Jan
min : 2°C
max : 7°C
We Love —
- Set off for a fascinating tour of Turkey - the land where east meets west. Start in Istanbul for a city experience before heading to Cappadocia to witness some incredible rock formations.
- Visit the picture-perfect Pamukkale and historic Izmir on this unique private tour, enabling you to absorb the essence of the country with the aid of your guide.
- Stay in hand-picked hotels along the way and enjoy the ease of included and transfers and optional activities!
New Voyage Privé —
Carefully selected by our experts especially for you
Your Destinations —
Istanbul
The Blue Mosque, Haghia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and The Grand Bazaar are all within a 30-minute walk of each other. It's easy to get around on foot or by tram, which provides a regular service to the pedestrianised main street. If you have a little longer to spend in Istanbul, we would recommend that you set aside some time to visit The Princes Islands. The tranquil atmosphere makes a pleasant contrast to the city itself. Easily reached by ferry or hydrofoil, Buyuk Ada is the most popular with visitors. No cars are allowed, but you can take a horse and carriage to visit the Monastery of St. George. The Heart of modern Istanbul is Taksim Square and the surrounding streets, with their excellent restaurants and lively bars have a real cosmopolitan feel.
Cappadocia
The village of Goreme itself is at the heart of the area's tourist industry, and many of its villagers still live in cave dwellings, some of which have been converted into pensions and boutique hotels. Surrounding the area are the amazing rock formations known evocatively as Peri Bacalari or 'Fairy Chimneys'. Located on the west of Nigde, the stunning Ihlara Vadisi, a gorge which is 10 km long and some 80 meters wide. Popular for trekking, about 12 of its 60 churches are open to the public including the impressive Egritas Church. There are hundreds of underground cities in the region. Two of the most impressive is Kaymakli, which has 8 levels, and Derinkuyu, which reaches down to 55 metres. They were used by Christians fleeing persecution in the 7th century, who created a self-sufficient environment underground including bedrooms. Kitchens and storage rooms. To get away from the crowds visit the picturesque Soganli Valley, with its many houses, tombs and churches, displaying excellent examples of Byzantine paintings.
Your Itinerary In Brief —
Day 1: UK - Istanbul
Day 2: Istanbul
Day 3: Istanbul - Ankara
Day 4: Ankara - Cappadocia
Day 5: Cappadocia
Day 6: Cappadocia - Konya - Pamukkale
Day 7: Pamukkale - Ephesus - Izmir
Day 8: Izmir - Pergamon - Troy - Çanakkale
Day 9: Çanakkale - Bursa - Istanbul
Day 10: Istanbul - UK
Book your tour now, for an unforgettable adventure rich in discoveries and culture! Your 9-night trip to Turkey will leave a mark on your heart from its natural beauty, historic past and intriguing culture.
Your Itinerary —
Day 1: UK - Istanbul
Flight to Istanbul. On arrival, you will be welcomed by your English-speaking assistant. Transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 2: Istanbul
Breakfast at the hotel. Today is at your leisure and is the perfect opportunity to discover the historic centre of the city and its main monuments like the Hippodrome of Constantinople. Discover the famous Blue Mosque, a religious complex representative of the height of the Ottoman Empire.
Visit Topkapi Palace, the residence of the Ottoman Sultans. This visit will immerse you in a very special atmosphere (the visit of the Harem is optional). Discover the Grand Bazaar with its many trinkets and produce on sale. There is a possibility of taking our optional excursion, which allows you to cruise on the Bosphorus, see the beauty of this city and visit some of these amazing sites. So why not add that on for ease? Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel. Take your morning at leisure to discover the city some more, with the possibility to take an optional excursion. Visit Topkapi Palace, the house of the Ottoman Sultans then have some free time at the Grand Bazaar.
In the afternoon, depart for Ankara, the capital of Turkey, for an early evening arrival. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. You will then have the opportunity to visit the Anatolian Civilizations Museum where you will see the Neolithic & Paleolithic ruins from Urartu, Hatti, Hittite, Phrygia civilisations. You will then proceed to the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic.
In the afternoon drive to Cappadocia. En route visit the Underground city of Serhatli which is one of the biggest underground cities in the region, constructed by the first Christians, to protect themselves from the attacks. Check in to the hotel in Cappadocia. Dinner at the hotel. After dinner (or before depending season) proceed to the Derwish House to attend a Whirling Dervishes Ceremony. Overnight at the hotel.
