Best of Turkey
Best of Turkey
$3150
Best of Turkey
14 Days Starting and ending in Istanbul, Turkey
Visiting: Istanbul, Çanakkale, Izmir, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Antalya, Konya, Cappadocia, Göreme, Ankara
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TBOTZM19
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
0 - 54
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Cultural, Gardens & Nature Tours, History, Ruins-Archaeology
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Turkey with the "Best of Turkey" tour, a cultural exploration that takes you from the vibrant streets of Istanbul to the enchanting landscapes of Cappadocia. Discover the rich history and stunning architecture of Istanbul, including the iconic Hagia Sophia and the bustling Grand Bazaar. Pay homage at the poignant battlefields of Gallipoli, explore the ancient ruins of Troy and Ephesus, and relax in the thermal pools of Pamukkale. Experience local life with a Be My Guest lunch in the Taurus Mountains and a visit to a traditional Cappadocian farm. Enjoy luxury accommodations, including a unique stay at the Exedra Hotel, and travel in comfort with a luxury air-conditioned coach. This tour offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and breathtaking scenery, ensuring a memorable adventure in Turkey.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To Istanbul
Location: Istanbul
Accommodation Name: Arts Hotel Taksim
Meals Included: Dinner
Stand at the ancient crossroads between Europe and Asia, embarking on a journey of discovery through ancient lands and the marauding empires who fought to rule it. Arriving in vibrant Istanbul, you will be transferred to your hotel before joining your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a memorable Light Meal to kick off your epic adventure.
Day 2: Discover Colourful Istanbul Dive Into Culture
Location: Istanbul
Accommodation Name: Arts Hotel Taksim
Meals Included: Breakfast
Spend your day delving into a city where modern and ancient coexist effortlessly. Gain insights into the Ottoman Empire's power during your guided tour of the Topkapi Palace and see the 4th-century Egyptian obelisk. Visit Hagia Sophia and the Hippodrome. See the exquisite Blue Mosque, said to rival even the Great Mosque in Mecca. Dive Into Culture this afternoon, with a visit to the Grand Bazaar. Spend your afternoon haggling with passionate market vendors lining its labyrinthine lanes.
Day 3: Journey To Gallipoli And Çanakkale
Location: Çanakkale
Accommodation: Iris
Accommodation Name: Kolin
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Pay tribute to the brave souls who lost their lives at Gallipoli – the national pride of two nations, the Turkish and Australians, were awakened at the site of the bloody WWI battlefields and are commemorated to this day. See Anzac Cove and the Dardanelles, and visit the cemeteries of Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair, the final resting place of many Allied soldiers. We continue to Çanakkale where we dine at our hotel tonight.
Day 4: Off To Troy, Pergamon And Izmir
Location: Izmir
Accommodation: Mövenpick
Accommodation Name: Kaya Izmir Thermal & Convention
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Explore the legends of Troy and see the symbolic replica of the famous Wooden Horse the Greeks used to break their siege of this ancient city. Visit the ancient Asclepion Medical Centre in the city of Pergamon before retiring in Izmir this evening where we'll dine at our hotel.
Day 5: Explore The Ruins Of Ephesus
Location: Ephesus
Accommodation: Mövenpick
Accommodation Name: Kaya Izmir Thermal & Convention
Meals Included: Breakfast
Stroll through the ruins of the ancient Greek city of Ephesus, past the amazingly intact façade of the Library of Celcus and down to what was once its thriving port. During your visit to a Turkish carpet emporium, learn about the rich heritage and intricate artistry of carpet weaving. Visit the House of Virgin Mary at Mt. Koressos, then spend the rest of the day at leisure. This evening you may consider joining an optional dinner at a local restaurant in Izmir and indulge in some of the local raki.
Day 6: Onwards To Pamukkale
Location: Pamukkale
Accommodation: Colossae Thermal
Accommodation Name: Colossae Thermal
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Leave the coastal city of Izmir behind as you journey inland to Pamukkale. Relax and enjoy the blissful thermal pools at your hotel before dinner.
Day 7: Venture To Hierapolis And Antalya Connect With Locals
Location: Antalya
Accommodation: Marmara Antalya
Accommodation Name: Delta Hotels by Marriott Antalya Lara
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tread in the footsteps of the ancients who sought relief and relaxation at the Roman health spa at Hierapolis, then admire the bubbling pools and delicate white cascades of water of Pamukkale's Cotton Castle Springs. Later, we travel through scenic countryside and join the Yazir community in the Taurus Mountains, where we’ll Connect With Locals and gain insights into their traditions at our Be My Guest lunch. Our stop for the next two nights is the Mediterranean retreat of Antalya. Enjoy some time on your own ambling through the winding lanes of its old city and admiring beautifully preserved Ottoman architecture. This evening, join your companions for a Regional Dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 8: Enjoy Ancient Perge
Location: Antalya
Accommodation: Marmara Antalya
Accommodation Name: Delta Hotels by Marriott Antalya Lara
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy a morning on your terms to soak up the enchanting seaside atmosphere of the Turkish Riviera, embarking on an optional yacht cruise or relaxing at the hotel pool. This afternoon, we travel to the Roman city of Perge to visit the impressive Antalya Archaeological Museum and see treasures spanning the centuries.
Day 9: On The Road To Aspendos And Konya
Location: Konya
Accommodation: Dedeman
Accommodation Name: Dedeman
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Witness the world's best-preserved theatre of antiquity during your first stop in Aspendos this morning, before continuing to Konya, where we will gain insights into the mystical Whirling Dervish sect whose remains lie in the Mevlana Museum and Mausoleum. We continue to the Karatay Tile Museum, spellbound by its exquisitely Seljuk-tiled dome, before returning to our hotel where we'll dine tonight.
