Compare Discover Turkey by Ada Vegas Travel vs Wonders of Turkey - Small Group, Summer by Insight Vacations
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 11 days | 12 days |
| Price From | $ 1,431 | $ 2,450 |
| Price Per Day | $ 130 | $ 204 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Private guided tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included |
9 Breakfasts and 7 Dinners |
N/A |
| Description |
11 Day Tour From Istanbul will appeal to those wanting a comprehensive programme balanced with relaxation in the most comfortable and conveniently appointed accomodation. |
Fall in love with Turkey on this 11-day guided tour. See Ephesus, an ancient city built in the 10th Century B.C. with an amphitheater that once sat 24,000 people. Drive through the Maender River Valley to an organic farm, where you can walk the lush lands, then feast on fresh produce during a mouth-watering lunch. See the turquoise travertine pools in Pamukkale where ancient Romans used to soak — then dip into the spa at your hotel to indulge in its Turkish baths. Take a tour of a traditional cave house in Cappadocia with the local who lives there, then dine as you watch whirling dervishes dance nearby. Visit the Mausoleum of Atatürk, the resting place of the country’s first president, in Ankara. Travel to Istanbul, where you’ll see the infamous Blue Mosque before bargaining at the electric Grand Bazaar, which boasts more than 4,000 shops. |
Day 1: Istanbul
On arrival you will be met by your guide and transported to your hotel.
Day 2: Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast
Full day tour to include: Topkapi Palace (excluding harem), Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, and the Grand Bazaar.
Optional: Dinner with belly dancing entertainment.
Day 3: Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
This morning you are offered an optional tour of St. Sophia and Bosphorus cruise. Afternoon departure for Ankara around 15:00 hrs and late arrival at Ankara.
Day 4: Ankara – Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Morning excursion to view Hittite artifacts at the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. Here you will visit the Mausoleum of Ataturk, father of modern Turkey. Visit the underground city of Sarhatli. Drive to Cappadocia, touring a 13th century caravan inn en route. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 5: Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Early Morning. An optional Balloon Tour. An unforgetable experience of floating through volcanic valleys, fairy chimneys and caves illuminated by the stunning sunrise of Cappadocia.
After breakfast, visit Goreme, Avanos,Pasabagi, Red Valley, andexperience a brief regional pottery workshop in a cave.
Dinner and overnight stay in Cappadocia.
Day 6: Cappadocia – Pamukkale
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Drive to Pamukkale. En route we visit the famous mausoleum of the sufi philosopher Mevlana. Drive to Pamukkale, dinner and overnight stay in Pamukkale.
Day 7: Pamukkale – Kusadasi
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Today is the day to pay an early morning visit to the unique Cotton Fortress, the white calcium cascades, and also pay a visit to one of the first modern spa centers of the ancient world, Hierapolis.
Then we drive to Kusadasi. Dinner and overnight stay in Kusadasi.
Day 8: Ephesus & St. Mary’s House – Kusadasi
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Full day tour of the famous ruins of Ephesus and St. Mary’s Cottage.
The afternoon provides you with an optional tour of Sardis or Sirince, a beautiful village where time seems to stand still.
Dinner and overnight stay in Kusadasi.
Day 9: Pergamum – Troy – Canakkale
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Visit the ancient Medical Center Asclepion in Pergamum, followed by Troy with its famous wooden horse and then continue on to Canakkale for your overnight stay.
Day 10: Dardanelles – Gallipoli – Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast
Morning departure for Gallipoli and visit Anzac Cove, Lone PineCemetery, Chunuk Bair.Later we drive to Istanbul for your overnight accomodation.
Day 11: Istanbul – Return
Meals: Breakfast
Transfer to Airport.
Day 1: Welcome to Istanbul
Welcome to Turkey. You’ll start in vibrant Istanbul, where a representative will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Located in the heart of the city, you’ll be close to Taksim Square, which is famous for its Republic Monument, dining and shopping options. Join your Travel Director at 18:30 for a Welcome Dinner, where you’ll get to know your fellow travellers.
Grand Hyatt Istanbul.
Dinner with Wine
Day 2: Gallipoli and Anzac Cove
Marvel at breathtaking coastal views as you make your way along the shores of the Sea of Marmara to historic Gallipoli. Located in the southern part of East Thrace, it was here that for nine months during the Great War, Anzac troops fought in an in an attempt to gain control of the Dardanelles Strait. Learn more about these events as you visit Anzac Cove and Lone Pine Cemetery. Later, join your group as you head from Eceabat across the sea to Çanakkale. Home to famous archaeological site, Troy, this historic destination will be your home for the night.
Kolin Hotel, Canakkale.
Breakfast
Day 3: Troy, Pergamon and Izmir
Begin your day of legends with a trip to Homer’s city of Troy, the focal point of the Trojan War and the backdrop to one of history’s most famous love stories, that of Paris and Helen of Troy, the face that launched 1000 ships. A replica of the mighty Trojan horse, which helped the Greeks capture the city in 1200 B.C., can be seen beside the city’s walls. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at Copmadam, a women's co-op turning recycled materials into unique items, and addressing women's employment issues. Continue on to Pergamon, once a powerful ancient Greek city, you’ll find the Asklepion temple here. A famous shrine and healing centre, it was built in honour of Asklepios, the god of medicine. After some time exploring, continue your journey to the coastal city of Izmir.
