Pentravel
Pentravel

Wonders of Turkey with Insight Vacations

Pentravel
11 days
27 Feb 25 to 30 Mar 25
Book by 31 Oct 24
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, 1 dinner & 6 dinners with Wine
  • 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.
  • Make Travel Matter Experiences
  • Visit the Copmadam Workshop in Ayvalik: Visit the vibrant Copmadam workshop which produces one-of-a-kind items made from recycled packaging, creating employment opportunities for local women.

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
  • 18 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

Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at Copmadam, a women's co-op turning recycled materials into unique items, and addressing women's employment issues. 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

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 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). Insight Vacations 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 20 March 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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R44,200
per person sharing
Details
Valid on 20 Mar 2025
Stay
11 days
Dates
27 Feb 25 to 30 Mar 25
Book by
31 October 24
Experience ID
188
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