Country(ies): Turkey
Tour type: Small Group
Group size: Min: 2 | Max: 20
Accommodation: 4 to 5-star hotels
Meals:
Transport: A/C minibus
Highlights: Istanbul, Gallipoli battlefields & memorials, Troy, Pergamum Acropolis, Ancient Greek & Roman ruins at Ephesus & Hieropolis, Pamukkale calcium travertines, Sultanhani Caravansary, Cappadocia underground churches & fairy chimneys.
Discover the wonders of Turkey on this 10-day tour mixing ancient cities, beautiful coastline and scenery, historic sites and modern Turkish culture.
Starting and finishing in the bustling, cosmopolitan city of Istanbul we see both the modern and ancient sides of this great city. We'll then travel to the WWII battlefields and memorials of Gallipoli, including ANZAC Cove. Turning south we start to follow the Mediterranean coast and stop at the ancient sites of Troy, Pergamum and the amazingly well preserved ruins at Ephesus en-route to the coastal town of Kusadasi. Next we head inland to the amazing stepped calcium travertines at Pamukkale where we can enjoy a dip in the spa waters. There are more historic ruines here at Hieropolis which we tour before following the ancient Spice Route further into central Turkey towards Konya where we learn about the art of Sufi dancing and commemorate Rumi's poetry.
The journey on to the picturesque landscape of Cappadocia is broken at the Sultanhani Caravansari, and then we have several tours to explore incredible rock formations, cave churches, underground cities and 'fairy chimneys' of Cappadocia. The tour then completes with a drive (or optional flight) back to Istanbul, wiht a stop at the modern day capital city Ankara on the way.
Accommodation is in a mix of 4-star and boutique hotels, and additional time can be added at either end of the tour to explore Istanbul further.
If our scheduled departure dates don’t work for you, or you would prefer not to travel with a group, then we can also run this tour privately for you. Please contact us for more information and prices.
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As part of our Safer Encounters scheme, during the Coronavirus pandemic, maximum group sizes are reduced to 8 people.
Similar tours:
The following tours also either run alongside this tour or follow a similar or extended itinerary:
This tour is also available for booking privately for travel anytime through the year, and we can also customise the itinerary to fit your personal requirements. Please contact us for details and prices.
The hotels and accommodations listed below are the ones we most often on this tour. From time to time we may exchange these for similar properties at the same level. In general, specific hotels cannot be guaranteed on our group tours, but you may select your preferred options if you are booking a tailor-made trip.
Port Bosphorus Hotel
Istanbul
This large hotel is found in the Istanbul city centre, near Karakoy and the Galata Tower. It has 111 rooms of different types, some with river views and some family-friendly.
MD Barbaros Hotel
Canakkale
MD Barbaros Hotel is located in the Turkish city of Canakkale, in a central location close to several attractions. It has 64 fully-equipped, air-conditioned rooms, as well as a range of modern facilities.
Ilayda Avantgarde Hotel
Kusadasi
This 4-star hotel is found in the centre of Kusadasi, directly across from the main beach promenade. It offers views of the Aegean Sea from its roof terrace and some of the rooms. It also features a rooftop pool and bar, conference rooms.
Adempira Hotel
Pamukkale
The Adempira Thermal Hotel is equipped with a restaurant, bar, lounge, gardens and a lovely pool, just 4 miles from the tourist site of Pamukkale.
Gamirasu Cave Hotel
Urgup
This quaint hotel is built into one of the famous rock formations of Cappadocia. The suites are fully furnished, each with a unique design. The hotel is situated within a walking distance of the city centre.
Our tours are designed to include all that you need to enjoy a really special time in the destination youre visiting. However, we do also offer some extra options to complement the tour and add some additional sightseeing or activities, or some extra time at either end of the tour.
All accommodation based options (e.g. Single supplements, extra nights, cruise upgrades) should be booked and paid for in advance so that we can make the appropriate arrangements. Other options may either be booked and paid for in advance or while you are on the tour, though we recommend booking in advance to ensure there are no issues with availability.
Many options are priced the same throughout the year, but some may incur single or high season supplements - full details are given on the tour reservation form or on request.
The detailed Tour Notes below have been written to give you some more detailed information about how the tour runs, what to expect, and how to prepare for your holiday. We recommend downloading an up to date copy of these shortly before you travel in case of any changes.
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