A wonderful introduction to Turkey, this 8 day tour takes in many of the ancient sites. From the thriving city of Istanbul with a full day tour included, you will move on to explore the WWi battlefields of Gallipoli and the ancient historical sites of Troy, Pergamum, Ephesus and Pamukkale.
NOTE: On 2025 departures the following visits will be replaced:
Ancient Pergamum - Replaced with a visit to Assos.
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Lodge, Hotel
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Amakh
Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Amakhala Game Reserve, Kirstenbosch Gardens, Tsitsikamma National Park, Plettenberg Bay, Mossel Bay, De Hoop Nature Reserve, Stellenbosch
This 8-day Turkey tour takes you from bustling Istanbul to the Mediterranean at Kusadasi and then inland to the beautiful scenery of Cappadocia. The itinerary is designed to combine some of Turkey's classic highlights in a week's visit, balancing bustling cities, beautiful scenery, ancient ruins and modern Turkey. You'll stay in a mix of 4-star and boutique style properties along the way.
Starting in Istanbul, the beating heart of Turkey and historically a vitally important connecting point between the continents of Europe and Asia, we visit the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia, Spice Bazaar, Hippodrome and take a cruise on the Bosphorus before flying south to the Mediterranean coast at Kusadasi. We have two nights here, and a tour to the nearby ruins at Ephesus. One of the best preserved ancient Greek & Roman sites in the whole of the Mediterranean region, this is a spectacular site with a fascinating history. We'll also visit a village famous for producing local fruit wines, and learn about the importance of carpet making in Turkey. Our next stop is at the stepped calcium travertines and hot pools at Pamukkale, before we continue into the centre of Turkey along the ancient Spice Route, passing old caravanserais and visiting the Mervlana museum at Konya on the way. This brings us to picturesque landscape of Cappadocia where we visit the strange rock formations, cave chuches and 'fairy chimneys' in the Goreme valley and venture down into one of the labarynthine underground cities built by Christians centuries ago to hide from persecution. The tour then finishes with a drive (or optional flight) via Ankara back to Istanbul where extra nights are available to spend more time exploring the city.
Discover one of the world’s seven natural wonders as you enjoy a spectacular sunset over Cape Town, the Twelve Apostles Mountain Range and the Atlantic Ocean—seen from up high on Table Mountain. Explore Cape Town your way with a visit to The Old Biscuit Mill—a vibrant artisan and culinary market, or the District Six Museum—a memorial dedicated to the 60,000 inhabitants forced to relocate after Apartheid destroyed the area. After visiting the UNESCO World Heritage site and former prison of Nelson Mandela on Robben Island, meet ex-prison guard Christo Brand for lunch at the Amy Foundation to hear fascinating stories about one of history’s most inspirational figures. At Boschendal Wine Estate, enjoy a Farm-to-Table lunch of locally sourced foods, harvested from the Werf Food Garden and cooked to perfection by Chef Allistaire Lawrence. In Kruger National Park, adventure out on a private open-air safari in search of the Big Five. Led by professional trackers, this once in a lifetime experience unfolds the largest game reserve in South Africa.
Experience the greatest adventures on the Garden Route, handpicked by our local experts to showcase the very best of South Africa. Begin in buzzy Cape Town, ascending Table Mountain by cable car, before touring the Winelands, exploring the 20m-year-old Cango Caves, and searching for ocean giants on a wildlife-watching boat trip. It ends in the African bush, where expert rangers help you spot those iconic safari animals. To elevate your experience, you’ll stay in Premium accommodation throughout – the perfect sanctuary after a day of adventure.
