continue our journey, driving to the town of Ürgüp and our gorgeous cave hotel and base for the next three nights. There will be time to freshen up before dinner in our hotel. Overnight Cappadocia (B, D)

Day 6 | Wednesday 23 September
Sacred Cappadocia
Cappadocia, meaning “land of fine horses” in ancient Persian, is where nature and history blend harmoniously. Its rugged volcanic terrain features rock formations called fairy chimneys, in which Christians escaping from the dominance of the Roman Empire carved their houses and churches. Today begins with a visit to the Göreme Open Air Museum, showcasing rock-cut churches, cave refectories, and hillside dwellings that reflect a Byzantine golden age. We then visit Mustafa Pasa village, enjoy a group lunch, and explore the 17th-century Kara Mustafa Paşa Kervansarayı a historic Silk Road trade centre which once offered shelter, food, and rest for merchants and their animals. Before heading back to our hotel, we stop at Saruhan Kervansaray, where, in its peaceful 15th-century setting, we observe the sacred Whirling Dervishes’ ceremony, performed by members of the Sufi Islamic tradition. We will then return to our hotel for dinner. Overnight Cappadocia (B, L, D)

Day 7 | Thursday 24 September
Cappadocian Culture
This morning we visit Zelve Open Air Museum, one of the earliest monastic settlements in Cappadocia, which flourished during the Byzantine era, and the site is home to fifteen Byzantine-era cave churches dating back to the 500s, making it one of Cappadocia’s most historically significant sites. Following the Byzantine era, Zelve transformed during the Ottoman period into a remarkable example of religious harmony, evidenced by the presence of both churches and a rare rock-cut mosque within the same community, and we will explore parts of the vast site and its many treasures. We then proceed to the small village of Ayvalı and the traditional stone arch house of the Cappadocia Home Cooking School, where we will enjoy not only a leisurely cooking class but also Turkish hospitality and a glimpse into traditional village life. Taking ingredients from the garden, we will prepare regional dishes before sitting down together to enjoy the fruits of our labour. We then return to our hotel where the rest of the afternoon is at leisure. Dinner this evening in our hotel. Overnight Cappadocia (B, L, D)

Day 8 | Friday 25 September
Tracing the Silk Road
Stretching from the East to the West, the Silk Road was a major conduit of cultural exchange, from goods and wares, silks and spices, to religion and philosophy. Today, we trace its influence as we travel from Cappadocia to Konya. Our first stop along the route is the Sultanhani Kervansaray, the largest medieval Kervansaray in Turkey. Built in 1229 by Seljuk Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad I, this fortress-like Kervansaray served as a place of rest and safety for merchants travelling the Silk Road. Entering through the imposing main portal, which is itself an impressive example of Seljuk architecture featuring a monumental marble entrance decorated with geometric patterns, we will explore its beautiful open courtyard, covered hall, as well as stables, kitchens, and mosque. After enjoying lunch together, we then head to Konya, a sacred city and the capital of many empires and civilisations throughout the centuries. It was also the resting place of Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi, or Rumi as he is known in the West, the renowned Persian Sufi mystic and poet, and the father of the Mevlevi Order, whose tomb we will visit. We continue on to our hotel, where after checking in, we will enjoy dinner together. Overnight Konya (B, L, D)

Day 9 | Saturday 26 September
Pamukkale – Land of the Cotton Castles
Today we make our way to Pamukkale, a geological wonder and one of Türkiye’s most significant geological sites. Turkish for “cotton castle”, Pamukkale is a shimmering series of white limestone terraces, as hot water emerges from a spring and slowly drips into a chain of pools below, depositing calcium carbonate on its downward journey. Pausing for lunch, we then visit the ruins of the nearby Roman spa city of Hierapolis, which became one of the most prominent cities in the Roman Empire in the fields of the arts, philosophy, and trade. Founded as a curative centre around 190 BCE by Eumenes II of Pergamon, the extensive ruins, excavated since the 19th century, include a Roman theatre, baths, a gymnasium, an agora and a Byzantine church. Continuing to our hotel, we enjoy dinner together before an evening at leisure. Overnight Pamukkale (B, L, D)

Day 10 | Sunday 27 September
Coastal Türkiye
Türkiye’s coastline is steeped in ancient history, having been a cradle of civilizations for millennia. From the Bronze Age to the Romans and beyond, numerous cultures have left their mark on the region, and en route to the coastal resort town of Kuşadasi - our base for the next three nights, we stop at Aphrodisias, a Roman city named for the Greek goddess of love Aphrodite. Here we will explore the ancient site, with time to marvel at the remnants of the civil architecture for which the Romans are renowned, such as baths, an agora, an odeon, and a theatre- one of the most magnificent from antiquity, with a capacity of close to 30,000 people. There is also time to visit the onsite museum, filled with statues found from all over the ancient site of Aphrodisias, before we enjoy a relaxed alfresco lunch in a nearby outdoor setting. In the afternoon, we continue to the bustling seaside town of Kuşadasi, where after checking in, dinner will be in the hotel. Overnight Kuşadasi (B, L, D)

Day 11 | Monday 28 September
Selçuk & Ephesus
This morning we depart for Selçuk, a town whose history is shaped by the Greeks, Byzantines, and the Seljuk Turks, from whom it takes its name. We begin the day with a visit to the Basilica of St John, a significant historical and religious site built in the 6th-century over the presumed burial place of St. John the Apostle. We then immerse ourselves in the ancient world with a visit to the archaeological museum, which houses, among many treasures, the famous statue of Artemis found at Ephesus. It is then a short drive to a local carpet weaving workshop, where we will enjoy a traditional lunch prepared by our hosts, after which we will watch as the skilled artisans use traditional methods and organic dyes to weave carpets, a tradition that has been passed down through generations. In the afternoon, we explore Ephesus, one of the world’s largest and best-preserved ancient Roman cities.There will be time to stroll along the marble streets and admire the Temple of Artemis, the impressive Library of Celsus, and its remarkably preserved open-air theatre. We return to our hotel in the evening for dinner together. Overnight Kuşadasi (B, L, D)

