Pentravel
Pentravel

Best of Turkey with Trafalgar

Pentravel
14 days
12 May 24 to 05 Apr 25
Book by 31 May 24
Discover the best of what Turkey has to offer on this magical 14-day Turkey Tour of Istanbul, Gallipoli, Pamukkale, and Cappadocia. Journey the Taurus Mountains for lunch, relax on the shores of the Turkish Riviera and much more.

Includes

  • 14 Day Trafalgar Guided Holiday
  • 13 Nights in cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
  • 13 Breakfasts, 1 lunch & 10 dinners
  • Ferry across the Dardanelles from Eceabat to Canakkale
  • Transport by luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
  • All porterage and restaurant gratuities
  • All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
  • Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
  • Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
  • Optional Experiences at an additional cost during your free time
  • Sightseeing Highlights
  • Visit 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 Centre 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 Civilisation at Ankara and much more!

Excludes

  • Flights not mentioned
  • 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
  • Optional Experiences available at an additional cost
  • Not all departure dates are definite at time of loading, please enquire with one of our agents

Highlights

  • 13 Nights in cherry-picked hotels
  • 24 Meals
  • Must-see sightseeing

Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Istanbul

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. Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Istanbul - Old City Included Meals: Dinner

Day 2: Discover Colourful Istanbul

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. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at the museum of Classical Turkish Music, preserving this traditional art. Come across the genius of Turkey’s greatest composer, Dede Efendi, during a private concert by students of the Music Conservancy. Spend your afternoon haggling with passionate market vendors lining its labyrinthine lanes. Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Istanbul - Old City Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 3: Journey to Gallipoli and Çanakkale

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. Accommodation: Kolin Hotel Çanakkale Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4: Off to Troy, Pergamon and Izmir

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. Accommodation: Mövenpick Izmir Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Explore the Ruins of Ephesus

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. 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. Accommodation: Mövenpick Izmir Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 6: Onwards to Pamukkale

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. Accommodation:Spa Hotel Colossae Thermal Pamukkale Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7: Venture to Hierapolis and Antalya

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. Accommodation: The Marmara Antalya Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Enjoy Ancient Perge

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. Accommodation: The Marmara Antalya Included Meals:Breakfast

Day 9: On the Road to Aspendos and Konya

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. Accommodation: Dedeman Konya Hotel Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10: Continue to Cappadocia

See a well-preserved 13th-century caravanserai, at which weary travellers used to rest. 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. Tonight's stay is in one of Trafalgar's Stays With Stories hewn out the surrounding rock and houses. Accommodation: Exedra Hotel Cappadocia Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 11: A Day to Explore Spectacular Göreme

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 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. Accommodation: Exedra Hotel Cappadocia Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 12: Onwards to Ankara

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. Accommodation: Grand Mercure Ankara Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 13: Return to Istanbul

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. Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Istanbul - Old City Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 14: Farewell Istanbul

Our epic journey into antiquity has come to an end as we bid Istanbul and newfound friends a fond farewell. 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 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). Trafalgar 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. Please note: at time of loading this is not a definite departure, please contact one of our travel consultants for more info. These packages are based on CASH price. E&OE;.

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R52,900
per person sharing
Details
Valid on 13 Oct 2024
Stay
14 days
Dates
12 May 24 to 05 Apr 25
Book by
31 May 24
Experience ID
328
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