Wonders of Turkey
Wonders of Turkey
$3195
Tour Overview
Explore ancient Ephesus, marvel at the turquoise travertine pools of Pamukkale, be captivated by whirling dervishes, and visit Istanbul’s majestic Blue Mosque.
Choice Highlights
- Choose between two carefully selected activities
- Istanbul: Delve into the captivating history of Hagia Sophia through an immersive digital experience.
- Istanbul: Experience the rich cultural and religious heritage of Istanbul at Hagia Sophia.
Top Rated Highlights
- Gallipoli: Pay your respects at Anzac Cove and Lone Pine Cemetery.
- Troy: Visit this ancient sight fabled to have been destroyed over love and view the huge reconstructed Trojan Horse.
- Ephesus: Visit the Archaeological museum housing many of the artefacts from Ephesus.
- Ephesus: Walk the Arcadian Way, see the Library of Celsus and Amphitheatre and visit the Palace of Knossos.
- Pamukkale: See the cascading Cotton Castle of milky white travertine pools and the ancient ruin of Hierapolis.
- Konya: Visit a well preserved Seljuk Caravanserai.
- Saratli: Visit Saratli Underground city known for its fine arts architecture.
- Goreme: With your Local Expert, explore the underground cities, rock-cut churches, fairy-tale chimneys and the Pasabag Valley.
- : Learn about the ancient art of pottery making in Avanos.
- Ankara: Visit the Mausoleum of Ataturk and discover the mysterious Hittite civilisation.
- Istanbul: Visit the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, and the Topkapi Palace, then explore the Grand Bazaar.
- Istanbul: Enjoy a relaxing cruise on the Bosphorus in Istanbul, where you'll pass Ottoman palaces, old mansions and fortresses.
Make Travel Matter
Ayvalik: Visit the Copmadam workshop, where one-of-a-kind items are made from recycled packaging, creating employment opportunities for local women. This experience advances United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality.
Authentic Dining
Istanbul: Begin your travels savouring traditional flavours over dinner at a local restaurant.
Izmir: Visit an organic farm for a Farm-to-Table lunch made from seasonal crops grown on site, with breathtaking views.
Cappadocia: Watch a Whirling Dervishes performance and indulge in a delightful dinner at a local restaurant.
Istanbul: Toast the culmination of your travels during dinner at a local restaurant.
Insight Choice
Istanbul: Delve into the captivating history of Hagia Sophia through an immersive digital experience.
Istanbul: Experience the rich cultural and religious heritage of Istanbul at Hagia Sophia.
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Istanbul
Location: Istanbul
Accommodation: Grand Wyndham Levent
Accommodation Name: Radisson Blu Sisli, Istanbul
Meals Included: Dinner
Welcome to Turkey. Your journey begins in vibrant Istanbul, the only city in the world that spans two continents: Europe and Asia, where a representative will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to the hotel. Relax and settle in before joining your Travel Director and fellow travellers for dinner.
Day 2: Gallipoli, Anzac Cove and Troy
Location: Gallipoli, Çanakkale, Troy
Accommodation: DoubleTree by Hilton Canakkale, Canakkale.
Accommodation Name: DoubleTree by Hilton Canakkale
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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 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 before arriving to the historic city of Troy, the focal point of the Trojan War and the backdrop to one of history’s most famous love stories. 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.
Day 3: Izmir
Location: Izmir
Accommodation: Charisma De Luxe Hotel, Kusadasi.
Accommodation Name: Swissotel Büyük Efes, Izmir
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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. After some time exploring, continue your journey to Izmir, where you will stop for a Farm-to-Table lunch at Nif Bağları, a family-owned wine producer. Explore the four acres of crop fields, nestled amidst picturesque surroundings before continuing your journey to the coastal resort of Izmir.
Day 4: Ephesus - Izmir
Location: Selçuk, Ephesus, Izmir
Accommodation: Charisma De Luxe Hotel, Kusadasi.
Accommodation Name: Swissotel Büyük Efes, Izmir
Meals Included: Dinner
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.