Day 12 | Tuesday 29 September
Ottoman Art & Culture
Izmir, once known as Smyrna, has a rich history under the Ottoman Empire, transitioning from a Byzantine city to a major Ottoman port and significant commercial hub, connecting the empire with Western Europe. We will enjoy the historic sites of this coastal city, including the Agora, which was founded in late 4th-century BCE, immediately after the reign of Alexander the Great, and the sprawling 17th-century Kemeralti Bazaar, its labyrinth of narrow streets bursting with life. After lunch and en route back to Kusadasi, we stop at the historic Mattheys Mansion, built in the 19th-century and a prominent example of the Levantine architecture prevalent in the region. Inside we will explore the Arkas Carpet Collection, one of the most significant carpet collections in the world, bringing together rare examples of Anatolian Carpets of  the Classical Period, Anatolian Tribal Carpets, Ottoman Palace Carpets and Northern European tapestries. We return to Kuşadasi, where the evening is at leisure. Overnight Kuşadasi (B, L)

Day 13 | Wednesday 30 September
Pergamon & Assos
Our coastal journey continues as we depart Kuşadası today for Bergama and the site of the ancient city of Pergamon. Once a powerful and prosperous city during the Hellenistic period, Pergamon was a major center of art, culture, and learning, rivaling Alexandria and Antioch in its cultural achievements, and it was the capital of the Attalid kingdom. Here we will traverse the spectacular Acropolis, home to the famed Altar of Zeus before its controversial removal to Museum Island in Berlin, but it still boasts the remains of temples, palaces, a library second only to the Library of Alexandria in its historic significance, a theatre, and the Aesclepion, a famous medical centre. After lunch in Bergama, we then travel north to the stunning waterfront village of Assos, arriving in the late afternoon. Once the home of Aristotle, the town has significant ancient sites as well as an enviable harbour-side position. After time to freshen up, we have dinner in the hotel. Overnight Assos (B, L, D)

Day 14 | Thursday 1 October
Ancient Assos
Founded by Ancient Greeks, Assos, situated on the Aegean coast of modern Türkiye is a beautiful seaside resort littered with ancient ruins of antiquity. The city passed through many hands during its long existence; the Persians took Assos from the possession of the Ancient Greeks during the 4th century BCE only to be driven out a few years later by Alexander the Great, and the city came under the control of the nearby Kings of Pergamon, until it was engulfed by the Roman Empire in 133 BCE. This morning we explore the ancient roots of the city, beginning with the 5th-century BCE Temple of Athena, which is situated on the crest of a dormant volcano. The temple offers beautiful views of the area stretching as far as the island of Lesbos (home of Sappho) and the surrounding acropolis. The afternoon is at leisure to enjoy lunch, relax and enjoy the coastal charm of the town, before we reconvene in the early evening for a talk on the ancient city of Troy, in preparation for the next day’s adventure. We will then regroup for dinner tonight in a local restaurant. Overnight Assos (B, D)

Day 15 | Friday 2 October
Troy
Spanning 4,000 years of history and immortalised by Homer in the Iliad, who wove a story of ancient love, betrayal, and a 10-year-long war, Troy is not just a famous legend; it is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. The site was first excavated by Heinrich Schliemann in the late 19th-century, and its extensive remains are the most significant demonstration of the first contact between the civilisations of Anatolia and the Mediterranean world.  We dedicate the morning to touring the fascinating site and its nine distinct archaeological layers, which represent periods of settlement and destruction, including the setting for the legendary Trojan War, which has inspired literature, drama, poetry and movies throughout the world ever since. We will also visit the impressive Troy Museum, designed in a modern, industrial style, with a height equal to the depth of the Troy excavation site and clad in rust-coloured weathering steel, creating the impression that the museum was itself excavated from the site. We continue on to Çanakkale, where after checking in to our hotel, there will be free time to relax before our group dinner. Overnight Çanakkale (B, D)

Day 16 | Saturday 3 Ocotober
Gallipoli
This morning we embark on a special pilgrimage, driving up along the Dardanelles, the strategically important strait connecting the Mediterranean with the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea. The day is devoted to exploring the Gallipoli Peninsula in the company of an expert on the Gallipoli Campaign and World War I. Our itinerary today includes the moving sites of Anzac Cove, where Australian soldiers landed on April 25 1915. We will also have time to explore the remnants of trenches, the Lone Pine Memorial and Cemetery, which commemorates more than 4,900 Australian and New Zealand servicemen who died. After a moving morning, we pause for a picnic lunch on the shore of the Dardanelles. In the late afternoon we return to our hotel in Çanakkale, where the rest of the evening is at leisure. Overnight Çanakkale (B, Picnic Lunch)

Day 17 | Sunday 4 October
Istanbul
We depart for Canakkale this morning, journeying back to Istanbul, checking into our hotel on arrival. There will be time to stroll through the majestic Sultan Ahmet district and the Arasta Bazaar, before we reconvene for our farewell dinner. Overnight Istanbul (B, D)

Day 18 | Monday 5 October
Depart Istanbul
The tour concludes after breakfast. Airport transfers will be arranged to Istanbul (IST) airport. (B)