Türkiye Grand Journey: 14-Day Empires, Ancient Roads & Living Traditions

Walk through the old imperial heart of Istanbul.

Step into Istanbul’s historic peninsula, where Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman legacies still stand side by side. Begin at the Hippodrome, once the ceremonial and sporting center of Constantinople, before visiting the Blue Mosque, admired for its cascading domes, elegant courtyard and intricate İznik tiles. Nearby, pause outside Hagia Sophia, one of the world’s great architectural landmarks and a powerful symbol of the city’s layered past. Continue beneath the streets to the Basilica Cistern, an atmospheric underground reservoir filled with ancient columns, soft reflections and a quiet sense of mystery. Later, explore the Grand Bazaar, a vast covered market of jewelers, textiles, ceramics, workshops and centuries-old trading traditions. Optional: Hagia Sophia’s interior gallery can be arranged, subject to current visitor regulations, restorations and opening hours.

Experience the city from the Bosphorus, then step into the lively streets where old Istanbul meets the modern world.

Begin the day on the Bosphorus, cruising between Europe and Asia as Ottoman palaces, waterfront mansions, historic fortresses and hillside neighborhoods unfold along the shores. Back on land, continue to the Spice Market, one of Istanbul’s most colorful and aromatic corners, filled with spices, teas, dried fruits, sweets and local delicacies. Later, explore Beyoğlu and Galata, where 19th-century architecture, independent shops, cafés and galleries reveal a more contemporary side of the city. Walk along İstiklal Avenue and through the surrounding streets, discovering how Istanbul’s imperial past, cosmopolitan character and everyday life continue to exist side by side.

On these shores, history is remembered through courage, sacrifice and stories that have endured for thousands of years.

Leave Istanbul behind and travel toward the Gallipoli Peninsula, a landscape shaped by one of the most significant campaigns of the First World War. Visit preserved battlefields, memorials and cemeteries while hearing the stories of the soldiers who fought here and the spirit of remembrance and reconciliation that defines the peninsula today. Later, cross the Dardanelles and continue to ancient Troy, a place where archaeology and legend meet. Explore the remains of successive cities built across thousands of years and discover how the stories of Homer’s Iliad continue to shape our imagination of the ancient world. After the visit, continue to Çanakkale for the overnight stay.

From the heights of an ancient kingdom to one of the Aegean’s most exciting culinary destinations.

Explore ancient Pergamon, where kings, scholars and physicians helped shape one of the most influential centers of the Hellenistic world. Walk through the hilltop acropolis and discover the remains of temples, palaces and the steep ancient theatre overlooking the surrounding landscape. Later, step away from the archaeological sites and into a traditional lokanta, the kind of family-run restaurant where locals gather for home-style dishes prepared with seasonal ingredients. Continue south to Urla, a coastal town known for its vineyards, olive groves and increasingly celebrated food scene. After checking in, enjoy the evening at leisure and settle into the slower rhythm of the Aegean. Optional: Reserve dinner at one of Urla’s Michelin-recognized restaurants, where contemporary chefs reinterpret regional ingredients and traditional Aegean flavors.

Move from a place of pilgrimage to the slower rhythms and shared traditions of an Aegean village.

Visit the House of the Virgin Mary, a peaceful pilgrimage site set in the hills above Ephesus and revered by both Christian and Muslim visitors. Continue to Şirince, a hillside village known for its stone houses, narrow lanes, terrace views and long-established local traditions. After checking in to your boutique accommodation, enjoy time to explore the village or relax in its quiet Aegean setting. In the evening, join local hosts for a hands-on cooking class using seasonal produce, olive oil and regional recipes. Prepare traditional dishes together, then sit down to a home-cooked dinner that offers a warm introduction to village hospitality and the flavors of the Aegean.

Walk the marble streets of one of the Mediterranean’s greatest ancient cities.

Explore Ephesus, one of the best-preserved cities of the ancient Mediterranean world. Walk along its marble streets and discover the Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre, the Temple of Hadrian, public baths, fountains and civic spaces that once shaped life in one of Rome’s most important cities. Through stories of trade, belief, power and daily life, Ephesus emerges as far more than a collection of monumental ruins. Its streets reveal the scale and ambition of a city that connected Anatolia with the wider Mediterranean world. After the visit, return to Şirince and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure, with time to relax at your hotel or explore the village at your own pace.

