Best of Turkey
Experience Overview
From the legends of Troy to ancient Greek cities, your travels will reveal the places where history happened. On this in-depth Best of Turkey voyage, you'll also venture to Demircidere Village for lunch with the Yazir community and relax on the shores of the Turkish Riviera.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 11 Dinner (D)
- 13 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Lunch (L)
Be My Guest
- Antalya: Enjoy a Be My Guest lunch with the Yazir community in the Taurus Mountains near Antalya.
Dive into Culture
- Learn about the art of pottery making in Avanos.
- Istanbul: Haggle for souvenirs at Istanbul's Grand Bazaar one of the largest covered markets in the world with 60 streets and over 5,000 shops.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
- Nevsehir: Meet Ali, our local host and Cappadocian local, for a tour of his family-run farm. See the sport where his grandfather’s garden once stood, taste freshly baked bread and fresh and dried fruits grown on pigeon natural fertilizer, the traditional farming method for producing a rich and nutritious harvest. This experience advances United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 11: Resilient Cities and Communities. Thanks to Ali’s work to revive the traditional farming practices unique to this region of Cappadocia, the region has regained pride in their local traditions. It also advances United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal SDG 12: Sustainable Production and Consumption. Using exclusively traditional farming practices, the farm is one of the few to be producing traditional and rare fruits, herbs and old grains, typical of the region.
Must-see Highlights
- Explore Istanbul
- Visit Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Hippodrome and Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Anzac Cove and the War Cemeteries at Gallipoli, ancient ruins of Troy, ancient city at Ephesus, Cotton Castle Springs in Pamukkale, Archaeological Museum in Antalya, home of the Whirling Dervishes at Konya, underground city of Saratli and Göreme Open-Air Museum
- View the Blue Mosque in Istanbul
Trafalgar Difference
- Cappadocia: The Exedra Hotel's rooms, carved from rock, boast unique designs and handcrafted antiques. During construction, a chapel was uncovered, inspiring the name 'Exedra,' a gathering place in ancient Rome.
Trip Details
Product Code: 28196
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Deluxe
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
55+
Tour Operator:
Trafalgar (CA)
Supplier Code: 437.153B
Starts: Istanbul, Turkey
Finishes: Istanbul, Turkey
Duration: 14 days
Departures: Not Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Easy
Includes
Whats Included
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
- Must-see sightseeing
- Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- Ferry across the Dardanelles from Eceabat to Canakkale
- Optional Experiences and free time
- On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $4695 ($335 /day)
Itinerary
Stand at the ancient crossroads between Europe and Asia, embarking on a journey of discovery through ancient lands and the marauding empires who fought to rule it. Arriving in vibrant Istanbul, you will be transferred to your hotel before joining your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a memorable dinner to kick off your epic adventure.
Accommodation: Arts Taksim
Meals: Dinner
Begin your day at the Hippodrome, once the heart of Byzantine life, where you’ll see the 4th-century Egyptian obelisk. View the Blue Mosque, with its striking minarets, and the architectural masterpiece of Hagia Sophia. With a Local Specialist, explore Topkapi Palace and learn how Ottoman sultans once ruled an empire. This afternoon is free, or you could choose to cruise the Bosphorus on an Optional Experience, taking in the sights. In the evening, another Optional Experience offers a taste of local culture, enjoy a traditional Turkish dinner with drinks as dancers and musicians take the stage in a lively performance.
Accommodation: Arts Taksim
Meals: Breakfast
Leaving Istanbul behind, you'll cross the Dardanelles Strait by ferry to Çanakkale. Visit the Archaeological Site of Troy and the replica wooden horse which famously ended a 10-year siege. Then, return to Çanakkale and check in to your hotel, leaving later this evening to attend the Dawn Service.
Accommodation: Iris
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Witness the stirring dawn tribute at Anzac Cove and pay your respects to the brave soldiers who lost their lives during poignant ceremonies held at Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair. Return to your hotel in Çanakkale later this afternoon and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Accommodation: Iris
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Cross the Dardanelle Strait again and visit Anzac Cove, Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair. You'll be reminded of the sacrifices made by both sides during World War I before returning to Çanakkale and then on to Izmir where you'll spend the night.