Day 5: The Pools of Pamukkale Relaxed Start
Location: Pamukkale
Accommodation: Doga Thermal Health & Spa, Pamukkale.
Accommodation Name: Doğa Thermal Health & Spa, Pamukkale
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Head 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.
Day 6: The Underground City and Cappadocia
Location: Urgup, Sultanhani, Saratli
Accommodation: DoubleTree by Hilton Avanos, Cappadocia
Accommodation Name: DoubleTree by Hilton Avanos, Cappadocia
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today your journey takes you to Urgup, a historic town in the heart of Cappadocia. Visit the 13th-century Sultanhani Caravanserai before exploring the underground city of Saratli. You will recognise this famous area from the striking golden, volcanic landscapes that surround it.
Day 7: The Cappadocia Experience
Location: Göreme
Accommodation: DoubleTree by Hilton Avanos, Cappadocia
Accommodation Name: DoubleTree by Hilton Avanos, Cappadocia
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Move on to Göreme, a town in the Cappadocia region of Turkey. Explore its rock-hewn churches decorated with ancient wall paintings before moving on to the Pasabag Valley. With your Travel Director join a Cappadocian local who has lived in the city for decades and take a tour of their cave house. Dinner tonight will be accompanied by a performance of Whirling Dervishes.
Day 8: Ankara
Location: Avanos, Ankara
Accommodation: Ankara HiltonSA, Ankara.
Accommodation Name: Ankara HiltonSA
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, learn about the art of earthenware pottery making in Avanos. Continue your journey to Ankara, where you’ll visit the Hittite Museum and the Mausoleum of Atatürk, Turkey's greatest modern leader.
Day 9: To Istanbul
Location: Istanbul
Accommodation: Grand Wyndham Levent
Accommodation Name: Radisson Blu Sisli, Istanbul
Meals Included: Breakfast
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. Enjoy the excitement of bargaining in the bustling Grand Bazaar. Your evening is at leisure.
Day 10: Istanbul & the Ottoman Empire
Location: Istanbul
Accommodation: Grand Wyndham Levent
Accommodation Name: Radisson Blu Sisli, Istanbul
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Take in the sites of Istanbul, visit the historic Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome, where Roman chariot races were held. Explore Hagia Sophia with Insight Choice. Choose between visiting Hagia Sophia History Digital Experience, or alternatively, visit Hagia Sophia, built in A.D. 537 and famous for its domed roof. Visit Topkapi Palace, perched above the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn, the primary inlet of the waterway. Enjoy a relaxing cruise on the Bosphorus, where you will pass Ottoman palaces, old mansions and fortresses. In the evening, join your fellow travellers for dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 11: Farewell Istanbul
Location: Istanbul
Meals Included: Breakfast
It’s time to say goodbye to your new friends, as your trip comes to an end.
What's Included
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Choice Highlights
Choose between two carefully selected activities in Istanbul, including an immersive digital experience through the iconic structure's rich past and a visit to Hagia Sophia.
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Top Rated Highlights
Visit Gallipoli, Troy, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Konya, Saratli, Goreme, and Ankara with guided tours and local experts.
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Make Travel Matter
Visit the Copmadam workshop in Ayvalik, where items are made from recycled packaging, creating employment opportunities for local women.
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Authentic Dining
Enjoy traditional dinners in Istanbul, a Farm-to-Table lunch in Izmir, and a regional dinner in Cappadocia.
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Dining Summary
Includes 7 Dinners, 10 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, and 1 Dinner with Wine.
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Additional Included Highlights
Personal radio headsets, hotel and restaurant tips, taxes, porterage charges, and complimentary Wi-Fi are included.
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Insight Experiences
Join a Cappadocian local for a tour of their cave house to learn about their unique way of life.
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Well-being
Travel in comfort with Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned coach, equipped with hand sanitizer and maintained to high standards.
What's Not Included
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Flights
International and domestic flights are not included in the tour package.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended for all travelers.
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Optional Activities
Any optional activities or excursions not mentioned in the itinerary are not included.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and beverages are not included.
