Highlights of Eastern Europe & Turkey

Day 1 - Budapest
Arrive at any time.

Day 2 - Budapest to Balla Géza Winery
Enjoy a morning free to explore Budapest to get a feel for this charming city. After check out we visit a G Adventures-supported social enterprise café and enjoy a drink and optionally order a bite to eat before we leave Budapest to travel to the Balla Géza Winery for a wine tasting and traditional Romanian dinner. Tonight’s accommodation will be at the winery’s guesthouse on the property.

Day 3 - Balla Géza Winery to Sighișoara
Enjoy breakfast at the Balla Géza Winery before traveling to the enchanting town of Sighișoara. Use your free time here to explore the cobblestone streets and medieval architecture.

Day 4 - Sighișoara/Braşov
With a local guide, venture into the Romanian countryside to visit traditional villages. Get a true sense of life in this less-visited region. Visit charming Brasov.

Day 5 - Braşov
Visit the picturesque Bran Castle and learn the history (and rumours) of this fascinating place.

Day 6 - Braşov/Bucharest
Travel to Bucharest and enjoy an orientation walk. Take time to explore the Soviet-esque architecture, the beautiful cathedral, or indulge in Bucharest's international cuisine.

Day 7 - Bucharest/Veliko Tarnovo
Enjoy some free time to explore more of Bucharest in the morning before travelling to Bulgaria and one of the oldest cities in the world, Veliko Tarnovo. Wander the medieval town, visit the museums, or sample your first taste of Bulgarian cuisine.

Day 8 - Veliko Tarnovo
Enjoy the morning in the medieval town of Veliko Tarnovo. In the afternoon, visit the hilltop village of Arbanasi. Soak in the views over Veliko Tarnovo.

Day 9 - Veliko Tarnovo/Sofia
Travel to Sofia and take an orientation walk of the capital city. Later, wander down the pedestrian street or visit the eclectic Ladies' Market.

Day 10 - Sofia/Plovdiv
Travel to Plovdiv, Bulgaria's second-largest city. Visit the hilly old town, museums, or the Theatre of Ancient Philippopolis, one of the many Roman ruins found here.

Day 11 - Plovdiv/Istanbul
Spend time in the morning exploring more of Plovdiv before boarding an afternoon bus to Istanbul.

Day 12 - Istanbul
Enjoy a city tour with a local Turkish guide. Opt to visit the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar, the Hagia Sophia (or Aya Sofya), and the Topkapı Palace.

Day 13 - Istanbul
Take advantage of a free day in Istanbul to explore this incredible city and choose from a number of available optional activities. In the evening, head out for an optional group dinner and take a walk through the old square to see some of Istanbul's iconic monuments lit up at night.

Day 14 - Istanbul/Çanakkale
Travel east from Istanbul to the Gallipoli Peninsula for a guided tour of the area including ANZAC Cove, the war cemeteries, and Lone Pine. In the afternoon, continue on to the harbour town of Çanakkale.

Day 15 - Çanakkale/Selçuk
Set off from Çanakkale and visit the ancient city of Troy. Continue to Ayvalik and stop by the G-supported Cöp(m)adam handicraft coop before travelling south to the town of Selçuk for the night.

Day 16 - Selçuk/İzmir
Explore Ephesus this morning as well as the Temple of Artemis, one of the ancient seven wonders of the world. Back in Selçuk, take part in a demonstration of how to prepare pide, a traditional Turkish flatbread, then devour the delicious results for lunch. In the afternoon transfer to the city of Izmir for an orientation walk of the old Kemeralti bazaar then board an overnight train bound for Cappadocia.

Day 17 - Konya/Cappadocia
Disembark the train in Konya and grab some breakfast at a nearby restaurant. Visit the Mevlana Museum before continuing by private vehicle to the Cappadocia region and check into the hotel. Sip a cup of tea or coffee while taking in the sunset from a nearby viewpoint before heading out for an optional dinner with the group in the evening.

Day 18 - Cappadocia
Set out on a full day of exploration of the Cappadocia area, starting with a hike through the iconic "fairy chimneys." Stop at various scenic viewpoints for photos on the way to the massive subterranean complex of the Kaymakli underground city before some free time in the afternoon for individual exploration or to relax at the hotel. In the evening, gain insight into the local cultural traditions by sharing a meal with a local family.

Day 19 - Cappadocia/Istanbul
After an early breakfast, transfer to the airport to catch the flight back to Istanbul. Enjoy the rest of the day free for individual exploration of the historic and vibrant city, grab some street food or relax at a cafe before an optional final dinner with the group.

Day 20 - Istanbul
Depart at any time.