Journeys: Discover Turkey

4.9Based on

Carbon neutral

14 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers

16 peopleMaximum group size

12 - 100 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Moderate

Involves sustained activity requiring a reasonable level of fitness and endurance.

Starts

Istanbul, Turkey

Ends

Istanbul, Turkey

Highlights

Discover Istanbul’s rich history as you tour its most renowned landmarks: Hagia Sophia the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazar.

Journey into the spectacular underground cities of Cappadocia and marvel at the iconic “fairy chimneys” now designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Explore the remains of the legendary city of Troy and enjoy a history lesson in Greek mythology.

Savor the true spirit of Turkish cuisine with a hands-on cooking demonstration.

Itinerary

Istanbul’s minarets, Pamukkale’s gleaming terraces, and Cappadocia’s surreal landscapes—these are just a few of the highlights awaiting on "Journeys: Discover Turkey." Set over 14 days, this small group tour is perfect for experienced travelers and seniors ready for a moderate adventure through Turkey’s rich tapestry of history and natural wonders. Explore the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, trace the footsteps of history at Anzac Cove, and soak in the mineral-rich pools of Pamukkale. A boat cruise along the Bosphorus provides a unique perspective of the continental divide. This trip’s unique selling point is its deep dive into both iconic landmarks and lesser-known gems, offering a balanced, immersive experience through one of the world’s most fascinating countries. Accommodation, transport, and meals are all included for your comfort.

day 1 - Istanbul

Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included.

Accomodation:Grand Sirkeci Hotel Istanbul (or similar)

Transport:Arrival Transfer

day 2 - Istanbul

Start the Day with breakfast at the hotel before walking to Topkapi Palace. Built between 1460 and 1478, Topkapi Palace is one of the world’s largest surviving palaces and served as the home of the Ottoman Sultans for almost 4 centuries. A unique mix of Islamic, European and Ottoman architecture, the palace contains over 400 rooms, including opulent pavilions, a jewel-filled treasury and a sprawling harem. In the afternoon, opt for a visit to the Archaeological Museum or the Basilica Cistern on your own. Then, set out on a guided visit of the Old City, the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and the Hippodrome, an arena used for chariot racing throughout the Byzantine period. In the evening, enjoy dinner at your leisure.

Meal:Breakfast

Accomodation:Grand Sirkeci Hotel Istanbul (or similar)

Included Activities:Topkapi Palace Visit Duration : 1.0 hr - 2.0 hr Distance : 1 km, Istanbul Guided Walking Tour Duration : 3.0 hr - 4.0 hr Distance : 5 km

day 3 - Istanbul/Çanakkale

In the morning, transfer from Istanbul to Gallipoli, where you’ll visit the WWI site of the Battle of Gallipoli and learn the somber story behind its war monuments. After lunch in town, travel to Anzac Cove and join your Chief Experience Officer at Lone Pine Memorial, which commemorates the 4,932 Australian and New Zealand servicemen who died in the Anzac area. Stop at the Dardanelles—a narrow 60-mile-long (97 km) strip of water dividing Europe from Asia—and admire a location that has been of great strategic significance for centuries. End the Day in Çanakkale, a busy harbor town with a thriving student population. Enjoy dinner, then perhaps take an evening stroll along the lovely waterfront.

Meal:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accomodation:Hotel Artur Canakkale (or similar)

Transport:Private Vehicle Duration : 4.0 hr Distance : 260 km, Private Vehicle

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

day 4 - Çanakkale/Selçuk

Following breakfast, head out for a visit to the city of Troy with your Chief Experience Officer. With its 4,000 years of history, Troy is one of the most renowned archaeological sites in the world. Upon its discovery in the mid-19th century, the site became culturally important due to its profound influence on literary works and the arts for more than 2 millennia. After the tour, attend a Trojan War and Mythology talk with the author of the book, Troja, where you’ll learn about the Trojan War and how legend has been woven into history’s understanding of this event. Next, travel from Troy to Bergama—a renowned town in Hellenic and Roman times, known for its great library—and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Afterwards, visit the Pergamon Acropolis with your Chief Experience Officer for a tour of its monumental temples, theatres, porticoes, gymnasium and library. In the evening, arrive in Selçuk, where dinner will be at your leisure.

