Get lost in the colorful lanes of the Grand Bazaar, watch the dizzying dance of the Whirling Dervishes and descend into an underground fortress. Mother Nature and man have crafted an extraordinary land, over which empires have fought for centuries, and you’ll get to see all its wonders on this 11-day journey.
Includes
11 Day Costaver Guided Holiday
10 nights in cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
10 breakfasts & 5 dinners
Transport by luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries
Ferry across the Dardanelles from Çanakkale to Eceabat
An expert Travel Director and separate driver
Audio headsets are provided throughout your holiday to enhance your included sightseeing experiences
City orientation tours
All hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes
Extensive variety of Choice Optional Experiences at an additional cost
Included sightseeing
Sightseeing includes Hagia Sophia and the Grand Bazaar, see the Blue Mosque
Visit the ruins of the ancient city and see the Wooden Horse
See the Cotton Castle springs and the ruins of the Roman health spa of Hierapolis
Visit Pasabagi and the Red Valley and marvel at the underground city of Saratli and much more!
Excludes
Flights
Arrival/ departure transfers
Visas
Travel Insurance
Spending money and items of a personal nature
Extras
On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised
Choice of Optional Experiences available at an additional cost
Highlights
10 Nights in cherry-picked hotels
15 Meals
City orientation tours
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Istanbul (2 Nights)
It’s the city Napoleon said should be the capital of Earth and while it may not quite have reached that stature, Istanbul’s history as the capital of two great empires has left an enviable legacy of art, architecture and culture. Where better to begin your journey across Turkey than in its capital, the gateway to the Orient? On arrival, transfer to your hotel and explore the city your way before meeting your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a glimpse into what lies ahead.
Hotel - Aspen Hotel Istanbul
Day 2: Istanbul Sightseeing & Free time
Discover how centuries of Ottoman rule shaped the city's heritage as the meeting point between East and West when you join your Local Specialist this morning for a guided sightseeing tour, including a visit to Hagia Sophia, once the leading church in Christendom, the Hippodrome and Blue Mosque. Later, you’ll have some time to explore Istanbul your way or consider an Optional Experience to Topkapi Palace Museum, and a cruise on the Bosphorus, separating Europe and Asia.
Hotel - Aspen Hotel Istanbul
Included Meals - Breakfast
Day 3: Istanbul – Ankara (1 Night)
Ramble past the colourful displays of lanterns, pottery and fabric as you wander through one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets, the Grand Bazaar. The scents of Turkish tea will linger long after you leave Istanbul, bound for Ankara. Arriving in the Turkish capital, you’ll visit the Mausoleum of Atatürk, the founder and father of the Turkish Republic, before an evening to do as you please.
Hotel - New Park Hotel
Included Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4: Ankara – Cappadocia (2 Nights)
The hometown of the Hittites is under the spotlight this morning. Visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations, then continue to the whimsical landscapes of Cappadocia and visit the underground city of Saratli. This evening you could join an Optional Experience with the Whirling Dervishes, watching them whirl around and around in remembrance of God.
Hotel - Ramada by Wyndham Cappadocia
Included Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5: Cappadocia Sightseeing & Free time
Cappadocia's fairy-tale chimneys take centre stage this morning as you journey to Pasabagi and Red Valley. Visit a regional rug production centre then enjoy an afternoon on your own amidst the fantasy landscapes left by Mother Nature in the ochre rock. An Optional Experience in Göreme reveals how Christians once worshipped in the many rock churches that remain to this day. This evening, dinner is served at your hotel.
Hotel: Ramada by Wyndham Cappadocia
Included Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6: Cappadocia – Konya – Pamukkale (1 Night)
First up is the ancient city of Konya, the final resting place of the Sufi philosopher Mevlana whose famous mausoleum you will visit before continuing to the cotton fortress of Pamukkale, home to mineral-rich thermal waters which cascade down snow-white travertine terraces.
Hotel - Richmond Pamukkale Thermal Hotel
Included Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
The ethereal white pools and terraces that cascade down surrounding cliffs are a sight to behold this morning as you see the ruins of the ancient Roman health spa of Hierapolis. Head west to the Aegean coastline, arriving in Izmir in time to spend some time exploring this pretty port town, with its lengthy promenade. Learn about its multicultural past, and its history as a Greek city. Consider joining an optional seafood dinner at a favourite local restaurant renowned for its stunning views.
Hotel - Doubletree by Hilton Izmir - Alsancak
Included Meals - Breakfast
Day 8: Izmir Free Time
Today is free for you to enjoy at leisure or our Optional Experience could see you visit Ephesus, a 2,000-year-old site and home to the iconic Library of Celsus and Hadrian’s Temple. Included in this experience is a visit to the stone cottage, where the Virgin Mary is said to have spent her final years before a lunch is a local restaurant. Afterwards visit the glass makers of Nazarkoy village discovering the regions connection with the Evil eye beads on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER ® Experience.
Hotel - Doubletree by Hilton Izmir - Alsancak
Included Meals - Breakfast
Day 9: Izmir - Pergamon - Troy - Çanakkale (1 Night
Visit the ancient kingdom of Pergamon this morning, most notably its Asclepion Medical Centre, which still bears the image of the snake-entwined staff that remains a symbol of medicine in modern times. Next on today’s agenda is a visit to Troy, an ancient city that inspired Homer’s tales about the wrath of Achilles and the siege of the same city, which was only broken through the clever construction of a wooden Trojan horse, a replica of which can still be seen today. Continue to Çanakkale later where dinner is served at your hotel this evening.
Hotel - Büyük Truva Hotel Çanakkale
Included Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10: Çanakkale - Gallipoli - Istanbul (1 Night)
A poignant start to the day sees you visit Gallipoli, where significant World War I battles were fought with heavy losses on both sides. You’ll visit Anzac Cove, Lone Pine Cemetery and Chunuk Bair paying tribute to the brave soldiers who lost their lives in this relentless conflict before returning to Istanbul. As your journey through Turkey draws to a close, there’s always time for one last Raki!
Hotel - Aspen Hotel Istanbul
Included Meals - Breakfast
Day 11: Depart Istanbul
Your whirlwind encounter with the wonders of Turkey has come to an end. You’ve stood at the crossroads of East and West, trod in the footsteps of the ancients and admired ethereal landscapes that belong in a storybook. For now it’s time to end this chapter with a heartfelt farewell to your newfound friends.
Included Meals - Breakfast
Terms & conditions
Prices are per person twin share, include discounts, and are subject to availability and rate of exchange changes. Offers above are a guide only and will vary depending on departure date, our guide price is based on the cheapest departure within the stipulated season and availability is correct at time of loading. Visas may be necessary and insurance is essential. Pentravel and Tour Operator terms and conditions apply, and can be requested. Excludes flights, transfers, visas, travel insurance and anything not mentioned. Savings are not valid on all itineraries and/or departure dates, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn/changed at any time without notice. High season supplements and block out dates may apply, pricing varies pending departure date. Package excludes flights. You can do optional free-time add-on experiences in your free time and pay for them as you travel (additional costs apply). Costsaver reserves the right to withdraw promotional offers and adjust savings anytime. All savings / discounts mentioned have already been included in the advertised price. Pentravel and Tour Operator reserves the right to withdraw or amend promotional offers at any time. Other conditions may apply. 2024 Travel Sale, book by 30 May 2024. Advertised price is based on 12 October 2024 departure. At time of loading this may not be a definite departure. These packages are based on CASH price. E&OE;.
Contact Us