Swissotel Büyük Efes, Izmir.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 4: Ancient Ephesus and Kusadasi Relaxed Start
Start your morning with a trip to the nearby town of Selçuk. Home to the House of the Virgin Mary and the Temple of Artemis, you’ll begin with an educational visit to the Archaeological Museum. Once here, delve into the area’s history as you explore the museum’s exhibits, many of which have been retrieved from the nearby Ephesus excavation site. Later, explore the famous site itself. Walk through the colonnaded Arcadian Way, see the Library of Celsus and the huge Amphitheatre, before visiting the House of the Virgin Mary, situated above the Ephesus ruins.
Charisma De Luxe Hotel, Kusadasi.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 5: The Pools of Pamukkale
This morning, following the winding Maender River Valley, with its twists and turns, head to a local organic farm. Once here, you’ll meet the agricultural director who will take you on a walking tour of the eco-friendly lands. You’ll have the satisfying task of picking fruits and vegetables from his fields. Delight in a mouth-watering Farm-to-Table lunch, prepared with fresh produce from the farm. Continue to Pamukkale. Famous for its mineral-rich thermal waters and chalk-white limestone terraces, explore the area with your Travel Director. See the ruins of the ancient Roman spa city of Hierapolis, founded in 190 B.C. You’ll see the city’s well-preserved theatre and its turquoise travertine pools. Later, head back to your hotel, the esteemed Doğa Thermal Health & Spa. Take full advantage of its indoor and outdoor thermal pools, steam room and its Turkish bath complex.
Doğa Thermal Health & Spa, Pamukkale.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner with Wine
Day 6: Konya, the Whirling Dervishes and Cappadocia
Today, you’ll travel to Konya. The home of the Whirling Dervish, this city offers tradition in abundance. Noteworthy buildings line its streets, with beautiful mosques and modern buildings providing a delightful contrast. Visit the Mevlana Tekke museum, with its recognisable turquoise dome. See the Karatay Madrasa, built in 1251, before moving on to the Ince Minaret, a 13th century madrasa. Continue your journey to Urgup, an historic town in the heart of Cappadocia. You will recognise this famous area from the bright balloons that decorate its sky and the striking golden, volcanic landscapes that surround it. Your abode for the night is the unique Alfina Cave Hotel Cappadocia, built in old cave dwellings. Get some rest here before your travels continue in the morning.
Alfina Cave Hotel Cappadocia.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 7: The Underground Cities of Cappadocia Experience
Move on to Göreme, a striking town in the Cappadocia region of Turkey. Explore its rock-hewn churches decorated with ancient wall paintings before moving on to the Pasabag Valley. Located on the road to Zelve, you’ll find otherworldly earth pillars here, ‘fairy chimneys’ and troglodyte dwellings. Later, visit the underground city of Özkonak, where you’ll have time to explore its tunnels and caves with your Travel Director before joining a Cappadocian local who has lived in the city for decades and take a tour of their cave house. You’ll learn more about their unique way of living, local traditions and family life. Complementing the day’s events, dinner tonight will be accompanied by a performance of Whirling Dervishes.
Alfina Cave Hotel Cappadocia.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 8: Ankara
One for art lovers, this morning, you’ll learn about the art of pottery making in Avanos. A town based in Cappadocia, it is famous for its earthenware pottery. On your way, stop off at one of the best-preserved Seljuk Caravanserais in Anatolia. Continue your journey to Ankara, where you’ll visit the Hittite Museum and Anit Kabir, the Mausoleum of Atatürk—Turkey's greatest modern leader and the first President of the Republic of Turkey. Perhaps relax in the spa and wellness centre at your hotel this evening.
Ankara HiltonSA, Ankara.
Breakfast
Day 9: To Istanbul
It’s time to head to Istanbul. A glorious fusion of east and west, this popular city offers something for everyone, with history, culture, modernity, delicious cuisine and of course, the friendliest of faces. Board a cruise along the Bosphorus. As you make your way from Eminönü to the Black Sea, witness the area’s beautiful Ottoman palaces and fortresses lining the waterfront. Your evening is at leisure, why not ask your Travel Director for suggestions on places to dine.
Grand Hyatt Istanbul.
Breakfast
Day 10: Istanbul & the Ottoman Empire
Today you’ll take in the sites of Istanbul. In the morning, visit the historic Blue Mosque with its tiled interiors. See the Hippodrome, where Roman chariot races were held, before exploring Hagia Sophia. Built in A.D. 537, it is famous for its domed roof. Visit the Topkapi Palace, perched above the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn, the primary inlet of the waterway. Enjoy the excitement of bargaining in the bustling Grand Bazaar. In the evening, join your fellow travellers for a Celebration Dinner at a local restaurant.
Grand Hyatt Istanbul.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 11: Farewell Istanbul
It’s time to say goodbye to your new friends, as your trip comes to an end. A transfer will take you to the airport for your onward flights, or for those extending their stay in Istanbul, speak to your Travel Director for tips and tricks on where to head.
Breakfast
