Treasures of Turkey (Small Groups, Base, 15 Days)

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Description

Summary

Starts
Istanbul
Duration
15 days
Languages
English
Difficulty
Easy

Description

Embark on a captivating 15-day journey through the enchanting landscapes and rich history of Turkey. This multi-day tour offers an immersive exploration of Turkey's vibrant cities, quaint villages, and stunning natural wonders. From the bustling streets of Istanbul to the tranquil thermal waters of Pamukkale, every day brings a new adventure. Discover the ancient ruins of Ephesus, explore the unique geological formations of Cappadocia, and delve into the country's cultural heritage in Ankara. Enjoy delicious local cuisine, meet friendly locals, and learn about Turkey's fascinating history from knowledgeable guides. Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or a foodie, this tour has something for everyone.

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Included

9 Dinner with Wine (DW)

14 Breakfast (B)

1 Lunch (L)

Istanbul: Enjoy getting to know your fellow travellers as you savour a delicious Welcome Dinner in a local restaurant.

Cappadocia: Watch a spectacular Sema performance of Whirling Dervishes and discover the flavours of Cappadocia as you indulge in a regional dinner of colourful dishes.

Istanbul: Toast the culmination of your tour with a lively Celebration Dinner at a popular local restaurant.

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Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).

If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.

Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.

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3 nights: Grand Hyatt Istanbul

1 night: Sheraton Bursa Hotel

1 night: Ankara HiltonSA, Ankara

2 nights: DoubleTree by Hilton Avanos, Cappadocia

1 night: Novotel Konya Hotel

2 nights: Akra Barut Antalya

1 night: Doğa Thermal Health & Spa, Pammukale

2 nights: Swissotel Büyük Efes, Izmir

1 night: Kolin Hotel, Canakkale

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Bursa: On your orientation with your Travel Director visit the town’s mosques, bazaars and famous Silk Market.

Ankara: On your orientation with your Travel Director of the capital of modern Turkey discover its Roman and Byzantine heritage, visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations and the Mausoleum of Atatürk.

Troy: On your orientation with your Travel Director hear about the nearly 4000 year-old settlement, see the wooden Trojan Horse and hear about myths and legends connected to this archaeological site.

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Cappadocia: Join a Cappadocian local, who has lived in the city for decades and take a tour of their cave house to learn more about their unique way of life.

Uchisar: Enjoy the unique flavours of Anatolia at Uchisar Kadineli Restaurant, where every dish is homemade with love. This remarkable establishment provides employment for more than 65 women from the village. The restaurant is owned by women and focuses on empowering women through employment. Some employed as administrators, some as teachers, some as cooks and some as waiters. Here they are taught how to sow clothes by using modern technology, how to knit, how to cook, how to make various kinds of artifacts, and how to merchandise their products and convert it to money for their families. Uchisar Kadineli Restaurant advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality.

Istanbul: Enjoy a relaxing cruise on the Bosphorus in Istanbul, where you'll pass Ottoman palaces, old mansions and fortresses.

Cumalikizik: Visit the over 700 year-old village to get glimpse into what Ottoman villages away from the capital looked like.

Ankara: Discover the mysterious Hittite civilisation and visit the Mausoleum of Atatürk.

Göreme: With your Local Expert, explore the underground cities, rock-cut churches, fairy-tale chimneys and the Pasabag Valley.

Visit the narrow passages and interconnecting rooms of this Stone Age underground city dug out from the hills and built to block invaders and defend against attacks.

Learn about the ancient art of pottery making in Avanos.

Konya: Visit a well preserved Seljuk Caravanserai.

Konya: Accompanied by your Local Expert, visit the beautiful Mevlana Tekke museum for an insight into the mystic Whirling Dervishes. See the Karatay Medrese and Ince Minaret.

Aspendos: Visit the world's best preserved Roman Theatre in Aspendos.

Antalya: Visit the historic Old Town and wander through its charming narrow streets, discovering souvenir markets and sweeping sea views.

Pamukkale: See the cascading Cotton Castle of milky white travertine pools and the ancient ruin of Hierapolis.

Corinth: Visit the open-air museum Aphrodisias dedicated to goddess Aphrodite, see the ancient city and statues that have survived preserving most of their originality.

Ephesus: Discover one of the world's finest ancient sites. Led by your Local Expert, walk the Arcadian Way, see the Library of Celsus and Amphitheatre and visit the Palace of Knossos.

Pergamon: Visit Asklepion, the first hospital and spa centre in the world for physical and mental health and see its well-preserved and impressive Roman columns.

Troy: Visit this ancient sight fabled to have been destroyed over love and view the huge reconstructed Trojan Horse.

Gallipoli: Pay your respects at Anzac Cove and Lone Pine Cemetery.

