Fall in love with Turkey on this 11-day guided tour. See the turquoise travertine pools in Pamukkale where ancient Romans used to soak — then dip into the spa at your hotel to indulge in its Turkish baths. Take a tour of a traditional cave house in Cappadocia with the local who lives there, then dine as you watch whirling dervishes dance nearby. Travel to Istanbul, where you’ll see the infamous Blue Mosque before bargaining at the eclectic Grand Bazaar, which boasts more than 4,000 shops.
Includes
11 Day Insight Vacations Guided Holiday
10 Nights in stylish, hand picked hotel accommodation
Authentic dining inclusive of 10 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 7 Dinners
Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxury, air-conditioned coach
An expert Insight Travel Director
From time to time, your Travel Director will enchant you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination
Baggage handling everywhere, we include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels
Hotel and restaurant tips are included
Personal radio headsets, gives you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights without missing any of your local expert's fascinating insights and commentaries
Additional experiences during your free time that can be purchased at an additional cost
Top Rated Highlights
Visit Anzac Cove in Gallipoli
Izmir Orientation
Ephesus City Tour
Visit the Trojan Horse in Troy
Ephesus Archaeological Museum Visit
See the Travertine Pools at Pamukkale and much more!
Unique Insight Experiences
Cappadocia Cave House Visit: Join a Cappadocian local, who has lived in the city for decades and take a tour of their cave house to learn more about their unique way of life.
Excludes
Flights
Transfers not mentioned
Visas
Travel Insurance
Items of a personal nature
Extras
On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised.
Additional experiences that have been curated by your Travel Director from their own in-depth local knowledge can be signed up for on tour at an additional cost.
Airport Transfers: If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
Smaller coaches without extra legroom or onboard washroom may be used.
Please note some departures are not definite departures.
Highlights
10 Nights in stylish hotel accommodation
19 Meals
Unique Insight Experiences
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Istanbul
Welcome to Turkey. You’ll start in vibrant Istanbul, where a representative will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Located in the heart of the city, you’ll be close to Taksim Square, which is famous for its Republic Monument, dining and shopping options.
Welcome Meeting: Meet your Travel Director at 18:30
Accommodation: Grand Wyndham Levent
Included Meals: Dinner with Wine
Day 2: Gallipoli, Anzac Cove and Troy
Marvel at breathtaking coastal views as you make your way along the shores of the Sea of Marmara to historic Gallipoli. Located in the southern part of East Thrace, it was here that for nine months during the Great War, Anzac troops fought in an in an attempt to gain control of the Dardanelles Strait. Learn more about these events as you visit Anzac Cove and Lone Pine Cemetery. Later, join your group as you head from Eceabat across the sea to Çanakkale before arriving to the historic city of Troy, the focal point of the Trojan War and the backdrop to one of history’s most famous love stories, that of Paris and Helen of Troy, the face that launched 1000 ships. A replica of the mighty Trojan horse, which helped the Greeks capture the city in 1200 B.C., can be seen beside the city’s walls.
Accommodation: DoubleTree by Hilton Canakkale
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Pergamon and Izmir
Continue on to Pergamon, once a powerful ancient Greek city, you’ll find the Asklepion temple here. A famous shrine and healing centre, it was built in honour of Asklepios, the god of medicine. After some time exploring, continue your journey to the coastal resort of Kusadasi. Accommodation: Charisma De Luxe Hotel Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Accommodation: Charisma De Luxe Hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 4: Ephesus - Kusadasi
Start your morning with a trip to the nearby town of Selçuk. Home to the House of the Virgin Mary and the Temple of Artemis, you’ll begin with an educational visit to the Archaeological Museum. Once here, delve into the area’s history as you explore the museum’s exhibits, many of which have been retrieved from the nearby Ephesus excavation site. Later, explore the famous site itself. Walk through the colonnaded Arcadian Way, see the Library of Celsus and the huge Amphitheatre, before visiting the House of the Virgin Mary, situated above the Ephesus ruins.
Accommodation: Charisma De Luxe Hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5: The Pools of Pamukkale
This morning, following the winding Maender River Valley, with its twists and turns, head to a local organic farm. Once here, you’ll meet the agricultural director who will take you on a walking tour of the eco-friendly lands. You’ll have the satisfying task of picking fruits and vegetables from his fields. Delight in a mouth-watering Farm-to-Table lunch, prepared with fresh produce from the farm.
