Best of Turkey
Best of Turkey
$3150
Best of Turkey
14 Days Starting and ending in Istanbul
Visiting: Istanbul, Çanakkale, Izmir, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Antalya, Konya, Cappadocia, Göreme, Ankara, İstanbul
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TBOTZN19
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
0 - 54
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on the "Best of Turkey" tour, a captivating journey through the heart of Turkey, blending its rich history, vibrant culture, and breathtaking landscapes. From the bustling streets of Istanbul, where you'll explore iconic sites with a Local Specialist, including the Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, and the Grand Bazaar, to the ancient ruins of Troy and the ethereal beauty of the Cotton Castle Springs in Pamukkale, this tour promises an unforgettable adventure. Pay homage at Anzac Cove, marvel at the archaeological wonders in Ephesus and Antalya, and immerse yourself in the spiritual home of the Whirling Dervishes in Konya. With luxury air-conditioned coach travel, cherry-picked hotels, and a host of included meals and sightseeing experiences, you'll dive deep into the heart of Turkish culture and history. This journey is not just a holiday; it's a deep dive into the soul of Turkey, leaving you with memories to last a lifetime.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To Istanbul
Location: Istanbul
Accommodation Name: Arts Hotel Taksim
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 travelers for a memorable Light Meal to kick off your epic adventure.
Day 2 : Discover Colorful Istanbul
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: Iris Hotel & Spa Çanakkale
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 seaside 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. See 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: Spa Hotel Colossae Thermal Pamukkale
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
Location: Antalya
Accommodation: Marmara Antalya
Accommodation Name: Oz Hotels
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: Oz Hotels
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 Konya Hotel
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
Location: Cappadocia
Accommodation: Dilek Kaya
Accommodation Name: Exedra Hotel Cappadocia
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 affort to preserve traditional farming and revive the local economy. This evening, indulge in the flavours of traditional pottery kebabs during a Regional Dinner at a local restaurant, before retiring to your hotel with beautiful views of the surrounding fairy chimneys.  Tonight we stay in one of Trafalgar's Stays With Stories located alongside the ancient Ortahisar rock castle.
Day 11 : A Day To Explore Spectacular Göreme
Location: Göreme
Accommodation: Dilek Kaya
Accommodation Name: Exedra Hotel Cappadocia
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
The other-worldly landscapes of Cappadocia take center 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 Dive Into Culture to learn about the art of pottery making in Avanos. This evening, indulge in the flavors 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: İstanbul
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 Farewell Dinner.
Day 14: Farewell Istanbul
Location: İstanbul
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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Travel Director
An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
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Meals
Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
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Sightseeing
Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
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Audio Headsets
Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
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Hotel Charges
All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
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Porterage and Restaurant Gratuities
All porterage and restaurant gratuities
What's Not Included
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Flights
International flights and airport transfers are not included
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Optional Experiences
Optional experiences and free time activities are not included
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. Varied hotel stays include the Exedra Hotel Cappadocia, known for its unique architecture and rooms hewn out of the surrounding rock.
Check out our Q&As
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What are the highlights of the Best of Turkey tour?
The highlights of the Best of Turkey tour include exploring Istanbul with a Local Specialist, visiting the Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Hippodrome, and Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Anzac Cove and the War Cemeteries at Gallipoli, the ancient ruins of Troy, the Asclepion Medical Center at Pergamon, the ancient city at Ephesus, the Cotton Castle Springs in Pamukkale, the Archaeological Museum in Antalya, the home of the Whirling Dervishes at Konya, the underground city of Saratli, Göreme Open Air Museum, and the Museum of Anatolian Civilization at Ankara. Additionally, you will view the Wooden Horse at Troy.
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What countries are visited in the Best of Turkey tour?
The Best of Turkey tour visits Turkey.
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What are the exclusions of the Best of Turkey tour?
The exclusions of the Best of Turkey tour are international flights and airport transfers, and optional experiences and free time activities.
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What are the inclusions of the Best of Turkey tour?
The inclusions of the Best of Turkey tour are an expert Travel Director and professional Driver, breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals, must-see sightseeing and surprise extras, audio headsets for flexible sightseeing, all hotel tips, charges and local taxes, and all porterage and restaurant gratuities.
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What meals are included in the Best of Turkey tour?
The Best of Turkey tour includes breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals.
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What type of accommodation is included in the Best of Turkey tour?
The Best of Turkey tour includes cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted. Varied hotel stays include the Exedra Hotel Cappadocia, known for its unique architecture and rooms hewn out of the surrounding rock.
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What type of transportation is provided on the Best of Turkey tour?
The Best of Turkey tour provides luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys), and a ferry across the Dardanelles from Eceabat to Canakkale.
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Are flights included in the Best of Turkey tour?
No, international flights and airport transfers are not included in the Best of Turkey tour.
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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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Low Deposit
Trafalgar requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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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.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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