In the early morning, you have the possibility to take a picture-perfect hot air balloon excursion over Cappadocia, catching fantastic views of the sunrise over the horizon (payable locally). This is a chance of a lifetime to see the beauty of the region from the sky, including its rock formations, fairy chimneys, natural formations and lunar landscapes.
Return to your hotel for breakfast. Today you will visit this interesting region which offers some of the most unique landscapes in the world. You will visit Göreme Open Air Museum - a UNESCO Heritage site, with its cave churches and unusual structures located on the valley.
Then proceed to Uchisar Village and Paşabag Valley both of which are famous for their spectacular fairy chimneys. Visit Derbent Valley with and explore the natural rock formations and get a chance to attend carpet making and onyx-stones workshops. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
After the breakfast at the hotel, drive to Konya. En route, pay a visit to Sultan Han, a large 13th-century Seljuk Caravansarai that was built during Seljuk Empire and used as a stopover for travellers and merchants. Then proceed to the holy city of Konya - one of the famous & biggest cities of Anatolia. There you will visit the Mausoleum of Mevlana– Rumi, the famous Islamic Philosopher.
Continue on to Pamukkale, translated to "Cotton Castle". This remarkable a UNESCO heritage site boasts grandiose white limestone basins, fed by hot springs, creating a beautiful contrast of blue waters in snow-white baths. It is believed that the thermal waters have healing powers. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast. Drive to Selcuk, Ephesus, to visit the Ephesus Ruins – a UNESCO city which was dedicated to Artemis I the Odeon and is home to the Temple of Hadrian, the House of Love, the Library of Celsus and the Agora.
Then move on to visit the House of the Virgin Mary located on Mt. Koressos. It has been believed this is the final resting place of the mother of Jesus. En route to Izmir, stop at a Leather Production Store then upon arrival, check in to the hotel. Izmir (Smirne) is the third largest city in Turkey, and probably the second most beautiful city in the country after Istanbul. Take a walk around the Kordon Alsancak neighbourhood. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
After breakfast, drive to Pergamon (Bergama) region and visit the ruins of Asclepion which was perhaps the world's most famous ancient medical centre as it was one of the first of Asia Minor in human history.
Then continue onto Troy, known in late Classical antiquity as Asia Minor, and visit this famous city that evokes the poetic name of Homer's Iliad. You will then continue to Canakkale a seaport city boasting 15th-century castles and historical artillery. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast will be at the hotel before your departure for Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. Take a visit to the Grand Mosque of Bursa, the Seda Kozahan Bazaar and the Green Mosque. The Green Mosque was built at the beginning of the 15th century and takes its name from the interior decor, which boasts green faience covered walls. You will then be taken back to Istanbul. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 10: Istanbul - UK
Enjoy your last Breakfast at the hotel, then take your transfer to the airport for the flight back to the UK.
Your Hotels —
You will be staying at the following 4*/5* hotels (or similar) in a Twin Room, on a Half Board Basis as per the tour itinerary.
Ankara: Etap Altınel or similar 5*
Cappadocia: Dinler Urgup or similar 5*
Pamukkale: Collosae or Pam Thermal or similar 5*
Izmir: Blanca or similar 4*
Canakkale: Iris or similar 4*
Sleeps up to
2 Adults
+ 1 Child
Please note: the bed for the 3rd/4th guest sharing is likely to be a sofa bed or camp style bed. If any of these hotels are not available, hotels of a similar standard will be found.
Your Excursions —
Optional Excursions
You may choose to add the following excursions at the next stage of the booking process.
Take a 1.5 hr cruise excursion along the Bosphorus which divides the 2 continents of Asia & Europe. During the excursion, you will enjoy the beauty of Istanbul, with its forests, palaces and old wooden houses built on both continents. Lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, enjoy visits to Sultanahmet Mosque, Hippodrome and the famous Hagia Sophia.
You may also spend your evening in Istanbul sailing the Bosphorus while enjoying dinner and an Anatolian folklore show with belly dancing. Along the way, your boat takes a route offering views of Istanbul's best attractions, all under a magical night light.
Depart from the hotel to visit Topkapi Palace (harem section entrance fee is not included) and tour the house of the Ottoman sultans. You will also have free time at Grand Bazaar (closed during the first day of the religious holidays).
Your Journey —
Flights: The flights included are with either a scheduled or no-frills airline and are subject to live availability and prices can change. You can choose your preferred departure times during the booking process. Please select your flight options carefully as departure and arrival airports may differ.
Transfers: Shared transfers are included throughout this tour.
