DAY 1 Istanbul
Welcome to Istanbul! You will be met at the airport by your Tour Manager and escorted to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure, so you can either relax or begin exploring this exotic city on your own. With so much cultural influences at play, you're sure to be mesmerised by the colourful cityscape here by simply strolling about. As dinner is not included tonight, why not try out some street food like gozleme, lahmacun (minced flatbread), kumpir (stuffed roast potato), manti (ravioli), kebab or balik ekmek (fish sandwich) as Turkish cuisine is famous throughout the world.
Stay at: Kent Hotel (4 star) or similar
Meals included: -

DAY 2 Istanbul
Visit the old town of Istanbul which has been the imperial capital of several ancient empires for almost 1600 years, during the Byzantine, Latin, late Byzantine and Ottoman. See the revered Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia (exterior only), Blue Mosque and Cistern Basilica, followed by the astounding Topkapi Palace and Harem with its glorious exhibitions that reflect the sultans' lifestyle. In the afternoon, go on an unforgettable yacht tour in the Bosphorus Strait which Istanbul straddle, where you will see Maiden's Tower and other landmarks that call this great city home.

Stay at: Kent Hotel (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 3 Istanbul - Gallipoli - Canakkale
This morning, depart for Gallipoli to see the battle grounds of World War I including Lone Pine and the ANZAC Cove. Pay tribute to more than 130,000 men who had died here as a result of nine months of bitterly fought campaign, now buried across 31 war cemeteries on the peninsula. Then cross the Dardanelles, a vitally strategic strait that forms part of the continental boundary between Asia and Europe and separates Asian Turkey from European Turkey, to arrive at Canakkale for dinner and overnight.

Stay at: Parion Hotel (5 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 4 Canakkale - Troy - Pergamon - Kusadasi
Head to the 5000 years-old Troy where the famous Trojan War allegedly took place and have some free time to take photos by the wooden Trojan Horse. According to archaeological excavations, Troy was first settled around 3600 B.C and was repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt, leaving the site with nine layers of findings. Continue to Pergamon to visit its Acropolis, Zeus Altar (the steepest amphitheatre in the ancient world) and Asclepius' Sanctuary, dedicated to the gods of healing. See the Temple of Serapis and drive to Kusadasi, the fatherland of the famed Homer, for the night.

Stay at: Seven For Life Thermal Hotel (5 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 5 Kusadasi - Ephesus - Kusadasi
Today's highlight is Ephesus, one of Turkey's most significant ancient cities that was once the capital of Asia Minor. It came to prominence under the ancient Greeks but truly flourished under Roman rule as it became second in importance only to Rome within the vast Roman Empire. See the renowned Library of Celsus, Temple of Hadrian, the Terrace Houses, and the site of Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Visit the Ephesus Museum in Selcuk and Basilica of St. John and close the day with a memorable stop at the House of Virgin Mary.

Stay at: Seven For Life Thermal Hotel (5 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 6 Kusadasi - Aphrodisias - Hierapolis - Pamukkale
After breakfast, set out for Aphrodisias which was named after the Greek goddess of love, beauty, and pleasure. See the beautiful Temple of Aphrodite, a well-preserved stadium, and the museum on site to view excellent examples of sculptures from the Hellenistic age. Proceed to Pamukkale ('Cotton Castle'), known for its mineral-rich waters, and explore the neighbouring Hierapolis with the biggest necropolis in Anatolia. Spend some time by the Greco-Roman sacred pool and admire the surreal scenery of travertines all around. Tonight, relax in the thermal pool of your hotel.
Stay at: Adempira Termal & Spa Hotel (5 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 7 Pamukkale - Antalya
Travel to Antalya, a popular resort city that's a pivotal part of the Turkish Riviera, via the scenic Taurus Mountains. Visit the award-winning Archaeological Museum and take a stroll in the old town, full of remnants from Antalya's pre-Roman history and time as a major Roman port. The picturesque Turkish houses and quaint little streets will lead you to Hadrian's Gate, built to honour the Roman emperor's visit in 130 A.D. Moreover, if time allows, stop by the yacht-filled Old Marina for magnificent views of the harbour and the stunning blue waters of the Turquoise Coast.