Istanbul: Visit the Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome. With your Local Expert, gain insight into the lives of the Ottoman Sultans during a visit to the fabulous Topkapi Palace. Then stroll through the Grand Bazaar.

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Map

Attractions

Grand Mosque of Bursa, Nalbantoğlu Mahallesi, Osmangazi, Bursa, Marmara Region, TurkeyGrand Mosque of Bursa
Aspendos TheaterAspendos Theater
Aerial shot of Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque) surrounded by trees in Istanbul's Old City - Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Turkey.Sultan Ahmed Mosque
Sille Baraj Parkı, Selçuklu, Konya, Central Anatolia Region, TurkeySille Baraj Parkı
House of Virgin Mary, Atatürk Mahallesi, Selçuk, Izmir, Aegean Region, TurkeyHouse of Virgin Mary
Hierapolis ancient theater, Pamukkale, Denizli, Aegean Region, TurkeyHierapolis Ancient Theatre
Akbas cemetary, Eceabat, Canakkale, Marmara Region, TurkeyAkbas cemetary
Mahzen Şarap Evi, Ürgüp merkez, Ürgüp, Nevşehir, Central Anatolia Region, TurkeyMahzen Şarap Evi
Gallipoli War Museum, Gelibolu, Canakkale, Marmara Region, TurkeyGallipoli War Museum
 Anıtkabir, located in Ankara, is the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic.Anıtkabir
photo of Hagia Irene or Hagia Eirene or St. Irene (Aya Irini in Turkish), a Greek Eastern Orthodox church located in the outer courtyard of Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, Turkey.Hagia Irene
Grand BazaarGrand Bazaar
Hagia Sophia Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey, full viewHagia Sophia
Lone PineLone Pine
The Topkapı Palace surrounded by a garden under the sunlight in Istanbul, Turkey.Topkapı Palace
Green Tomb, Yeşil Mahallesi, Yıldırım, Bursa, Marmara Region, TurkeyGreen Tomb
photo of hot air balloon flying over spectacular Uchisar castle and Pigeon valley in Cappadocia, Turkey.Pigeon Valley
photo of Ankara Vakıf Museum in Turkey.Ankara Vakıf Museum
photo of tourists visiting Bergama Museum in Bergama, Turkey.Bergama Museum
Mevlana Tomb, Mosque and Museum in Konya City. Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi is a sufi philosopher and mystic poet of Islam.Mevlâna Museum
photo of Karatay Madrasa in Konya in Turkey.Karatay Madrasah
Özkonak Underground City, Özkonak, Avanos, Nevşehir, Central Anatolia Region, TurkeyÖzkonak
Güray Müze, Yeni Mahalle, Avanos Merkez, Avanos, Nevşehir, Central Anatolia Region, TurkeyGüray Müze
Uchisar Castle, Uçhisar, Nevşehir merkez, Nevşehir, Central Anatolia Region, TurkeyUchisar 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, Turkey. Upon your arrival, our representative will escort you to your hotel. Take some time to relax and freshen up. In the evening, join your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a delightful Welcome Dinner.

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Day 2

Day 2 – Day 2: Istanbul to Bursa

  • Bursa
  • Istanbul
  • More
  • Grand Mosque of Bursa
  • Green Tomb
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Begin your day with a scenic cruise along the bustling Bosphorus Strait. Marvel at the beautiful Ottoman palaces and fortresses that line the waterfront. Later, we'll journey to Bursa, the first major capital of the Ottoman Empire. Here, we'll visit the Green Mosque, the Grand Mosque, and the Mausoleum complex. Spend the afternoon exploring the city's bazaars and silk markets. In the evening, savor a delicious meal at a local restaurant.

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Day 3

Day 3 – Day 3: Bursa to Ankara via Cumalikizik and Gordion

  • Ankara
  • Bursa
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Today, we'll explore the charming village of Cumalikizik, known for its traditional wooden houses and narrow cobblestone streets. We'll then head to Gordion, the ancient capital city of Phrygia, before making our way to Ankara, Turkey's modern capital. Enjoy a relaxed evening at your hotel, the Hilton SA (or similar), where you can take a dip in the indoor pool or unwind in the jacuzzi or hammam.

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Day 4

Day 4 – Day 4: Ankara to Avanos via Hittite Museum and Anitkabir

  • Ankara
  • Avanos
  • More
  • Anıtkabir
  • Ankara Vakıf Museum
  • More

Immerse yourself in Turkey's rich history as we explore Ankara. Our sightseeing includes a visit to the Hittite Museum and Anitkabir, the Mausoleum of Atatürk, Turkey's greatest modern leader. Later, we'll head to Avanos in Cappadocia, a region famed for its unique geological formations and panoramic views.

