Flying Carpet Tour

Welcome to Istanbul! You will be transferred to your hotel and the remainder of the day is yours free to explore at your own pace.

After breakfast, enjoy a fully guided tour of the only city to span two continents. The day begins with visits to the Blue Mosque, St Sophia Museum, Topkapi Palace (including Hagia Irene and the Harem), and the Hippodrome.
In the afternoon, take a relaxing Bosphorus Cruise, sailing between the two continents on the stunning strait that separates Europe and Asia.

Today we visit the WW1 battlefields of Gallipoli including Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair Memorials, ANZAC Cove, The Nek, Johnston's Jolly, original trenches and tunnels.

Step back in time today as we visit Troy where we will explore the ancient city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the new, award winning, Troy Museum. We continue on to Bergama and up to the magnificent acropolis of Pergamon. Its impressive temples and library made it a renowned cultural and political centre in its time.

Absorb yourself in history today with a guided tour of Ephesus, once a bustling trade hub and religious center. Ephesus today whispers of ancient marvels, from the site of the Temple of Artemis to the grand facade of the Library of Celsus and the impressive amphitheater. We will also visit the Ephesus Archaeology Museum, where artifacts from the ancient city bring its history to life. Carpet weaving has long traditions in Turkey, and at the carpet village, we will learn how carpets are made by hand and what determines their value. Afterward, we head to Sirince for a wine tasting experience.

After a leather shop visit, we will head to Aphrodisias the ancient city dedicated to Aphrodite, the goddess of Beauty, Love and Fertility, also famous for its school of sculpture, we visit the stadium, which is the best preserved in Anatolia, the Temple of Aphrodite, the Tetrapylon, theatre and the Museum. Then, we continue to Pamukkale.

This morning we will explore the magnificent white calcium terraces, known as Travertines, in Pamukkale where we also tour the ancient city of Hierapolis. Take a dip, amongst ancient columns, in the hot springs that were used in Roman times for their therapeutic powers.
Then we will head to Salda Lake, is known as Turkish Maldives. It is a mountain lake and located in the mountains before we travel down south to Fethiye.

Today, you are free to explore the town at your own pace and there is also optional tours and activities.
Optional tours and activities; 12 island boat trip and Saklikent Gorge tour

This morning, we head to Kayakoy, where the light is perfect for capturing striking photos of this hauntingly beautiful deserted Greek village. After exploring Kayakoy, we continue our journey to the vibrant coastal city of Antalya. Upon arrival, we will visit the Antalya Necropol Museum, which offers fascinating insights into ancient burial practices and showcases artifacts from various historical periods.

We will visit Perge a famous antique site, early in the morning. After Perge we drive to Aspendos which has the best preserved 2nd Century Amphitheatre in Turkey. We return back to Antalya city in the afternoon and the remainder of your day is free.

We will visit the mausoleum of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi, the great 13th-century Sufi mystic and poet, whose teachings continue to inspire people worldwide. Inside the Mevlana Museum, we will explore his beautifully adorned tomb, ancient manuscripts, and exhibits on the Whirling Dervishes and their spiritual traditions.Continuing our journey along the legendary Silk Road, we will visit the Çatalhöyük Museum, which brings to life the fascinating history of one of the world’s oldest and most advanced Neolithic settlements.

Today we head to Cappadocia, visiting Sultanhani Caravansary, an ancient Silk Road stop off for merchants and traders. Later we explore the many levels of an underground city.
After checking into our hotel we visit a traditional Turkish home for dinner. Here you can do a course and help cook if you wish.

Marvel at the lunar landscape of Cappadocia today as we visit the Goreme Valley Open Air Museum and the fairy chimneys. We then visit Pigeon and Red Valley, followed by Cavusin village and lastly Avanos town where we will learn about hand-made pottery.

Early morning departure to the nation's capital, Ankara, where we visit Anitkabir, mausoleum of the famed Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, before returning to Istanbul.

After breakfast our tour concludes and we say goodbye to our new friends and are transferred to the airport for your onward flight.