Begin your journey in Istanbul, where the Hippodrome once echoed with the roars of crowds cheering on chariot races. Visit the Istanbul Archaeological Museum, where remnants of the Roman era tell the story of gladiatorial games and their evolution in the Christianized Roman Empire. Istanbul, known as Byzantium in Roman times, was a critical point of transition, witnessing the slow phasing out of these brutal games.

Venture to Pergamon, an ancient city famed for its innovations in medicine and its grand amphitheater. Gladiators who suffered in the arena often came here to be treated at the Asclepion, a healing center that even trained physicians for wounded gladiators. Explore Aigai, where inscriptions reveal contracts of gladiators, detailing their brutal yet celebrated lives. Feel the echoes of the past as you walk in these hallowed grounds that hosted life-and-death battles.

Metropolis, a city tied to the god Ares, resonates with the spirit of combat. Walk through the ancient ruins where gladiatorial games were held in honor of Ares, the god of war. Later, step into Ephesus, a city that flourished under Roman rule. Visit its magnificent theater, where Roman games were held, and the Ephesus Museum, home to gladiatorial artifacts. Ephesus was a grand city of spectatorship, where not just gladiators but animal hunts and public executions drew crowds.

Begin your journey with a visit to the ancient city of Miletus, a renowned center of philosophy and science in Western Anatolia, and explore its impressive ruins and the rich exhibits of the Miletus Archaeological Museum. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, then head to Didim to marvel at the grand Temple of Apollo, one of the largest and most important temples in the Aegean. Continue to the stunning ruins of Priene, a remarkable Hellenistic city, followed by a visit to Magnesia ad Meandrum, home to the only ancient stadium still bearing traces of its original design.

Begin your journey with a visit to the ancient city of Stratonikeia, where you'll explore the gladiator tombs that reveal the stories of these brave warriors. The site offers a unique glimpse into both their lives and the entertainment they provided for the masses. Travel to Muğla, home to the Gladiator Hall, where you’ll find reconstructed artifacts that bring to life the daily existence of gladiators. Here, you can visualize their rigorous training, weaponry, and even ceremonial aspects of gladiatorial combat. Proceed to the Lagina Hekate Temple, one of the most important religious sanctuaries of its time. The temple was dedicated to Hekate, the goddess of magic and crossroads, offering visitors a mystical experience. Although not directly linked to gladiatorial combat, its spiritual significance adds a layer of cultural depth to your journey. Conclude the day with a visit to Aphrodisias, known for its striking stadium, where gladiatorial games entertained Roman elites. This city was a hub for Roman culture, art, and gladiatorial shows, blending beauty and violence in a uniquely Roman manner.

Visit the Afrodisias Museum, which houses an extensive collection of gladiatorial tombstones, and gain an understanding of the complex social status gladiators held—both revered and reviled. Continue to Mastura, where an ancient amphitheater, one of the last surviving in the region, offers a glimpse into the fierce competitions that occurred there. End the day at Hierapolis, not just famous for its healing hot springs but also for its gladiatorial spectacles. Inscriptions from this UNESCO World Heritage site tell of the heroics of gladiators who fought here, proving that Hierapolis was more than just a place of healing but also a venue of intense gladiatorial action.

Kibyra was known as a "Gladiator City" in Roman times, where citizens filled the stands to watch fighters, slaves, and criminals battle in its grand stadium. The city’s arena is one of the largest in Anatolia, a testament to the importance gladiatorial games held here. Burdur’s Archaeological Museum will immerse you in the rich history of gladiatorial combat with its spectacular exhibits of warrior armor and weaponry, offering visitors an up-close look at the life of a gladiator.

Conclude your tour in Antalya at the ancient city of Perge, where recent excavations have uncovered a trove of gladiatorial evidence, including arenas and stone carvings detailing the lives of gladiators. Visit the Antalya Archaeological Museum, which brings the glory and gore of gladiatorial combat to life through intricate displays of weaponry, armor, and ancient texts recounting gladiator victories.

Start at the Aspendos Theatre, one of the most well-preserved Roman theatres, where gladiatorial battles once took place. Explore the history of these fights, the structure’s acoustics, and its role in Roman entertainment. Learn about how the theatre doubled as an arena for gladiators. Travel to Side Ancient Theatre, where gladiators once fought for their lives. Explore the Side Museum, which holds relics of gladiatorial contests and ancient weapons. Walk through the ruins and visit the Temple of Apollo, reflecting on how religious practices intersected with gladiator games.

After breakfast transfer to the airport for your return flight home.