From Troy to Cappadocia: A Türkiye Adventure

Day 1: WELCOME TO TÜRKIYE!

Welcome to Istanbul! As soon as you touch down, the adventure begins, with our driver whisking you from the airport to the lively streets of Karaköy. 

Overlooking the Golden Horn’s meeting point with the mighty Bosphorus, this gritty medieval port area has reinvented itself as Istanbul’s trendiest creative and culinary district. Packed with speciality cafes, contemporary galleries and chic boutiques, Karaköy’s modern vibe will ease you into this storied city. 

Take a moment to settle into your upscale digs before venturing out for your first taste of Istanbul. Don’t worry, your trusty local guide will lead the way, steering you to hideaways serving textured Turkish coffee and across the Golden Horn-spanning Galata Bridge. 

As evening rolls in, you’ll feel how Karaköy really comes alive as its energised streets become your backdrop over a welcome dinner. Turkish meals are all about communal dining – it’s the perfect way to connect with your fellow MagExplorers and share your anticipation for the adventure that lies ahead. 

ACCOMMODATION: Aloft Karaköy (or similar), Istanbul
INCLUDED: Dinner

Day 2: SULTANAHMET

Your first full day in Istanbul goes straight to the big hitters of old Constantinople. The first stop is Topkapi Palace, an Ottoman residence that harbours tales of eunuchs and harems, alongside sacred relics and eye-wateringly expensive diamonds.

If the lavish living conditions of the Ottomans don’t leave you speechless, perhaps the six soaring minarets of Sultan Ahmet Mosque will. Better known as the Blue Mosque, it’s just as show-stopping inside, adorned with more than 20,000 handmade ceramic tiles. 

Jutting up against it is the Roman-built Hippodrome, where you can imagine cheering on chariot races alongside 100,000 screaming fans. When the excitement gets too much, step inside the serene Hagia Sophia  –a 6th-century jewel dripping with Byzantine gold-leaf mosaics.

The rest of the day is yours. Perhaps another stroll through Karaköy before dinner with a Bosphorus view? If you need restaurant recommendations, your guide is in the know on Istanbul’s legendary food scene.

ACCOMMODATION: Aloft Karaköy (or similar), Istanbul
INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3: GALLIPOLI BATTLEFIELDS

This morning, get your first glimpse of Türkiye beyond the urban sprawl during the drive to Çanakkale, where you may be glued to your window to see the Sea of Marmara most of the way. Your destination is the town of Gallipoli – forever linked to the harrowing battles of World War I and the bravery of the soldiers involved. 

After lunch at the old harbour, walk down to Anzac Cove, the narrow beach where Australian and New Zealand soldiers came ashore at dawn on 25 April 1915. Standing on the sand, looking up at the cliffs they had to climb, you may find yourself going very quiet. At Lone Pine, read the names and ages on the headstones, and stand where “The Last Post” rings out every Anzac Day. 

It’s a day for reflection, so lean into the camaraderie of your group. Dinner overlooking the Dardanelles Strait is a chance to debrief and contemplate the lives lost as the light slowly fades. 

ACCOMMODATION: Grand Troy Hotel (or similar), Çanakkale
INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 4: TROY

Ready to step back in time, all the way to the Bronze Age? Appearing in Homer’s Iliad as the setting for the legendary Trojan War, the ancient city of Troy is a place where history and mythology meet. Strap in!

As you wander the UNESCO-listed ruins, you’ll see the site’s 4,000-year history brought to life at the award-stacked Troy Museum. Fun fact: the building is designed to feel like you’re inside the mound of Hisarlık. Can you feel it?

Once you’ve had your fix of sarcophagi, ceramics and gold-glistening jewellery, follow in the footsteps of Alexander the Great. Along the way, get a taste of traditional life at the Tevfikiye Archaeo-Village – the Turkish coffee here is the ultimate pick-me-up.

After a day immersed in the legends of ancient Troy, the evening is yours. Still got energy? Make the short walk from your waterfront hotel to dine with Çanakkale’s locals in the buzzing town square.

ACCOMMODATION: Grand Troy Hotel (or similar), Çanakkale
INCLUDED: Brunch, Lunch

Day 5: PERGAMON

Ready for round two of ancient Turkish cities? Today’s destination is Pergamon, a once-powerful cultural hub that made century-reverberating contributions to medicine, astronomy and literature. 

