Explore the highlights of Turkey's Aegean Coast and Istanbul In five days with this private, guided tour.
Soak up the highlights of Istanbul and see important monuments in the city like Dolmabahçe Palace, Bosphorus Bridge, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace. Sail down the Bosphorus after that. Up next are the white terraces of Pamukkale formed by calcium-rich water cascading downhill.
Discover the magnificent ruins of Ephesus on the last day of this tour. Legends say that Virgin Mary lived in this place. See the House of the Virgin Mary as well as the Temple of Artemis. Fly back to Istanbul after the tour is over.
Topkapı Palace, residence of Ottoman Sultans exhibiting imperial treasury, sacred Islamic relics
of Prophet Mohammed, kitchen, Chinese porcelain, weapons, calligraphy section etc. Live guide commentary is not allowed in special sections.
(Harem is not included in the program)
Spoonmaker's Diamond
The Hagia Irene located in the outer courtyard of Topkapı Palace is the oldest church of the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine). It was also the second largest church in İstanbul after Hagia Sophia. It’s a typical Byzantine structure with its materials and architecture, was built on the site of an old temple in 330.
Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise is a very popular cruise that you can enjoy a memorable evening of food, wine and entertainment. Admire the spectacular views of Istanbul’s beautifully illuminated palaces, mosques and Bosphorus bridges, and enjoy a delicious 3-course dinner with select drinks. Glittering entertainment from belly dancers, whirling dervishes and other artistes is included, along with hotel pickup and drop-off.
Begin your Bosphorus dinner cruise with either a coach pickup from your hotel or join your guide at the port. Then, board your festive boat for a sightseeing cruise of the Bosphorus Strait and see the monument-laden European and Asian coastlines. See the Blue Mosque, the Kiz Kulesi tower and Dolmabahçe Palace glow gold at sunset. As dusk turns to nightfall see the last slivers of light illuminate Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, famously known for connecting the two continents.
Enjoy exciting performance of music and dancing which sheds light on the city’s Anatolian culture. As the show picks up, get ready for classic belly dancing with playful twists and shakes enjoyed by all. Once the show is over, spend the last few minutes admiring the sparkling city as your boat arrives at the port.
Spend a pleasant afternoon exploring the Bosphorus Strait during this spectacular 4.5-hour lunch cruise. Take in the iconic sights along the way and stop for a visit in the fishing village of Anadolu Kavagi and discover the old fortress remnants on a hill with breathtaking views of Bosphorus and the Black Sea.
Climb aboard a gorgeous boat and forget your worries as you enjoy a relaxing half-day cruise down the Bosphorus Strait. Admire the views of beautiful castles, palaces, old mansions and the minarets of the city mosques. During the cruise you will have plenty of time to relax, sit back and indulge in two course lunch that offers a variety of delicious dishes and fresh seasonal fruits.
The open air observation deck gives you the perfect place to capture photos. Go for a stroll on deck to soak up the sun and see the many famous sights that line both coastlines, such as Galata Tower and the immense Bosphorus Bridge that connects Asia and Europe. Sail towards the Black Sea, and then make your way to the small coastal town of Anadolu Kavagi.
Drop anchor and take a walk in the lush hills of the surrounding area. See the ruins of a medieval fortress and other landmarks before the journey back to Istanbul in the late afternoon.
This solo tour will show you the most breathtaking attractions in Türkiye. Begin your journey in Istanbul, the cultural heart of this beautiful country. Visit magnificent palaces, bustling bazaars, and ancient mosques, such as the iconic Blue Mosque. Make your way east for a scenic stop in Ankara; discover the Mausoleum of Ataturk and its Museum. Next, you will travel to Cappadocia, one of the most beautiful regions in Türkiye. In this region, erosion has formed caves, clefts, and soft folds of volcanic rock, creating a surreal landscape that is perfect for hot air ballooning. Your next stop will be in Pamukkale, known for its extraordinary hot springs and natural white limestone cascades. Discover the ruins of Hierapolis and its Necropolis before you continue your journey to Izmir. the third-largest city in Türkiye, the gateway to Ephesus offers modern attractions surrounded by gorgeous mountain scenery.
This is a Solo Tour
You don't pay single supplement and get a room for yourself!
Discover some of the most stunning coastal areas of Turkey during this private, guided tour. Soak up the sights and sounds of Istanbul before heading for Ephesus, one of the most important cities in the ancient world. See the white, cascading terraces of Pamukkale next and continue your journey to the Hellenic, rock-cut tombs of Kaunos.
Take in the beauty of the magnificent Saklikent Gorge and walk past the charming whitewashed houses of Kas. Also included is a boat trip in the turquoise waters around Kekova and a free day in Antalya. We will transfer you to the airport for your flight to Istanbul at the end of this eleven-day trip.
Please note that we can help you customize this itinerary as per your requirements. We can also organize tours privately for your group only.
