Turkish Delight

Europe Turkey
OVERVIEW
Welcome to Turkey, a diverse cultural mecca where relics of the ancient world blend seamlessly with lively local markets and palm-fringed promenades. In 11 days you'll visit the UNESCO-listed city of Troy and underground city complexes at Cappadocia, tick off one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World at Ephesus, visit a local village for traditional crafts & afternoon tea, have the chance to bathe in healing mineral waters at Pamukkale, and bring back a suitcase full of Turkish treasures.
EXPERIENCES
Cappadocia: And Pasa Baglari too! Cameras at the ready, folks. We've got more marvellous rock-formations-turned-buildings in store for you here.

Cappadocia: On this unique experience, we'll get to know a local family and take a guided tour of their cave house.

Cappadocia: Stay at this special hotel, carved out of 19th century rocks in Cappadocia.

Cappadocia: Take a trip to the Middle Ages, checking out a series of churches built into volcanic rock. Trust us when we say, it's simply sublime.

Cappadocia: You'll have to see it to believe it... but luckily for you, you're about to! (Just mind your head...)

Ephesus: Grab your camera, it’s time for some bucket list ticking. See the Temple of Artemis and finally understand what all the fuss is about.

Gallipoli: Brush up on your history knowledge with a visit to WWI battle sites: Lone Pine Cemetery and Chunuk Bair Gallipoli

Gallipoli: See the infamous site of the ANZAC troop landings at the battle of Gallipoli in WWI.

Istanbul: Get on foot, and explore the vibrant corners of Istanbul. We'll check out the spice market, the epic blue mosque, Hippodrome, and even the Grand Bazaar.

Izmir: Magnificent mosques meet palm-lined beach resorts at this glitzy Turkish port city. It’s also the birthplace of Homer (the Greek poet; not the doughnut-eating Simpson).
DEPARTURE DATES AND PRICES
Tour
Departs		 Tour
Returns		 Starting From
(price per person)		 Definite Departure
What's this?		 Book Now!
27/07/2025 06/08/2025 £1,849 Book
31/08/2025 10/09/2025 £1,976 Book
22/04/2026 02/05/2026 £1,807 Book
31/05/2026 10/06/2026 £1,863 Book
28/06/2026 08/07/2026 £2,031 Book
26/07/2026 05/08/2026 £2,031 Book
30/08/2026 09/09/2026 £1,807 Book
ACCOMMODATION
DAY 1: Hotel Centrum (or similar) - Meals: Dinner
DAY 10: Hotel Centrum (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 2: Hotel Centrum (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 3: Tusan Hotel (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 4: Hotel Anemon (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 5: Hotel Lycus River (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 6: Hotel Anemon (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 7: Hotel Yusuf Yiğitoğlu (Or Similar) - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 8: Hotel Yusuf Yiğitoğlu (Or Similar) - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 9: Hotel Best (or similar) - Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
ITINERARY

The countdown is finally over, global roamers! We're here in Istanbul and all geared up to uncover fabulous Turkey. No better way to kickstart this journey than a delightful Turkish dinner, after which you'll have some free time to explore this wonderful city on your own.

20,000 hand painted tiles fill the stunning Blue Mosque; millions of trinkets line the kilometres of the Grand Bazaar; and over 1,500 years of history sit within the walls of the Hagia Sophia. This is just some of the exotic magnificence that will keep us glued to Istanbul today with a walking tour (guided by an local expert, of course!). Seal the day of sightseeing with an optional Turkish bath and a belly dancing Turkish evening. Day two and we're already up to our eyeballs in experiences.

Out of exotic Istanbul we make our way to Canakkale, taking a sobering stop at the World War I site of Gallipoli. Visiting ANZAC Cove, Chunuk Bair & Lone Pine Cemetery today we are gifted with a special opportunity to pay tribute to the heroes of World War I right here where part of the battle took place. Afterwards, we'll brighten the mood with a drive along the Sea of Marmara en route to Canakkale. Shortly after ferrying across the Dardanelles (casually crossing continents) we'll arrive in the sparkling town of Canakkale. Today we discover that "Troy" means more than just a Hollywood blockbuster; so much more. Unravel the historical layers of a ten year war & what is now a mythical excavation site, and sign up for an in-depth look at the ancient ruins of the region. Tonight is yours to unwind and relax with your squad.

