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Highlights of Turkey

10 Day Turkey Tour of Istanbul & Cappadocia | Operated by Trafalgar

  • 10 Days

  • 1 Country

    Turkey

  • 15 Cities

    Istanbul, Gallipoli, Eceabat, Çanakkale, Troy, Pergamon, Demircidere, Izmir, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Hierapolis, Konya, Cappadocia, Göreme, Saratli

  • 17 Meals

    7 Dinners, 9 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch

  • Pace: Active

    Faster paces with mix of 1–2-night stays in each location. Typically features 4+ miles of walking on some days and may involve steep hills and uneven surfaces, such as cobblestones.

Trip 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. 

Hotel: Renaissance Polat Hotel
Included Meals: Dinner
Notes
Day 2: Discover Colorful Istanbul

Delve into the treasures of the Ottoman Empire, strolling through the exquisite Topkapi Palace with its spellbinding views of the Bosphorus. Visit the Byzantine Hippodrome to see where thundering chariots once raced to victory 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. 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 e explore Hagia Sophia, once one of the greatest churches in all of Christendom. 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. The evening is yours to further explore the city.

Hotel: Renaissance Polat Hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®: Visit the house of famous classical composer Dede Efendi Visit the house of Turkey’s greatest classical composer, Dede Efendi. Recently brought back to its former architectural glory, this unique museum holds a rare collection of traditional instruments, which we experience first hand during a private concert by Music Conservancy students.   This experience advances United Nations’ Global Sustainable Goal 4: Quality Education. Our visits provide opportunities for the students to perform.   This experience also advances United Nations’ Global Sustainable Goal 11: Resilient Cities and Communities. Our visits contribute to Turkey’s cultural vibrancy in safeguarding traditional forms of music which was fast disappearing. Our visits also support the important work of TURKEV association, who researches and safeguards Turkish traditional architectures and houses. 
Dive Into Culture: Discover Istanbul's Grand Bazaar 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.
Notes
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.

Hotel: Kolin Hotel Çanakkale
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Notes
Day 4: Off to Troy, Pergamon and Izmir

Visit a land of Trojan legends, an ancient city immortalized 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 Asklepion Medical Center 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.

Hotel: Kaya Izmir Thermal & Convention
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Be My Guest: Bake Traditional Bread and Taste the Local Wine with the Most Liberated Women in the Village of Demircidere Meet the most liberated women in Turkey in the village of Demircidere, where you’ll learn how to bake traditional bread and taste the local wine at our Be My Guest lunch.
Notes
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 Theater, 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.

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

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

Hotel: Exedra Hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast
Dive Into Culture: Visit Avanos and discover the art of pottery making Learn about the art of pottery making in Avanos.
Trafalgar Difference: Stays with Stories During construction a chapel was discovered which inspired the name; In ancient Rome, it was called 'Exedra', which means the meeting and discussion place of philosophers. The rooms are individual in design at Exedra Hotel hewn out of the surrounding rock and houses. Many handcrafted and antique pieces are on display throughout the hotel adding to the unique architecture that connects the buildings.
Notes
Day 8: A Day to Explore Spectacular Göreme

The whimsical landscapes of Cappadocia take center 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 travelers for an included dinner this evening. 

Hotel: Exedra Hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Trafalgar Difference: Stays with Stories During construction a chapel was discovered which inspired the name; In ancient Rome, it was called 'Exedra', which means the meeting and discussion place of philosophers. The rooms are individual in design at Exedra Hotel hewn out of the surrounding rock and houses. Many handcrafted and antique pieces are on display throughout the hotel adding to the unique architecture that connects the buildings.
Notes
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.

Hotel: Renaissance Polat Hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Notes
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
Notes
This itinerary is for reference only. Upon booking with GET, guests will receive tour documents which will list all confirmed hotels and itineraries based upon the guest's departure date.

Price Includes

What's Included
  • - An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
  • - Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
  • - All porterage and restaurant gratuities
  • - All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
  • - Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
  • - Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
  • - Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
  • - Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
  • - Ferry across the Dardanelles from Eceabat to Canakkale
  • - Flight from Cappadocia to Istanbul
  • - Optional Experiences and free time
  • - On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.
Dining Summary
  • - 7 Dinners (D)
  • - 9 Breakfasts (B)
  • - 1 Lunch (L)
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
  • Visit the house of Turkey’s greatest classical composer, Dede Efendi. Recently brought back to its former architectural glory, this unique museum holds a rare collection of traditional instruments, which we experience first hand during a private concert by Music Conservancy students.   This experience advances United Nations’ Global Sustainable Goal 4: Quality Education. Our visits provide opportunities for the students to perform.   This experience also advances United Nations’ Global Sustainable Goal 11: Resilient Cities and Communities. Our visits contribute to Turkey’s cultural vibrancy in safeguarding traditional forms of music which was fast disappearing. Our visits also support the important work of TURKEV association, who researches and safeguards Turkish traditional architectures and houses. 
Dive Into Culture
  • 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.
  • Learn about the art of pottery making in Avanos.
Be My Guest
  • Meet the most liberated women in Turkey in the village of Demircidere, where you’ll learn how to bake traditional bread and taste the local wine at our Be My Guest lunch.
Trafalgar Difference
  • During construction a chapel was discovered which inspired the name; In ancient Rome, it was called 'Exedra', which means the meeting and discussion place of philosophers. The rooms are individual in design at Exedra Hotel hewn out of the surrounding rock and houses. Many handcrafted and antique pieces are on display throughout the hotel adding to the unique architecture that connects the buildings.
  • During construction a chapel was discovered which inspired the name; In ancient Rome, it was called 'Exedra', which means the meeting and discussion place of philosophers. The rooms are individual in design at Exedra Hotel hewn out of the surrounding rock and houses. Many handcrafted and antique pieces are on display throughout the hotel adding to the unique architecture that connects the buildings.

Optional Experiences

Optional Experiences are subject to change. Your Travel Director will supply you with a final list of Optional Experiences available on your trip. Optional Experiences cannot be booked online; they can be purchased during your trip through your Travel Director.

Performance of Whirling Dervishes Followed by Dinner at a Local Restaurant (Available on Day 7)

The 'dance' of the Whirling Dervishes is called Sema. It is part of Turkish custom, history, beliefs and culture and represents a man's spiritual journey, and will be a highlight of your trip to Turkey. Once the ceremony is over, we will head to a nearby local restaurant where you will have the chance of savoring varieties of real Turkish food, special for Cappadocia region. The performance of Whirling Dervishes is NOT a show but instead it is a mystic ceremony.

Adult Price: €62 Traditional Bosphorus Cruise (Available on Day 9)

No stay would be complete without this unforgettable cruise along the Bosphorus, the winding strait separating Europe and Asia. Along the shores you’ll see a beautiful mixture of modern hotels, ancient wooden villas, marble palaces, fortresses and small fishing villages, as you relax on board.

Adult Price: €57