Best of Turkey
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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
- 10 Dinner (D)
- 13 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Lunch (L)
Must-see Highlights
- Explore Istanbul, Izmir, Antalya and Cappadocia
- 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
How You'll Travel
- Deluxe coach travel
- Selected hotel dinners plus a locally hosted meal
- 4-star stays
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
- Istanbul: Visit the house of Turkey’s greatest classical composer, Dede Efendi. Recently brought back to its former architectural glory, this unique museum holds a rare collection of traditional instruments, which we experience first hand during a private concert by Music Conservatory students. Your visit directly supports United Nations’ Global Sustainable Goals 4 & 11: Quality Education & Resilient Cities and Communities. Your visit provides opportunities for the students to perform, contributes to Turkey’s cultural vibrancy in safeguarding traditional forms of music which was fast disappearing, and supports the important work of TURKEV association, who researches and safeguards Turkish traditional architecture and houses.
- 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.
Iconic Experience
- 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.
- Avanos: Learn about the art of pottery making in Avanos.
Be My Guest
- Demircidere: Meet the women of Demircidere Köyü, a rural village where gender equality has deep roots. Visit the local bakery to see how bread is made, sample it with homemade wine and explore a family garden bursting with seasonal produce. Over a shared lunch in a local home, you’ll hear inspiring stories of how this Turcoman community is empowering its girls to learn, grow and lead while preserving their culture and traditional Alevi beliefs.
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: 34555
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Deluxe
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Explorer, Budget
Tour Operator:
Trafalgar (CA)
Supplier Code: 437.1411A
Starts: Istanbul, Turkey
Finishes: Istanbul, Turkey
Duration: 14 days
Departures: 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 $3603 ($257 /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: Delta Istanbul Levent
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 your Travel Director, explore Topkapi Palace and learn how Ottoman sultans once ruled an empire. Later, Dive into Culture with a visit to Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar. Step into a maze of lantern-lit lanes where traders call out, artisans craft their wares and every turn tempts you to haggle for spices, ceramics and textiles.
Accommodation: Delta Istanbul Levent
Meals: Breakfast
Pay tribute to the brave souls who lost their lives at Gallipoli, where the national pride of both Turkey and Australia was awakened amidst the bloody battlefields of World War I, a legacy still commemorated today. See Anzac Cove and the Dardanelles, and visit the cemeteries of Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair, the final resting places of many Allied soldiers. Continue to Çanakkale, where you dine at your hotel tonight.
Accommodation: Kolin
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Visit a land of Trojan legends, where the ancient city of Troy has been immortalized by Homer in tales of King Priam, Hector, Paris and Helen. Explore the archaeological site revealing nine layers of civilization and see the replica wooden horse that recalls the Greek strategy used to end the legendary siege. Later, travel to the village of Demircidere for your Be My Guest experience. Meet local women, visit the village bakery and enjoy lunch made with fresh, homegrown produce. Continue to Izmir and settle into your seaside hotel before dining together this evening.
Accommodation: Kaya Izmir Thermal & Convention
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stroll through the ruins of the ancient Greek city of Ephesus, past the amazingly intact facade of the Library of Celcus and down to what was once its thriving port. During your visit to a Turkish carpet emporium, learn about the rich heritage and intricate artistry of carpet weaving. Then, visit the House of Virgin Mary at Mt. Koressos. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. This evening, you may consider joining an optional dinner at a local restaurant in Izmir and indulge in some of the local raki.
Accommodation: Kaya Izmir Thermal & Convention
Meals: Breakfast
Leave the coastal city of Izmir behind as you journey inland to Pamukkale. Along the way, stop for a demonstration of Turkey’s renowned leather craftsmanship, where you'll see how traditional techniques are used to create high-quality garments. Continue to Pamukkale where you can relax and enjoy the blissful thermal pools at your hotel before dinner.
