Please do not book any flights prior to speaking with reservations and confirming what time the host flights arrive/depart. There will only be one group arrival & departure transfer provided, in conjunction with these flight times.

Day 1: Arrive in Istanbul

Upon at Istanbul International airport, our local guide and driver will be waiting to transfer us to our hotel to check in. This evening we meet for a Welcome Dinner.

Accommodation: Armada Hotel Istanbul – 4 star – or similar (4 nights)
Meals: Dinner

Day 2: Istanbul

Following breakfast this morning we will venture to Piere Loti for a photo opportunity and a morning coffee. We then proceed to the Suleymaniye Mosque, masterpiece of famous architect Sinan, built during the reign of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent. Continuing our touring we are taken to the beautiful Golden Horn, the perfect introduction to the splendours of Christendom that crowned Istanbul’s cityscape. From here we explore the wooden buildings at the base of the towering ramparts of the Old City, where the practitioners of three distinct religions lived together harmoniously in one single neighbourhood. We return to the hotel and have time to freshen up before meeting for dinner.

Meals: Breakfast & dinner

Day 3: Istanbul

This morning, enjoy breakfast before we visit the famous Topkapi Palace, built as the home of the Ottoman Sultans. The world famous treasury sections will be visited to view the impressive collection of jewels and artefacts. We will also visit the nearby Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia Church turned Mosque, turned Museum, and turned Mosque again. We’ll have some time at leisure this afternoon and then come together for dinner.

Meals: Breakfast & dinner 

Day 4: Istanbul 

Today we will enjoy a later start after a leisurely breakfast. We’ll also be changing continents by travelling from Europe to Asia as we cross the Bosphorus Bridge and drive to Camlica Hill for a scenic Bosphorus photo opportunity and then continue by boat from Camlıca on a Bosphorus cruise. After disembarking we’ll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. The Egyptian Spice Bazaar is our next adventure, to experience the smells of cinnamon, cloves and thyme rising from every store, the same smells that filled the air over 400 years ago. Following the tour we drive back to hotel, have time to freshen up and meet for this evenings dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 5: Istanbul – ANZAC Cove – Canakkale

After breakfast we check out, board the coach and cross the strategic waterway called the Dardanelles on our journey to Gallipoli, historically famous for being the site of many battles during WWI. We will visit ANZAC Cove, the landing site, Ceremonial Platform and Lone Pine as well as many trenches. We’ll hear some legendary stories, reflect and remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice here. We continue on to Canakkale and straight to dinner before checking into our hotel for the night.

Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Accommodation: Kolon Hotel – 5 star – or similar (1 night)

Day 6: Canakkale – Bergama – Kusadasi

Following an early breakfast we check out and depart to Pergamon, one of the Seven Churches of Revelation where we will examine the remains of the church. This was one of the principle towns where Christianity spread quickly. We then continue to Bergama to the Asclepion and Acropol, a famous healing centre, where methods of treatment included blood transfusions, music therapy and meditation. We arrive in Kusadasi this afternoon, check into our hotel and come together for this evening’s dinner.

Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Accommodation: Korumar Hotel – 5 star – or similar (3 nights)

Day 7: Ephesus

After breakfast today we will enjoy an entire day at Ephesus, one of the Ancient Wonders of the World! Located just 15kms from Kusadasi, we’ll spend time walking the ancient roads, exploring the temples, gymnasiums and the amphitheatre, in which the riot of ‘Acts 19’ took place. We will also visit the famous Library of Celcus and view the remains of the Temple of Artemis, as well as the Basilica of St. John the Evangelist. Returning to our hotel in the afternoon, take time to freshen up before we meet for dinner.

Meals: Breakfast & dinner

Day 8: Sirince Village

Enjoy breakfast this morning before we journey approx. 30mins to Sirince village. Arriving in the village we are greeted by 200 year old Greco-Turkish houses where we have about half an hour to explore the village before making our way by foot to a cooking class, which will be held in a typical village house. As you may know; Turkish food is renowned as one of the top three world cuisines. Turkish cuisine, like its cultural mosaic, is very colorful and contains countless different tastes. Since the Turkish cooking tradition has a unique historical heritage and makes use of an incredibly rich variety of natural ingredients; this has all led to a unique fusion of East and West. Different tastes in every region contribute to the complexity of Turkish cuisine. Under local guidance we will have chance to create a variety of delicious foods from simple recipes with quality ingredients. In wonderful surroundings with a view of the old village we’ll sit down and taste what we’ve prepared followed by a Turkish tea or coffee. Upon returning to our hotel, have some time to relax before come together for this evening’s dinner.

Meals: Breakfast & dinner 

Day 9: Kusadasi – Miletus – Bodrum

After breakfast and checking out, today we will drive to Bodrum. Enroute we stop at Miletus, where Paul met with the Ephesian elders and made his farewell address, poignantly described in Acts 20:13-37. The size and the magnificence of the Theatre is striking, originally standing right on the port and it accommodates 15000 spectators. We continue on to Bodrum, checking in upon arrival and then meeting for dinner.

