Highlights of Turkey

Istanbul
Loading...
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.

Departure dates

From 09/08/2024 to 20/10/2024

What's included

Highlights.
7 Dinner (D)9 Breakfast (B)1 Lunch (L)Izmir: 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.
Istanbul: 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.
Istanbul: 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.
Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 4 and 11: Quality Education and Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Explore IstanbulView the Wooden Horse at Troy and the Blue MosqueSee the exquisite Blue MosqueCappadocia: Exedra Hotel's rooms, carved from rock, feature unique designs and display handcrafted antiques.
During construction of the hotel, a chapel was discovered, inspiring the name 'Exedra' -- a meeting place in ancient Rome.
.
An expert Travel Director and professional DriverCherry-picked hotels, all tried and trustedAll porterage and restaurant gratuitiesAll hotel tips, charges and local taxesBreakfast daily and up to half of your evening mealsMust-see sightseeing and surprise extrasAudio headsets for flexible sightseeingLuxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)Ferry across the Dardanelles from Eceabat to CanakkaleFlight from Cappadocia to IstanbulOptional Experiences and free timeOn occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised.
.

Itinerary / more information

  • Day 1 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.
  • Day 2 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(R) 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.
  • Day 3 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 ?anakkale where tonight we'll dine in our hotel.
  • Day 4 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 Asklepion 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.
  • Day 5 Journey into antiquity and explore the ruins of the ancient Greek city of Ephesus admiring the well-preserved fa?ade 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.
  • Day 6 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.
  • Day 7 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.
  • Day 8 The whimsical landscapes of Cappadocia take centre stage today as you embark on a full-day excursion that will see you visit the G?reme Open-Air Museum, the Pa?aba?? and Kizil Vadi valleys. Join your fellow travellers for an included dinner this evening.
  • Day 9 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 caf? 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.
  • Day 10 Say a fond farewell to Turkey and newfound friends as you prepare to depart to the airport for your flight home.
  • Prices quoted valid for sale until 02 August 2024 unless otherwise stated or sold out prior.
  • Price is per person and subject to availability. Accommodation (if included) is based on twin share unless otherwise stated.
  • Airfare (including internal flights) is not included unless otherwise stated and, if included, is economy class unless otherwise stated.
  • Local payments, "trip kittys" or food funds may apply and may be payable direct to the supplier on arrival or to your travel agent prior to your departure. Where applicable, these payments are included in the total price quoted.
  • Gratuities are not included unless otherwise stated.
  • Additional conditions and travel restrictions may apply. Please enquire for further details.
  • Prices shown are fully inclusive of taxes, levies and government charges current at time of publication.
  • Additional levies, government charges and other applicable fees may apply and are beyond our control.
  • Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply depending on date of travel.
  • Payments made by credit card will incur a surcharge.
  • Prices shown are for payments made by cash in store or Bpay.
  • These prices are a guide to the best price. Prices are correct as at 28 July 2024 and are subject to change without notice, due to matters outside our control, such as adverse currency fluctuations, fuel surcharges, taxes and airfare increases. Please enquire for further details.

Tell us about your travel plans

Loading...