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. 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/multi share as per itinerary, 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 may be found on our website. Offer can be removed at any time. Pricing varies pending departure date.
BLACK FRIDAY DEAL: Save 30% on select 2025 departures “Black Friday Daily Deal” or up to 15% on select 2025 departures featured as “Black Friday Deal”. Offers are valid on new bookings only made between 01 November 2024 and 05 December 2024. Doorbuster Deals must be booked and paid in full at time of booking. Black Friday Deals must book with deposit and paid in full 120 days prior to departure or at time of booking if booked within 120 days of departure. Savings valid on the land-only portion of select itineraries and departures are not valid on airfares or extra night's accommodations. Minimum number of guests required to operate departures. If guests change to another tour or date not on sale, they are responsible to pay the difference and adhere to different payment conditions; discounts are not transferrable. Savings are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Doorbuster Deals are not combinable with any other discounts or promotions including Global Tour Reward savings or referral discount or credits. Black Friday Deals may be combined with 5% Global Tour Rewards savings only; not combinable with other promotional offers, group discounts, custom group bookings or Future Travel Credit carry forward discount. Discounts are capacity controlled and can be with withdrawn without notice. Please note that websites do not reflect live capacity and in some instances sold out departures may still display for a brief period of time. Other conditions may apply.
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