Kick things off with a stroll through the Acropolis, where the foundations of Zeus’s altar still stands, and soak up the Bakırçay Plain views from Pergamon’s staggeringly steep theatre. How did the city gain a reputation as a healing sanctuary? You’ll find out at the Asclepion.

From ancient medicine, it’s on to another of Pergamon’s great gifts to the world, parchment. At a local workshop dedicated to the craft, learn step by step how to create your own writing material.

Now in his 90s, İsmail Araç is one of the last artisans in the world still making parchment by hand and today you’re in the capable hands of his apprentices. How often do you get to connect with a destination’s ancient legacy through a practice that has survived for more than two millennia?

ACCOMMODATION: Attalos Suites Hotel (or similar), Pergamon
INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 6: URLA

Gazing at a 6th-century BC olive oil press is a worthy introduction to Urla, an under-the-radar destination for discovering Aegean cuisine. It’s a place where Michelin-star establishments meet small-scale local producers, all helping preserve the traditions that make this sun-dappled coast so special.

Then follow your nose to the Urla Fish Auction. With local fishermen spruiking their catch, it’s a front-row seat to everyday Aegean life. No less colourful is the Urla Market, bursting with local cheeses, herbs, preserves and handmade crafts.

Working up an appetite? Lunch is at Beğendik Abi, a much-loved restaurant dishing up home-style Aegean cuisine. Wash it all down with a tasting at the organically run Urlice Winery, one of many vineyards breathing new life (and sustainable practices) into Urla’s 6,000-year-old viticultural scene. 

Before dragging you away from this flavourful corner of the Aegean, make a final stop at the Köstem Olive Oil Museum. It brings the day full circle, from the oldest press to the newest.

ACCOMMODATION: Maison Vourla Hotel (or similar), Urla
INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7: ALAÇATI AND ERYTHRAI

Today is a full loop of the İzmir Peninsula, taking in some of Türkiye’s most charming Aegean towns. 

Your first stop is artsy Alaçatı, where whitewashed stone houses, colourful shutters and eclectic galleries give the town its irresistible character. After soaking up the creative spirit, drink in the harbour views from Çeşme Castle. Standing on its fortified walls, you may find it hard to think of a prettier spot to fend off a Venetian invasion!

With İzmir street food tempting you around every corner, it would be torture not to sample a bite (or few). Don’t worry, your guide will steer you in the most delectable directions. Belly full, continue to the ancient city of Erythrai to discover why its sunsets have long been talked about.

ACCOMMODATION: Maison Vourla Hotel (or similar), Urla
INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8: ON THE TRAIN TO EPHESUS

It’s time for your first Turkish train ride, transporting you from İzmir’s coastal spirit to Selçuk – the gateway to Ephesus. And with never-ending olive groves and fertile plains gliding by your window view, this 1.5-hour train journey is far more than just a means of getting from A to B.

Your introduction to Selçuk is a gentle one, beginning with a locally inspired lunch that’s deliciously low-key. It’s a moment to pause before the afternoon adventures kick in. Don’t forget your camera for the ascent to St John’s Basilica. The views across Selçuk and İsa Bey Mosque are soul-stirring.

An early night post-dinner is recommended this evening – tomorrow is a big day!

ACCOMMODATION: Ayasoluk Hotel (or similar), Selçuk
INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 9: EPHESUS DEEP-DIVE

We will begin our second day in the Ephesus region with a visit to the Ephesus Archaeological Museum. Its eye-opening collection includes everything from frescoes to household tools and marble statues depicting the multi-breasted mother goddess Artemis that’ll have you stopping in your tracks.  

As you follow in the footsteps of history-defining philosophers and biblical figures, imagine the roar of the crowd in the Great Theatre and the calls of shopkeepers on the marble-hewn streets. Swap books for scrolls in the architecturally impressive Library of Celsus and cast your eyes on what remains of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

After all that ancient history, lighten things a little with a visit to one of Europe’s largest steam engine collections – getting there by train, of course. Then it’s on to Sultanköy and the slow art of carpet weaving, where you’ll learn how natural dyes are extracted to create one-of-a-kind floor coverings. Don’t forget to take room measurements if a Turkish rug is on your souvenir list!

ACCOMMODATION: Ayasoluk Hotel (or similar), Selçuk
INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 10: AIZANOI TO KÜTAHYA

You’re officially at the halfway point of the trip, with so much left to explore. That said, there’s no need to rush into anything this morning. Start the day slow with a scenic drive from Selçuk to Kütahya, taking in the rolling landscapes of inland Anatolia. At just under 5 hours, this is a journey you can really settle into – and a chance to compare photos with a fellow MagExplorer. 

