Today visit the beautiful blue tiled Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome where Roman chariot races were once held, then to St Sophia, – a cathedral – then mosque, and now a museum.
Move on to visit the fabulous Topkapi Palace perched above the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn.
Then to the Basilica Cistern, AKA “the Sunken Palace” an underground waterway constructed by Justinian in 532 and used as a water reservoir for the Great Palace, we finish off at the famous Grand Bazaar – 4,000 shops, cafes and tea houses. Check out the strong, apple tea.Tonight we cruise the Bosphorus with dinner. B,D

Depart Istanbul this morning along the shore of the Sea of Marmara to Gallipoli and the campaign areas on the peninsula with our local guide. After our tour return via Eceabat and cross to Çanakkale (crossing from Europe to Asia) and then our hotel and base for the next 2 nights at beachside Assos.B,D

This morning we go to Homer’s legendary city of Troy, where archaeological excavation has established nine levels of civilisation. See a reconstruction of the famous Trojan wooden horse. We then continue to our hotel for an early night tonight, in preparation for our Anzac Day memorial service tomorrow.B,D

We have a boxed breakfast today as we have an early start this morning. We recross the Dardanelles and travel to Gallipoli to experience the commemorations from our especially set up viewing area. Some of our group who participated in the government ballot may choose to attend the Dawn Service and after that service, continue to Chunuk Bair, the NZ memorial and where many of our soldiers gave their lives during the campaign. After the commemoration viewing we transfer back to our hotel.B,D

Today we travel to Pergamon and Ephesus – two of the world’s finest archaeological sites. See the Acropolis, Temple of Athena and the famous libraries,said to have contained 200,000 volumes, colonaded Arcadian Way and Amphitheatre.
Visit the archaeological museum at Selcuk where many of the excavated artifacts of Ephesus are displayed, and visit the House of the Virgin Mary, overlooking Ephesus.. We then head to coastal Kusadasi for tonight. B,D

We drive inland to Pamukkale, famous for its ‘Cotton Castle’, dazzling shaped limestone terraces. Visit the ruins of ancient Hierapolis and the fairyland terraces and see the glistening pools and cascades in scallop shaped basins. The rest of the day is yours to relax and enjoy the hotels thermal pools.B,D

This morning we head for Konya, the old Anatolian Seljuk Empires capital and home of the mystic Whirling Dervish sect. Visit the Mevlana Tekke with its fluted turquoise dome and containing the tomb of the Dervishes’ leader. See Karatay Medrese and Ince Minaret then to historic Nevsehir, Cappadocia. B,D

Enjoy an excursion to Göreme, a unique region of volcanic landscapes and rock hewn churches decorated with ancient wall paintings. Continue to the Zelve Valley dotted with underground churches and troglodyte dwellings. Tour the underground city Kaymakli, and the cone of Uchisar. Enjoy dinner at the hotel, followed by a colourful folklore show in an underground cave featuring dances from different regions.There is an optional Hot Air Balloon excursion available this morning (this needs to be booked before departing NZ). For those on this excursion we will have an early transfer and then meet up with the rest of the group after the flight for the tour.In Goreme we check out the amazing Turkish carpet shops and how they are made plus time to haggle over ones you may like sent back home. B,D

Visit Agzikarahan, one of the best preserved Seljuk caravanserais in Anatolia. Continue to Ankara to the Hittite Museum and Anit Kabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, modern Turkey’s leader.B,D

Leaving Ankara, we take the highway for a scenic drive through the Turkish countryside back to Istanbul. Optional entertainment and dinner tonight includes Turkish Belly Dancing performance.B

Transfers for designated group flights to Brussels.On arrival Brussels we have a short orientation tour then transfer to our hotel.B