Welcome to Istanbul – a captivating city where East meets West. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The evening is yours to settle in and enjoy your first taste of Turkish hospitality with dinner at the hotel.

Overnight: Istanbul

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before setting out on a full-day tour of Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks. Begin at Dolmabahçe Palace, once home to the Ottoman sultans, famed for its opulent halls and tranquil gardens. Continue to Hagia Sophia, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture that has served as a church, mosque, and museum over its 1,500-year history. Next, step inside the Blue Mosque, celebrated for its striking Iznik blue mosaics and grand domes, commissioned by Sultan Ahmed to rival Hagia Sophia. Afterward, explore the Grand Bazaar at your leisure, one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets (lunch at own expense). In the afternoon, embark on a scenic Bosphorus cruise, admiring the city’s skyline from the water. Return to your hotel for dinner.

Overnight: Istanbul

After breakfast, discover Istanbul’s historic Fener district, beginning with the Greek Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the spiritual centre of Orthodox Christianity. Visit the Church of Saint George, a key religious site, and continue to St. Stephen of the Bulgars Church, renowned for its unique cast-iron construction and significance to the Bulgarian Orthodox community. Later, transfer to the airport for your domestic flight to Cappadocia. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Overnight: Cappadocia

Start the day at Esentepe, a viewpoint offering sweeping panoramas of Cappadocia’s otherworldly landscapes. Visit Uçhisar Castle, the highest point in the region, providing breathtaking vistas. Explore the Göreme Open-Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage site showcasing ancient cave churches adorned with vivid frescs.

Continue to Ortahisar Castle, admired for its striking rock formations, followed by the surreal Pasabag Fairy Chimneys (Monk’s Valley), famous for their distinctive mushroom-shaped spires. Conclude the day in Devrent Valley (Imagination Valley), where whimsical rock formations resemble animals and imaginative shapes.

Overnight: Cappadocia

This morning, remain in Cappadocia to explore more of its extraordinary landscapes and history. Begin at the pottery town of Avanos, renowned for its handmade ceramics, followed by the troglodyte village of Uçhisar. Stroll through Pigeon Valley and revisit Devrent Valley, known for rock formations resembling animals and imaginative shapes.

Continue with a visit to one of Cappadocia’s fascinating underground cities, used by early Christians as a refuge during the 6th and 7th centuries. After lunch (own expense), explore Çavuşin’s St John the Baptist Church, one of the oldest and largest cave churches in the region, the Red Church near Guzelyurt, and Keslik Monastery, featuring several unique rock-cut churches, including the Domed Church and Church of the Deer.

Overnight: Cappadocia

After breakfast, check out and drive to Tarsus (approx. 3 hours), the birthplace of Saint Paul. Visit the Church and Well of Saint Paul, both significant pilgrimage sites. Enjoy free time for lunch (own expense) before transferring to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Overnight: Tarsus

Today, travel from Tarsus to Konya, capital of the Great Seljuk Empire and visited by Saint Paul and Saint Barnabas on their first missionary journey (approx. 4 hours’ drive). After lunch (own expense), explore the Mevlana Museum, home to the tomb of the pt and philosopher Rumi, founder of the Whirling Dervishes.

Overnight: Konya

Depart Konya for Antioch of Pisidia (Yalvaç), where Saint Paul delivered his first recorded sermon in the local synagogue. After exploring the ancient ruins, continue to Pamukkale (approx. 3 hours’ drive) for check-in, dinner, and overnight stay.

Overnight: Pamukkale

Today, visit Pamukkale’s “Cotton Castle”, famous for its white limestone terraces and thermal pools. Nearby lies the ancient city of Hierapolis, where you will see the Martyrion of Saint Philip, an apostle martyred during Emperor Domitian’s persecutions. Continue to Laodicea, one of the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse, mentioned in the Book of Revelation.

Overnight: Pamukkale

Drive towards Miletus, where Saint Paul delivered his farewell speech to the Ephesians. Continue to Ephesus, the best-preserved ancient city in Asia Minor, once home to 250,000 people and great wealth. Visit the Temple of Artemis (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World), Temple of Hadrian, Roman Baths, Library of Celsus, Odeon, and the Great Theatre seating 24,000 spectators.

Overnight: Kuşadası

Enjoy a free day in Kuşadası to relax or take an optional day trip to the nearby Greek island of Samos.

Overnight: Kuşadası

Journey to Izmir (ancient Smyrna), one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. Visit the Agora of Smyrna, a remarkably preserved Roman marketplace central to early Christian life. Continue north to Pergamon (modern-day Bergama), another of the Seven Churches. Explore the Acropolis, including the ruins of the Temple of Trajan, the Altar of Zeus (linked to “Satan’s throne” in Revelation), and the Library of Pergamon. End the day at the Red Basilica, a former pagan temple converted into an early Christian church.

Overnight: Bergama

Visit the Troy Museum, housing artefacts from the legendary city immortalised in Homer’s Iliad. Then explore the ancient city of Troy, famed for the story of the Trojan Horse and the epic tale of Helen of Sparta and Paris of Troy. Learn about its rich archaeological layers and myths that shaped Western history.

Overnight: Çanakkale

Depart early in the morning for a full-day tour of the Gallipoli Peninsula, one of the most significant sites in Australian and New Zealand military history. Today, the once-battle-scarred fields are peaceful, offering a moving and poignant glimpse into the events of World War I.

Visit key sites including the Lone Pine Australian Memorial, Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial, ANZAC Cove, Brighton Beach, Beach Cemetery, and Ari Burnu Cemetery.

Explore Johnston’s Jolly, where original Allied and Turkish trenches and tunnels remain preserved, the 57th Regiment Turkish Memorial, and The Nek, an infamous battlefield immortalised in history.

Reflect on the courage and sacrifice of those who fought here before returning to Istanbul in the evening for dinner and overnight stay.

Overnight: Istanbul

After breakfast, your tour concludes. Bid farewell to your fellow travellers as you transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

• Optional tours and activities
• Tips – guide and driver
• Compulsory travel insurance
• Flights (no air credit offered on this)
• Visas to enter Türkiye

Hotels used in the quote:

• Istanbul – Crowne Plaza Old City Hotel
• Cappadocia – Gamirasu Cave Hotel
• Tarsus – BN Hotel & Thermal
• Konya – Novotel Konya
• Pamukkale – Adempira Thermal
• Kuşadası – Elite World Kuşadası
• Bergama – Radisson Blu Aliaga
• Çanakkale – Kolin Hotel

This list is intended to provide a general idea of the type of accommodation you can expect. Actual hotels may vary depending on availability at the time of booking.