Day 10: Continue To Cappadocia Stays With Stories
Location: Cappadocia
Accommodation: Dilek Kaya
Accommodation Name: Exedra Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
See a well-preserved 13th-century caravanserai, at which weary travellers used to rest. We journey to Cappadocia with its honey-coloured rocky spires providing an enchanting backdrop for our visit to the underground city of Saratli on the ancient Silk Road. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at King’s Valley eco farm. Local host Ali shares how he created an eco farm on the very spot where his grandfather’s garden once stood, in an effort to preserve traditional farming and revive the local economy. Tonight we stay in one of Trafalgar's Stays With Stories located with views of the valley and ancient Ortahisar rock castle.
Day 11: A Day To Explore Spectacular Göreme Dive Into Culture
Location: Göreme
Accommodation: Dilek Kaya
Accommodation Name: Exedra Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
The other-worldly landscapes of Cappadocia take centre stage today as we explore its volcanic landscape dotted with caves and troglodyte dwellings. We visit the Göreme Open-Air Museum to admire the extraordinary rock-hewn churches and the fairy chimneys of Paşabağ. Dive Into Culture to learn about the art of pottery making in Avanos. This evening, indulge in the flavours of traditional pottery kebabs during a Regional Dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 12: Onwards To Ankara
Location: Ankara
Accommodation: DoubleTree by Hilton
Accommodation Name: Grand Mercure Ankara
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Arriving in the youthful capital of Turkey today, we visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations and the final resting place of the country's beloved Atatürk, the first president of the modern Turkish nation. This evening we dine at our hotel in Ankara.
Day 13: Return To Istanbul
Location: Istanbul
Accommodation: Grand Hyatt
Accommodation Name: Arts Hotel Taksim
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Returning to Istanbul, we enjoy the rest of the day on our own. Delve into the depths of the Basilica Cistern, savour the intoxicating smells of the Spice Market or ascend Galata Tower for exquisite views of east and west. Consider an optional cruise navigating the waters of the Bosphorus before meeting your Travel Director and fellow companions for a memorable dinner.
Day 14: Farewell Istanbul
Location: Istanbul
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our epic journey into antiquity has come to an end as we bid Istanbul and newfound friends a fond farewell.
What's Included
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An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
The tour includes the services of an expert Travel Director and a professional Driver.
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Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
Accommodation is provided in cherry-picked hotels that are tried and trusted.
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All porterage and restaurant gratuities
Porterage and restaurant gratuities are included in the tour package.
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All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
Hotel tips, charges, and local taxes are covered in the tour package.
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Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
The tour includes daily breakfast and up to half of the evening meals.
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Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
The tour includes must-see sightseeing and surprise extras.
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Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
Audio headsets are provided for flexible sightseeing.
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Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi
Travel is provided in a luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation such as rail journeys.
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Ferry across the Dardanelles
The tour includes a ferry ride across the Dardanelles from Eceabat to Canakkale.
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Optional Experiences and free time
The tour offers optional experiences and free time for personal exploration.
What's Not Included
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International flights
Flights to and from the tour start and end points are not included.
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Travel insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended for all travelers.
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Some meals
Not all meals are covered by the tour package.
Please refer to the itinerary for details. -
Personal expenses
Expenses such as laundry, souvenirs, and additional activities are not included.
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Optional experiences
Costs for optional experiences not included in the tour itinerary are not covered.
Mode of Transport
Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys), Ferry across the Dardanelles from Eceabat to Canakkale.
Accommodation
Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted. Stays With Stories: During construction a chapel was discovered which inspired the name; In ancient Rome, it was called 'Exedra', which means the meeting and discussion place of philosophers. The rooms are individual in design at Exedra Hotel hewn out of the surrounding rock and houses. Many handcrafted and antique pieces are on display throughout the hotel adding to the unique architecture that connects the buildings.
Check out our Q&As
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What unique cultural experiences are included in the Best of Turkey tour?
The tour includes a Be My Guest lunch with the Yazir community in the Taurus Mountains, a visit to the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, and a pottery making experience in Avanos. Additionally, you will meet Ali, a local host in Cappadocia, who will share insights into traditional farming practices.
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What kind of transportation is provided during the tour?
The tour provides transportation in a luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries, and includes a ferry crossing the Dardanelles from Eceabat to Canakkale.
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What type of accommodation can I expect on this tour?
You will stay in cherry-picked hotels that are tried and trusted. One of the unique accommodations is the Exedra Hotel in Cappadocia, which features rooms carved from rock with unique designs and handcrafted antiques.
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Are there any meals included in the tour package?
Yes, the tour includes 13 breakfasts, 10 dinners, and 1 lunch. Breakfast is provided daily, and up to half of your evening meals are included.
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What are some of the historical sites visited on this tour?
The tour visits several historical sites including the Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, and the Hippodrome in Istanbul, the ancient ruins of Troy, the ancient city of Ephesus, and the underground city of Saratli.
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What is the significance of the visit to Ali's farm in Cappadocia?
The visit to Ali's farm is a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience where you learn about traditional farming practices that support sustainable production and consumption, aligning with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
The beauty of taking a guided holiday with us is that you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Vaccination against Covid-19 is not mandatory to travel with Trafalgar. However, we strongly recommend that guests are vaccinated before travelling. Please note that airlines and/or other authorities may have different requirements. It is the guest's responsibility to comply with these requirements at all times.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1947
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Trafalgar is a founding partner of the TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation established in 2008. So far, the charity has donated more than US$2 million to help underprivileged communities and support sustainable tourism around the world.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of trafalgar charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
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