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. 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, 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, at which weary travelers used to rest. Journey to Cappadocia with its honey-colored rocky spires providing an enchanting backdrop for our visit to the underground city of Saratli on the ancient Silk Road. Tonight we 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 volcanic valleys dotted with caves and troglodyte dwellings. In the morning, you can rise early for an Optional Experience hot air balloon flight at sunrise for a bird’s-eye view of Cappadocia’s dreamlike terrain. Visit the Göreme Open-Air Museum to admire rock-hewn churches then stop by the fairy chimneys of Paşabağ. Dive into Culture and see how Avanos potters shape local clay into everyday works of art. Later, choose an Optional Experience performance of the Whirling Dervishes for a moving insight into a centuries-old spiritual tradition. This evening, tuck into the flavors of traditional pottery kebabs at dinner in 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, the day is yours to enjoy at your own pace or you can choose to cruise the Bosphorus on an Optional Experience, taking in the sights from the water as Europe and Asia slide past on either shore. End the day with your Travel Director and fellow companions over a memorable dinner.
Accommodation: Delta Istanbul Levent
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
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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
Trusted Customer - Traveled, September 2024
Professional, friendly and reliable. Yes. This is my fifth holiday with Trafalgar and they never disappointed me. Tour guides and drivers very friendly and professional. Accommodation and meals to a good standard. Turkey was an historical tour with a lot of information and visiting some interesting museums, ruins and specially the opportunity to travel in a hot air balloon. I will continue travel with Trafalgar. Thank you.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/21/2024
Trusted Customer - Traveled, September 2024
Best of Turkey At least three of our stays were at 5-star hotels with great amenities. The food also was excellent. Exploring Western Turkey is like a walk back in history visiting the ruins of what was once great cities. The best experience of travelling with Trafalgar is the Be My Guest, Stay With Stories, and Make Travel Matter Experiences. Also the opportunity to see how Turkey's well-known products are made and the opportunity to purchase at a very good discount.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/21/2024
Sandra Kruger - Traveled, September 2024
I loved the trip, will definitely be doing another one very soon.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/19/2024
Carolyn Wildman - Traveled, September 2024
The Best of Turkey was the best! The bus was very comfortable, the driver was fantastic. The itinerary was non stop and exhilarating. It was fast paced and fascinating. Our guide was very informative and very nice. We loved all the sites we visited especially Rome and Ephesus. The Marriott on the Mediterranean was really nice.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/13/2024
Trusted Customer - Traveled, September 2024
Once in a lifetime experience in Turkey Organization & Professionalism. Saw & experienced everything that Turkey had to offer. What we saw and did everyday was well curated. The Tour Director / Guide Altay Gur was extremely knowledgeable. He blended History, Archeology and Mythology so well in his explanation & narrative that it was an unforgettable & one of a kind experience. He also took care of his guests and saw to it that everyone was comfortable and happy. Excellent itinerary. Covered everything we wanted to do & see in Turkey.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/12/2024
Patricia O'Neill - Traveled, September 2024
Best way to view Turkey. EXCELLENT! The hotels were all good. Food was excellent and Orham our guide was extremely good. The Itinerary was great, a good balance of historical sights and beauty of the country.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/16/2024
Jack White - Traveled, September 2024
Trafalgar is number one!!! Second to none. Great service. I thought it was great. Good balance between sites and kept well informed. Seen many things I had only read about.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/16/2024
Trusted Customer - Traveled, September 2024
The trip was very good. I think some cities we could use more time and some cities we could do with one day. Like Ankara for sure 2 days would be great we could cut the days in Cappadocia. The tour guide was excellent the length of the tour glad we bought insurance and last but not the least the age range could be looked at more closely we had 50-85 years old passengers.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/14/2024
Errol O'Neill - Traveled, August 2024
Without a doubt, the secret of your success was the choice of tour guide Orhan. His knowledge of local and distant history, religion and their different sects, archaeology, culture and politics, agriculture and contacts was what made this trip. His humor and intervention with anecdotes was just right - no rambling dialogues. Well done Trafalgar. This was the second trip with you, the last being 11 years ago in Italy. I highly recommend your operation.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/21/2024
Trusted Customer - Traveled, August 2024
Great itinerary, knowledgeable and friendly tour guide. Hotels and bus were excellent.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/17/2024
