DAY 1: Start of tour in Istanbul
![Start of tour in Istanbul]()
Welcome to Istanbul and the first day of this magical trip around Turkey! Arrive at the airport and take a complimentary transfer to the hotel. Get settled at the hotel and then the day is free to wander through this vibrant city. Catch a tram to the Grand Bazaar and get lost in the bustling market. In the Bazaar there are alleys for gold, leather, bowls and even tea! Want to escape the crowd? Find a rooftop terrace, enjoy the fantastic views and grab a drink while watching over the busy city. Meet your tour leader and the rest of the group this evening for an included group dinner at the hotel.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Momento Beyazıt Hotel, Istanbul
Sirkeci Mansion Hotel, Istanbul
Nidya Galataport Hotel, Istanbul
DAY 2: Istanbul City Tour
![Istanbul City Tour]()
After breakfast, join a local guide on a guided tour of Istanbul. Turkey is the only country to span over two continents! One side lies in Europe and the other in Asia. On this tour, see famous landmarks like the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya). Topkapi Palace and the Hippodrome also provide a glimpse into the past. Choose to end your day off with a night of traditional Turkish food, music and dancing!
Experiences
Istanbul guided tour: See the famous sights of Blue Mosque, Aya Sofya, Topkapi Palace and Hippodrome on a guided walking tour of Istanbul. The local guide will share the country’s stories and secrets.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Momento Beyazıt Hotel, Istanbul
Sirkeci Mansion Hotel, Istanbul
Nidya Galataport Hotel, Istanbul
Optional Excursions
- Bosphorus by Night i €75
- Bosphorus by Public Ferry i ₺(TRY)5
- Prince's Islands by Public Ferry i ₺(TRY)5
- Bosphorus Cruise i €59
- Istanbul Two Continents tour i €75
- Topkapi Palace Harem i ₺(TRY)285
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.DAY 3: Gallipoli Battlefields - Çanakkale
![Gallipoli Battlefields - Çanakkale]()
Today, visit the WWI Battlefields of Gallipoli. This haunting location is where 30,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers lost their lives but it is also where three national identities were born - Turkey, New Zealand and Australia. The tour includes visits to the Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair Memorial in ANZAC Cove and the Neck and Johnston’s Jolly Cemetery. 25 April is commemorated in Turkey each year as ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) Day. After the battlefields tour, travel onwards to Çanakkale for the night. Enjoy an included dinner this evening.
Experiences
Battlefields of Gallipoli: Visit the WWI battlefields of Gallipoli and pay homage to the soldiers that fought here over 100 years ago. See the memorials and important sights such as the Lone Pine and ANZAC Cove.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Troia Tusan Hotel, Canakkale
Iris Hotel, Canakkale
Ida Kale Resort, Canakkale
DAY 4: Troy - Pergamum - Kusadaşi
![Troy - Pergamum - Kusadaşi]()
Take a step back in time this morning and visit the city of Troy. This is the home of the famed Trojan Horse and site of the Trojan War in the 12th century! After delving into Trojan history, the tour makes its way to the magnificent Acropolis of Pergamum. Here, embark on a tour of its impressive temples and library that made Pergamum a renowned cultural and political centre in its time. Later, travel to Kuşadasi for an overnight stay and enjoy a delicious included dinner!
Experiences
Visit Troy: Travel through history on a tour of Troy. Learn about the Trojan War and the legendary Trojan Horse and see remnants of the historic cities of Troy through the ages.
Visit Pergamum: Wander through the Acropolis of Pergamum and see the magnificent temples and library which put the ancient city at the centre of culture and politics many centuries ago.
Visit Kuşadasi: Spend two evenings in the stunning resort town of Kuşadasi situated on Turkey’s western Aegean coast.
DAY 5: Ephesus - Kusadaşi
![Ephesus - Kusadaşi]()
Immerse yourself in history today with a guided tour of Ephesus and a visit to the site of the Temple of Artemis. Feel the mystical atmosphere of the ancient city and theatre. Next, move on to the former Greek village of Şirince, meaning ‘pleasant’. According to legend, it used to be called ‘Çirkince’ (‘ugly’) by freed Greek slaves so that others wouldn’t follow them there. Today’s final stop is at a carpet village. Carpet weaving has long traditions in Turkey and this afternoon you can experience the delicate craft first-hand. This evening, relax at the hotel after a busy day of exploring.