Accommodation: Mövenpick
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Stroll through the ruins of Ephesus and see the House of Virgin Mary at Mt. Koressos before continuing to Pamukkale.
Accommodation: Colossae Thermal
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Tread in the footsteps of the ancients who sought relief and relaxation at the Roman health spa at Hierapolis, then admire the bubbling pools and delicate white cascades of water of Pamukkale's Cotton Castle Springs. Later, travel through scenic countryside and join the Yazir community in the Taurus Mountains, where you’ll Connect With Locals and gain insights into their traditions at our Be My Guest lunch. Our stop for the next two nights is the Mediterranean retreat of Antalya. Visit the Antalya Archaeological Museum, then enjoy some time on your own ambling through the winding lanes of its old city and admiring beautifully preserved Ottoman architecture. This evening, join your companions for dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Marmara Antalya
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy a day at your own pace, taking in the captivating seaside ambiance of the Turkish Riviera. Stroll through the charming, winding streets of the old city, where you can admire the well-preserved Ottoman architecture. For an Optional Experience, you may choose a yacht cruise and guided tour of Antalya's historic old town.
Accommodation: Marmara Antalya
Meals: Breakfast
Witness the world's best-preserved theater of antiquity during your first stop in Aspendos this morning, before continuing to Konya, where you'll gain insights into the mystical Whirling Dervish sect whose remains lie in the Mevlana Museum and Mausoleum. Then, visit the Karatay Tile Museum, spellbound by its exquisitely Seljuk-tiled dome. Return to your hotel, where you'll dine tonight.
Accommodation: Dedeman
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
See a well-preserved 13th-century caravanserai, once a resting place for weary travelers along the ancient Silk Road. Journey to Cappadocia, where honey-colored rocky spires create an enchanting backdrop for your visit to the underground city of Saratli. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at King’s Valley Eco Farm, where your local host, Ali, shares how he transformed his grandfather's garden into a sustainable farm to preserve traditional farming methods and revive the local economy. Tonight, stay in one of Trafalgar's Stays With Stories located with views of the valley and ancient Ortahisar rock castle.
Accommodation: Exedra
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
The otherworldly landscapes of Cappadocia take center stage today as you explore its volcanic terrain dotted with caves and troglodyte dwellings. Visit the Göreme Open-Air Museum to admire the extraordinary rock-hewn churches and the fairy chimneys of Paşabağ. Dive Into Culture to learn about the art of pottery making in Avanos. This evening, indulge in the flavors of traditional pottery kebabs during dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Exedra
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Arriving in the youthful capital of Turkey today, visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations and the final resting place of the country's beloved Atatürk, the first president of the modern Turkish nation. This evening, dine at your hotel in Ankara.
Accommodation: Grand Mercure Ankara
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Returning to Istanbul, Dive Into Culture with a visit to the Grand Bazaar. Discover its hidden lanes and watch artisans at work as you wander the bustling thoroughfares. Spend some time haggling with passionate market vendors lining its labyrinthine alleys. End the day with your Travel Director and fellow companions over a memorable dinner.
Accommodation: Arts Taksim
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Your epic journey into antiquity has come to an end as you bid Istanbul and newfound friends a fond farewell.