Stay at: Best Western Plus Khan Hotel (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 8 Antalya - Perge - Aspendos - Antalya
In the morning, visit the illustrious site of Perge which was initially an ancient Lycian settlement but later became a Greek city in Pamphylia. Walk the impressive colonnaded streets, see the Baths Complex, the Roman gateway and the Agora. Afterwards, go to Aspendos to take in one of the best-preserved amphitheatres in the Greco-Roman world which some say, is as spectacular as Rome's own Colosseum. At the end of the day, enjoy the delightful natural setting of Duden Waterfalls, where its lower end spills off a rocky cliff directly into the Mediterranean Sea.

Stay at: Best Western Plus Khan Hotel (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 9 Antalya - Catalhoyuk - Konya
Journey onto Catalhoyuk, a fascinating Neolithic and Chalcolithic site from approximately 7500 B.C that holds one of the oldest human settlements and biggest excavation-preservation projects in the world. Its substantial size, great longevity, distinctive layout of back-to-back houses with roof access and the presence of features like wall paintings and reliefs show the symbolic world of the inhabitants, as well as the transition from villages to urban conglomeration. Proceed to Konya, the most religiously conservative city in Turkey, for dinner and overnight.

Stay at: Novotel Konya (5 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 10 Konya - Mevlana - Cappadocia
Leave Konya for Cappadocia, stopping to see some interesting places along the way, beginning with the Mausoleum of Mevlana and the lodge of the Whirling Dervishes. These two sites commemorate Rumi, the esteemed Sufi mystic, poet, philosopher and founder of the Mevlevi Order and are an inspirational shrine of love and compassion for one another and life as a whole. Later, visit the 13th century Seljuk Ince Minaret Medrese, once a centre for astronomy, mathematical and theological sciences, followed by another Seljuk masterpiece, the iconic Sultanhan Caravanserai.

Stay at: MDC Cave Hotel (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 11 Cappadocia
Rise early for an optional breathtaking balloon ride over the 'fairy chimneys 'of Cappadocia, sculpted over millennia by volcanic eruptions and erosion. Then a full day excursion in this otherworldly region awaits, taking you to Kaymakli Underground City (85 meters deep and can hold up to 3,000 people), Goreme Open Air Museum (best examples of Byzantine frescoes in rock-cut churches) and Uchisar Castle (natural fortress on a huge rock cone). In the afternoon, visit a carpet school to understand the rich history behind this art and watch a special whirling dervish show at night.

Stay at: MDC Cave Hotel (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 12 Cappadocia
A short drive to Zelve to see the rock-cut dwellings once occupied by monks who sought a calm life, before free time in Pasabagi, famous for its natural formations likened to mushrooms. Next stop is Avanos whose Kizilirmak River has generously supplied red clay for pottery production, the most important industry in town dating to Hittite times. You will also learn about winemaking in the area from wine-tasting at a reputable wine factory. Lastly, experience home cooking in a Cappadocian household and taste the local dishes, while getting to know their culture and history.

Stay at: MDC Cave Hotel (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 13 Cappadocia - Ankara - Istanbul
Early departure for Hattusa, the capital of the legendary Hittite Empire which ruled in the late Bronze Age. They were known for their skill in building and using chariots, as well as pioneering the manufacture and use of iron. Explore the Grand Temple and the gates of the city, remnants from the sacking and burning of the kingdom in about 1200 B.C., then take a walk at the nearby Yazilikaya sanctuary that was a holy site for the Hittites with amazing reliefs of their belief system. Upon finishing, you will be transferred to Ankara airport for your flight to Istanbul.

Stay at: Kent Hotel (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 14 Istanbul
Start your day with a visit to the renowned Spice Market, one of the largest covered shopping complexes in the city, after the Grand Bazaar. It has a total of 85 shops selling spices, sweets, jewellery, souvenirs and dried fruits and nuts, you will be bedazzled by the amount of food you want to try and goods to bring home. Subsequently, attend a cooking class and enjoy preparing Turkish delicacies, before dinner at a local restaurant for your final evening here.

Stay at: Kent Hotel (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

DAY 15 Istanbul
Following breakfast, your Turkey Uncovered tour concludes with a departure transfer to the airport for your onward journey.

Meals included: Breakfast