Continue to Pamukkale. Famous for its mineral-rich thermal waters and chalk-white limestone terraces, explore the area with your Travel Director. See the ruins of the ancient Roman spa city of Hierapolis, founded in 190 B.C. You’ll see the city’s well-preserved theatre and its turquoise travertine pools. Later, head back to your hotel, the esteemed Doğa Thermal Health & Spa. Take full advantage of its indoor and outdoor thermal pools, steam room and its Turkish bath complex.
Accommodation: Doğa Thermal Health & Spa
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner with Wine
Day 6: The Underground City and Cappadocia
Today your journey takes you to Urgup, a historic town in the heart of Cappadocia. Visit the 13th-century Sultanhani Caravanserai before exploring the underground city of Saratli. You will recognise this famous area from the striking golden, volcanic landscapes that surround it.
Accommodation: DoubleTree by Hilton Avanos
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 7: The Cappadocia Experience
Move on to Göreme, a striking town in the Cappadocia region of Turkey. Explore its rock-hewn churches decorated with ancient wall paintings before moving on to the Pasabag Valley. Located on the road to Zelve, you’ll find otherworldly earth pillars here, ‘fairy chimneys’ and troglodyte dwellings. Later, join a Cappadocian local who has lived in the city for decades and take a tour of their cave house. You’ll learn more about their unique way of living, local traditions and family life. Complementing the day’s events, this evening you'll witness a performance of the Whirling Dervishes before dining at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: DoubleTree by Hilton Avanos
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 8: Ankara
One for art lovers, this morning, you’ll learn about the art of pottery making in Avanos. A town based in Cappadocia, it is famous for its earthenware pottery. Continue your journey to Ankara, where you’ll visit the Hittite Museum and Anit Kabir, the Mausoleum of Atatürk, Turkey's greatest modern leader and the first President of the Republic of Turkey. Perhaps relax in the spa and wellness centre at your hotel this evening.
Accommodation: Ankara HiltonSA
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: To Istanbul
It’s time to head to Istanbul. A glorious fusion of east and west, this popular city offers something for everyone, with history, culture, modernity, delicious cuisine and of course, the friendliest of faces. Board a cruise along the Bosphorus. As you make your way from Eminönü to the Black Sea, witness the area’s beautiful Ottoman palaces and fortresses lining the waterfront. Your evening is at leisure, why not ask your Travel Director for suggestions on places to dine.
Accommodation: Grand Hyatt Istanbul
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 10: Istanbul & the Ottoman Empire
Today you’ll take in the sites of Istanbul. In the morning, visit the historic Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome, where Roman chariot races were held, before exploring Hagia Sophia. Built in A.D. 537, it is famous for its domed roof. Visit the Topkapi Palace, perched above the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn, the primary inlet of the waterway. Enjoy the excitement of bargaining in the bustling Grand Bazaar. In the evening, join your fellow travellers for a Celebration Dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Grand Hyatt Istanbul
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 11: Farewell Istanbul
It’s time to say goodbye to your new friends, as your trip comes to an end. A transfer will take you to the airport for your onward flights, or for those extending their stay in Istanbul, speak to your Travel Director for tips and tricks on where to head.
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, availability is correct at time of loading and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Visas may be necessary and insurance is essential. Pentravel and Tour Operator terms and conditions apply, and may be found on our website.
Package excludes extra nights’ accommodation, optional extensions, airfares, taxes and fees, flight supplements, surcharges and airport transfers. You can do optional free-time add-on experiences in your free time and pay for them as you travel (additional costs apply).
Full payment due 120 days prior to departure or at time of booking if booked within 120 days of departure; whichever comes first. Prices are in ZAR, are per person, land only, based on double occupancy and are subject to availability. R3000 per person deposit required at time of booking to hold space; some trips require payment in full at time of booking. If you need to cancel your booking after deposit, we'll give you a Future Travel Credit to use when you rebook with us. High season supplements and block out dates may apply. Supplier and tour operator is not responsible for technical or system errors that may interfere with or otherwise prohibit the use of promotion or sale. Other conditions may apply.
Tour operator reserves the right to withdraw promotional offers and adjust savings anytime without notice. At time of loading this may not be a definite departure, please contact a travel consultant for more info. Other conditions may apply. These packages are based on CASH price. E&OE;.
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