Best of Turkey
Explore storied destinations, various cultures and breathtaking sites on a Best of Turkey escorted tour. Travel through Istanbul, Gallipoli, Çanakkale, Izmir, Panukkale, Cappadocia and Ankara to the most notable destinations in each location. Some of the highlights include learning about the Whirling Dervishes. In Troy see a replica of the famed Trojan Horse. Witness World War I Allied Forces history at Anzac Cove and the Dardanelles.
Delicious food including kebobs and baklava, stunning handmade crafts, incredible architecture, magical views and historic sites are among the reasons guests choose Hungary vacations. History buffs can honor World War I Allied Forces lost on the battlefields of Gallipoli along with a visit to their final resting place. Cappadocia is a visual thrill with its fantastic troglodyte dwellings. See the final resting place of the beloved first president of the modern Turkish nation, Atatürk. Visit the underground city of Saratli along the ancient Silk Road. Stay in a hotel alongside the ancient Ortahisar rock castle. Gain insights into the mystical Whirling Dervish sect in the Mevlana Museum and Mausoleum. See the spectacular Karatay Tile Museum and it's gorgeous dome. Witness the Cotton Castle Springs in Pamukkale. Explore the ruins of Ephesus and see the façade of the Library of Celcus then visit the House of Virgin Mary at Mt. Koressos. This captivating journey will leave you with fond memories.
14 Days • fr. $2,835
Tour Highlights & Offers
Tour Includes
- VIEW the Wooden Horse at Troy
- HAGGLE for souvenirs at Istanbul's Grand Bazaar - one of the largest covered markets in the world with 60 streets and over 5,000 shops
- ENJOY lunch with locals in the Yazir community in the Taurus Mountains near Antalya
- VISIT the Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Hippodrome, Blue Mosque and Grand Bazaar in Istanbul
- TOUR Anzac Cove and the War Cemeteries at Gallipoli
- EXPLORE the ancient ruins of Troy and the ancient city at Ephesus
- VISIT the Asclepion Medical Centre at Pergamon
- TOUR the Cotton Castle Springs in Pamukkale and the Archaeological Museum in Antalya
- WITNESS the underground city of Saratli
- EXPLORE Göreme Open Air Museum and the Museum of Anatolian Civilization at Ankara
- SEE the home of the Whirling Dervishes at Konya
- RELAX on the shores of the Turkish Riviera
- VENTURE INTO the Taurus Mountains
- EXPLORE Hagia Sophia, the Hippodrome and the Blue Mosque
- REFLECT at the final resting place of many Allied soldiers, Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair cemeteries
- WITNESS the 4th-century Egyptian obelisk
- SEE the Library of Celcus
- ADMIRE the Ottoman architecture of Antalya
- LEARN about the art of pottery making in Avanos
- MARVEL AT Cappadocia's famous fairy chimneys and troglodyte dwellings
- Handcrafted Highlights
- Audio Headsets for flexible sightseeing
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with WiFi in most countries
- All porterage and local charges included
- An expert Travel Director and separate Driver
- Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
- VIP entry to many sights
- Airport transfers on the first and last day of your guided holiday
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
Not Included
- Gratuities are included for services during the land stay of your vacation unless otherwise noted. This includes wait staff at included meals, and porterage at hotels for one suitcase per person. Gratuities for your tour director, local hosts, guides, and drivers are not included in the vacation price (unless otherwise noted in pricing details) and are discretionary.
- All items of a personal nature (room service, beverages, telephone charges, laundry, special food requests, etc.) and meals not specified on the tour itinerary are not included and must be paid by the client.
- All rates exclude airfare unless expressly noted.
Meal Inclusions
Hotel Details
- Radisson Blu Hotel, Istanbul Sisli in Istanbul, Turkey (3 nights)
- Kolin Hotel in Çanakkale, Turkey (1 night)
- Mövenpick Hotel Izmir in İzmir, Turkey (2 nights)
- Colossae Thermal, Pamukkale in Pamukkale, Turkey (1 night)
- Crown Plaza Hotel in Antalya, Turkey (2 nights)
- Dedeman Konya Hotel & Convention Center in Selçuklu/Konya, Turkey (1 night)
- Dilek Kaya Hotel in Cappadocia, Turkey (2 nights)
- Mövenpick Hotel Ankara in Ankara, Turkey ( 1 night)
- The hotels listed are intended to be used on all departures however Trafalgar Tours reserves the right to substitute other hotels than those listed. If a change becomes necessary for any reason, the hotel substituted will be of equivalent quality to those listed. No refunds are provided for hotel changes and full cancellation penalties apply.