Glories of Türkiye 15 day tour
This small group (in our case just 8 people) tour was excellent and provided a perfect introduction to this country. The first thing that stands out is how clean everywhere is. Not so much as a candy wrapper anywhere, city streets or country by-ways. The Turks are hospitable, polite and friendly people, eager to please everywhere you go. English is spoken in many places and commnication is never a problem. Our escort and guide, Fatih, was both knowledgeable and informative about the many sights; but also thoughtful and concerned for the well-being of his group members. Highly organized and experienced, he had everything under control. Our fellow travelers were all delightful company.
Istanbul is a vibrant city with a history dating back thousands of years. Divided by the Bosphorous, it is both in Europe and in Asia. The Kadikoy district, on the Asian side, is not part of the tour but should be. If possible try to spend a couple of additional days there.
The ancient sites are all interesting and cover thousands of years of history, including Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and many associated with biblical writings. This is also a good opportunity for non Muslims to learn about the Islamic faith.
Dining was always a pleasure. Although the Turkish population is almost entirely of the Muslim faith, it is politically secular. As a result, alcoholic beverages are widely but not universally available. Tap water is generally avoided, but bottled water is available everywhere.
Prices in stores and dining establishments were significantly cheaper than Europe or North America.
There was no sense anywhere of a threat to personal safety. Indeed we saw no signs of homelessness or drug or alcohol abuse or criminality. Toilets were clean and fresh everywhere.
In summary, Turkey was a wonderful vacation experience, and the Glories of Türkiye 15 day tour met and exceeded our expectations.
Art and architecture
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
8-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Istanbul, Pamukkale, Ankara, Ant
Istanbul, Pamukkale, Ankara, Antalya, Cappadocia, Canakkale, Izmir, Ephesus, Bodrum
Great itinerary around Turkey, made better by an excellent guide Osman who's very professional and knowledgeable. We spent 10 days visiting different parts of Turkey all very interesting. The tour included many dinners and all of them were very good. I loved the hotel in Capadoccia, vey unique and pretty even though it has a lot of stairs.
We had a great time in Turkey.
Immerse yourself in the captivating history and vibrant culture of Istanbul on this 4-day tour! Explore iconic landmarks like the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace. Experience a breathtaking Bosphorus cruise connecting Europe and Asia, and wander through the aromatic Spice Bazaar. This itinerary offers a perfect blend of historical exploration and scenic beauty in one of the world's most dynamic cities.
Embark on an evening of a lifetime with this four-hour sunset cruise around the Bosphorus. Pass by Dolmabahce Palace, Maiden's Tower and Golden Horn, while enjoying a freshly prepared dinner, perfect views of Istanbul at sunset with a live tour commentary and DJ performance.
We'll bring the adventure, you bring the romance on our Bosphorus Sunset Dinner Cruise. Our stylish boat is the perfect vessel on which to wine and dine. Get up close and personal with the incredible views of Istanbul at sunset. It's good vibes only on this pleasure cruise that includes cocktails, locally-prepared appetizers, dinner and dessert.
Once we're on board, it's time to slow yourself down and let the sightseeing begin. For the ride, we've got a nice selection of snacks finger food, and soft drinks to welcome you. Our entertaining tour guide will share history and legends of Istanbul as we journey around the Bosphorus while going up and down along both European and Asian sides of the Bosphorus.
This relaxed trip is a photographer's dream, with endlessly amazing photo opportunities, courtesy of the breathtaking sunset views above the old City of Istanbul. This is definitely the time to get your new profile pic or your family's next holiday card photo.
At sunset, we'll pause to enjoy the last moments of the day, complete with a champagne toast. Grab your cameras so the crew can capture you and your favorite people with a colorful backdrop of the Bosphorus.
Known for its unique rock formations (fairy chimneys) that provided refuge to persecuted Christians, Cappadocia is one of the most popular destinations in the world. Cover the highlights of Cappadocia in just two days with this private, guided tour.
Your journey starts from Istanbul, Turkey's capital, where our driver will meet you and transfer you to the airport in the city. Hop on a flight to Cappadocia and, on reaching there, drive to your hotel in the city. See the highlights of Cappadocia on the second day. Marvel at its lunar landscape and visit the Devrent Valley that is home to countless fairy chimneys. See the mushroom-shaped pinnacles of Paşabag and visit Göreme's open-air museum.
Catch a flight back to Istanbul at the end of this tour.
Join us on this guided trip and discover some of the most popular highlights located in the western and central parts of the country. Fly from Istanbul to Ephesus on the second day of this trip and discover the highlights of this ancient city. Then continue your journey to Pamukkale and Cappadocia before returning back to the capital city at the end.
Land transport during this trip will be provided by comfortable, air-conditioned vehicles. Simply sit back and enjoy discovering the highlights of Turkey. The flights from and to Istanbul that we generally use are listed below. However, this may vary due to availability reasons.
From Istanbul: Departure between 07:00 am & 07:30 am, landing in Izmir between 08:00 am & 08:30 am.
From Cappadocia: Departure between 19:00 to 21:30 and landing in Istanbul between 20:30 & 23:00.
Please scroll down to the itinerary section for more details.