Meal:Breakfast and Lunch

Accomodation:Kalehan Hotel (or similar)

Transport:Private Vehicle Duration : 0.75 hr, Private Vehicle Duration : 2.5 hr, Private Vehicle Duration : 3.0 hr Distance : 190 km

Included Activities:Trojan War & Mythology Talk Duration : 1.0 hr, Pergamon Museum Duration : 1.0 hr - 1.25 hr, Troy Visit Duration : 1.0 hr - 2.0 hr Distance : 1 km

day 5 - Selçuk

Begin your morning with a tour of the ruins of Ephesus, an ancient Greek city on the coast of Ionia. The city was famous for its Temple of Artemis, which was completed around 550 BC and named one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Temple was destroyed in AD 268 in a raid by the Goths. Within the temple’s ruins, you’ll visit the Terrace Houses, the museum, the Monastery of St. John and the library, which was built in AD 124 and once held nearly 12,000 scrolls. From Ephesus travel to Şirince, where you will participate in a cooking class to learn about and savor traditional Aegean cuisine, prepared with fresh, seasonal ingredients from a local market. After your class, dine on your delicious creations for lunch. In the afternoon, spend time exploring Şirince. Walk through the peaceful streets, enjoy the green scenery of the olive and grape farms in the distance, and have a cup of Turkish tea at a local coffee house. Travel back to Selçuk for dinner on your own and an evening to explore this historical town at your leisure.

Meal:Breakfast and Lunch

Accomodation:Kalehan Hotel (or similar)

Included Activities:Ephesus Museum Visit Duration : 1.0 hr, Şirince Cooking Class Duration : 2.0 hr, Ephesus Visit Duration : 2.0 hr - 3.0 hr

day 6 - Selçuk/Pamukkale

This morning after breakfast, leave Selçuk and travel to Laodikeia for a Chief Experience Officer-led visit of this landmark. Within the settlement lies the church of Laodicea, which is the last of the 7 churches of Asia Minor that St. John addresses in the Bible. Wander the ruins before continuing on to Pamukkale for lunch in the village. Then, set out on a guided walk of Pamukkale and the ancient city of Hierapolis, which was founded by one of Alexander the Great’s generals for the purpose of using the mineral hot springs in the area. View the unreal landscape of mineral forests, petrified waterfalls and a series of terraced basins known as Pamukkale (Cotton Palace). Learn about these striking natural formations and the development of a complex system of canals, which brings the thermal water to nearby villages and fields. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at your leisure and opt for a mineral bath in Pamukkale.

Meal:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accomodation:Richmond Pamukkale Thermal Resort (or similar)

Transport:Private Vehicle Duration : 4.0 hr

Included Activities:Laodicea Visit (CEO-led) Duration : 2.0 hr, Hierapolis and Pamukkale Visit Duration : 2.0 hr - 3.0 hr

day 7 - Pamukkale/Antalya

After breakfast, leave Pamukkale and transfer to Termessos for a Chief Experience Officer-led visit of this ancient city that was founded by the Solims who lived in the Psidia Region. Termessos sits over 3,280 ft (1,000 m) above sea level and is known as the Eagle’s Nest. Visit the amphitheater and take in the stunning panoramic views of the Pamphylia region and Taurus Mountains as you enjoy a picnic. Arrive at Antalya, a lovely seaside town, in the late afternoon and wander the charming hillside streets on a walk with your Chief Experience Officer.

Meal:Breakfast and Lunch

Accomodation:La Boutique Hotel & Suites Antalya (or similar)

Transport:Private Vehicle Duration : 4.5 hr Distance : 257 km

Included Activities:Antalya Orientation Walk Duration : 0.0 hr, Termessos Visit Duration : 2.5 hr

day 8 - Antalya

Enjoy a full Day on your own to partake in the optional activities offered in the area. Choose to visit Ancient Perge or the Archaeological Museum in Antalya to learn more about the ancient architecture of the area or explore the Old Harbor along the marina. You may also go for a refreshing swim in the aquamarine waters at Lara Beach.