Meals: Breakfast & dinner 
Accommodation: Hillstone Bodrum – 5 star – or similar (2 nights)

Day 10: Bodrum

This morning following breakfast we have a short drive to the Bodrum Marina where we board our Gulet boat which will be waiting at the marina. Enjoy two swimming breaks at Tavsan and Green Bay, before lunch is served on the boat. After lunch we will continue sailing and stop at Karaada, Yildirim, and Goktasi bays. Our final stop will be Camel Beach and then the boat will take us back to our pier. Transferring back to the hotel there will be time to freshen up before dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 11: Bodrum – Pamukkale

After breakfast today we check out and depart for Pamukkale, a beautiful and spectacular natural site, unique in the world with its fairy-like, dazzling white cascade. Pamukkale’s terraces are made of travertine, which is a sedimentary rock deposited by water from hot springs. We will see the thermal spring water plunging down the mountain side which has created this natural formation of stalactites, cataracts and the basin. The thermal water has been used since the Roman period for its therapeutic powers. We also visit the Roman city of Hierapolis with its Apollo-Temple competing with Delphi, the monumental Nympheum, a 4th century Basilica and the Theatre. We then visit the best preserved Necropolis before being transferred to our hotel to check in and enjoy dinner together.

Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Accommodation: Doga Thermal Hotel – 5 star – or similar (1 night) 

Day 12: Pamukkale – Konya  

Following this mornings’ breakfast we check out and board the coach for a full travel day driving to Konya. Upon arrival we will visit Mevlâna Museum which started life as the dervish lodge of the Mevlevi order, better known as the Whirling Dervishes. It houses the mausoleum of Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, a Persian Sufi mystic. We’ll then make our way to the hotel, check in and meet in the evening for dinner.

Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Accommodation: Bayir Diamond – 5 star – or similar (1 night)

Please note: Konya is the most traditional town in Turkey. Konya is not a “dry” city in the sense that alcohol is completely prohibited, but it is known for being a more religiously conservative city where alcohol consumption is less common and less visible than in other major Turkish cities. While alcohol can be purchased in some local stores, it is not available at the hotel nor is it openly consumed as in more secular areas of Turkey. Any pre-purchased alcohol needs to be consumed in your room.

Day 13: Konya – Cappadocia

We have early breakfast before departing for Cappadocia today. Enroute, we visit the 13th century Caravanserai of Sultanhan. The caravanserai provided to the traders, both foreign and native, with heated rooms, food, medical attention, equipment repair and many other common conveniences. We continue to Nevsehir, in Cappadocia, where we will arrive in the evening. We’ll meet for dinner once we’ve settled into our rooms.

Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Accommodation: Barcelo – 5 star – or similar (2 nights)

Day 14: Cappadocia

Today we can enjoy a full day at leisure^# to explore the area. You could begin the day very early on an hot air balloon ride* that takes you soaring over the magnificent Cappadocian landscape or take a full day visit to the Goreme Open Air Museum* to see the best examples of Byzantine art in Cappadocia or perhaps visit the Ozkonak Underground city*. Your tour host and local guide will be able to assist with any arrangements that you may need. Early evening we come together for dinner and share our day’s adventures.
^#All activities today are at passengers own expense. Hot Air Balloon rides will be offered by the Tour Guide at the beginning of the tour, with payment being made direct. These are subject to weather conditions on the day.

Meals: Breakfast & dinner

Day 15: Cappadocia – Ankara

Following breakfast this morning we depart to the Turkish capital of Ankara. Upon arrival we will see the Mausoloeum of Kemal Ataturk, founder of the modern Turkish Republic. We also visit Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. The museum has the finest archaeological collection in all of Turkey and contains records of every civilization that passed through Anatolia, which are priceless items from as far back as 7,500 years. We arrive at our hotel, check in and then meet for dinner tonight.

Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Accommodation: CP Ankara – 5 star – or similar (1 night)

Day 16: Ankara – Istanbul

Enjoy breakfast this morning before we check out and are transferred to Ankara airport for our flight to İstanbul. Upon arrival we are transferred to the hotel and spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. We’ll meet in the evening for dinner.

Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Accommodation: Aramada Hotel Istanbul – 4 star – or similar (3 nights)

Day 17: Istanbul

Have a leisurely breakfast this morning and then enjoy a full day at leisure^# to explore as you wish. You may like to wander the local boutiques, taste the culture through Turkish favorites at local cafes or simple relax and enjoy the hotel facilities. Your tour host and local guide will be able to assist with any arrangements that you may need. Early evening we come together for dinner.
^#All activities today are at passengers own expense

Meals: Breakfast & dinner

Day 18: Istanbul

Following breakfast this morning we visit the Grand Bazaar. In addition to its historical importance, it’s a marvelous place with 60 streets and over 4000 shops where you will be enchanted by the colourful atmosphere. For our final evening together we meet and go out to a local restaurant for a Farewell Dinner.

Meals: Breakfast & dinner

Day 19: Depart Istanbul

After breakfast we enjoy some time at leisure and a late check out before a final lunch and then being transferred to Istanbul international airport.

Meals: Breakfast & lunch

*Price is per person in a Sole Use Room. Tour is subject to availability and requires minimum number of passengers to depart. Please enquire for current availability and pricing with your RAC travel consultant.

*All prices shown are starting prices, capacity controlled and subject to availability and change at any time. Price is per person Sole Use and subject to availability. Price is correct as at 07 October 2025. Tour requires minimum number of passengers to depart. Prices may fluctuate if surcharges, fees, taxes or currencies change. Solo Connections is constantly striving to improve our itineraries and inclusions. If such improvements can be made, or unforeseen circumstances beyond our control make changes necessary, we reserve the right at any time to vary itineraries and to substitute inclusions of equal value. Beverages, additional meals, hotel mini bars, laundry, phone calls, any items of personal nature not included. Further booking conditions apply, please check all prices, availability and other information with your travel agent at time of or before booking. Package cancellation fees apply. Further Solo Connections T&Cs apply, please check with your RAC travel consultant.

General RAC Travel terms and conditions apply.