Discover where an ancient city of healing meets Türkiye’s extraordinary white terraces.

Travel inland through the Aegean landscapes to Pamukkale, where nature and history come together in one of Türkiye’s most remarkable settings. Explore Hierapolis, an ancient city once celebrated for its thermal springs and healing traditions. Walk through its monumental gates, theatre, public buildings and extensive necropolis while learning about life in this important Greco-Roman center. Continue to Pamukkale’s white travertine terraces, formed over thousands of years by mineral-rich thermal waters flowing down the hillside. The contrast between the ancient ruins and the bright natural formations creates one of the journey’s most memorable landscapes. Later, check in to your thermal hotel and enjoy dinner.

There is a different kind of grandeur here—one measured in ideas rather than monuments.

Travel to Konya, where the rhythm of the journey becomes quieter and more contemplative. Visit the emerald-domed Mevlana Museum, the resting place of the poet and philosopher Rumi, whose teachings of love, tolerance and humanity continue to inspire the world today. Through carefully curated local insights into Sufi philosophy and tradition, discover a city where spirituality, poetry and everyday life have remained deeply intertwined for centuries. Optional: Experience the contemplative beauty of the Sema Ceremony—a centuries-old ritual of music, devotion and whirling inspired by the teachings of Rumi. Subject to availability.

The road through Anatolia ends in a landscape unlike anywhere else on Earth.

Leave the plains of central Anatolia behind and follow the ancient trade routes to Cappadocia. Along the way, pause at the magnificent Sultan Han Caravanserai, where Silk Road merchants once found refuge. By afternoon, the landscape transforms into a world of sculpted valleys, cave churches and soaring fairy chimneys. Explore the dreamlike scenery of Devrent Valley, the rock-hewn monasteries of the Göreme Open-Air Museum, and the enduring pottery traditions of Avanos. End the day with a tasting of Cappadocia's distinctive wines at a boutique riverside winery, where local wines are enjoyed overlooking the tranquil banks of the Kızılırmak River.

Cappadocia rewards those willing to look a little deeper.

For early risers, the day may begin with an optional sunrise hot air balloon flight over Cappadocia’s valleys, weather permitting. Venture beyond Cappadocia's iconic landscapes to discover its quieter side. Descend into the remarkable Kaymakli Underground City, an extraordinary subterranean refuge carved deep beneath the volcanic rock, before exploring the striking scenery of Rose Valley, Pigeon Valley and Ortahisar, where dramatic cliffs and centuries-old stone dwellings blend seamlessly into the landscape. Enjoy a home-style lunch at a local women's cooperative, where traditional Cappadocian recipes are prepared using seasonal ingredients, supporting community-led initiatives while offering an authentic taste of regional cuisine. Along the way, meet local artisans and gain an insight into the region's enduring carpet-weaving traditions—one of Türkiye's most treasured crafts. Optional: Discover Cappadocia on horseback at sunrise or sunset, following scenic trails through its valleys as the changing light transforms the landscape.

Experience Türkiye that has quietly preserved its traditions.

Journey to Beypazarı, one of Türkiye's finest preserved Ottoman towns, where beautifully restored timber mansions, artisan workshops and lively local markets offer a glimpse into Anatolian life that has changed little over generations. Browse traditional silversmiths, discover regional crafts and savour the town's distinctive atmosphere at an unhurried pace. Tonight, stay at the extraordinary Living Village Museum Hotel—more than a place to spend the night, it is an immersive cultural experience. Set within a restored heritage village, the property invites you to experience traditional Turkish village life through authentic architecture, local craftsmanship, time-honored customs and the traditional countryside dinner.

After crossing a country, Istanbul feels wonderfully familiar

After breakfast, depart for Istanbul, retracing the route across Anatolia before arriving back in the city where your journey began. After check-in, the balance of the day is yours to unwind, revisit a favorite neighborhood, or simply savor one final evening immersed in the atmosphere of this remarkable city. Optional: Discover the centuries-old art of Ebru (Turkish marbling) during a master class with a local artist. Learn the delicate techniques behind this traditional craft and create your own unique artwork to take home as a lasting memory of Türkiye.

Fourteen days, countless stories, one unforgettable journey.

After breakfast, enjoy the final moments in Istanbul before the transfer to the airport for your onward journey. As you depart Türkiye, take with you the memories of ancient cities, timeless landscapes, shared meals and the many stories discovered along the way.