Meal:Breakfast

Accomodation:La Boutique Hotel & Suites Antalya (or similar)

Optional Activities:Antalya Park Visit Sit back, relax, and soak up some sun and great people watching in one of Antalya's lovely parks. Bring a picnic, and make it an afternoon!, 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 9 - Antalya/Konya

Travel from the coast of Antalya inland to Konya, stopping along the way to visit the ancient city of Aspendos in Southern Turkey. Ruled by Greeks, Persians and Romans, Aspendos was once an important trade center. Today, a number of ancient structures survive, including the basilica and the Aspendos Theatre, considered to be the best preserved ancient theatre in the world. From here, travel onwards to the town of Beysehir for lunch and a visit to the 13th-century Esrefoglu Mosque. Arrive in Konya in the late afternoon and go to the Mevlana Museum and Garden. Once a lodge, the museum now houses a mausoleum known as “Mevlânâ Tomb,” the resting place of 13th-century Persian poet, Islamic theologian and Sufi mystic Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī (or Mevlânâ). The remainder of the evening is yours to explore the area.

Meal:Breakfast and Lunch

Accomodation:Spark Hotel Residence Konya (or similar)

Transport:Private Vehicle Duration : 4.0 hr

Included Activities:Aspendos Visit Duration : 1.5 hr, Eşrefoğlu Mosque Visit, Mevlana Museum and Garden Visit Duration : 1.0 hr

day 10 - Konya/Cappadocia

In the morning, visit the Sultanhan Caravanserai. Built in 1229, it was once an important stopover along the Silk Road. From there, you’ll travel to Derinkuyu where you’ll have lunch on your own, then explore the Underground City of Derinkuyu—famously used as hiding places for Christians escaping the persecution of the Roman Empire between the 5th and 10th centuries. As you walk around, see the new life people created in this underground world, including cellars, rooms for food storage, kitchens, churches, stables, wine presses and shafts for ventilation. Upon arrival in Cappadocia, you’ll see a Whirling Dervish performance. Originally practiced as a weekly remembrance of God by the Mevlevi tekke community, this outstanding example of pure dance has been practiced since the 13th century and is part of a Muslim ceremony to glorify God and seek spiritual perfection. It is also believed that while revolving from right to left, the dervish embraces all humanity with love. After the performance, dinner will be at your leisure.

Meal:Breakfast

Accomodation:Karlik Evi Boutique Hotel Uchisar (or similar)

Transport:Private Vehicle Duration : 3.0 hr Distance : 233 km

Included Activities:Sultanhan Caravanserai Duration : 0.75 hr, Underground City Visit Duration : 1.0 hr - 2.0 hr Distance : 1 km, Whirling Dervishes Performance Duration : 0.0 hr

day 11 - Cappadocia

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before visiting the Göreme Open-Air Museum on a Chief Experience Officer-led tour of these vibrant painted cave churches, which were carved out by Orthodox monks nearly 1,000 years ago. From here set out on a hike through the UNESCO World Heritage Site-listed “fairy chimneys”—a surreal moonscape created by a series of volcanic eruptions. Over the years, wind and rain sculpted the area into thin valleys, curvy cliff faces and pointy rock formations. The Cappadocians chiseled homes into the soft rock. In the afternoon, enjoy time on your own to visit the Turkish Baths, to see Uchisar Castle or to further explore the main streets of town. Dinner this evening will be enjoyed with a local family around their table in Zelve Village. Try dishes made with local ingredients like eggplant and minced meat as you share stories with the host family.

Meal:Breakfast and Dinner

Accomodation:Karlik Evi Boutique Hotel Uchisar (or similar)

Included Activities:Göreme Open Air Museum Guided Tour Duration : 1.0 hr - 2.0 hr, Cappadocia Hiking Duration : 1.0 hr Distance : 4 km

day 12 - Cappadocia/Istanbul

Start the Day by flying to Istanbul, where you’ll spend time on your own getting to know this amazing city. You may opt to visit Dolamabahçe Palace, Galata Tower, the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts or the Basilica Cistern. In the evening, set out on a cruise along the Bosphorus Strait, where you’ll enjoy stunning views of the Ottoman palaces and the city skyline.