Meals: Breakfast
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
Trafalgar (CA)
Family owned and run since 1920, The Travel Corporation (TTC) is the world leader in immersive travel experiences across an extensive range of travel categories. Each year TTC's 40 award winning hospitality and travel brands connect over 1 million happy travellers to the world. We give you access to the 12 DMC’s behind these brands, so you can build your business by capitalizing on the extensive experience, local expertise, and financial assurance of TTC. LOCAL EXPERTISE The world leaders in travel for over 100 years, we offer unparalleled local expertise with a global footprint. Our 12 DMCs, led by experienced in-destination teams, deliver experience rich travel solutions in more than 80 countries. Additionally, our market based teams are on hand to support across our 40 offices worldwide
In Business Since 1931
Reviews
Anonymous - Traveled, June 2025
Overall, the tour guide and driver were excellent and took great care of the entire tour group throughout the tour of Turkey. However, I did not receive my prepaid airport pickup at Istanbul Airport upon arrival. Another tour guide contacted the phone number provided but was informed that someone had waited 3 hours for my arrival and then left. However, my plane arrived 15 minutes early and I went straight to gate 8 for pickup but nobody was waiting for me. So, the other tour guide helped me get a taxi to the designated hotel at a cost of 70 euros. I informed the Trafalgar Tour Guide at the beginning of the tour, and he told me that it was a contractor problem. The tour provided excellent coverage of the battlefields at Gallipoli (except that we were not able to visit the British battlefields or cemeteries) and the tour of Troy both of which made me select this Trafalgar tour instead of other tour companies.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/04/2025
Anonymous - Traveled, June 2025
Good range of experiences and excellent tour guide.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/02/2025
Anonymous - Traveled, June 2025
Tour was well organized - Altay adjusted the itinerary due to an upcoming holiday which worked well. *Personal information removed by Feefo* was overall the best tour guide I have had and I have done many Trafalger tours. He was informative, conscientious, considerate, went above and beyond every day.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/22/2025
Anonymous - Traveled, June 2025
The Trafalgar service was impeccable. From the Tour director to the skilled coach driver. Both acted above an beyond throughout the entire tour. The quite large age gap in the group made quite slow going throughout the days agenda a lot of the time. The Itinerary was full and busy. There was quite a bit of time spent on the bus. Sometimes on a two day stop there was a lot of backtracking to see another attraction very close to the previous day's sites. Due to the nature of the group the daily activities sometimes took longer than expected and so any free time was used up.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/01/2025
Anonymous - Traveled, June 2025
Hassle free concierge service is the only way to travel. Worth every penny. Our tour Director was amazing.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/21/2025
Andrea Cowan - Traveled, June 2025
We had a great time, the pace was fast and very interesting. Excellent history of the country and its people, including its founding fathers. We learned a tremendous amount from our guide and the museums we visited. We may visit again.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/21/2025
Jazmin Dadnia - Traveled, June 2025
Excellent service, our hotel location and amenities are 5 stars. Our boutique hotel in Cappadocia was an experience and great views. We enjoyed thermal swimming pool and excellent massage. Our itinerary from Istanbul to Ankara and back to Istanbul were amazing. Our tour director *Personal information removed by Feefo* was very informative in every places, scenery, or others we stop by including trying a pomegranate juice with orange. He advised us what is required to wear prior to our visit to the Mosque. The Grand Bazaar was an experienced and a must to visit. We bought several souvenirs to take home with us. From spices to a favorite Turkish Delight, and variety of Baklava. He bought sweet organic strawberries and banana on the side of the road for us to try and we cannot have enough of it.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/15/2025
Anonymous - Traveled, June 2025
I couldn't fault Trafalgar's service. I thoroughly enjoyed my holiday and my companions were fun as well. I would have liked another week of touring. Such a fascinating country. The itinerary was perfect in every way. I have travelled a lot and my personal opinion is a tour is in the hands of a super tour director and a great bus driver. Apart from the itinerary which in my opinion was absolutely wonderful maybe a little short. Some parts of Turkey could stand a little more especially in the areas of resurrection of Roman theatres and buildings. Amazing history.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/16/2025
Anonymous - Traveled, May 2025
Excellent service! I have great confidence and feels safe and when you need something, it is addressed, for the money that I spent it was worth it! Thank you Trafalgar you are the best! It was an excellent experience for me. Food and hotels are very good, including the sites that we went to. *Personal information removed by Feefo* our tour director is knowledgeable about his country and *Personal information removed by Feefo* our driver has good driving skills. Turkey is not as I imagined it, it's a beautiful country.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/03/2025
Sunita and Rajan Vora - Traveled, May 2025
Generally good.. hospitable and well organised. Your planning team along with ground handling Tour company, should inspect hotels, see rooms, quality and spread of food in particular vegetarian inc for breakfast. Quite extensive coverage of turkey.. good and knowable Tour Director. However tour was hectic for senior citizen. Some of the hotels selected for stay and for food were below average.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/03/2025
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