Day 1
ARRIVE ISTANBUL Location Information Description
Istanbul, Turkey
Stand at the ancient crossroads between Europe and Asia, embarking on a journey of discovery through ancient lands and the marauding empires who fought to rule it. Arriving in vibrant Istanbul, you will be transferred to your hotel before joining your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a memorable Welcome Reception to kick off your epic adventure.
Radisson Blu Sisli
Day 2
ISTANBUL SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME Location Information Description
Istanbul, Turkey
Spend your day delving into a city where modern and ancient coexist effortlessly. Gain insights into the Ottoman Empire's power during your guided tour of the Topkapi Palace and see the 4th-century Egyptian obelisk. Visit Hagia Sophia, the Hippodrome and the exquisite Blue Mosque, said to rival even the Great Mosque in Mecca.
'Dive Into Culture' this afternoon, with a visit to the Grand Bazaar. Spend your afternoon haggling with passionate market vendors lining its labyrinthine lanes. This evening, consider purchasing an optional dinner with Turkish folk and belly dancing.
Breakfast
Radisson Blu Sisli
Day 3
ISTANBUL - GALLIPOLI - ÇANAKKALE Location Information Description
Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey
Pay tribute to the brave souls who lost their lives at Gallipoli - the national pride of two nations, the Turkish and Australians, were awakened at the site of the bloody WWI battlefields and are commemorated to this day.
Location Information Description
Canakkale, Turkey
See Anzac Cove and the Dardanelles, and visit the cemeteries of Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair, the final resting place of many Allied soldiers. You'll continue to Çanakkale where and dine at your hotel tonight.
Breakfast, Dinner
Kolin Hotel
Day 4
ÇANAKKALE - TROY - PERGAMON - IZMIR Location Information Description
Troy, Turkey
Explore the legends of Troy and see the symbolic replica of the famous Wooden Horse the Greeks used to break their siege of this ancient city.
Location Information Description
Pergamon, Turkey
Visit the ancient Asclepion Medical Centre in the city of Pergamon before retiring in seaside Izmir this evening where you'll dine at your hotel.
Breakfast, Dinner
Mövenpick Hotel Izmir
Day 5
EXCURSION TO EPHESUS AND THE HOUSE OF THE VIRGIN MARY Location Information Description
Ephesus, Turkey
Stroll through the ruins of the ancient Greek city of Ephesus, past the amazingly intact façade of the Library of Celcus and down to what was once its thriving port.
Location Information Description
Izmir, Turkey
See the House of Virgin Mary at Mt. Koressos then spend the rest of the day at leisure. This evening you may consider joining an optional dinner at a local restaurant in Izmir and indulge in some of the local raki.
Breakfast
Mövenpick Hotel Izmir
Day 6
IZMIR - PAMUKKALE FREE TIME Location Information Description
PAMUKKALE, Turkey
Leave the coastal city of Izmir behind as you journey inland to Pamukkale. Relax and enjoy the blissful thermal pools at your hotel before dinner.
Breakfast, Dinner
Colossae Thermal
Day 7
PAMUKKALE – HIERAPOLIS – ANTALYA Location Information Description
Hierapolis, Turkey
Tread in the footsteps of the ancients who sought relief and relaxation at the Roman health spa at Hierapolis, then admire the bubbling pools and delicate white cascades of water of Pamukkale's Cotton Castle Springs.
Location Information Description
Taurus Mountains, Turkey
Later, travel through scenic countryside and join the Yazir community in the Taurus Mountains, where you'll 'Connect With Locals' and gain insights into their traditions at your 'Be My Guest' lunch.
Location Information Description
Antalya, Turkey
Your stop for the next two nights is the Mediterranean retreat of Antalya. Enjoy some time on your own ambling through the winding lanes of its old city and admiring beautifully preserved Ottoman architecture. This evening, join your companions for a rousing Regional Dinner at a local restaurant.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Crown Plaza Hotel
Day 8
PERGE EXCURSION Location Information Description
Antalya, Turkey
Enjoy a morning on your terms to soak up the enchanting seaside atmosphere of the Turkish Riviera, embarking on an optional yacht cruise or relaxing at the hotel pool.
This afternoon, travel to the Roman city of Perge to visit the impressive Antalya Archaeological Museum and see treasures spanning the centuries. Your evening is free to find an inviting meyhane for some local chit chat and delicious flavors of kebab and baklava.
Breakfast
Crown Plaza Hotel
Day 9
ANTALYA - ASPENDOS - KONYA Location Information Description
Aspendos, Turkey
Witness the world's best-preserved theater of antiquity during your first stop in Aspendos this morning, before continuing to Konya, where you will gain insights into the mystical Whirling Dervish sect whose remains lie in the Mevlana Museum and Mausoleum.