Meal:Breakfast and Dinner

Accomodation:Grand Sirkeci Hotel Istanbul (or similar)

Transport:Plane Duration : 1.25 hr - 1.5 hr Distance : 675 km

Included Activity:Private Evening Bosphorus Strait Cruise Duration : 2.0 hr

Optional Activities:Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts This museum is home to treasures from the Ottoman and Seljuk periods, and boasts one of the world's largest collection of Turkish carpets., Great Palace Mosaic Museum See the intricate mosaics on display from the Byzantine period, excavated from the site of The Great Palace of Constantinople., Galata Tower Climb up the Galata Tower - one of Istanbul's oldest architectural landmarks - for an amazing panoramic view of the city. To get the full experience, time your visit with the call to prayer that happens at sunset., Archaeological Museum Opened in 1891, the Istanbul Archaeological Museum is a must-visit for history buffs. Home to a classical statuary, artifacts, and sarcophagi - including the stunning sarcophagus from the Royal Necropolis of Sidon - this museum presents one of the best opportunities to catch a glimpse into the life of ancient Turks. , Basilica Cistern Built in 532 AD, the Basilica Cistern is the largest cistern (underground water storage) of Istanbul. Spot the pillar bases carved in the likeness of Medusa.

day 13 - Istanbul

In the morning, explore the iconic Grand Bazaar in Istanbul. Along with a specialist guide, you’ll listen to a lecture about the Ottoman Empire’s ties to the bazaar and learn about its modern secular Turkish founder, Kemal Ataturk. The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world and is comprised of 61 covered streets and over 4,000 shops. The tour will finish at an old Ottoman inn for coffee, tea and a chat with your guide. In the afternoon, take advantage of time on your own with a visit to the atmospheric Spice Bazaar. Stroll down one of the most popular streets in Istanbul on the Istiklal Walk—exploring shops, cafés and historic sites along the way. Or visit Galata Tower, which was built as a watchtower over the walls of Galata, and is now an exhibition space and museum. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with your fellow travelers.

Meal:Breakfast and Dinner

Accomodation:Grand Sirkeci Hotel Istanbul (or similar)

Included Activity:Grand Bazaar Walk & Lecture Duration : 2.0 hr

Optional Activities:Spice Bazaar Visit , Archaeological Museum Opened in 1891, the Istanbul Archaeological Museum is a must-visit for history buffs. Home to a classical statuary, artifacts, and sarcophagi - including the stunning sarcophagus from the Royal Necropolis of Sidon - this museum presents one of the best opportunities to catch a glimpse into the life of ancient Turks. , Dolamabahçe Palace Built in the early 1800s, the Dolamabahçe Palace is the largest and the most important palace of the Ottoman Empire, after the Topkapi Palace. Marvel at its grandeur., Blue Mosque Visit Explore the fabulous Blue Mosque, admiring the beautiful symmetry and internal tile work of the building. As it is a working mosque, take the chance to learn more about the ceremony behind Islam, the religion of about 98 per cent of today's Turks. Head to the front of the Blue Mosque, to see the ancient Hippodrome. It was once the scene of chariot races, and now houses monuments from various moments in Istanbul’s history. , Galata Tower Climb up the Galata Tower - one of Istanbul's oldest architectural landmarks - for an amazing panoramic view of the city. To get the full experience, time your visit with the call to prayer that happens at sunset.

day 14 - Istanbul

Depart at any time.

Meal:Breakfast

Included Activity:Departure Day

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What's Included

Accommodation

Hotels – 13 nts.

Meals

13 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners
Note: Allow USD215-280 for meals not included.

Transport

Private van, plane, walking.All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Guide

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout.

Included activities

Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Trojan War & Mythology Talk, TroyYour Journeys Highlight Moment: Şirince Cooking Class, SirinceYour Journeys Highlight Moment: Grand Bazaar Walk & Lecture, IstanbulGallipoli battlefields entrance and guided visitTroy entrance and guided visitEphesus entrance and visitAncient Hierapolis and Pamukkale entrance and guided walkInternal flight

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

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4.9

based on 12 reviews

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