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Visa Fees
Visa fees and any related costs are not included in the tour package.
Dining Summary
- 7 Dinner (D)
- 10 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Lunch (L)
Additional Included Highlights
- Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
- Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
- 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.
Insight Experiences
- Cappadocia: Join a Cappadocian local for a tour of their cave house to learn about their unique way of life.
Well-being
- 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.
- Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
Mode of Transport
Travel in style and comfort with Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach, featuring double the standard legroom and an onboard washroom. Enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi and physical distancing measures for a safe and pleasant journey throughout Turkey.
Accommodation
Experience comfort and luxury at the Radisson Blu Sisli in Istanbul, DoubleTree by Hilton Canakkale, Swissotel Buyuk Efes in Izmir, Doga Thermal Health & Spa in Pamukkale, and DoubleTree by Hilton Avanos in Cappadocia, offering a blend of modern amenities and local charm.
Summary
- Travel by ferry across the Dardanelles • Cruise along the Bosphorus.
- Visit Gallipoli Peninsula • Troy • Asklepion in Pergamon • Ephesus • Seljuk Caravanserai in Anatolia • Saratli Underground City • Mausoleum of Ataturk in Ankara • Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia and Grand Bazaar in Istanbul.
- City tours of Pergamon, Goreme and Istanbul, all with Local Experts.
- See Anzac Cove at Gallipoli • the reconstructed Trojan Horse • the city of Izmir • Cotton Castle and ruins of Hierapolis in Pamukkale • Potters at work in Avanos.
- Welcome Dinner in Istanbul • Sema performance in a stone house followed by dinner in Cappadocia • Celebration Dinner in Istanbul.
Check out our Q&As
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What unique cultural experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes a visit to the Copmadam workshop in Ayvalik, where recycled materials are turned into unique items, supporting local women's employment. In Cappadocia, you will join a local resident for a tour of their cave house to learn about their unique way of life. Additionally, you will witness a performance of the Whirling Dervishes in Cappadocia. ...more ...less
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What are some of the historical sites visited during the tour?
The tour visits several historical sites including the ancient city of Troy, the archaeological site of Ephesus, the ruins of Hierapolis in Pamukkale, the underground city of Saratli, and the Mausoleum of Atatürk in Ankara. In Istanbul, you will explore the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Topkapi Palace. ...more ...less
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Are there any special dining experiences included in the tour?
Yes, the tour includes several special dining experiences such as a Farm-to-Table lunch at an organic farm in Izmir, a regional dinner in Cappadocia featuring local dishes, and dinners at local restaurants in Istanbul.
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What kind of activities can I expect in Istanbul?
In Istanbul, you will have the opportunity to visit the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Hippodrome. You will also enjoy a cruise on the Bosphorus, passing by Ottoman palaces and fortresses, and have time to explore the Grand Bazaar.
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What is the significance of the visit to Gallipoli?
The visit to Gallipoli is significant as it allows you to pay respects at Anzac Cove and Lone Pine Cemetery, sites of historical importance from the Great War where Anzac troops fought to gain control of the Dardanelles Strait.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a tour, including experiences such as missed meals or sightseeing.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1978.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Insight Vacations is a founding member of the TreadRight Foundation, a joint initiative created by the brands within The Travel Corporation (TTC) almost 15 years ago to ensure our impact through tourism is positive. Our ethos to #MakeTravelMatter guides our decision-making at every level of our business.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
You have two options as a solo traveller. Either choose to be matched with a same sex partner for a room share - at no extra cost. Or choose a room of your own with a reduced or even free private room upgrade on select tours.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Barrhead Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 98 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of barrhead travel charges.
Up to 98 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 97 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
Wonders of Turkey
11 Days Starting and ending in Istanbul, Turkey
Visiting: Istanbul, Gallipoli, Çanakkale, Troy, Izmir, Selçuk, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Urgup, Sultanhani, Saratli, Göreme, Avanos, Ankara ...more ...less
Tour operator:
Tour code:
I983AZN20
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Cultural, History, Religion and Spiritual, Ruins-Archaeology
Activities:
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