Aegean to Adriatic: Cunard Mediterranean Cruise & Türkiye Grand Tour

Your holiday begins as you fly from Australia to your destination.

İstanbul promises a living mosaic of cultures, evident in its diverse neighbourhoods and culinary delights. With its rich cultural heritage, architectural marvels and vibrant markets, you’ll experience a captivating fusion of old-world charm and contemporary allure.

Today, your guide will whisk you on a fascinating city tour. Visit the iconic Blue Mosque, wander Hippodrome Square, enjoy a photo stop at the magnificent Hagia Sophia, and lose yourself in the colourful Grand Bazaar.

Following a photo stop at Tuz Gölü, Türkiye’s second-largest lake, known for its stunning salt flats, you’ll visit a Wine House for a sophisticated wine tasting before arriving in Cappadocia for a two-night hotel stay.

Join an optional early morning tour to witness Cappadocia’s iconic sunrise punctuated with vibrant hot air balloons. Explore the Three Beauties, Pigeon Valley, Uçhisar Valley and Paşabağ Valley before encountering the Avanos Valley’s Red River, Türkiye’s longest river.

Today, you’ll visit Sultan Han Caravanserai, a well-preserved example of Seljuk architecture and head to Konya, a city rich in cultural heritage. Here, you’ll explore the Mevlana Museum, the final resting place of Rumi, a renowned Sufi mystic.

Next, you’ll transfer to Pamukkale, meaning “Cotton Castle” in Turkish. Enjoy a day at leisure ahead of tomorrow’s tour of the region’s stunning white terraces filled with mineral-rich water.

Visit the UNESCO Ancient City of Hierapolis to explore “Cotton Castle”, a geological marvel where thermal springs create a terrace of white baths. Enjoy a tour of a local textile outlet before transferring to Ephesus, one of the world’s best-preserved ancient cities.

Relax on the beaches of Kuşadası or opt for an optional tour of the House of Virgin Mary, believed to be the final residence of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Dine on delicious Mediterranean cuisine as you admire the panoramic vistas of the beckoning horizon and surrounding coastline.

Leaving Kuşadası behind, soar through the skies on a cable car to the Acropolis of Pergamon before reaching Çanakkale. Nestled on the Dardanelles Strait, it promises one of the highlights of your trip. Here, you’ll uncover the history of Troy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Your day begins with a photo stop at the Trojan Horse before you explore the Gallipoli region. Visit the serene Lone Pine Memorial with views of the 1915 front line and the historic Anzac Cove landing site.

Returning to Istanbul, you’ll embark Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth to begin your voyage. Inspired by the golden age of ocean travel, her Art Deco-style interiors, gracious service and time-honoured traditions such as afternoon tea set the tone for the 14 nights ahead.

Watch from the deck as Queen Elizabeth threads through the narrow Dardanelles, the historic strait linking the Sea of Marmara to the Aegean. Look out for the memorials of the Gallipoli Peninsula along the shore, a poignant echo of your time ashore.

Arriving by sea brings a fresh perspective on Kuşadası, your base just days ago. With Ephesus already behind you, perhaps browse the bustling bazaar, linger over lunch at a waterfront café or savour a peaceful day on board while fellow guests head ashore.

Within Rhodes Town’s mighty walls lies a living fortress city, built by the Knights of St John. Walk the cobbled Street of the Knights to the imposing Palace of the Grand Master, or perhaps head for Lindos, where a clifftop acropolis gazes over impossibly blue bays.

Katakolon is the gateway to Ancient Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games. Walk through the stone tunnel into the original stadium, where athletes competed more than 2,700 years ago, and see the ruins of the Temple of Zeus, once home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

As Queen Elizabeth navigates the slender channel between Sicily and mainland Italy, find a spot on deck. Myth places the sea monsters Scylla and Charybdis here, while the Calabrian hills and the city of Messina frame the passage on either side.

Dubrovnik is one of the Adriatic’s most beautiful old towns. Walk the city walls above a sea of terracotta rooftops, stroll the Stradun, its paving stones polished to a shine, or ride the cable car up Mount Srd for views across the Elafiti Islands.

Sicily’s capital is a true crossroads of cultures, where Arab, Norman and Baroque influences mingle in ornate churches and palaces. Wander the lively Ballarò market, sample arancini fresh from the fryer, or admire the gilded mosaics of Monreale Cathedral in the hills above the city.

Koper offers a taste of Slovenia’s short but lovely Adriatic coast, its old town shaped by centuries of Venetian rule. Admire the Gothic Praetorian Palace on Tito Square, or perhaps venture inland to fairy-tale Lake Bled or the dripping caverns of Postojna Cave.

Corfu Town’s shaded arcades and pastel facades reveal a past shaped by Italian, French and British influence. Climb to the Old Fortress for views across the harbour, sip coffee along the Liston promenade, or escape to the island’s olive groves and secluded coves.

Encircled by medieval walls, Korčula Town sits on a small peninsula, its streets laid out in a clever herringbone pattern to catch the breeze. Locals claim it as the birthplace of Marco Polo, and the island is known for its crisp white wines.

Zadar pairs Roman ruins and Romanesque churches with one of the Adriatic’s most original modern landmarks. Listen to the haunting melodies of the Sea Organ, played by the waves themselves, and discover why Alfred Hitchcock reportedly praised the city’s sunsets above all others.

Your holiday complete, today you’ll disembark your ship and head to the airport for your onward flight home.