Location Information Description
KONYA, Turkey
Continue to the Karatay Tile Museum, spellbound by its exquisitely Seljuk-tiled dome, before returning to your hotel where you'll dine tonight.
Breakfast, Dinner
Dedeman Konya
Day 10
KONYA - CAPPODOCIA Location Information Description
CAPPADOCIA, Turkey
See a well-preserved 13th-century caravanserai, at which weary travelers used to rest. Journey to Cappadocia with its honey-colored rocky spires providing an enchanting backdrop for your visit to the underground city of Saratli on the ancient Silk Road.
This evening, indulge in the flavors of traditional pottery kebabs during a Regional Dinner at a local restaurant, before retiring to your hotel with beautiful views of the surrounding fairy chimneys. Tonight you'll stay in one of Trafalgar's 'Stays With Stories' located alongside the ancient Ortahisar rock castle.
Breakfast, Dinner
Dilek Kaya
Day 11
GOREME EXCURSION Location Information Description
CAPPADOCIA, Turkey
The other-worldly landscapes of Cappadocia take center stage today as you explore its volcanic landscape dotted with caves and troglodyte dwellings. Visit the Göreme Open-Air Museum to admire the extraordinary rock-hewn churches and learn about the art of pottery making in Avanos before dining in your hotel this evening.
Breakfast, Dinner
Dilek Kaya
Day 12
CAPPADOCIA - ANKARA Location Information Description
Ankara, Turkey
Arriving in the youthful capital of Turkey today, you'll visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations and the final resting place of the country's beloved Atatürk, the first president of the modern Turkish nation. This evening you'll dine at your hotel in Ankara.
Breakfast, Dinner
Mövenpick Hotel Ankara
Day 13
ANKARA - ISTANBUL FREE TIME Location Information Description
Istanbul, Turkey
Returning to Istanbul, enjoy the rest of the day on your own. Delve into the depths of the Basilica Cistern, savor the intoxicating smells of the Spice Market or ascend Galata Tower for exquisite views of east and west.
Consider an optional cruise navigating the waters of the Bosphorus before meeting your Travel Director and fellow companions for a memorable Farewell Dinner.
Breakfast, Dinner
Radisson Blu Sisli
Day 14
DEPART ISTANBUL Location Information Description
Istanbul, Turkey
Your epic journey into antiquity has come to an end as you bid Istanbul and newfound friends a fond farewell. Transfers are available. Conditions apply.
Breakfast
Important information:
Important Information
Cancellation Policy
- 60 days or more prior to departure the deposit is non-refundable
- 59-16 days prior to commencement of services: 30% of total price*
- 15-8 days prior to commencement of services: 50% of total price*
- 7-1 days prior to commencement of services: 90% of total price*
- On departure day and later: 100% of total price*
- *Total price does not include any Instant Purchase Air or Instant Purchase Air service fees, which are non-refundable after 24 hours from purchase. Intra-vacation air is non-refundable after final payment.
- Cancellation fees may also apply to any additional services, including extra night accommodations, independently supplied services, and optional excursions reserved prior to, during, and after the tour. If flight changes, including, but not limited to, flight cancellations or name changes, are requested after full land and air deposits are received, revision fees, change fees, or airline cancellation fees will apply.
- In many instances, airline revision or change fees can be up to $300, but in some instances may be up to 100% of the ticket price. Cancellation penalties will be quoted at time of cancellation.
- All cancellations must be received in writing prior to tour departure. The cancellation policy will apply according to the date that the cancellation notification is received. The MINIMUM cancellation penalty is the deposit amount.
- The purchase to trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.
Terms and Conditions
- Land only “from price” is per person based on two people sharing a room together and does not include airfare unless expressly stated.
- All prices are in US Dollars.
- A $200 non-refundable, non-transferable, per-person, per-vacation deposit is required to reserve space for you, with some limited exceptions, as noted below. Payment of the deposit indicates you have read and accepted theseall Terms & Conditions. Your booking is not confirmed until the deposit payment is processed and you receive a confirmation invoice.
- Final payment is due 60 days prior to departure, with some limited exceptions, as noted below. Within the final payment date, payment in full is required at time of booking to reserve space. Reservations (land, cruise, and air) are canceled if final payment is not received by the due date. The payment policy may vary for group reservations.
- Additional deposits or payments are required for international air added to the start and/or end of your vacation and/or for intra-vacation air, as specified in the itinerary (“air-inclusive vacations”). Air-inclusive vacation pricing is guaranteed upon receipt of full land plus air deposit or land deposit plus full airfare price, depending on type of airfare purchased (Flex-Air or Instant Purchase Air).
- For complete terms and conditions please visit the Trafalgar Terms & Conditions for more information.