Essential Turkey (9 destinations)

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Description

Summary

Starts
Istanbul
Duration
10 days
Languages
English
Difficulty
Easy
Minimum age
18 years

Description

Embark on an unforgettable multi-day tour through Turkey, a land where history and culture intertwine seamlessly. From the bustling streets of Istanbul to the serene shores of the Mediterranean, this journey offers a rich tapestry of experiences. Discover ancient ruins, soak in natural hot springs, and sail along the stunning coastline. Each day presents a new adventure, with opportunities to explore vibrant cities, delve into history, and savor local cuisine. Whether you're wandering through ancient cities or relaxing on pristine beaches, this tour promises an enriching and memorable experience.

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Included

9 breakfasts, 2 lunches

vegetarian, vegan, halal, kosher, meat

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All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. We endeavour to provide the services of an experienced leader however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your leader is new to a particular region or training other group leaders.

Your leader will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues, and introduce you to our local friends. You can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip.

In Turkey, in accordance with local regulations your Leader will also be a registered Guide with the Ministry of Tourism. They will have vast general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, specialized knowledge of the sites visited and provide full guiding services.

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Gallipoli - Battlefields Tour

Ayvalik - Copmadam Visit (trashyteyze / Tara Hopkins)

Ayvalik – Orientation Walk

Ephesus - Archaeological site visit

Pamukkale - Hierapolis and Travertines National Park

Kas - Turkish Coast day sailing

Antalya - Kaleici Walking Tour

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The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.

Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.

Hotel (4 nights), Pension (3 nights), Multi-share guesthouse (2 nights)

hotel: 4 night(s), guesthouse: 5 night(s);

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There are some long travel days and some rough travelling in areas away from main tourist routes. Windy roads, rough surfaces and cramped conditions make for some challenging travel experiences. On some long travel days we depart early in the morning to ensure we optimise our time at our next destination. If you experience travel sickness we recommend you consider medication to help ease the discomfort.

Turkey - Public Transport

When and where possible we will use public buses to travel between cities on this trip.

However due to weather and seasonal bus schedules we may find it necessary to substitute public buses with private transport on some days.

Public buses in Turkey don't have toilets on board. Breaks are normally scheduled at rest stops every 2-3 hours.

Ferry , Local bus , Private Bus , Boat , Tram

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Destinations

Photo of aerial view of village Kayakoy ghost town in Fethiye, Izmir Turkey.Kayaköy
Photo of Selcuk town and ruins panorama as seen from citadel, Turkey.Selçuk
Pamukkale
Touristic sightseeing ships in Golden Horn bay of Istanbul and mosque with Sultanahmet district against blue sky and clouds. Istanbul, Turkey during sunny summer day.Istanbul
Harbor in the old city of Antalya Kaleici Old Town. Antalya, Turkey.Antalya
Photo of aerial view of Canakkale, Turkey.Çanakkale

Map

Attractions

Aspendos TheaterAspendos Theater
Antiphellos Ancient City
photo of Celsus Library is one of the most beautiful structures in Ephesus in Izmir, Turkey. It was built in 117 A.D. Celsus Library was a monumental tomb for Gaius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus.Library of Celsus
Clock Mosque
Hierapolis ancient theater, Pamukkale, Denizli, Aegean Region, TurkeyHierapolis Ancient Theatre
Milet Museum, Didim, Aydın, Aegean Region, TurkeyMilet Museum
Pamukkale Turkey
Kas Merkez Mosque
Ancient City of Troy, Çanakkale merkez, Canakkale, Marmara Region, TurkeyAncient City of Troy
photo of foggy day at Candarli Fortress on The Coast of Aegean Sea in Izmir, Turkey.Çandarlı Castle

Daily Itinerary

Day 1

Day 1 – Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul

  • Istanbul - Arrival day
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Welcome to the vibrant city of Istanbul, where the East meets the West. After settling into your accommodation (Hilton or similar), join your fellow travelers for a welcome meeting at 6 PM. Spend the day exploring the bustling streets, savoring authentic Turkish delights, or perhaps taking a day trip to the serene Princes' Islands. Conclude your day with a group dinner, indulging in the rich flavors of Turkish cuisine.