A big day sits ahead of us. Down as much breakfast as you can before we jump on the road in search of adventure. Further along the Turkish coastline we arrive at Pergamon. Once a political hotspot, this town is now brimming with history. We'll take a scenic mountain drive and give you the chance to get acquainted with Pergamon's hillside ruins, tapping into the archaeologist that you surely are. After our day's adventures are done, we arrive in Izmir, the birthplace of Homer (no kids, that isn't Homer from Springfield). After we tuck into some Turkish dinner, head out and explore the palm-lined promenades of this town known as the 'Pearl of the Aegean’.

Cruising out of Izmir after breakfast, we're heading out to marvel at what will probably be one of the most breathtakingly beautiful natural landscapes you have ever seen, but not before a trip to see one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World. Did you know Mark Antony and Cleopatra used to hang out here at Ephesus back in the day? And now here we are, walking in their footsteps some 2,000 years later in what is now the best preserved classical city on the Mediterranean. We'll have a chance to see the well-preserved ruins of this ancient port city including the Temple of Artemis and the Library of Celsus before heading back on the road to our next wonder, Pamukkale. Ah yes, there she is. Even more spectacular than Instagram & Pinterest had ever suggested and a UNESCO World Heritage site, Pamukkale's flowing waters of arid ridges and white calcium terraces formed by mineral waters are almost too much. We'll enjoy an included dinner at our hotel tonight, with more time to explore tomorrow.

Ready for more magic today? On the agenda is a visit to Hierapolis, one of the antique cities of the Aegean, where you'll have the chance to take a guided tour. Treating yourself to the optional thermal pool experience with all its healing properties is not something you'll want to miss. After lunch we'll drive to our next destination, Konya. The Sufi pilgrimage city of Konya dates back to 3000BC and is home to an elaborate 12th century mosque, narrow market streets, a contemporary university, whirling dervish ceremonies and the burial place of the Islamic poet, Rumi. We'll enjoy an included dinner at our hotel amidst the ancient and modern energy of this 5,000 year old city.

Waving goodbye to Konya this morning, we have our sights set on another UNESCO World Heritage site, Cappadocia. Here in Cappadocia we'll visit the Goreme Open Air Museum and encounter the vast monastic rock complex this area is famous for, with elaborate cave formations and even entire churches carved into the rockface, complete with colourful wall frescoes. Thoroughly blown away by the countless wonders we're experiencing in Turkey, we'll return to our hotel, for a delicious traditional dinner tonight.

Yesterday might have been a hard act to follow, but with a visit to an underground city and a trip to a local village on the agenda today we have a full day of adventures ahead. First we'll visit Kaymaklı Underground city. Afterwards, we will visit the last traditional cave house that is still in use by a local family in Uchisar Valley and be served coffee and tea.After a full day of culture we will head back to our hotel for a second night where you are free to find yourself some dinner.

We have Ankara in our sights today, but we're not quite done with Cappadocia yet. Departing after breakfast we'll first stop at the Zelve Open Air Museum, a cave town honeycombed with dwellings and a Byzantine-era monastery, followed by a peek at Pasa Baglari, the 'fairy chimneys' this region is known for, before heading on to Turkey's cosmopolitan capital. Ankara awaits us with the historic fortified Kalesi (castle) overlooking the city and a chance to load up on pears, honey, muscat grapes, and angora wool. Here we'll enjoy an included dinner at the hotel with Istanbul ahead of us tomorrow.

Ankara, it's been short but sweet. Today we're returning to Istanbul, with a chance to visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations and a stop for lunch on the way. Arriving in the afternoon, we'll be amazed at how much we've covered since we last set foot in Istanbul at the start of our adventure. We'll make the most of our time in the 'Paris of the East' with a free night tonight and our final evening together.

This morning, our Turkish Delight ends where it began in Istanbul. It's time to say fond farewells, but we'll always have our photos and memories of this incredible adventure.
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