Experiences
Explore the Temple of Artemis: See how people used to live thousands of years ago. Tour the ruins of the Temple of Artemis in the ancient city of Ephesus, get a glimpse of what an ancient lifestyle entailed and learn more about the destruction and attempt to rebuild the temple.
Visit Şirince: Take in the views at this former Greek village famous for its fruit wines.
Visit a Turkish carpet village: Experience the craft of traditional Turkish carpet hand-weaving at a carpet village.
DAY 6: Pamukkale hot springs - Hierapolis - Pamukkale
![Pamukkale hot springs - Hierapolis - Pamukkale]()
Start off the morning by enjoying a display of locally handcrafted leather goods. Next, travel on to one of the highlights of this tour - Pamukkale! This town is home to magnificent white calcium terraces, known as travertines. In Roman times, the natural hot spring water that flowed down the terraces was used for their therapeutic powers. Opt to visit the nearby Cleopatra’s Pool complete with ancient columns and inviting thermal water! Or, choose to add on a hot-air balloon trip over Pamukkale for unforgettable views! Wrap up the day with a tour of the ancient city of Hierapolis with an option to take in a traditional Whirling Dervish show in the evening. Enjoy an included dinner this evening.
Experiences
Explore Pamukkale: Marvel at the magnificent travertines and thermal hot springs found at Pamukkale. ‘Pamukkale’ translates to ‘cotton castle’ - what an accurate description of this famous landmark!
Hierapolis tour: Explore the museum in the ancient city of Hierapolis which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Herakles Thermal Hotel, Pamukkale
Colossae Thermal Hotel, Pamukkale
Optional Excursions
- Hot Air Ballooning i €200
- Whirling Dervish Show i €20
- Cleopatra's Pool i ₺(TRY)32
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.DAY 7: Silk Road - Konya - Cappadocia
![Silk Road - Konya - Cappadocia]()
Today, travel along the ancient Silk Road! Visit Sultanhani Caravanserai - a caravanserai is a roadside inn where traders used to stopover and rest on their travels. Follow in the footsteps of all the traders that came before you! Look forward to another stop in Konya at the Mevlana Museum along the way. This is home to the mausoleum of the famous poet, Rumi. Don’t miss out on the optional traditional Turkish folklore evening tonight!
Experiences
Visit Sultanhani Caravanserai: Visit Sultanhani Caravanserai and imagine life as a trader on the silk road many, many years ago.
Visit Mevlana Museum: Tour the Mevlana Museum and see the mausoleum of poet Rumi.
Optional Excursions
- Traditional Turkish Folklore Evening i €30
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.DAY 8: Göreme Valley - Cappadocia
![Göreme Valley - Cappadocia]()
Marvel at the lunar landscape of Cappadocia through the Göreme Valley Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Turkey’s most famous destinations. These magnificent rock-cut churches are bound to leave you awestruck! Why not jump in a hot-air balloon and see the fairytale-like chimneys from above? Alternatively, explore the many levels of Kaymakli - an underground city in Cappadocia - or even enjoy a Turkish bath!
Experiences
Visit the Göreme Valley Open Air Museum: Witness the striking landscape and the famous rock-cut churches of Cappadocia at the Göreme Valley Open Air Museum.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Gül Konakları Hotel, Cappadocia
Elevres Stone House Hotel, Cappadocia
Ramada, Cappadocia
Optional Excursions
- Hot Air Ballooning i €270
- Turkish Bath i €25
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.DAY 9: Ankara - Istanbul
![Ankara - Istanbul]()
Leave for Ankara early this morning. Arrive and visit Anitkabir, the mausoleum of the famed President Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. In 1923, Ataturk declared Ankara as the capital city of modern Turkey. This bustling capital is famous for its performing arts with a variety of cultural sights to experience. After exploring the last stop on this Highlights of Turkey tour, head back to Istanbul for the final night of the tour and enjoy a farewell dinner with the group at the hotel.
Experiences
Visit Ankara: Explore the bustling capital of Turkey. Ankara is home to the State Opera and Ballet as well as the Presidential Symphony Orchestra. Throughout the city, you’ll find several theatre companies. It’s also home to the Anitkabir mausoleum.
DAY 10: End of tour in Istanbul
![End of tour in Istanbul]()
Enjoy a final Turkish breakfast together with the group as the tour comes to an end this morning. After an incredible 10 days on tour, it’s time to say goodbye to your new travel friends. Expat Explore hopes to welcome you onto a tour again soon!