En route, stretch your legs in the ancient city of Aizanoi. Once an important Phrygian settlement, it flourished under Roman rule. Don’t tell the masses, as they haven’t caught on, but the Tatar-carved battle scenes in the Temple of Zeus are remarkably well preserved. 

After a communal lunch, it’s less than an hour to Kütahya, a city historically linked to ceramics and glazed tiles. In fact, it’s so design-driven it’s been recognised as a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art. 

ACCOMMODATION: Hilton Garden Inn Kutahya (or similar), Kutahya
INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 11: PHRYGIAN VALLEY AND KÜTAHYA CERAMICS

It might seem like you’ve only just arrived in Kütahya, but it’s time to leave… for the morning at least! Today you’re exploring the spectacular Phrygian Valley, a landscape of rock-cut monuments, fairy chimneys and dwellings carved into the volcanic terrain.

First stop is the Yazılıkaya Monument, a 17-metre-high rocky façade dedicated to the Mother Goddess Cybele. This is only trumped by the Göynüş Valley’s imposing Aslantaş – a pair of roaring lions that have deterred evil spirits since the 8th century BC.

All that ancient artistry is hungry work. Lunch is a traditional village meal of regional dishes infused with the flavours of rural Anatolia. 

Returning to Kütahya, turn your attention from ancient monuments to the city’s living artistic heritage. As you connect with master ceramicists, learn about the colourful glazes and distinctive motifs that have made the city famous. Wrap up the day with a stroll through the old bazaar – it’s a shopaholic’s heaven!

ACCOMMODATION: Hilton Garden Inn Kutahya (or similar), Kutahya
INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 12: ANKARA

Another out-of-the-ordinary train journey awaits this morning, this time taking you from the cultural streets of Kütahya to the cosmopolitan capital Ankara. 

Despite the city’s modern feel, your accommodation tonight at the beautifully restored Divan Çukurhan is anything but. This 16th-century caravanserai has been transformed into a modern hotel, with a setting opposite Ankara Castle that’s hard to beat. 

That said, resist the urge to make a beeline for the Old Town immediately. Your first stop this afternoon is the hilltop Anıtkabir, dedicated to the founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. With expansive views across Ankara, it’s the perfect spot to get acquainted with the city. 

Then, it’s time to dive right in. Lined with traditional Ottoman houses, antique shops and tea gardens, the character-filled cobbled streets of the Old Town are an urban explorer’s dream. End the afternoon a few steps from your hotel at the Rahmi M. Koç Museum, home to vintage cars, model ships and Türkiye’s industrial heritage.

ACCOMMODATION: Divan Çukurhan (or similar), Ankara
INCLUDED: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 13: GORDION

Considering the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations is one of Türkiye’s best, there’s an entire morning dedicated to it. Launch yourself on a journey from prehistoric Anatolia through the great civilisations that followed, including the Hittites, Phrygians and Urartians. It’s a lot to take in, but your guide is there to highlight the highlights!

Return to the modern world over a leisurely lunch before switching up contemporary Ankara for Gordion, the ancient Phrygian kingdom capital. Here, you’ll not only hear about the power this kingdom wielded across Anatolia, but step inside a 2,700-year-old wooden tomb where King Midas, or perhaps his father, was laid to rest. 

In the late afternoon, return to Ankara for your final night in the capital and dinner at your discretion. If the Old Town is calling, head to a traditional lokanta serving home-style Turkish meals (your guide can point you in the direction of the best) or dine at Divan Çukurhan’s upscale brasserie, accompanied by enviable city views. 

ACCOMMODATION: Divan Çukurhan (or similar), Ankara
INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 14: CAPPADOCIA VIEWS

If journeying into the otherworldly landscapes of Cappadocia was the day on this trip you were most anticipating, it’s finally here! 

But not before a quick stop in the historic town of Hacıbektaş, named after a 13th-century Sufi philosopher. Your guide will get you up to speed on the spiritual traditions of the Bektashi order as you wander the scent-infused gardens and courtyards. 

In Cappadocia, the breath-stopping scenery begins the moment you check into your boutique hotel, overlooking the Valley of Pigeons. Shaped by ancient volcanic activity and centuries of human ingenuity, the region’s towering fairy chimneys, cave dwellings and underground cities are something else. 

Soak it all in from the sky-soaring rock fortress of Uçhisar Castle, located at Cappadocia’s highest point. Equally wow-worthy is the Göreme Open Air Museum, home to some of the region’s finest Byzantine church frescoes.

