Spirit of Turkey - 9 days Tour by On The Go Tours

9 daysDuration

Group TourJoin a group of travelers

22 peopleMaximum group size

18 - 80 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Highlights

Istanbul - Admire the Hagia Sophia, a Byzantine church turned Ottoman mosque and one of the city’s greatest landmarks

Gallipoli - Pay respects at Anzac Cove, Lone Pine Cemetery, and Chunuk Bair Memorial, key sites of the 1915 campaign

Dardanelles - Cross the narrow strait linking Europe and Asia, a waterway of immense historical significance

Troy - Explore the legendary ruins of the ancient city immortalised in Homer’s Iliad

Bergama - Discover the Asklepion, an ancient sanctuary of healing dedicated to the god of medicine

Izmir - Experience Turkey’s third-largest city, a vibrant hub on the Aegean coast

Pamukkale - Marvel at the dazzling white travertine terraces created by natural thermal springs

Hierapolis - Walk through the ancient spa city’s ruins, including its impressive theatre and temples

Fethiye - Stroll through the lively Fish Market and see the remains of the Telmessos Theatre

Izmir - Experience Turkey’s third-largest city, a vibrant hub on the Aegean coast

Pamukkale - Marvel at the dazzling white travertine terraces created by natural thermal springs

Hierapolis - Walk through the ancient spa city’s ruins, including its impressive theatre and temples

Fethiye - Stroll through the lively Fish Market and see the remains of the Telmessos Theatre

Itinerary

Trace the wonders of Turkey on a 9-day tour from Istanbul to Fethiye, blending ancient history with striking landscapes. Admire the Byzantine brilliance of Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the bustling Grand Bazaar. Reflect at the WWI battlefields of Gallipoli before crossing the Dardanelles to legendary Troy and Pergamum’s ancient Asklepion. Continue south to see traditional Turkish craftsmanship at a carpet centre and leather showroom. Marvel at Pamukkale’s dazzling white terraces and the Roman spa city of Hierapolis, then finish in coastal Fethiye with its Telmessos Theatre and lively Fish Market.

day 1 - Arrival in Istanbul

Once you have arrived in Istanbul, you will be met and transferred to the hotel for check-in. In the evening, meet your fellow travellers and guide for a welcome briefing and orientation.

OverNight:Istanbul

day 2 - Exploring Istanbul

Today, we embark on a full day guided tour of Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks. We begin at the Hagia Sophia, an architectural masterpiece that has served as both a Byzantine church and an Ottoman Mosque, and now once again stands as a functioning mosque.

We continue to the Hippodrome, once the centre of public life in Constantinople, before visiting the Blue Mosque, admired worldwide for its striking domes, slender minarets, and beautiful blue Iznik tiles.

In the afternoon, you may choose to visit the Topkapi Palace Museum with an optional entrance ticket. This opulent former residence of the Ottoman sultans showcases the grandeur of the empire, though entry to the Harem section is not included.

Our day concludes with a stroll through the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s largest covered markets. This evening is at leisure, with the option to enjoy a traditional Turkish dinner paired with a lively belly dancing performance.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Istanbul

day 3 - Journey to Canakkale

Istanbul – Gallipoli – Dardanelles – Canakkale. This morning, we travel west to the Gallipoli Peninsula, where we pause at Anzac Cove, the site of the landings in 1915. We continue to Lone Pine Cemetery, the resting place of many Australian soldiers, and Chunuk Bair Memorial, dedicated to the New Zealand forces who fought here. These sites remain deeply moving places of remembrance.

Later, we cross the Dardanelles Strait by ferry and continue to Canakkale, where dinner and an overnight stay await.

Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner

OverNight:Canakkale

day 4 - Canakkale to Izmir

Canakkale – Troy – Bergama – Izmir. After breakfast, we visit Troy, the legendary city immortalised in Homer’s Iliad. Its archaeological remains reveal nine layers of settlement, and a replica of the famous wooden horse symbolises its place in myth and history.

We then continue to a local village to enjoy a traditional lunch before travelling to Pergamum, once a major centre of learning and culture. Here we explore the Asklepion, an ancient sanctuary of healing where patients once came for cures. By evening, we arrive in Izmir, Turkey’s third-largest city, where we share dinner and stay overnight.

Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

OverNight:Izmir

day 5 - Izmir at Leisure

After breakfast, you can opt to join a full-day tour to the ancient city of Ephesus (booked and paid locally), one of the best-preserved archaeological sites of the classical world. Walking along its marble streets, you will see the grand Theatre, the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, and many other remarkable remains that showcase the city’s past splendour.

The optional tour also includes a visit to the House of the Virgin Mary, a revered place of pilgrimage for both Christians and Muslims. This peaceful site is believed by many to have been the final home of Mary, mother of Jesus.

Later, you will stop at a regional carpet centre to observe the traditional craft of Turkish rug weaving, a skill passed down through generations. The day concludes in Izmir, where we will enjoy dinner and spend the night.

Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner

OverNight:Izmir

day 6 - Izmir to Pamukkale

Izmir - Pamukkale - Hierapolis - Pamukkale. We depart Izmir, travelling to a leather fashion showroom, where we see first-hand the skill and creativity of Turkish craftsmanship. This visit offers us the chance to appreciate one of the country’s most renowned trades.

From here, we continue to Pamukkale, celebrated for its dazzling white travertine terraces formed by natural thermal springs. These striking formations have drawn visitors for centuries and remain one of Turkey's most famous natural wonders.

Our day concludes with a tour of Hierapolis, the ancient spa city that grew around the hot springs. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its ruins include temples, baths, and a well-preserved theatre that recall its status as a thriving centre of health and culture in antiquity.

Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner

OverNight:Pamukkale

day 7 - Pamukkale to Fethiye

Pamukkale - Fethiye. This morning, we drive to the coastal town of Fethiye, a picturesque harbour city on the Turquoise Coast. Known for its natural beauty and lively atmosphere, it serves as the gateway to some of Turkey’s most stunning coastal landscapes.

On arrival, we take a walking tour that includes the ancient Telmessos Theatre, a reminder of the region’s long and layered history. We also visit the bustling Fish Market, where locals and visitors gather to enjoy the freshest catch of the day.

The evening is spent in Fethiye, where we will enjoy dinner and spend the night,

Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner

OverNight:Fethiye

day 8 - Fethiye at Leisure

Today, you have a full day at leisure to relax and enjoy Fethiye at your own pace. You may wish to explore the town, unwind by the harbour, or simply take time to rest.

Alternatively, you can join an optional boat cruise along the stunning Turquoise Coast. This excursion includes swim stops at secluded bays and islands, offering a memorable way to experience the beauty of the Mediterranean.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Fethiye

day 9 - Departure from Fethiye

After your final breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight. Safe travels!

Meals:1 Breakfast

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What's Included

Accommodation

8 nights in 4-5 star hotels

Meals

8 breakfasts, 1 lunch & 5 dinners

Transport

Arrival airport transfer on day 1 & departure airport transfer on day 9Relevant transfers and transportation in private modern air-conditioned vehicles

Others

Services of licensed guides throughout TurkeyLuggage handlingLocal taxes and service charges

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

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