Absolute Turkey: Winter

4.9Based on

Carbon neutral

15 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers

15 peopleMaximum group size

12 - 100 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Easy

Light physical activity suitable for most people with average fitness levels.

Starts

Istanbul, Turkey

Ends

Istanbul, Turkey

Highlights

Discover historic cities and explore the ancient ruins of Ephesus.

marvel at the extraordinary scenery of Cappadocia.

enjoy dinner in a local family home.

Itinerary

Experience the magic of Turkey in winter with the "Absolute Turkey: Winter" tour package. This 15-day journey, starting and ending in Istanbul, invites young adults and experienced travelers alike to discover the country’s treasures without the crowds. Stroll through the dazzling palaces and mosques of Istanbul, then venture to Cappadocia’s surreal landscapes before delving into ancient cities like Hierapolis and the lively markets of Istanbul.

What sets this tour apart is the guidance of local Chief Experience Officers (CEOs), who reveal hidden gems and cultural secrets, ensuring your adventure is as vivid as the country itself. Enjoy a blend of iconic sights and off-the-beaten-path discoveries—all at a relaxed pace, with the comfort of group camaraderie.

The unique selling point is the opportunity to see Turkey’s highlights in the off-season, offering a more intimate and memorable exploration of this crossroads of Europe and Asia.

day 1 - Istanbul

Arrive at any time.
There are no activities planned until our evening welcome meeting. After the meeting, opt to join your CEO and fellow travellers for dinner. Get the most out of your time in Istanbul by pre-booking the following activity to experience before your tour starts: Istanbul Walking Tour and Bosphorus Cruise. If you do, we recommend booking accommodation for an extra night pre-tour.

And don’t worry if you can’t decide now. This activity is available for pre-booking any time before your tour starts, while any of the optional activities listed can be booked independently upon arrival in Istanbul.

Accomodation:Golden Horn Sirkeci Istanbul (or similar)

Included Activity:Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group Duration : 1.0 hr

Optional Activities:Istanbul Walking Tour and Bosphorus Cruise

day 2 - Istanbul/Bolu

Enjoy an orientation walk around Istanbul before moving on to the small, but vibrant city of Bolu.

Meal:Breakfast

Accomodation:Soylu Hotel Bolu (or similar)

Transport:Private Vehicle Duration : 4.0 hr

Included Activity:Istanbul Orientation Walk Duration : 2.0 hr - 3.0 hr Distance : 3 km

day 3 - Bolu/Göreme

Visit Anitkabir before driving to the Cappadocia region. Enjoy a home-cooked dinner with a local family.
Transfer to the town of Göreme, the base for exploring Cappadocia. With two and a half days free to explore, there will be plenty of time to tour the area by bike, visit neighbouring villages, trek regional valleys or try a hot air balloon ride.

During one of the evenings here, travel to a nearby village and enjoy dinner with a local family.

Meal:Breakfast and Dinner

Accomodation:Goreme Inn Hotel (or similar)

Transport:Private Vehicle Duration : 5.5 hr

Included Activities:Anitkabir Visit Duration : 1.0 hr - 2.0 hr, Dinner with Local Family

day 4 - 5 - Göreme

Enjoy an included visit to the Göreme Open Air Museum before free time to explore this unique region. Enjoy a guided walk through the valley with a visit to an underground city.
Outdoor enthusiast? Hire a bike to get around on two wheels or join your CEO on an optional trekking tour through one of the beautiful valleys of the region.

If you want to go further afield, take a local bus to explore nearby villages.

Meal:Breakfast

Accomodation:Goreme Inn Hotel (or similar)

Included Activities:Göreme Open Air Museum Guided Tour Duration : 1.0 hr - 2.0 hr, Underground City Visit Duration : 1.0 hr - 2.0 hr Distance : 1 km

Optional Activities:Hot Air Balloon Ride , Whirling Dervishes Witness this spellbinding dance-like worship, practiced by followers of the Mevlevilik Sufi order.

day 6 - Göreme/Konya

Visit Konya and continue to Beyşehir. Visit the Esrefoglu mosque, one of the unique mosques in the country.

Meal:Breakfast

Accomodation:Icon Hotel Konya (or similar)

Transport:Private Vehicle Duration : 0.75 hr, Private Vehicle Duration : 3.5 hr

day 7 - Konya/Antalya

Wander the cobbled streets of the old harbour.
Arrive at Antalya around lunchtime.

With a free afternoon, wander the charming cobbled hillside streets of the district of Kaleici, a great place to stop and have a drink with amazing views of the marina below. For a break from the hustle and bustle, head for the greenery and teashops at one of Antalya's beautiful parks or catch some sun at a nearby beach.

Meal:Breakfast

Accomodation:Gurtas Hotel Antalya (or similar)

Transport:Private Vehicle Duration : 5.0 hr

Optional Activities:Antalya Archaeological Museum Visit Take in some culture at the Antalya Museum, home to 13 exhibition galleries. See a wide range of exhibits, including great reconstructions of life under the Ottoman Empire.

day 8 - Antalya

Enjoy more time in Antalya to explore.

Meal:Breakfast

Accomodation:Gurtas Hotel Antalya (or similar)

day 9 - Antalya/Pamukkale

Guided walk of Pamukkale and the ancient city of Hierapolis.
Passing through fruit orchards on the way to Pamukkale.

