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12-Day Original Turkey

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Overview

Embark on a twelve-day tour of Turkey's most famous sights. Beginning in Istanbul, you'll move south to Canakkale, Selcuk and Antalya before flying to the Cappadocia region for the last part of your trip.

You'll be immersed into local cultures as you visit Turkey, travelling with a local guide who is on hand to answer any questions you have and guide you around all the wonderful places you visit. In Istanbul, you'll head out on a tasting tour of the city to sample authentic dishes, on the way to Pamukkale you'll visit the Gallipoli battlefields and you'll also lay eyes on the unique Cotton Castle.

Cappadocia will bring you an experience of a lifetime as you soar high into the sky at sunrise in a hot air balloon - an experience you'll never forget.
Sightseeing
Culture & Arts
Cruising
Outdoors & Nature
Food & Drink
Adventure
Wellness
Hiking & Trekking

Itinerary

Day 1

Welcome to Turkey!

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Welcome to Turkey!

Today you will be picked up by the airport representative at Istanbul airport and driven to your hotel for the next three days. Once you have checked into your hotel, the rest of the day is at your leisure. There's plenty to see and do in Istanbul so take this opportunity to explore the city on your own and get acquainted with its wonders!

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Golden Horn Istanbul3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    IstanbulOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Istanbul Airport to İstanbul

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Fatih

    Istanbul

Day 2

Walking Tour of Istanbul Old Town

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Walking Tour of Istanbul Old Town

This morning, you will be picked up by your private tour guide for a walking tour in the old town. You will start your walking tour by visiting Hippodrome. You will go into Hagia Sophia Museum which used to be a church, mosque and museum at the present time and will continue to the Blue Mosque for a quick visit. Then visit Turkey's Grand Bazaar, Suleymaniye Mosque and Spice Market.
The rest of the day will be at your leisure.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Golden Horn Istanbul3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Hippodrome of Constantinople

    Hagia Sophia

    Sultan Ahmed Mosque

    Grand Bazaar

    Spice Bazaar

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Fatih

    Istanbul

Day 3

Day at Leisure in Istanbul & Tasting Tour of Istanbul

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Day at Leisure in Istanbul & Tasting Tour of Istanbul

This morning is at your leisure, you'll be able to spend this time visiting the attractions and sights that you weren't able to yesterday. In the afternoon, your tour leader will take you for a tasting tour to introduce the local cuisine of Istanbul! You will get to try delicious street food from food carts, rooftop bars, street cafes and hidden spots!

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Golden Horn Istanbul3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    IstanbulOptional Activity

    Tasting Tour of Istanbul

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Fatih

    Istanbul

Day 4

Tour of Gallipoli & Onwards to Canakkale

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Tour of Gallipoli & Onwards to Canakkale

This morning, you will be picked up by your tour guide and your private van and begin driving down to Gallipoli. You will arrive at Gallipoli around lunchtime and start touring in the battlefields of Gallipoli. Now a national park, the Gallipoli Battlefields were where one of the bloodiest conflicts of World War I took place. After the tour, you will jump on the ferry to get to the Asian side of Dardanelles, Canakkale, to spend the night.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Set Ozer Hotel

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Gallipoli Battlefields

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from İstanbul to Gallipoli Peninsula

    Ferry from Gallipoli Peninsula to Çanakkale

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Fatih

    Çanakkale

    Çanakkale Merkez

Day 5

Troy, Pergamon & Onwards to Selcuk

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Troy, Pergamon & Onwards to Selcuk

Today, you will drive south and visit Troy first thing in the morning. Both a place and mythical legend of which most will be familiar with, the ancient site of Troy is an archaeological site on the northwest coast of Turkey which, since antiquity, has been identified as the Troy known from the legend. After this visit, you will continue to Pergamon, another beautiful ancient site. You will end the day in Selcuk for your two-night stay.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Cella Boutique Hotel & Spa3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Ancient Site of Troy

    Pergamon

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Çanakkale to Troy, Turkey

    Private Driver from Troy, Turkey to Pergamon Altar

    Private Driver from Akropolis to Selçuk

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Çanakkale Merkez

    Çanakkale

    İzmir

    Selçuk

Day 6

Ancient Site of Ephesus, Sirince Village & Turkish Lunch

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Ancient Site of Ephesus, Sirince Village & Turkish Lunch

