Turkey Family Holiday

Welcome to Turkey! This family adventure kicks off in Istanbul, the continent-straddling metropolis that the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans have all called home. Your trip officially kicks off with a welcome meeting at 1 pm. Please make sure you have your next of kin and insurance information to hand over to your leader at the meeting. Following the formalities and introductions, get acquainted with the streets of Istanbul on an orientation tour of the city before joining your fellow travellers for an optional group dinner to toast to new adventures.

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This morning you'll visit a nearby neighbourhood to take part in an Ebru marbling workshop. A unique artform which uses traditional materials such as earth dyes, horse hair and rose branch brushes. Learn about the history and art of marbling from a local instructor, along with the correct way to hold the brush and throw the paint to achieve the best results. Then you'll have the opportunity to make your very own masterpiece. After the class head to the airport for a short one-hour flight to Cappadocia. Check-in to your accommodation on arrival and enjoy a free evening in the fairytale city to explore.

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Photographs of hot air balloons soaring over strange rock formations in golden light are what most people associate with the Cappadocia region. While this activity is not included in the trip price, it is highly recommended. Those who choose to fly this morning will have the unique experience of seeing Cappadocia from above and below, as an underground city tour is planned for later this morning. Explore the caverns and tunnels of Kaymakli Underground City, located about 20 minutes away. It was built during between the 9th and 10th centuries as a defensive mechanism. Spend a few hours wandering this eight-storey marvel. Later, head to the surface and enjoy some free time to further explore the region's valleys and interesting shaped landscape or simply relax by the pool. This evening visit a local family home to take part in a fun mini cooking class, using fresh organic produce from the garden, then tuck into a delicious home cooked dinner.

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Enjoy a last morning in Cappadocia before hoping on a private bus to make the 3 hour drive to Konya. A city where religion and conservative traditions combine with the modern and cosmopolitan, providing the perfect opportunity to experience Turkish culture unspoiled by mainstream tourism. Upon arrival to Konya in the mid afternoon your leader will take you on a walk around the town to see a few of the sights and allow you the opportunity to grab something to eat before boarding the overnight train in the early evening.

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Arrive by train into Izmir at around 7 am and transfer by private minivan for the 1 hour drive to Selcuk. Enjoy some breakfast and free time to soak in the culture and natural wonder of this fascinating city. Your leader will provide an orientation walk around the city and you can choose how you wish to spend the rest of the day. You may like to spend the afternoon relaxing around the hotel's swimming pool or set off an further exploration. A short distance out of Selcuk is one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world – the Temple of Artemis – although, sadly, only a single column (of 127 originally) remains after it was ultimately destroyed in AD 401.

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This morning you'll head off to explore the nearby ruins of Ephesus, former capital of the Byzantine Empire and the best-preserved ancient city in Turkey. According to Christian tradition, St John came to Ephesus with the Virgin Mary from Jerusalem, and lived here until his death sometime around AD 100, and the basilica stands over his believed burial site. On the slopes of Ayasoluk Hill lie several historic buildings like the imposing Byzantine citadel of the Grand Fortress and the ruins of the Basilica of St John. After spending some time exploring the site enjoy a delicious local lunch of Gozleme before returning to Selcuk to enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

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Today is a long travel day but with worthy reward as you visit one of Turkey's most photographed sites, Pamukkale. Literally translating to “cotton castle” you’ll soon understand why as you view the impossibly blue, natural terrace baths, formed by calcium-rich springs and used as spas since 200 BC. Though you’re not allowed to bathe in the travertines, you can walk through them after removing your shoes and see for yourself if the pools alleged healing properties are for real. You'll have some time for lunch and perhaps a visit the nearby ancient city of Hierapolis to enjoy a dip in the clear waters of a historical pool – sculpted as a gift from Marc Antony to Cleopatra. Then in the afternoon continue on to Fethiye, a port city situated on Turkey’s stunning Turquoise coast, where you will spend the next two nights.

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Wake up in paradise this morning and get ready to spend a relaxing day sailing and swimming along the Mediterranean coastline. Board your boat and set sail from the bay exploring nearby islands and coves, stopping to swim in the turquoise water along the way. Enjoy a delicious homemade Turkish lunch onboard prepared by the crew before returning to Fethiye in the afternoon. Later you may like to wander through the town and enjoy dinner at a nearby restaurant or view some of the other sites in the area.

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This morning we say goodbye to Fethiye and travel to the nearby town of Dalyan. Here we will pay a visit to Dekamer – a Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. This organisation rescues and rehabilitates any injured loggerhead turtles (the largest hard-shell turtle in the world) found along the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. You’ll learn all about these turtles and how Dekamer works to protect them and conserve the local environment. You’ll also be directly contributing to rescue and rehabilitation efforts here, as Intrepid contributes a donation to Dekamer for every person on this trip! From here it's a short drive to Dalaman Airport to take a flight back to Istanbul. On arrival, there will be an opportunity to check into the hotel and head out for a final group dinner together to celebrate your whirlwind Turkish adventure.

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There are no activities planned for the final day and you are able to depart the accommodation at any time following check out. If you would like to stay longer in Istanbul there is plenty to do with your family. See the European and Asian sides of the city and stock up on goodies from both on an afternoon food tour with Urban Adventures. Learn more at urbanadventures.com/istanbul-tour-Picnic-On-Two-Continents.