In the afternoon, visit the famous white cliffs of Pamukkale and the ancient site of Hierapolis, built on top of the white "castle".

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is evidence that the hot springs of Pamukkale were used as a spa since the second century BC.

Meal:Breakfast

Accomodation:Anya Resort Hotel Pamukkale (or similar)

Transport:Private Vehicle

Included Activity:Hierapolis and Pamukkale Visit Duration : 2.0 hr - 3.0 hr

day 10 - Pamukkale/Selçuk

Visit the ruins of the ancient Roman town of Ephesus.
Travel to the town of Selçuk. In the afternoon, visit the ruins of the ancient Roman town of Ephesus.

Meal:Breakfast

Accomodation:Vinifera Ephesus Hotel (or similar)

Transport:Private Vehicle Duration : 3.0 hr Distance : 200 km

Included Activity:Ephesus Visit Duration : 2.0 hr - 3.0 hr

day 11 - Selçuk

Free time to walk up to the remains of St John's Basilica, visit the mosque of Isa Bey or just wander the streets and cafés of this vibrant Turkish town. Enjoy a cooking class in the afternoon.
Opt to walk to the remains of St John's Basilica, visit the Mosque of Isa Bey or wander the streets of this vibrant Turkish town. Or catch a local “dolmus” bus to the picturesque village of Şirince (8 km) to sample some local wine or shop for crafts. For dedicated sunseekers, the beach at Pamucaki is also within reach.

Late in the afternoon, meet up with the group and walk to a local cooking class. Our host will demonstrate some Turkish dishes for everyone to enjoy at the end of the class.

Meal:Breakfast and Dinner

Accomodation:Vinifera Ephesus Hotel (or similar)

Included Activity:Cooking Class Duration : 3.0 hr - 4.0 hr

Optional Activities:Saint John's Basilica Visit View St John's Basilica, once a grand basilica in Ephesus. Constructed by Justinian I in the 6th century, it was built in where John the Apostle is said to be buried. , Mosque of Isa Bey Visit Visit the centuries-old Isa Bey Mosque on the outskirts of Selçuk to see one of the oldest and most impressive works of art remaining in this region.

day 12 - Selçuk/Bergama

Travel to the market town of Bergama, and explore the Acropolis of ancient Pergamon.

Meal:Breakfast

Accomodation:Berksoy Hotel Bergama (or similar)

Transport:Private Vehicle Duration : 2.0 hr Distance : 180 km

day 13 - Bergama/Çanakkale

Visit the G-supported handicraft workshop in Ayvalik, before enjoying free time in the surrounding area. Visit the ancient city of Troy en route to Çanakkale.
çöp(m)adam began as an experimental project in Western Turkey, meant to address lack of employment opportunities for women alongside the importance of recycling/re-using. The co-op aims to use waste in a creative, aesthetic, and unique way, all while providing work for women from impoverished communities. When G Adventures travellers visit the workshop, they can purchase souvenirs and handicrafts that directly support the women that made them. After a visit to this project, continue exploring the seaside town of Ayvalık.

Afterwards, enjoy a visit to the world-famous city of Troy. Continue to the harbour town of Çanakkale, a busy port with a thriving student population.

Meal:Breakfast

Accomodation:Bogaz Hotel Canakkale (or similar)

Transport:Private Vehicle Duration : 2.5 hr, Private Vehicle Duration : 0.75 hr Distance : 32 km

Included Activities:Çöp(m)adam Visit, Troy Visit Duration : 1.0 hr - 2.0 hr Distance : 1 km

day 14 - Çanakkale/Istanbul

Guided tour of Gallipoli, including ANZAC Cove, the war cemeteries, and Lone Pine.
Make an early morning visit to Gallipoli, where thousands gave their lives during WWI in the battle of the same name. Take in the sights and learn the sombre story.

Continue on to İstanbul for the opportunity to finish up your sightseeing or get in some last minute shopping.

Meal:Breakfast

Accomodation:Golden Horn Sirkeci Istanbul (or similar)

Transport:Ferry Duration : 0.5 hr, Private Vehicle Duration : 4.5 hr

Included Activity:Gallipoli Battlefields Guided Tour Duration : 2.5 hr - 3.0 hr

day 15 - Istanbul

Depart at any time.
Your tour might be finished, but the adventure’s far from over. Pre-book the following activity to experience after your tour ends: Istanbul Walking Tour and Bosphorus Cruise. If you do, we recommend booking accommodation for an extra night in Istanbul.

And don’t worry if you can’t decide now. This activity is available for pre-booking any time before your tour starts, or it can be booked upon arrival in Istanbul.

Meal:Breakfast

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What's Included

Accommodation

Hotels (14 nts).

Meals

14 breakfasts, 2 dinners
Note: Allow USD285-370 for meals not included.Traditional dinner with local family (Cappadocia)

Transport

Private air-conditioned van.

Guide

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout.

Included activities

Your G for Good Moment: Çöp(m)adam Visit, AyvalıkYour Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and GroupYour Local Living Moment: Dinner with Local Family, ÇavuşinYour Foodie Moment: Cooking Class, SelçukIstanbul walking tourVisit to the Göreme Open Air MuseumGuided walk in a valley with Underground City explorationAncient Hierapolis and Pamukkale entrance and guided walkEphesus entrance and visitCooking class in a nearby villageTroy entrance and guided visitGallipoli battlefields entrance and guided visit

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

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4.9

based on 11 reviews

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