Upon arrival in Antalya, Turkey's stunning coastal gem, you'll be warmly greeted and transferred to your hotel. After settling in, take a moment to review the information boards in the reception area for details about the meeting place and time. In the afternoon, we'll embark on a brief orientation tour of this vibrant city of over a million inhabitants, where you'll marvel at the ancient Hadrian's Gate, wander through the charming Ottoman district, and witness the breathtaking sight of a magnificent waterfall cascading directly into the sea. The day concludes with a delightful included dinner.

We depart Antalya and journey to Aspendos, home to what is widely regarded as the world's best-preserved Roman theater, a truly awe-inspiring ancient structure. Continuing to the coastal town of Side, you'll have the opportunity to admire the iconic Temple of Apollo standing proudly by the sea, followed by free time to explore the bustling port and lively streets. Our scenic drive then takes us across the majestic Taurus Mountains, with peaks soaring over 3,500 meters and cloaked in snow for much of the year. We'll pause briefly in Karaman to view its fortress from the outside before reaching the captivating Cappadocia region, where dinner awaits in Nigde.

Today is dedicated to the extraordinary region of Cappadocia, a surreal landscape of lunar-like valleys, ancient churches, and troglodyte dwellings. Our exploration begins at Gumusler, a fascinating 7th-century underground monastery adorned with some of Turkey's finest Byzantine frescoes. In Kaymacli, we'll descend into the depths of an underground city that once sheltered up to 30,000 people, a testament to ancient ingenuity. We'll ascend to Uchisar, a natural fortress offering panoramic views, before discovering the Göreme Valley's open-air museum, where rock-cut churches with ancient frescoes await (tickets included). The evening finds us in Avanos, where dinner and accommodation are provided.

Venturing to the far edge of Cappadocia, we discover the Ihlara Valley, a verdant canyon famous for its cool waters and rock-cut churches and villages carved into the cliffs. Our journey includes a visit to a 13th-century caravanserai, a historic resting place for Silk Road travelers, before arriving in Konya to explore the Mevlana Mausoleum, the final resting place of the poet Rumi, where we'll learn about the mystical Dervish order. After an included dinner, we highly recommend attending a captivating dervish dance performance at the cultural center to truly experience this spiritual tradition.

We travel along a breathtaking route between the lakes, arriving at the charming town of Egridir, nestled beside a large lake and known for its historic walls and mosques. Enjoy some leisure time to savor lunch in this picturesque setting. Our journey continues to the extraordinary Hierapolis-Pamukkale, where mineral-rich thermal waters have created the dazzling white terraces known as the Cotton Palace (tickets included). Explore this surreal natural wonder before dinner and overnight accommodation.

We make our way to Ephesus, the best-preserved ancient city in Asia Minor, once home to 250,000 people two millennia ago. Our exploration includes the sacred House of the Virgin Mary, the imposing Basilica of St. John, and the magnificent ruins of Ephesus itself (admission included). After immersing ourselves in ancient history, we'll head to the vibrant coastal town of Kusadasi, renowned for its lively atmosphere, bustling shops, and quaint castle. Dinner is included.

We depart early to visit one of Turkey's natural wonders, Lake Bafa, where we'll pause to absorb its serene beauty. Our journey continues to Bodrum, a stunning fortified city of Greek origin, where you can explore its impressive castle, stroll through tourist-filled streets, or relax at its picturesque marina. Following lunch, we proceed to the delightful coastal destination of Marmaris, famous for its castle, pier, and fountains. Dinner and overnight accommodation await.

We depart for Dalyan, an incredible riverside destination where we'll embark on a memorable boat trip to view the ancient Lycian Rock Tombs carved into the cliffs. After this unforgettable experience, we continue our journey back to Antalya for a brief tour of the city, revisiting Hadrian's Gate, the charming Ottoman quarter, and the spectacular waterfall plunging into the sea. The evening is yours to enjoy in this vibrant coastal city.

After a final breakfast, our memorable journey through Turkey comes to an end, leaving you with incredible lasting memories of ancient wonders and warm hospitality.