Day 1 Upon arrival you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Istanbul for the start of your trip. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 2 Your trip begins this morning with a full day tour of Istanbul. Lying across two continents this historically important city played an integral role in the development of both the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. You visit the 17th century Blue Mosque, the Aya Sofya museum and explore the former residence of the Ottoman Sultans at Topkapi Palace before ending at the famous Hippodrome.  Overnight in Istanbul. Breakfast & dinner included.

Day 3  You depart Istanbul this morning for the drive to Gallopoli where you will receive a fully guided tour of this World War I battlefield site. Although home to some of the fiercest fighting during the War today the site is full of poignant memorials set against a subdued wooded landscape. Your tour will include the Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair memorials, ANZAC Cove, Johnston Jolly as well as The Nek and Gallipoli Museum. There will also be chance to see the original trenches and tunnels used during the war before we head to our hotel in Canakkale.  Overnight in Canakkale. Breakfast & dinner included.

Day 4  This morning you make the short drive to the ancient city of Troy. Lying undiscoverd until midway through the 19th Century the excavations here brought the legend of the Trojan horse and the poems of Homer back to life. You then continue your drive south to the acropolis of Pergamum. A former kingdom you enjoy a full tour of the site including the Temple of Trajan and the famous library which is believed to have rivalled the library of Alexandria and helped shape Pergamum into a renowned cultural and political centre.  Overnight in Kusadasi. Breakfast & dinner included.

Day 5 After breakfast this morning you travel to the ancient Roman site of Ephesus. The city at one time housed 250,000 people and is regarded as one of the best preserved classical cities in the Mediterranean. As well as visiting the Temple of Artemis and the house of the Virgin Mary there is plenty of time to explore the ancient marble streets of this ruined Roman city. This afternoon you have the opportunity to learn about the history of carpet weaving in Turkey as you visit one of the local villages where the art is practiced.  Overnight in Kusadasi. Breakfast & dinner included.

Day 6 You travel east this morning to Pamukkale, site of the well known white calcium terraces known as Travertines. Pamukkale translates as ‘cotton castles’ and the naturally occuring geology here has created cloud like formations unlike anywhere else. You then head to the ancient city of Hierapolis to enjoy a dip in the hot thermal pools lodged amongst ancient columns left by the Romans who used the pools for their therapeutic powers. Overnight in Pamukkale. Breakfast & dinner included.

Day 7  Heading off in the direction of Istanbul you drive through the rural Turkish countryside this morning on the way to the ancient city of Bursa. The former capital of the Ottoman Turks, you will visit the ornately decorated Green Mosque and explore the bustling streets of the Silk Bazaar before returning to Istanbul this afternoon. Overnight in Istanbul. Brakfast & dinner included.

Day 8  Your time is free today for some last minute sightseeing and shopping in Istanbul before being transferred to the airport for your flight home. Breakfast included.