Highlights
- City sightseeing tour of Istanbul including Hagia Sophia Museum, Blue Mosque and the famous Grand Bazaar
- Two Continents Tour to the Bosphorus
- Explore the magnificient Topkapi Palace
- Visit to Gallipoli and Lone Pine Australian Memorial ** New inclusion
- Visit to the ancient city of Troy ** New inclusion
- Cruise along the Bosphorus with a visit to a spice bazaar
- Visit to Ephesus and the Temple of Artemis - one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World
- Admire the antiquities of the Selcuk Museum
- Visit to the Travertines in Pamukkale
- Ancient hot springs visit in Pamukkale
- Travel along the Silk Road visiting Sultanhani Caravansary
- Visit to Uchisar Castle, Goreme Open Air Museum and Ortahisar Castle in Cappadocia
- Visit to the Pasabag Fairy Chimneys in Cappadocia
- Visit cave churches in Cappadocia
- Visit to Avanos the Turkish Centre for handmade pottery
- Overnight stay in Kusadasi **New inclusion
- Bodrum full day cruise onboard our own exclusive gulet cruising the waters of the Aegean Coast **New inclusion
- A free day in Bodrum to explore at leisure ** New inclusion
- Bellydancing class
- Hypnotic Whirling Dervish ceremony
- Small group - friends for company!
- Optional - balloon flight in Cappadocia - Can only be booked locally and is weather dependent.
Inclusions
- Fully escorted by a Sisterhood Womens Travel Tour Hostess who is on hand to ensure your holiday is a memorable one
- Return economy airfares from Melbourne to Istanbul including taxes (other departure cities available on request / business class upgrade available on request)
- Professional English speaking guides throughout itinerary
- Deluxe accommodation
- All transportation as per itinerary
- Meals as per itinerary
- All sightseeing as per itinerary including all entrance fees
- Willing to share option (subject to availability)
- Turkish Visa Processing (for Australian Passport Holders)
- Meet and Greet prior to departure (subject to minimum numbers attending)
** Airline is subject to change **
Local tipping is customary in Turkey. Sisterhood Womens Travel tipping system on all group tours involves passengers contributing to a kitty which is paid to the tour hostess at the beginning of the tour. She then distributes it daily to service providers on your behalf. This avoids the need to consider individual tipping situations daily throughout your trip. The estimated amount for your tour is USD$120 and this will be confirmed in your final documentation.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Saturday 22 April 2023
Melbourne - Istanbul (Meals Inflight)
Meet your tour hostess and fellow travellers at Melbourne Airport for our flights to Turkey. Sit back, relax and enjoy the inflight entertainment as we head northwest towards Istanbul.
Day 2 - Sunday 23 April 2023
Istanbul (D)
Welcome to Turkey!
Upon arrival into Istanbul Airport you will be met and transferred to a local restaurant to experience the famous local Turkish breakfast feast. It is definitely not a brunch but is full of local ingredients like cheese, tomatoes, olives and much more. After breakfast you will be transferred to the hotel for a three night stay.
Remainder of the day is at leisure.
This evening enjoy a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant
Accommodation: Sura Hagia Sophia Hotel (or similar) – 3 nights
Day 3 - Monday 24 April 2023
Istanbul Sightseeing (B,L)
Today we'll enjoy a full day tour to one of the most beautiful sights in the world, the Bosphorus, the strait separating two continents – Europe and Asia. This tour includes a Bosphorus Cruise (shared with other passengers) and visits to the Spice Bazaar, Rustem Pasa Mosque, Beylerbeyi Palace and Bosphorus Bridge.
Dinner at leisure.
Accommodation: Sura Hagia Sophia Hotel (or similar)
Day 4 - Tuesday 25 April 2023
Istanbul Sightseeing (B)
Today, visit the most important popular sites of Istanbul in a full day tour. Visit St Sophia Museum, Byzantine Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar.
Dinner at leisure.
Accommodation: Sura Hagia Sophia Hotel (or similar)
Day 5 - Wednesday 26 April 2023
Visit to Gallipoli (B,D)
Depart for the afternoon tour of Gallipoli. The World War I battlefields of Gallipoli are a serene sight. Visit the Lone Pine Australian Memorial and Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial, ANZAC Cove, Brighton Beach, Beach Cemetery, Ari Burnu Cemetery Memorial and Johnston’s Jolly (where a visit will be made to the Allied and Turkish trenches and tunnels), 57th Regiment Turkish Memorial and The Nek. With a guide and driver you may visit rarely seen areas which are not included on the standard coach tour.
Transfer to Canakkale for overnight accommodation including breakfast and dinner.
Accommodation: Kolin Hotel - Canakkale (or similar)
Day 6 - Thursday 27 April 2023
Ancient City of Troy (B,D)
Today after breakfast, we'll step back in time with a visit to the ancient city of Troy, famous for the Trojan War, the beautiful Helen of Troy, also known as Helen of Sparta, and Paris (who fatally wounded Achilles). And of course a replica of the Trojan Horse.
From there we continue to the magnificent acropolis of Pergamum. Its impressive temples and library made Pergamum a renowned cultural and political centre in its time. This afternoon we head to Kusadasi for overnight accommodation including breakfast and dinner.