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Day 2

Day 2 – Day 2: Journey to Gallipoli and Canakkale

  • Çanakkale
  • Istanbul
  • More
  • Gallipoli War Museum
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Embark on a journey to the historic Gallipoli Peninsula, a site of deep significance and reflection. Absorb the tranquil beauty and poignant history of this World War I battlefield. Later, travel to Canakkale, a lively university town where you can unwind by the Dardanelles or enjoy the local nightlife.

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Day 3

Day 3 – Day 3: Ancient Troy and Ayvalik's Charm

  • Çanakkale
  • More
  • Clock Mosque
  • Ancient City of Troy
  • More

Explore the legendary ruins of Troy, where ancient history and myth converge. Later, journey to Ayvalik, a town rich in Greek and Turkish cultural heritage. Discover the innovative work at Copmadam, a social enterprise empowering local women, and savor a traditional Ayvalik tost for lunch.

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Day 4

Day 4 – Day 4: Leisure in Ayvalik

  • Kayaköy
  • More
  • Çınarlı Mosque
  • Kadırga koyu
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Spend a leisurely day in Ayvalik, exploring its cobblestone streets and vibrant cafes. Visit Kucukkoy for its Greek stone houses and art galleries, or relax on the beaches of Sarımsaklı and Badavut. In the evening, enjoy a harbor-side dinner with local specialties and drinks.

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Day 5

Day 5 – Day 5: Discovering Selcuk and Ephesus

  • Selçuk
  • More
  • Library of Celsus
  • Milet Museum
  • More

Travel to Selcuk, where you'll embark on an orientation walk before visiting the awe-inspiring ruins of Ephesus. Marvel at the ancient city's sophistication, from its grand library to the remains of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

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Day 6

Day 6 – Day 6: Pamukkale's Natural Wonders

  • Pamukkale
  • Selçuk
  • More
  • Hierapolis Ancient Theatre
  • Pamukkale Turkey
  • More

Venture to Pamukkale, the 'cotton castle,' where you can bathe in the mineral-rich hot springs cascading over white terraces. Explore the ancient city of Hierapolis, with its temples, amphitheater, and Cleopatra's pool, and capture the stunning sunset from the acropolis.

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Day 7

Day 7 – Day 7: Coastal Beauty of Kas

  • Pamukkale
  • More
  • Ancient City of Xanthos
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Travel south to the picturesque town of Kas, nestled along the Mediterranean coast. Spend your afternoon exploring the Old Town, relaxing on the beach, or delving into the history of the Ancient City of Antiphellos. As evening falls, enjoy a delightful meal in a charming local restaurant.

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Day 8

Day 8 – Day 8: Sailing the Mediterranean

Day 8: Sailing the Mediterranean

  • Patara Antik Kenti (Patara Ancient City)
  • More

Set sail along the Turkish coast, uncovering the mysteries of a sunken Lycian city and exploring rock tombs. Swim in the crystal-clear waters and enjoy a homemade meal on board. Return to Kas for a free evening to relax and reflect on your day's adventures.

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Day 9

Day 9 – Day 9: Exploring Antalya

  • Antalya
  • More
  • Aspendos Theater
  • More

Travel to Antalya, the jewel of the Turkish Mediterranean. Wander through the historic Old City, relax on Konyaalti Beach, or explore the impressive Aspendos theatre. As night falls, dive into Antalya's vibrant nightlife with your travel companions.

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Day 10

Day 10 – Day 10: Farewell in Antalya

  • Antalya - Departure day
  • More

Conclude your Turkish adventure in the beautiful city of Antalya. Bid farewell to your newfound friends and explore any last-minute sights before departing. If you're not ready to leave, consult your tour leader for recommendations to extend your stay.

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