Highlights of Turkey - Exodus

Day 1  Istanbul        
Begin your adventure in the transcontinental city of Istanbul, an enthralling cultural powerhouse packed with history, architecture and incredible cuisine.

Days 2-3  Istanbul
There’s a welcome meeting in the morning with your tour leader and fellow travellers.  After, you may wish to join your tour leader for a trip across the Bosphorus to the Asian side of the city, where you can explore lively, close-knit communities and jumbles of cute cafes, markets and restaurants. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore more of this enthralling city, or you may opt for a Turkish bath treatment. Day 3 is a mix of some solo exploration in the morning before joining your tour leader for further exploration of this culture and history rich city.

Day 4  Istanbul to Çanakkale
Depart for the Gallipoli Peninsula this morning, the site of many significant battles during the First World War. We visit the battlefields to reflect on the events that took place here, and their particular importance to the ANZAC (Australia and New Zealand Army Corps).

Day 5  Çanakkale to Ayvalik
Visit the city of Troy this morning, immortalised in Homer’s Iliad and once thought to be a place of legend. We see the remnants of the ancient city walls and a reconstruction of the famed wooden horse, while learning more about the ground-breaking archaeological digs that took place here.
Continue this afternoon to the seaside town of Ayvalik on the Aegean coast. Surrounded by an archipelago of picturesque islands, the town is full of historic stone houses, narrow cobblestoned streets and small shops and cafes selling local produce. We have free time to explore the town, perhaps sampling some of the renowned local olive oil or Ayvalik tost (similar to a club sandwich).

Day 6  Ayvalik to Selcuk
After breakfast, we depart for the ancient Greek city and World Heritage site of Pergamon, the capital of the Attalid dynasty during the Hellenistic period (approximately 323 BCE to 31 BCE).
We take a scenic cable car ride up to the Acropolis, which contains the most important remains of Pergamon. See the temples, palaces, library and theatre and learn about the significance of this special archaeological site. We continue to the charming town of Selçuk, where the evening is free for you to rest or explore at leisure.

Day 7  Selcuk
Visit Ephesus this morning, one of the best-preserved classical cities in the eastern Mediterranean and a great example of Greco-Roman architecture. Always an important religious centre, Ephesus was founded by Ionian Greeks in the 11th century BCE and flourished under Roman rule. The Greeks replaced the cult of the Anatolian fertility goddess Cybele with Artemis and built a fabulous temple in her honour. With the arrival of the Romans, it became the Temple of Diana, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

We visit the vast amphitheatre, stroll marble streets once graced by Cleopatra and Mark Antony, and marvel at the gymnasium, baths and wonderfully restored Library of Celsus.

Day 8  Selcuk to Pamukkale    
Drive to Pamukkale today, nicknamed the cotton castle. This spectacular natural phenomenon was created by deposits from thermal waters that cascaded down the mountainside over hundreds of years, forming myriad pools and terraces. As the water overflows from the pools, cream-coloured stalactites are formed that, from afar, resemble cotton or snow. The pools are filled with hot spring waters that supposedly have healing properties – an excellent opportunity for a relaxing dip.

Day 9  Pamukkale to Kas      
Depart Pamukkale this morning and travel to the seaside town of Kaº. On the way, we stop at Xanthos, the capital city of the Lycian Federation and arguably the most important city throughout Lycian history.

After a guided visit, we continue on the road to Kaº. Situated on the Teke Peninsula, this small port town was known as Habesos or Habesa in ancient Lycia, and as Antiphellos to the ancient Greeks. Today, there are several Lycian rock-cut sarcophagi in the town, plus a well-preserved Hellenistic theatre on the outskirts. The afternoon is free to explore the cobbled streets, handicraft shops and lively cafes.

Day 10  Kas        
Today is a free day to relax or take advantage of the many activities available on the Turquoise Coast in and around Kaº. Options include a boat trip to the sunken city of Kekova (minimum of eight passengers required), relaxing at Kaputas Beach or a visit to the ancient theatre in Kaº.
   
Day 11  Kas to Antalya      
This morning, we depart for Antalya, one of the most popular beach resorts in Turkey. Arriving in the early afternoon, we visit the Kaleiçi (historic city centre). With narrow, cobbled streets and Ottoman-era houses, the Kaleiçi has retained much historical character, while hosting a plethora of bars, restaurants and shops.

Day 12  Antalya to Konya      
We’re off to the ancient city of Perge this morning, home to magnificent Hellenistic and Roman ruins. Explore the key sites today, including a remarkably well-preserved theatre, the best-preserved Roman stadium in western Turkey, exquisite Roman baths, towering Hellenistic defences, and long rows of colonnaded streets.

Day 13  Konya to Cappadocia      
Visit Mevlana Museum this morning, the former home of the Whirling Dervishes and the location of Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi’s tomb. Mevlana, also known simply as Rumi, was a 13th-century Anatolian mystic and Muslim saint whose poetry is known across the world. The museum is now a pilgrimage site and the building’s fluted dome of turquoise tiles is one of the most recognisable sights in Turkey.

We then continue to the fascinating Cappadocia region. Shaped by wind and water, the rock formations, rock-hewn churches, cave dwellings and underground cities are a true marvel. This afternoon, we visit the 13th-century Sultanhani Caravanserai, one of the largest in the world and once used by Silk Road travellers.    

Day 14  Cappadocia      
Early in the morning, you have the option to experience a memorable hot-air balloon ride over the otherworldly fairy chimneys of Cappadocia.
After breakfast, we visit the World Heritage-listed Göreme Open-Air Museum, a vast monastic complex comprising churches, monasteries and dwellings, plus an underground city. Thought to have started life as a Byzantine monastic settlement, Göreme Open-Air Museum became a pilgrimage site during the 17th century and is a must-see location for all visitors to Cappadocia. The rock-hewn churches contain wonderful frescoes, whose colours are still vivid after hundreds of years.

Day 15  Cappadocia  
You’ve seen the wonders of Istanbul, bathed in a cotton castle and marveled at the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia, but now it’s time to begin your return journey home – those booked on the group transfer will be taken to Kayseri Airport (ASR).