11 DAY CHARMING TURKEY TOUR
Istanbul – Istanbul
DEPARTS ISTANBUL, FRIDAYS, 21 APRIL – 6 OCTOBER 2023
Tour is guaranteed to operate with a minimum of 2 and a maximum 18 passengers.
(2023 Printer Friendly Version PDF)
Day 1 (Friday) ISTANBUL
Upon your arrival, you will be met by our representative before transferring to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at your own leisure.
Day 2 (Saturday) ISTANBUL
After breakfast at the hotel, a guided tour to Topkapi Palace, St. Sophia, Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar will commence. The day ends with an overnight stay in Istanbul. (B)
Day 3 (Sunday) ISTANBUL / CAPPADOCIA
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a flight to Kayseri. Upon to arrival you will visit Turasan wine factory and enjoy tasting beautiful wines of Cappadocia. Then continue for an exciting jeep safari adventure in Cappadocia. Driving from Goreme to Cavusin through Love Valley, making frequent photo stops en-route. Arriving into Cavusin town walk up to the old city carved on to the rocks and see the Church of St. John the Baptist, one of the oldest cave churches in Cappadocia. Next head to Ortahisar via the Rose Valley. After visiting the picturesque Ortahisar Castle we’ll make our way to Uzengi Valley, the drive takes us along the brook bank, where we’ll be able to see the pigeon houses carved into the rocks. Later arrive into Mustafapasa Village (Sinasos), a former Greek town that was inhabited by the Greeks until the population exchange in 1924. After some relaxing time in the town drive back to Goreme via Pancarlik, Pigeons and Babaccik valleys. After the tour transfer to your hotel. Overnight Cappadocia. (BD)
Day 4 (Monday) CAPPADOCIA
Early Morning Optional: Balloon tour is available. Then, full day excursion in Cappadocia including visits to the Kaymakli Underground City, Open Air Museum in Goreme and natural fortress in Uchisar. Lunch in a cave restaurant, taste a famous pottery kebab. Here, we will have the opportunity to discover and understand the rich history behind local handicrafts like hand-made carpets, Turkish tiles, onyx and potteries. Evening optional: Turkish Show and Dinner. Overnight stay in Cappadocia. (BL)
Day 5 (Tuesday) CAPPADOCIA / KONYA / PAMUKKALE
Early departure for Pamukkale. On the way, visit the 13th century Seljukian masterpiece Sultanhan Caravanserai before arrival in Konya. After visiting the Mausoleum of Mevlana, we continue our drive to Pamukkale for an overnight stay. (BD)
Day 6 (Wednesday) PAMUKKALE / IZMIR
After breakfast, visit the ancient Hierapolis with the magnificent Necropolis, graveyard and the lime cascade. Afterwards we continue our drive to Selcuk to visit Temple of Artemis ‘‘one of the seven wonders of the ancient world” then onto Izmir for overnight stay. (BD)
Day 7 (Thursday) IZMIR / EPHESUS / SIRINCE / IZMIR
Morning drive to ancient city of Ephesus where we will visit its magnificent library, theatre and temples. Lunch in nomadic tent in Selçuk, taste Turkish Gozleme. Continue to the beautiful village of Şirince, for shopping and perhaps a taste of delicious wine before returning to Izmir. Overnight stay in Izmir. (BLD)
Day 8 (Friday) IZMIR / PERGAMON / CANAKKALE
Early departure for Bergama to visit the Asklepion with its well preserved remains before continuing to Troy; the site where the legendary Trojan War took place. Drive to Canakkale for an overnight stay. (BD)
Day 9 (Saturday) CANAKKALE / GALLIPOLI / ISTANBUL
After breakfast, we will cross the Dardanelles then continue to Gallipoli to visit Anzac Cove, Nek, Chunuk Bair, Lone Pine and 57th regiment memorial. Continue to Istanbul for overnight stay. (B)
Day 10 (Sunday) ISTANBUL (Back Streets)
Start from the Spice Market area learning about spices which dominated Ottoman cuisine. Try sherbet (spice juice), Turkish Delight and nuts. Experience the smells and the colours of Istanbul. Then walk over Galata Bridge to Galata area. Stop to taste ethnic dishes from all regions of Anatolia. Galata district is becoming a cultural centre with design shops, wine cellars, boutique hotels. Taste Turkish coffee cooked on charcoal, maybe sesame pretzel and roasted chestnuts on the way to Beyoglu. Beyoglu has labyrinth like streets with hidden tastes of different Greek mezes, Blacksea style Turkish pizza, fried mussels, pickles, tripe soup etc. Conclude the tour with desert, either mastic rice pudding or elastic ice cream or Beyoglu chocolate or tasting all of them if you have a sweet tooth. (B)
Day 11 (Monday) ISTANBUL
After breakfast transfer to the airport. END OF TOUR. (B)
(B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
| 2023 Departure Dates Fridays |
Per Person in Double |
Per Person in Single |
Per Person in Triple |
| April: 21 May: 5, 12 June: 9, 23 July: 14 August: 18 September: 8, 15 October: 6 |
AUD 2995 | AUD 4295 | AUD 2880 |
Tour Includes: Accommodation in listed hotels (or similar); Accommodation in listed hotels or similar; Daily breakfast, 2 lunches & 5 dinners; Air-conditioned vehicles; Luggage handling, local taxes & service charges; Professional English speaking guides; Museum entrance fees; Arrival transfer from Istanbul Airport (Day 1), Departure shuttle transfers at 0900 & 1300 to Istanbul Airport (Day 11)
Superior Class (4-5*) Hotels used (or similar): Istanbul – Arena (Old City), Cappadocia – Alfiuna Cave / Yusuf Yigitoglu Konagi (cave style), Pamukkale – Adem Pira, Izmir – Kaya Thermal, Canakkale – Kolin
