Jewels of Sultans Crown - 12 days

Today, we'll drive to Ankara, where we'll visit the mausoleum and museum of Kemal Ataturk, a revered leader known for his progressive reforms and strategic command during World War I. From there, we'll journey through the picturesque Lakeland before arriving in the unique region of Cappadocia.

Today, we'll drive to Pamukkale, stopping at the 13th-century Sultanhan Caravanserai and the city of Konya. In Konya, we'll visit the Mevlana Museum, the original lodge of the Mevlevi Whirling Dervishes and an important place of pilgrimage. In the evening, you have the option to watch a Whirling Dervishes performance.

This morning, we'll drive to Antalya, visiting the ancient city of Perge, originally settled by the Hittites around 1500BC, and Aspendos, home to one of the best-preserved amphitheatres in the world.

After breakfast, we'll visit the incredible white calcium terraces of Pamukkale and the ancient city of Hierapolis, with its Necropolis graveyard. We'll also see the Temple of Apollo, the Plutonium, and the sacred pool. En route to Kusadasi, we'll visit the ruins of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World.

Departing early, we'll visit Bergama, the site of the ancient city of Pergamum, one of Turkey's oldest civilised settlements. We'll explore the ancient acropolis and the Altar of Zeus. We'll then continue to Troy, the ancient city made famous by Homer's Odyssey. Afterwards, we'll drive on to Canakkale.

After breakfast, we'll cross the Dardanelles to visit the evocative battlefields of Gallipoli, where over 11,000 Anzacs lost their lives in World War 1. We'll visit key sites such as Anzac Cove, Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair, The Nek, and other Turkish and Allied trenches. Afterward, we'll return to Istanbul.