Today you will visit one of the best-preserved ancient site in Minor Asia, Ephesus, dating back over 2,000 years. The Greco-Roman empire stretched across much of Europe and Asia, so it is no surprise that this huge ancient city can be found in western Turkey. You will enjoy a yummy lunch and will try Turkish pancakes called ‘Gozleme’ In the afternoon, you will visit the charming old, hillside Orthodox village of Sirince, famous for its fruit wines.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Cella Boutique Hotel & Spa3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Ephesus

    Sirince Village

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Selçuk

    İzmir

Day 7

Onwards to Antalya with a Stop at Pamukkale

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Onwards to Antalya with a Stop at Pamukkale

Today will be a long travel day but you'll have some exciting stops to make the journey a little easier. To begin the day, you will drive to Pamukkale this morning and pay a visit to Travertines and Hierapolis. Literally translating to "Cotton Castle", Pamukkale is a geological phenomenon of white stalactites that could only be comparable to a champagne waterfall of thermal springs, topped by the Ancient Greek city, Hierapolis. You will then continue driving south and finish the day in Antalya.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Alp Pasa Boutique Hotel4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Pamukkale

    Hierapolis

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Selçuk to Pamukkale

    Private Driver from Pamukkale to Antalya

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Selçuk

    Pamukkale

    Denizli

    Muratpaşa

Day 8

Private Boat Tour of Antalya

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Private Boat Tour of Antalya

Today, you can relax and enjoy your surroundings as you head off on a quiet and relaxing boat trip in Antalya. You will sail on your traditional gullet and enjoy homemade lunch on board. Sailing on the boat, you'll be able to see Antalya from a unique perspective whilst tasting the foods of the region and learning about history.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Alp Pasa Boutique Hotel4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Antalya Private Boat Trip

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Muratpaşa

    Antalya

Day 9

Fly to Cappadocia

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Fly to Cappadocia

You will be picked up from your hotel in Antalya this morning and driven to Antalya Airport, ready to catch your flight to Kayseri early in the morning. After landing in Kayseri, you will be picked up again and driven to your hotel in Cappadocia. After an early start and a long day of travelling, the rest of the day will be at your leisure to spend how you wish in Cappadocia.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Exedra Hotel Cappadocia4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Antalya to Antalya Airport

    Plane from Antalya Airport to Kayseri

    Private Driver from Kayseri to Cappadocia

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Muratpaşa

    Ürgüp

Day 10

An Experience of a Lifetime

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An Experience of a Lifetime

A once-in-a-lifetime experience is set for you this morning at sunrise. You'll rise up high and enjoy a hot air ballooning in Cappadocia. The deluxe balloon experience has a 1.5-hour flight time, with each balloon carrying fewer passengers than the standard flights so you'll enjoy a slightly longer experience floating among Cappadocia’s stunning landscape. The rest of the day is at your leisure to spend how you wish.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Exedra Hotel Cappadocia4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Deluxe Hot Air Ballooning in Cappadocia

    CappadociaOptional Activity

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Ürgüp

    Yeşilhisar

Day 11

Explore Cappadocia & Its Surroundings

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Explore Cappadocia & Its Surroundings

This morning, you will be picked up by your local guide and driven to the Red Valley for a short soft hike. After the hike, you will drive to a panoramic point to take the best pictures of the region. Next, you will drive to Ozkonak Underground City where you'll learn of this unique medieval underground city. On the way back to the hotel, you will stop by an underground pottery atelier to attend a pottery demonstration.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Exedra Hotel Cappadocia4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Soft Hike at Red Valley

    Ozkonak Underground City

    Pottery DemonstrationOptional Activity

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Ürgüp

    Nevşehir

    Özkonak Underground City

Day 12

Back to Istanbul & End of the Trip

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Back to Istanbul & End of the Trip

This morning you will be picked up by a private minivan and driven to Nevsehir airport. You will fly back to Istanbul and the trip finishes at the airport.

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Cappadocia to Nevsehir Kapadokya Airport

    Plane from Nevşehir to İstanbul

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Ürgüp

Included in Price

  • 11 nights accommodation
  • 17 activities
  • 11 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 1 dinner
  • Airport transfer
  • Domestic flights
  • Entrance fees
  • Ground transportation
  • Licensed English speaking guides

Not Included in Price

  • Alcohol beverages
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits
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