Accommodation: The Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Kusadasi (or similar)
Day 7 - Friday 28 April 2023
Kusadasi - Ephesus - Bodrum (B)
This morning transfer to Ephesus. Be absorbed in history today with a guided tour of the site of one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the world, the site of the Temple of Artemis and the ancient city of Ephesus. Feel the mystical atmosphere of the city and stadium where chariot and horse races were once held. Continue to the former Greek village of Sirince, famous for its fruit wines. Carpet weaving has long traditions in Turkey and at the carpet village we learn how the carpets are made by hand and what determines their value. Head to Bodrum on the Turkish Riviera for a 2 night stay
Dinner at leisure.
Accommodation: Marmara Hotel, Bodrum (or similar)
Day 8 - Saturday 29 April 2023
Bodrum (B,L)
After breakfast we will spend the day at sea with lunch included and enjoyed onboard. Relax as we cruise the turquoise seas of the Bodrum coastline onboard a private gulet. Visit several of the most beautiful bays in which we can swim and snorkel in crystal-clear water or simply relax in the mild breeze, enjoying the stunning views or perfecting your suntan to the sound of gently lapping waves. At the Black Island, half an hour from Bodrum, we can bathe in the grotto where the warm mineral waters flowing out of the rocks are believed to beautify the complexion. Later we return to Bodrum.
Dinner at leisure.
Accommodation: Marmara, Bodrum (or similar)
Day 9 - Sunday 30 April 2023
Bodrum (B)
Today is a free day to further explore Bodrum. This seaside town is well known for its shopping, beaches and a fine range of quality restaurants. A great down day to relax.
Dinner at leisure.
Accommodation: Marmara, Bodrum (or similar)
Day 10 - Monday 1 May 2023
Bodrum - Pamukkale (B,D)
This morning after check out, we'll enjoy a display of locally handcrafted leather goods before heading to the magnificent white calcium terraces, known as Travertines, in famous Pamukkale. We then tour the ancient city of Hierapolis. We'll have the opportunity to take a dip amongst ancient columns in the hot springs which were used in Roman times for their therapeutic powers.
Dinner tonight at the hotel restaurant.
Accommodation: Doga Thermal Hotel, Pamukkale (or similar)
Day 11 - Tuesday 2 May 2023
Pamukkale - Konya - Cappadocia - (B,D)
Today, travel the ancient Silk Road visiting Sultanhani Caravansary and the Mevlana museum in Konya along the way. Continue to the hotel for a three night stay including breakfast.
This evening don’t miss the traditional Turkish folklore evening, a great night out where dinner, unlimited beer, wine, Turkish Raki, soft drinks and entertainment is included. The show features belly dancers, traditional folk dancers and traditional Turkish musicians.
Accommodation: Gamirassu Cave Hotel (or similar)
Day 12 - Wednesday 3 May 2023
Northern Cappadocia Tour (B)
Today we'll enjoy a full day Northern Cappadocia tour with our first stop being Esentepe, followed by a visit to Uchisar Castle. Then we'll continue onto visit Goreme Open air Museum and Ortahisar castle. Afterwards, we'll visit the Pasabag Fairy Chimneys followed by Devrent Valley.
Accommodation: Gamirassu Cave Hotel (or similar)
Day 13 - Thursday 4 May 2023
Southern Cappadocia Tour (B)
This morning we'll enjoy a Southern Cappadocia tour where we'll head to the Pigeon Valley before continuing to Red Valley. After visiting the amazing cave churches we'll head to an underground city and afterwards visit Cavusin village. Lastly we'll visit Avanos town to learn about handmade pottery.
Dinner at leisure.
Accommodation: Gamirassu Cave Hotel (or similar)
Day 14 - Friday 5 May 2023
Cappadocia - Istanbul (B)
Today we will be met at the hotel and transferred to Kayseri Airport for our flight back to Istanbul.
Upon arrival into Istanbul we will be met and transferred to our hotel for a three night stay.
The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Early this evening we will enjoy a 90 minute Belly Dancing Class with a professional belly dancer as the instructor.
Dinner at leisure.
Accommodation: Sura Hagia Sophia Hotel, Istanbul (or similar)
Day 15 - Saturday 6 May 2023
Istanbul (B,L)
This morning transfer to the venue for a four hour cooking class. The class is held in a hotel kitchen and features a local chef as the instructor. During the class recipes are provided for your keeping and the group will enjoy a delicious meal of their own creation in the rooftop restaurant at the end of the session. After the class you will be transferred back to the hotel.
The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore town at your own pace or do some last minute shopping.
Accommodation: Sura Hagia Sophia Hotel, Istanbul (or similar)
Day 16 - Sunday 7 May 2023
Istanbul (B,D)
Today is at leisure to explore the town at your own pace.
This evening travel to Hodjapacha for the Whirling Derivsh Show. The ceremony features a complex musical repertoire called ‘ayin’ and the whirling dance performed by the dervishes represents the mythical journey of man’s spiritual ascent through mind and love to perfection. It is a tradition more than 800 years old, and in 2025 it was proclaimed as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. The ceremony starts after a 15 minute classical instrumental performance by a traditional Turkish orchestra and lasts for around 45 minutes. It is accompanied by 360 degree video special effects projected on the walls of the beautiful historic building and some amazing lighting, adding to the atmosphere of this captivating ceremony.
After the show, enjoy a Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 17 - Monday 8 May 2023
Istanbul - Melbourne (meals in flight)
Today we say goodbye to Istanbul and Turkey. Sit back, relax and enjoy the inflight entertainment as we head homewards.
Day 18 - Tuesday 9 May 2023
Welcome Home!
Welcome Home! Thank you for travelling with Sisterhood Womens Travel and we look forward to welcoming you to your next adventure.