Brochures: Eastern Mediterranean 2023 v2, Eastern Mediterranean 2024 v1
Visits: Turkey
From the legends of Troy to ancient Greek cities, your travels will reveal the places where history happened. On this in-depth Best of
voyage, you’ll also venture into the Taurus Mountains for lunch with the Yazir community and relax on the shores of the Turkish Riviera.
Day 1 | Welcome to Istanbul |
| Stand at the ancient crossroads between Europe and Asia, embarking on a journey of discovery through ancient lands and the marauding empires who fought to rule it. Arriving in vibrant Istanbul, you will be transferred to your hotel before joining your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a memorable Welcome Reception to kick off your epic adventure. |
| Visits: Istanbul |
| Meals: Welcome Reception |
| Accommodation: Radisson Blu Sisli |
Day 2 | Discover Colourful Istanbul Dive Into Culture |
| Spend your day delving into a city where modern and ancient coexist effortlessly. Gain insights into the Ottoman Empire's power during your guided tour of the Topkapi Palace and see the 4th-century Egyptian obelisk. Visit Hagia Sophia, the Hippodrome and the exquisite Blue Mosque, said to rival even the Great Mosque in Mecca. Dive Into Culture this afternoon, with a visit to the Grand Bazaar. Spend your afternoon haggling with passionate market vendors lining its labyrinthine lanes. This evening, consider an optional dinner with Turkish folk and belly dancing. |
| Visits: Istanbul |
| Meals: Breakfast |
| Accommodation: Radisson Blu Sisli |
Day 3 | Journey to Troy and Çanakkale |
| Leaving Istanbul behind, you'll cross the Dardanelles Strait by ferry to Çanakkale. Visit the Archaeological Site of Troy and the replica wooden horse which famously ended a 10-year siege. Then, return to Çanakkale and check in to your hotel, leaving later this evening to attend the Dawn Service. |
| Visits: Istanbul, Eceabat, Troy, Çanakkale |
| Meals: Breakfast, Dinner |
| Accommodation: Iris |
Day 4 | Experience the Poignant Anzac Cove Dawn Service |
| Witness the stirring dawn tribute at Anzac Cove and pay your respects to the brave soldiers who lost their lives during poignant ceremonies held at Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair. Return to your hotel in Çanakkale later this afternoon and spend the rest of the day at leisure. |
| Visits: Çanakkale, Eceabat, Gallipoli, Eceabat, Çanakkale |
| Meals: Breakfast, Dinner |
| Accommodation: Iris |
Day 5 | Onwards to Gallipoli and Izmir |
| Cross the Dardanelle Strait again and visit Anzac Cove, Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair. You'll be reminded of the sacrifices made by both sides during World War I before returning to Çanakkale and then on to Izmir where you'll spend the night. |
| Visits: Çanakkale, Eceabat, Gallipoli, Eceabat, Çanakkale, Izmir |
| Meals: Breakfast, Dinner |
| Accommodation: Mövenpick |
Day 6 | Explore the Ruins of Ephesus and on to Pamukkale |
| Stroll through the ruins of Ephesus and see the House of Virgin Mary at Mt. Koressos before continuing to Pamukkale. |
| Visits: Izmir, Ephesus, Pamukkale |
| Meals: Breakfast, Dinner |
| Accommodation: Colossae Thermal |
Day 7 | Venture to Hierapolis and Antalya Connect with Locals |
| Tread in the footsteps of the ancients who sought relief and relaxation at the Roman health spa at Hierapolis, then admire the bubbling pools and delicate white cascades of water of Pamukkale's Cotton Castle Springs. Later, we travel through scenic countryside and join the Yazir community in the Taurus Mountains, where we’ll Connect With Locals and gain insights into their traditions at our Be My Guest lunch. Our stop for the next two nights is the Mediterranean retreat of Antalya. Enjoy some time on your own ambling through the winding lanes of its old city and admiring beautifully preserved Ottoman architecture. This evening, join your companions for a Regional Dinner at a local restaurant. |
| Visits: Pamukkale, Hierapolis, Antalya |
| Meals: Breakfast, Be My Guest, Regional Dinner |
| Accommodation: Marmara Antalya |
Day 8 | Enjoy Ancient Perge |
| Enjoy a morning on your terms to soak up the enchanting seaside atmosphere of the Turkish Riviera, embarking on an optional yacht cruise or relaxing at the hotel pool. This afternoon, we travel to the Roman city of Perge to visit the impressive Antalya Archaeological Museum and see treasures spanning the centuries. |
| Visits: Antalya, Perge |
| Meals: Breakfast |
| Accommodation: Marmara Antalya |
Day 9 | On the Road to Aspendos and Konya |
| Witness the world's best-preserved theatre of antiquity during your first stop in Aspendos this morning, before continuing to Konya, where we will gain insights into the mystical Whirling Dervish sect whose remains lie in the Mevlana Museum and Mausoleum. We continue to the Karatay Tile Museum, spellbound by its exquisitely Seljuk-tiled dome, before returning to our hotel where we'll dine tonight. |
| Visits: Antalya, Aspendos, Konya |
| Meals: Breakfast, Dinner |
| Accommodation: Dedeman |
Day 10 | Continue to Cappadocia Stays With Stories |
| See a well-preserved 13th-century caravanserai, at which weary travellers used to rest. We journey to Cappadocia with its honey-coloured rocky spires providing an enchanting backdrop for our visit to the underground city of Saratli on the ancient Silk Road. This evening, indulge in the flavours of traditional pottery kebabs during a Regional Dinner at a local restaurant, before retiring to your hotel with beautiful views of the surrounding fairy chimneys.  Tonight we stay in one of Trafalgar's Stays With Stories located alongside the ancient Ortahisar rock castle. |
| Visits: Konya, Cappadocia |
| Meals: Breakfast, Regional Dinner |
| Accommodation: Dilek Kaya |
Day 11 | A Day to Explore Spectacular Göreme Dive Into Culture |
| The other-worldly landscapes of Cappadocia take centre stage today as we explore its volcanic landscape dotted with caves and troglodyte dwellings. We visit the Göreme Open-Air Museum to admire the extraordinary rock-hewn churches and Dive Into Culture to learn about the art of pottery making in Avanos before dining in our hotel this evening. |
| Visits: Cappadocia, Göreme, Cappadocia |
| Meals: Breakfast, Dinner |
| Accommodation: Dilek Kaya |
Day 12 | Onwards to Ankara |
| Arriving in the youthful capital of Turkey today, we visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations and the final resting place of the country's beloved Atatürk, the first president of the modern Turkish nation. This evening we dine at our hotel in Ankara. |
| Visits: Cappadocia, Ankara |
| Meals: Breakfast, Dinner |
| Accommodation: DoubleTree by Hilton |
Day 13 | Return to Istanbul |
| Returning to Istanbul, we enjoy the rest of the day on our own. Delve into the depths of the Basilica Cistern, savour the intoxicating smells of the Spice Market or ascend Galata Tower for exquisite views of east and west. Consider an optional cruise navigating the waters of the Bosphorus before meeting your Travel Director and fellow companions for a memorable Farewell Dinner. |
| Visits: Ankara, Istanbul |
| Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner |
| Accommodation: Grand Hyatt |
Day 14 | Farewell Istanbul |
| Our epic journey into antiquity has come to an end as we bid Istanbul and newfound friends a fond farewell. Find out more about your free airport transfer at trafalgar.com/freetransfers. |
| Visits: Istanbul |
| Meals: Breakfast |