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Day 5

Day 5 – Day 5: Exploring Cappadocia

  • Avanos
  • More
  • Pigeon Valley
  • Özkonak
  • Güray Müze
  • Uchisar Castle
  • More

Today, we'll explore the striking landscapes of Cappadocia. We'll visit the town of Göreme, known for its rock-hewn churches adorned with ancient wall paintings. Enjoy a culinary experience at the Uçhisar Kadineli Restaurant, which empowers local women. We'll also visit the Pasabag Valley and the underground city of Özkonak. In the evening, witness a mesmerizing performance of Whirling Dervishes before dining at a local restaurant.

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Day 6

Day 6 – Day 6: Avanos to Konya via Silk Road

  • Konya
  • Avanos
  • More
  • Sille Baraj Parkı
  • Mahzen Şarap Evi
  • Mevlâna Museum
  • Karatay Madrasah
  • More

Today, we'll journey along the famous Silk Road, visiting a 13th-century caravanserai, a historic roadside inn. Later, we'll head to Konya, the old capital of the Anatolian Seljuk Empire. Here, we'll visit the Mevlana Museum, Karatay Medrese, and Ince Minaret.

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Day 7

Day 7 – Day 7: Konya to Antalya via Aspendos

  • Antalya
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  • Aspendos Theater
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We'll start our day with a scenic drive down the Taurus Mountains to Aspendos, an ancient city in Antalya known for its well-preserved Roman theatre. After exploring Aspendos, we'll visit Antalya's charming Old Town, where you can shop for souvenirs and enjoy sweeping sea views.

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Day 8

Day 8 – Day 8: Free Day in Antalya

  • Antalya
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Today is a free day for you to relax and enjoy the amenities at your hotel or explore Antalya at your own pace. You could take a stroll around the harbor, embark on a boat trip off the coast, or ask your Travel Director for recommendations on places to visit in the city.

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Day 9

Day 9 – Day 9: Antalya to Pamukkale via Hierapolis

  • Pamukkale
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  • Hierapolis Ancient Theatre
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Today, we'll cross the soaring Taurus Mountains to visit the ancient city of Hierapolis, a Roman spa city founded around 190 B.C. Next to the ruins, you'll see the gleaming white travertine terraces of Pamukkale, famous for its mineral-rich thermal waters. After exploring the area, we'll head back to our hotel, the esteemed Doğa Thermal Health & Spa (or similar), where you can enjoy its indoor and outdoor thermal pools, steam room, and Turkish bath complex.

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Day 10

Day 10 – Day 10: Pamukkale to Kusadasi via Temple of Aphrodite

  • Izmir
  • Pamukkale
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Start your day with a visit to the Temple of Aphrodite in Geyre, dedicated to the goddess of love, beauty, and fertility. Located in the ruins of the ancient city of Aphrodisias, the temple was the city's focal point in its heyday. Later, we'll arrive in the coastal resort of Kusadasi for an evening at leisure.

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Day 11

Day 11 – Day 11: Exploring Ephesus

  • Izmir
  • More
  • House of Virgin Mary
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Today, we'll discover one of the world's finest archaeological sites, Ephesus. 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 and the Ephesus Archaeological Museum.

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Day 12

Day 12 – Day 12: Ephesus to Çanakkale via Pergamon and Troy

  • Çanakkale
  • More
  • Bergama Museum
  • More

Begin your day with a trip to Pergamon, an ancient Greek city where you'll find the Asklepion temple, a famous shrine and healing center. Next, we'll visit the city of Troy, the backdrop to one of history's most famous love stories, that of Paris and Helen of Troy. After exploring, we'll continue our journey to Çanakkale, a gateway to the Gallipoli WWI battlefields.

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Day 13

Day 13 – Day 13: Çanakkale to Istanbul via Gallipoli Peninsula

  • Istanbul
  • Çanakkale
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  • Akbas cemetary
  • Gallipoli War Museum
  • Lone Pine
  • More

This morning, we'll cross the Dardanelles Strait by ferry to the Gallipoli Peninsula. Here, we'll learn about the Great War and visit Anzac Cove and the Lone Pine Cemetery. Later, we'll return to Istanbul, where you'll spend the next two nights.

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Day 14

Day 14 – Day 14: Exploring Istanbul

  • Istanbul
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  • Sultan Ahmed Mosque
  • Hagia Irene
  • Grand Bazaar
  • Hagia Sophia
  • Topkapı Palace
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Today, we'll explore the historic sites of Istanbul. We'll visit the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia, and the Topkapi Palace. Enjoy the thrill of bargaining in the bustling Grand Bazaar. In the evening, join your fellow travelers for a Celebration Dinner at a local restaurant.

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Day 15

Day 15 – Day 15: Departure from Istanbul

  • Istanbul - Departure day
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As your memorable journey through Turkey comes to an end, we'll arrange a transfer to take you to the airport for your onward flights. If you're extending your stay in Istanbul, your Travel Director will be happy to provide tips and recommendations.

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