11 daysTurkey
Fall in love with Turkey on this 11-day guided tour. See Ephesus, an ancient city founded in the 10th century BC, home to an amphitheater that once sat 24,000 people. Drive through the Maeander River Valley to an organic farm, where you can walk the lush lands, then feast on fresh produce during a mouth-watering lunch. See the turquoise travertine pools in Pamukkale where ancient Romans used to soak — then dip into the spa at your hotel to indulge in its Turkish baths. Take a tour of a traditional cave house in Cappadocia with the local who lives there, then dine as you watch whirling dervishes dance nearby. In Ankara, visit the Mausoleum of Atatürk, the final resting place of the country’s first president. Travel to Istanbul, where you’ll see the infamous Blue Mosque before bargaining at the eclectic Grand Bazaar, which boasts more than 4,000 shops.
Arrive in Istanbul, the only major city set across two continents, shaped by the Bosphorus and a skyline of domes and minarets. You’ll transfer to Canopy by Hilton Istanbul, in the Beyoğlu district, and have time to settle in. If time allows, head out for a first look at the city’s waterfront life, watching ferries cross the strait and taking in views towards the historic peninsula. This evening, meet your Travel Director and your small group for dinner in a local restaurant and begin getting to know the travelers you’ll be exploring with.
Marvel at breathtaking coastal views as you make your way along the shores of the Sea of Marmara to historic Gallipoli. Located in the southern part of East Thrace, it was here that for nine months during the Great War, Anzac troops fought in an in an attempt to gain control of the Dardanelles Strait. Learn more about these events as you visit Anzac Cove and Lone Pine Cemetery. Later, join your group as you head from Eceabat across the sea to Çanakkale before arriving in the historic city of Troy, the focal point of the Trojan War and the backdrop to one of history’s most famous love stories, that of Paris and Helen of Troy, the face that launched 1000 ships. A replica of the mighty Trojan horse, which helped the Greeks capture the city in 1200 B.C., can be seen beside the city’s walls.
Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at Copmadam, a women's co-op turning recycled materials into unique items, and addressing women's employment issues. After some time exploring, continue your journey to Izmir, where you will stop for a Farm-to-Table lunch at Nif Bağları, a family-owned wine producer. Explore the four acres of crop fields, nestled amidst picturesque surroundings before continuing your journey to the coastal resort of Izmir.
Start your morning with a trip to the nearby town of Selçuk. Home to the House of the Virgin Mary and the Temple of Artemis, it offers an illuminating introduction to the region at the Archaeological Museum, where exhibits retrieved from nearby Ephesus reveal the city’s ancient past. A carpet-weaving demonstration brings Anatolia’s living craft traditions into focus, with symbolic motifs, natural dyes and hand-knotting revealing skills passed through generations. Then explore Ephesus itself, walking the colonnaded Arcadian Way, seeing the Library of Celsus and the vast Amphitheater before visiting the House of the Virgin Mary, situated above the ruins.
Head to Pamukkale, famous for its mineral-rich thermal waters and chalk-white limestone terraces, and explore the area with your Travel Director. Discover Anatolia’s leather-making heritage, historically linked to the Ahi guilds of medieval craftspeople and traders associated with 13th-century leatherworker Ahi Evran. Continue to the ancient Roman spa city of Hierapolis, founded in 190 B.C., to see its well-preserved theater and turquoise travertine pools. Later, head to your hotel, the esteemed Doğa Thermal Health & Spa, where indoor and outdoor thermal pools, a steam room and Turkish bath complex invite you to unwind.
Today your journey takes you to Urgup, a historic town in the heart of Cappadocia. Visit the 13th-century Sultanhani Caravanserai before exploring the underground city of Saratli. You will recognize this famous area from the striking golden, volcanic landscapes that surround it.
Move on to Göreme, a striking town in the Cappadocia region of Turkey. Early risers may choose an Optional Experience to watch the sunrise as hot air balloons lift off and drift above the valleys. Explore Göreme’s rock-hewn churches decorated with ancient wall paintings before moving on to the Paşabağ Valley. Located on the road to Zelve, you’ll find otherworldly earth pillars here, ‘fairy chimneys’ and troglodyte dwellings. Later, join a Cappadocian local who has lived in the city for decades and take a tour of their cave house. You’ll learn more about their unique way of living, local traditions and family life. Complementing the day’s events, this evening you'll witness a performance of the Whirling Dervishes before dining at a local restaurant.
