Pentravel
Pentravel

Highlights of Turkey Tour with Trafalgar

Pentravel
10 days
28 Mar 25 to 25 May 25
Book by 31 Oct 24
Travel along the age-old trading routes that linked East and West, where the Highlights of Turkey are revealed. Haggle in Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar, daydream through the fairy-tale landscapes of Cappadocia and walk in the footsteps of the ancient Greeks in Ephesus.

Includes

  • 10 Day Trafalgar Guided Holiday
  • 9 Nights in cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
  • 9 Breakfasts, 1 lunch & 7 dinners
  • Ferry across the Dardanelles from Eceabat to Canakkale
  • Flight from Cappadocia to Istanbul
  • 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, Byzantine Hippodrome and Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Anzac Cove and the poignant War Cemeteries at Gallipoli, the Asclepion Medical Centre at Pergamon, the ancient city of Ephesus, the Virgin Mary's House at Ephesus, the ruins of the Roman health spa at Hierapolis and the Göreme Open-Air Museum.
  • 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

  • 9 Nights in cherry-picked hotels
  • 17 Meals
  • Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras

Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Istanbul

Meet at the crossroads of East and West – the effervescent capital of Istanbul launches your journey of discovery through centuries of turmoil and triumph. Spend the day exploring after being transferred to your hotel. Later, you’ll meet your Travel Director and travel companions for a memorable Light Meal. Accommodation: Radisson Blu Hotel Istabul Sisli Included Meals: Dinner

Day 2: Discover Colourful Istanbul

Delve into the treasures of the Ottoman Empire, strolling through the exquisite Topkapi Palace with its spellbinding views of the Bosphorus. We explore Hagia Sophia, once one of the greatest churches in all of Christendom, before following in the footsteps of the faithful to see the Blue Mosque – its six minarets and beautiful blue Iznik tiles are a sight to behold. 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. Dive Into Culture as you haggle for souvenirs at Istanbul's Grand Bazaar, one of the largest covered markets in the world with 60 streets and over 5,000 shops. Later, we visit the Byzantine Hippodrome to see where thundering chariots once raced to victory. The rest of the day is yours to explore the city. Accommodation: Radisson Blu Hotel Istabul Sisli Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 3: Journey to Gallipoli and Çanakkale

We remember the heroism of the many thousands of men who fought bravely at Gallipoli. We'll see Lone Pine Cemetery and the battlefields that today still hold special significance for the Turkish, Australian and New Zealand nations. Spend a quiet moment commemorating the lives lost at Anzac Cove and Chunuk Bair, where some of the fiercest fighting took place during World War I. This evening we stay in Çanakkale where tonight we’ll dine in our hotel. Accommodation: Kolin Hotel Çanakkale Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4: Off to Troy, Pergamon and Izmir

Visit a land of Trojan legends, an ancient city immortalised by Homer in the stories of King Priamus, Hector, Paris and the beautiful Helen. We admire the archaeological excavations at Troy revealing nine separate periods of settlement and the symbolic replica wooden Trojan horse commemorating the epic war machine constructed by the Greeks to end a lengthy siege. We continue to the ancient kingdom of Pergamon to visit the Asclepion Medical Centre whose staff of entwined snakes remains a symbol of modern medicine today. This afternoon, we Connect With Locals over lunch in the village of Demircidere at a Be My Guest experience. We travel to the broad boulevards of seaside Izmir later, and dine in our hotel this evening. Accommodation: Mövenpick Izmir Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Admire the Ruins of Ephesus and on to Pamukkale

Journey into antiquity and explore the ruins of the ancient Greek city of Ephesus admiring the well-preserved façade of the Library of Celsus and its famous Temple of Artemis. We visit the House of the Virgin Mary, the Temple of Hadrian guarded by Medusa's head, and the Great Theatre, built by the Romans in the 2nd-century and still in use today. You’ll learn about the intricate heritage and art of carpet weaving during a visit to a Turkish carpet emporium. Relax and enjoy the blissful thermal pools at your hotel in Pamukkale. Accommodation: Spa Hotel Colossae Thermal Pamukkale Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6: Onwards to Hierapolis and Konya

This morning we enjoy a leisurely visit to the ancient ruins of the Holy City of Hierapolis, imagining ancient patrons seeking revival and rest within their limestone-laden thermal springs. Visit the Mevlana Museum and Mausoleum in Konya, a former dervish lodge of the Mevlevi order, which reveals the origins of Sufism. Our last stop today is Konya where tonight we dine in our hotel. Accommodation: Dedeman Konya Hotel Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7: Continue to Cappadocia

Continue your journey to Cappadocia, you'll see a 13th-century caravanserai and underground city of Saratli on the ancient Silk Road. Then Dive Into Culture to learn about the art of pottery making in Avanos. Later, consider joining an Optional Experience to watch the Whirling Dervishes then enjoy a Regional Meal at a local restaurant. Tonight we stay in one of Trafalgar's Stays With Stories hewn out of the surrounding rock and houses. Accommodation: Exedra Hotel Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 8: A Day to Explore Spectacular Göreme

The whimsical landscapes of Cappadocia take centre stage today as you embark on a full-day excursion that will see you visit the Göreme Open-Air Museum, the Paşabağı and Kizil Vadi valleys. Join your fellow travellers for an included dinner this evening. Tonight, enjoy a relaxing evening in one of Trafalgar's Stay's With Stories build out of the surrounding rocks. Accommodation: Exedra Hotel Included Meals:Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9: Return to Istanbul

Take a short flight this morning to Istanbul, where the rest of the day is yours to explore the city your way. Enjoy a sensory explosion at the vibrant Spice Market, take a stroll through the historic Sultanahmet or find a quiet rooftop café and admire Istanbul’s iconic skyline. You could choose instead to join an optional cruise and sail the waters of the Bosphorus which separate Asia and Europe. Tonight, join your Travel Director and fellow companions for a Farewell Dinner. Accommodation: Radisson Blu Hotel Istabul Sisli Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10: Farewell Istanbul

We say a fond farewell to Turkey and newfound friends as we prepare to depart to the airport for our flight home. 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). 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. Other conditions may apply. Advertised price is based on 2 May 2025 departure. At time of loading this may not be a definite departure. These packages are based on CASH price. E&OE;.

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R46,880
per person sharing
Details
Valid on 2 May 2025
Stay
10 days
Dates
28 Mar 25 to 25 May 25
Book by
31 October 24
Experience ID
178
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