Flying Explorer Tour

Today, we journey to the WW1 battlefields of Gallipoli. Here, we'll visit the Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair Memorials, ANZAC Cove, The Nek, and Johnston's Jolly, and explore the original trenches and tunnels. After a day of historical exploration, we'll head to Çanakkale for our overnight stay in a 5-star hotel.

Step back in time as we visit the ancient city of Troy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the award-winning Troy Museum. We then continue to Bergama to explore the magnificent acropolis of Pergamon, a renowned cultural and political centre in its time. After a day of historical exploration, we'll head to Kuşadası for our overnight stay in a boutique hotel.

Today, we delve into history with a guided tour of Ephesus, once a bustling trade hub and religious center. We'll also visit a carpet village to learn about traditional Turkish carpet weaving. Later, we head to the former Greek village of Sirince, famous for its fruit wines. Here, we'll visit a local vineyard, learn about local production techniques, and taste three regional wines. Overnight in Kuşadası.

After a visit to a local leather shop, we head to Aphrodisias, the ancient city dedicated to Aphrodite, the goddess of Beauty, Love, and Fertility. We'll visit the stadium, the Temple of Aphrodite, the Tetrapylon, theatre, and the Museum. Then, we continue to Pamukkale for our overnight stay in a 4-star hotel.

This morning, we explore the magnificent white calcium terraces, known as Travertines, in Pamukkale and tour the ancient city of Hierapolis. Take a dip in the hot springs that were used in Roman times for their therapeutic powers. Then, we head to Salda Lake, known as the Turkish Maldives, before traveling south to Fethiye for our overnight stay.

This morning, we head to the deserted Greek village of Kayakoy, where the morning light provides excellent photo opportunities. We then drive to the resort town of Antalya, visiting the Antalya Museum, which boasts a rich collection from the ancient cities around the Antalya Province. Overnight in Antalya.

We start the day with a visit to the famous antique site of Perge. After Perge, we drive to Aspendos, home to the best preserved 2nd Century Amphitheatre in Turkey. We return to Antalya city in the afternoon, and the rest of the day is yours to explore at your leisure. Overnight in Antalya.

Today, we visit the mausoleum of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi and the accompanying Mevlana museum. We then continue along the ancient Silk Road, visiting the former Greek village of Sille. After a day of cultural exploration, we'll head to Konya for our overnight stay in a 4-star hotel.

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 boutique cave hotel, we visit a traditional Turkish home for dinner, where you can participate in a cooking course if you wish. Overnight in Cappadocia.

Departing Cappadocia in the morning, we head to Ankara for our direct flight to Van. Upon arrival, we'll explore the Citadel with its three thousand-year-old Urartian fortress and witness an extraordinary sunset. Overnight in Van.

After breakfast, we travel by ferry to Akdamar Island to see a spectacular 10th-century church built by an Armenian king. If time permits, take a swim in Lake Van. We then return to the city center to visit the largest Urartu Museum in the world and the Van Cat House. Overnight in Van.

After breakfast, we leave for Dogubayazit via Muradiye and the Bendimaahi Falls. In Dogubayazit, we visit the spectacular Ishak Pasha Palace, which showcases a unique fusion of Seljuk, Ottoman, Georgian, Armenian, and Persian architectural styles. In the afternoon, we skirt around the western edge of Mt Ararat before heading to Igdir Airport for our flight to Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul.