10 Day Private Unforgettable Turkey

Welcome to Turkey! On arrival in Istanbul, you'll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax or start exploring the city at your leisure. Special Information Arrival airport transfers are included as part of your package. You will be met upon arrival at the airport and transferred to your hotel. If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed. If you are arriving early and have made your own arrangements prior to your tour commencing, airport transfers will not be included. However, if you are purchasing pre-nights accommodation as part of your Inspiring Vacations package, airport transfers will still be provided to the starting hotel.

After breakfast, embark on a fully guided tour of Istanbul, the remarkable city that bridges two continents. Visit iconic landmarks including the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia Museum, Topkapi Palace—with Hagia Irene and the Harem—the historic Hippodrome, and the vibrant Grand Bazaar, one of the world's oldest and largest covered markets. In the afternoon, you may choose to enjoy a Half-Day Bosphorus Cruise, gliding along the waterway that separates Europe and Asia. Inspiring Highlights Blue Mosque Hagia Sophia Museum Hippodrome Grand Bazaar (closed on Sundays – omitted for Saturday departures)

After breakfast, we make our way to one of the most emotionally poignant locations in Turkey, the WWI battlefields of Gallipoli. Our visit includes the Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair Memorials, ANZAC Cove, The Nek, and Johnston's Jolly, where we will take a moment of quiet reflection. From these vantage points, we will look down upon the rugged hills and gullies that became the final resting places for thousands of soldiers from both sides. As we explore the former battlefields, you will have the opportunity to view original trenches and tunnels used by the Turkish forces, adding depth to your understanding of the hardships faced during the campaign. After this moving visit, we will continue on to Çanakkale, where you will have the remainder of the day at your leisure. Inspiring Highlight ANZAC Cove Lone Pine Johnson's Jolly The Nek Chunuk Bair Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.

Step back in time today as we journey to the legendary city of Troy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the ancient ruins that inspired myths and history, and visit the newly opened, award-winning Troy Museum to gain deeper insight into the city's fascinating past. We continue on to Bergama, ascending to the magnificent Acropolis of Pergamon. Once a major cultural and political centre, its impressive temples, theatre, and library stand as a testament to the city's significance in antiquity. In the evening, arrive in Kusadasi and enjoy an included dinner at your hotel. Inspiring Highlights Troy Troy Museum Acropolis of Pergamon Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.

Today begins with a guided visit to Ephesus, one of the most important archaeological sites in Turkey. As you explore the extensive remains of this ancient Roman city—including its well-preserved theatre, temples, and streets—you'll gain insight into the scale and sophistication of what was once a major cultural and commercial hub. You'll also visit the nearby site of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Although only a few columns remain, it stands as a testament to the architectural and religious significance of the site in antiquity. Continue to the village of Şirince, a former Greek settlement known today for its traditional architecture and production of fruit wines. The village offers a quiet contrast to the larger historical sites and reflects a different aspect of the region's layered history. Later, visit a carpet weaving centre, where you'll learn about the longstanding tradition of Turkish carpet making. You'll observe the process from start to finish, including how materials are sourced, patterns are created, and the factors that influence quality and value. Inspiring Highlights Ephesus Temple of Artemis Şirince Carpet Weaving Demonstration

This morning begins with a visit to a local workshop for a presentation of handcrafted leather goods, showcasing the region's long-standing leatherworking tradition. Later, travel to Pamukkale, known for its striking white travertine terraces formed by mineral-rich thermal waters. Here, you'll also explore the ancient city of Hierapolis, a former Greco-Roman spa town built above the terraces. There will be an opportunity to bathe in the thermal pools, surrounded by ruins and remnants of Roman columns, where people once came to benefit from the natural spring water believed to have therapeutic properties. Inspiring Highlights Travertines Hierapolis Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 3.5 hours.

Today's journey follows part of the ancient Silk Road, the historic trade route that once connected East and West. Along the way, visit the Sultanhani Caravanserai, a well-preserved example of the roadside inns that once offered shelter and security to travelling merchants and their caravans. Continue to Konya, a city with deep cultural and religious significance, where you'll visit the Mevlana Museum, the former lodge of the whirling dervishes and the resting place of the 13th-century poet and Sufi mystic Rumi. The museum offers insight into the spiritual heritage of the region and the influence of Sufism in Turkish history. In the evening, there is an optional opportunity to attend a traditional Turkish folklore performance, offering a chance to experience regional music, dance, and customs in a lively and engaging setting. Inspiring Highlights Silk Road Sultanhani Caravanserai Mevlana Museum Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 7 hours.

Today is dedicated to exploring the unique and otherworldly landscape of Cappadocia, a region shaped over millennia by volcanic activity and erosion. Begin with a visit to the Göreme Open-Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that features a complex of rock-cut churches, chapels, and monasteries, many of which are adorned with well-preserved frescoes dating back to the Byzantine era. Continue through the region's famous fairy chimneys—tall, cone-shaped rock formations that have become one of Cappadocia's most recognisable features. These natural structures, formed by centuries of wind and water erosion, provide a striking example of the area's geological history. Later, descend into one of Cappadocia's underground cities, where early inhabitants carved out multi-level shelters to escape invasions and harsh climates. These subterranean spaces offer a glimpse into the resilience and resourcefulness of the communities that once lived here. Inspiring Highlights Göreme Open-Air Museum Fairy chimneys Kaymakli Underground City

This morning, explore the village of Mustafapaşa (historically known as Sinasos), a former Greek settlement that reflects the multicultural history of the Cappadocia region. The village is noted for its preserved Greek Orthodox architecture, with elegant stone houses and churches that speak to its past as a thriving community before the population exchange of the 1920s. Continue to Gomeda Valley, a less-visited but atmospheric part of Cappadocia. The valley is home to rock-carved churches, ancient shelters, and vineyards, all set within a rugged natural landscape. The area also contains elements of an underground settlement, offering further insight into how people historically adapted to life in this region. Later, visit the ancient city of Sobesos, known for its well-preserved mosaic floors featuring unique geometric patterns. This site, still under excavation, provides a rare look at Roman-era urban life in Cappadocia. Following the day's discoveries, transfer to the airport for your flight to Istanbul, where the journey continues. Inspiring Highlights Mustafapaşa Gomeda Valley Sobesos Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours. Your included flight allows one checked bag up to 20kg (44 lbs), and one 7kg (15 lbs) carry-on.

After breakfast, our tour comes to an end. You'll be transferred to the airport for your onward flight, bidding farewell to the unforgettable experiences shared along the way. Thank you for travelling with Inspiring Vacations. We hope you had a memorable experience. Special Information Departure transfers are included as part of your package. You will be collected from your hotel at the appropriate time and transferred to the airport to meet your flight. If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed.