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A highlight of this tour is a stop in Pamukkale, where mineral terraces known locally as the 'cotton castle' capture deposits from hot springs, with the ruins of Hierapolis standing above. The route passes through Dalyan with a chance of river boating near turtle nesting beaches, and visits Gallipoli’s poignant World War I sites before arriving in Istanbul. Here, a walking tour covers the Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern and Spice Bazaar.

The tour keeps a measured pace, with some long drives not overlooked but balanced by periods of leisure. Accommodation ranges from simple but comfortable seaside hotels in Kas to a 5-star spa resort in Pamukkale. The local cuisine is introduced without fuss, through shared mezze and the occasional group meal, leaving plenty of freedom to explore cities after the main walks and visits.

New to Turkey? Our Turkey guide has the practical essentials: money, plugs, visas and when to go.

These are the places the trip visits, in order. Explore Worldwide publishes the day-by-day itinerary on its own site.