One for art lovers, this morning, you’ll learn about the art of pottery making in Avanos. A town based in Cappadocia, it is famous for its earthenware pottery. Continue your journey to Ankara, where you’ll visit the Hittite Museum and the Mausoleum of Atatürk, Turkey's greatest modern leader and the first President of the Republic of Turkey. Perhaps relax in the spa and wellness center at your hotel this evening.
It’s time to head to Istanbul, a glorious fusion of East and West where Byzantine splendor meets Ottoman elegance and contemporary energy. This afternoon, set out on a traditional cruise along the Bosphorus, the storied strait that links the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara and divides Europe from Asia. Glide past waterside yalıs, domed mosques and palace façades of Istanbul’s skyline. Your evening is at leisure.
Take in the sights of Istanbul, beginning with the historic Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome, once the heart of imperial Constantinople where chariot races drew roaring crowds. Explore Hagia Sophia with Insight Choice. Choose between the Hagia Sophia History Digital Experience for an immersive journey through the landmark’s layered past or alternatively, visit Hagia Sophia, built in A.D. 537 and famed for its vast dome. Continue to Topkapi Palace, dramatically poised above the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn, then step into the Grand Bazaar, a labyrinth of lanes where centuries-old trading traditions live on in glittering textiles, ceramics and spices. In the evening, join your fellow travelers for dinner at a local restaurant.
It’s time to say goodbye to your new friends, as your trip comes to an end. A transfer will take you to the airport for your onward flights, or for those extending their stay in Istanbul, speak to your Travel Director for tips and tricks on where to head.
Istanbul, Turkey
3 nights
Stay at Canopy by Hilton Istanbul, your hotel in Beyoğlu near Taksim Square and Istiklal Avenue. Housed in a restored building first constructed in 1830 as the Mkhitaryan Armenian School, the hotel also includes a wine bar set within a 150-year-old cistern.
Hotel Restaurant, Gym, Room Service, Concierge
Room Wi-Fi
1 night
The modern Kolin Hotel is located near the city centre and is right on the shores of the Dardanelles Straits, facing Gallipoli Peninsula.
Hotel Restaurant, Bar, Business Centre, Room Service, Pool, Gym, Spa, Foreign Currency Exchange, 24-hour Front Desk
Room Safe, TV, Wi-Fi
Izmir, Turkey
2 nights
The Swissotel Büyük Efes, the best hotel of Izmir, is centrally located and it is only minutes away from the promenade running along the Gulf of Izmir, offering spacious, comfortable rooms and luxury facilities.
Hotel Restaurant, Bar, Concierge, Room Service, Laundry, Gym, Pool, Spa, 24-hour Front Desk
Room Air Conditioning, Safe, TV, Wi-Fi
Pamukkale, Turkey
1 night
A hotel which is only a few minutes drive away from the chalk-white limestone terraces and from Hierapolis archeological site. Its mineral-rich thermal waters make your stay an incredible one.
Hotel Restaurant, Bar, Foreign Currency Exchange, Room Service, Spa, Gym, Pool
Room Air Conditioning, Safe, TV, Wi-Fi
Istanbul, Turkey
2 nights
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Avanos is the perfectly located hotel for travellers to experience the culture and heritage of the local area, including two UNESCO World Heritage sites and countless natural wonders. Plunge into the indoor or outdoor pool or indulge in a traditional Turkish bath at the hotel's spa.
Hotel Restaurant, Bar, Concierge, Room Service, Gym, Pool, Spa, Foreign Currency Exchange, 24-hour Front Desk
Room Air Conditioning, Safe, TV, Tea & coffee facilities, Wi-Fi
Ankara, Turkey
1 night
This most popular centrally located hotel of Turkey’s capital is within walking distance to some of the city's most popular restaurants, bars, cafes, shopping centres and embassies. Its rooms have panoramic views of Ankara and all offer all kinds of comfort a modern hotel should have.
Hotel Restaurant, Bar, Concierge, Pool, Gym, Spa, Foreign Currency Exchange, 24-hour Front Desk
Room Air Conditioning, Safe, TV, Wi-Fi
Izmir Traditional Flavors Experience
Paid on tour
Turkish Folklore Show
Paid on tour
Sunrise Balloon Watching in Cappadocia
Paid on tour
Sema Performance of Whirling Dervishes
Paid on tour
Per person, twin share
