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. 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.
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Itinerary
Day 1
Welcome to Turkey!
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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
Golden Horn Istanbul★3 star
Activities
IstanbulOptional Activity
Transportations
Private Driver from Istanbul Airport to İstanbul
Destinations
Fatih
Istanbul
Day 2
Walking Tour of Istanbul Old Town
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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
Golden Horn Istanbul★3 star
Activities
Hippodrome of Constantinople
Hagia Sophia
Sultan Ahmed Mosque
Grand Bazaar
Spice Bazaar
Meals
Breakfast
Destinations
Fatih
Istanbul
Day 3
Day at Leisure in Istanbul & Tasting Tour of Istanbul
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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
Golden Horn Istanbul★3 star
Activities
IstanbulOptional Activity
Tasting Tour of Istanbul
Meals
Breakfast and dinner
Destinations
Fatih
Istanbul
Day 4
Tour of Gallipoli & Onwards to Canakkale
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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
Set Ozer Hotel
Activities
Gallipoli Battlefields
Transportations
Private Driver from İstanbul to Gallipoli Peninsula
Ferry from Gallipoli Peninsula to Çanakkale
Meals
Breakfast
Destinations
Fatih
Çanakkale
Çanakkale Merkez
Day 5
Troy, Pergamon & Onwards to Selcuk
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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
Cella Boutique Hotel & Spa★3 star
Activities
Ancient Site of Troy
Pergamon
Transportations
Private Driver from Çanakkale to Troy, Turkey
Private Driver from Troy, Turkey to Pergamon Altar
Private Driver from Akropolis to Selçuk
Meals
Breakfast
Destinations
Çanakkale Merkez
Çanakkale
İzmir
Selçuk
Day 6
Ancient Site of Ephesus, Sirince Village & Turkish Lunch
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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
Cella Boutique Hotel & Spa★3 star
Activities
Ephesus
Sirince Village
Meals
Breakfast and lunch
Destinations
Selçuk
İzmir
Day 7
Onwards to Antalya with a Stop at Pamukkale
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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
Alp Pasa Boutique Hotel★4 star
Activities
Pamukkale
Hierapolis
Transportations
Private Driver from Selçuk to Pamukkale
Private Driver from Pamukkale to Antalya
Meals
Breakfast
Destinations
Selçuk
Pamukkale
Denizli
Muratpaşa
Day 8
Private Boat Tour of Antalya
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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
Alp Pasa Boutique Hotel★4 star
Activities
Antalya Private Boat Trip
Meals
Breakfast and lunch
Destinations
Muratpaşa
Antalya
Day 9
Fly to Cappadocia
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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
Exedra Hotel Cappadocia★4 star
Transportations
Private Driver from Antalya to Antalya Airport
Plane from Antalya Airport to Kayseri
Private Driver from Kayseri to Cappadocia
Meals
Breakfast
Destinations
Muratpaşa
Ürgüp
Day 10
An Experience of a Lifetime
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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
Exedra Hotel Cappadocia★4 star
Activities
Deluxe Hot Air Ballooning in Cappadocia
CappadociaOptional Activity
Meals
Breakfast
Destinations
Ürgüp
Yeşilhisar
Day 11
Explore Cappadocia & Its Surroundings
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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
Exedra Hotel Cappadocia★4 star
Activities
Soft Hike at Red Valley
Ozkonak Underground City
Pottery DemonstrationOptional Activity
Meals
Breakfast
Destinations
Ürgüp
Nevşehir
Özkonak Underground City
Day 12
Back to Istanbul & End of the Trip
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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
Private Driver from Cappadocia to Nevsehir Kapadokya Airport
Plane from Nevşehir to İstanbul
Meals
Breakfast
Destinations
Ürgüp
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What’s included?
11 nights accommodation
17 activities
11 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 1 dinner
Airport transfer
Domestic flights
Entrance fees
Ground transportation
Licensed English speaking guides
What’s not included?
Alcohol beverages
Entry visas / airport departure tax
Gratuities
International flights
Laundry
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Trekking permits
Starting From
AU$ 5,922/ per traveller sharing
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Benefits of this trip
Turkey in 12 days
4-star, 3-star accommodation
24/7 in-destination support from your local designer