Amidst the late afternoon light, wander through the valleys, keeping an eye out for stands selling freshly squeezed pomegranate juice.

ACCOMMODATION: Les Maisons de Cappadoce (or similar), Uçhisar
INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 15: RED VALLEY HIKING AND CAPPADOCIA KEBABS

Hot air ballooning over Cappadocia on your bucket list? It’s a pre-dawn start to watch the day’s first rays illuminate its surreal landscapes from around 1,200 metres up. If you haven’t selected this optional extra, enjoy a well-earned lie-in and meet your fellow MagExplorers at breakfast to hear all about it. 

Fill up, because this morning’s adventure is an invigorating one – an 8-kilometre hike through the aptly named Red Valley. But with so much to discover along the way, from towering rock walls to ancient monastic settlements, you’ll hardly notice the distance, instead lost in the stories of pilgrims who once sought solitude and enlightenment in this secluded corner.

Lunch is a kebab like you’ve never had before, slow-cooked inside a sealed clay pot that’s dramatically cracked open at the table.

After an active morning, this afternoon is a leisurely one as you connect with two of Cappadocia’s living craft traditions: carpet weaving and pottery.

ACCOMMODATION: Les Maisons de Cappadoce (or similar), Uçhisar
INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 16: KAYMAKLI, DERINKUYU AND IHLARA VALLEY 

It’s not every day you get to descend into a multi-storey underground city, but today is one of them! 

The subterranean settlements of Kaymakli and Derinkuyu comprise ancient tunnels and chambers, complete with living quarters, churches and wine cellars. It’s hard to fathom that tens of thousands of people once took refuge here, retreating underground for months to escape persecution. 

Your return to the outside world couldn’t be more spectacular than in the Ihlara Valley, where a hike beside the canyon-carving Melendiz River awaits. Along the way, discover cave churches etched into the valley walls, their frescoes revealing the spiritual heritage of the Byzantine communities who once worshipped here.

Lunch is served at a riverside cafe, with the sound of flowing water and birdsong as your soundtrack. The rest of the day is yours to spend as you please. The sunset from a terrace at Les Maisons de Cappadoce is arguably the best way to end it.

ACCOMMODATION: Les Maisons de Cappadoce (or similar), Uçhisar
INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 17: BACK TO ISTANBUL

Saying goodbye to Cappadocia is never easy, but there’s so much of Istanbul left to explore. After a short flight, you’re once again straddling Europe and Asia in Istanbul, where centuries of history and modern city life collide around every corner.

Case in point: it’s an old-meets-new experience as Istanbul’s modern trams carry you through the historic neighbourhoods of Ayvansaray, Balat and Fener. Gaze in awe at the formidable walls that protected Constantinople for centuries, explore one of the city’s best-preserved Byzantine palaces and be floored by the mosaics and frescoes of the striking Chora Church. 

With the city your oyster this evening, there’s a lot to reflect on. 

ACCOMMODATION: Aloft Karaköy (or similar), Istanbul
INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 18: ALL DAY ISTANBUL

After an incredible journey across Türkiye, today’s itinerary is yours to design. Savour your final day in Istanbul by doing exactly as you please, whether that means browsing the bazaars to pick up last-minute souvenirs or treating yourself to a traditional Turkish hammam. 

In the late afternoon, meet in the hotel lobby to conclude the trip in style with a sunset cruise on the Bosphorus. As you glide between the European and Asian shores, you’ll pass grand palaces, historic mosques and Istanbul’s famous waterfront yalı – elegant wooden mansions that line the banks. The skyline lighting up from the water is one for the memory bank.

Step straight from the yacht to your farewell dinner – a final chance to feast on Turkish favourites while raising a glass to the adventures you’ve shared. From ancient ruins and astonishing landscapes to haggling in the bazaars, there are plenty of nostalgia-inducing moments to reflect on and celebrate with your newfound travel companions. 

ACCOMMODATION: Aloft Karaköy (or similar), Istanbul
INCLUDED: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 19: FAREWELL TÜRKIYE…

All good things come to an end, and today is sadly the day to say your goodbyes. Over breakfast, don’t forget to swap contact details with your fellow MagExplorers so you can connect once home or pencil in your next adventure together.

With plenty of time before your flight is called, our driver will take you to the airport, ensuring you can pass through security and immigration in a leisurely style. Until the next adventure!

INCLUDED: Breakfast