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Trafalgar - Best of Turkey (05/2023 - 09/2023) (TBOTZN18)

14 Days From Istanbul to Istanbul
Tour Style: Country Explorer
Trafalgar Brochure Price from $2,362.00
Brochures: Eastern Mediterranean 2023 v2, Eastern Mediterranean 2024 v1
Visits: Turkey

From the legends of Troy to ancient Greek cities, your travels will reveal the places where history happened. On this in-depth Best of Turkey voyage, you’ll also venture into the Taurus Mountains for lunch with the Yazir community and relax on the shores of the Turkish Riviera.
Choice Highlights

Must-see Highlights
  • : Explore Istanbul with a Local Specialist
  • : Visit the Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Hippodrome, Blue Mosque and Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Anzac Cove and the War Cemeteries at Gallipoli, the ancient ruins of Troy, the Asclepion Medical Centre at Pergamon, the ancient city at Ephesus, the Cotton Castle Springs in Pamukkale, the Archaeological Museum in Antalya, the home of the Whirling Dervishes at Konya, the underground city of Saratli, Göreme Open Air Museum and the Museum of Anatolian Civilisation at Ankara
  • : View the Wooden Horse at Troy

Dive Into Culture
  • Istanbul: 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.
  • Avanos: Learn about the art of pottery making in Avanos.

Be My Guest
  • Antalya: Enjoy a Be My Guest lunch with the Yazir community in the Taurus Mountains near Antalya.

Trafalgar Difference
  • Cappadocia: Located alongside the ancient Ortahisar rock castle, many of the rooms at Dilek Kaya Hotel are hewn out of the surrounding rock.

Trafalgar Tour Itinerary

Day 1Welcome to Istanbul
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.
Visits: Istanbul
Meals: Welcome Reception
Accommodation: Radisson Blu Sisli
Day 2Discover Colourful Istanbul Dive Into Culture
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 an optional dinner with Turkish folk and belly dancing.
Visits: Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Radisson Blu Sisli
Day 3Journey to Gallipoli and Çanakkale
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. See Anzac Cove and the Dardanelles, and visit the cemeteries of Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair, the final resting place of many Allied soldiers. We continue to Çanakkale where we dine at our hotel tonight.
Visits: Istanbul, Gallipoli, Eceabat, Çanakkale
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Iris
Day 4Off to Troy, Pergamon and Izmir
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. Visit the ancient Asclepion Medical Centre in the city of Pergamon before retiring in seaside Izmir this evening where we'll dine at our hotel.
Visits: Çanakkale, Troy, Pergamon, Izmir
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Mövenpick
Day 5Explore the Ruins of Ephesus
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. 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.
Visits: Izmir, Ephesus, Izmir
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Mövenpick
Day 6Onwards to Pamukkale
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.
Visits: Izmir, Pamukkale
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Colossae Thermal
Day 7Venture to Hierapolis and Antalya Connect with Locals
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. Later, we travel through scenic countryside and join the Yazir community in the Taurus Mountains, where we’ll Connect With Locals and gain insights into their traditions at our Be My Guest lunch. Our 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 Regional Dinner at a local restaurant.
Visits: Pamukkale, Hierapolis, Antalya
Meals: Breakfast, Be My Guest, Regional Dinner
Accommodation: Marmara Antalya
Day 8Enjoy Ancient Perge
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, we travel to the Roman city of Perge to visit the impressive Antalya Archaeological Museum and see treasures spanning the centuries.
Visits: Antalya, Perge
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Marmara Antalya
Day 9On the Road to Aspendos and Konya
Witness the world's best-preserved theatre of antiquity during your first stop in Aspendos this morning, before continuing to Konya, where we will gain insights into the mystical Whirling Dervish sect whose remains lie in the Mevlana Museum and Mausoleum. We continue to the Karatay Tile Museum, spellbound by its exquisitely Seljuk-tiled dome, before returning to our hotel where we'll dine tonight.
Visits: Antalya, Aspendos, Konya
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Dedeman
Day 10Continue to Cappadocia Stays With Stories
See a well-preserved 13th-century caravanserai, at which weary travellers used to rest. We journey to Cappadocia with its honey-coloured rocky spires providing an enchanting backdrop for our visit to the underground city of Saratli on the ancient Silk Road. This evening, indulge in the flavours 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 we stay in one of Trafalgar's Stays With Stories located alongside the ancient Ortahisar rock castle.
Visits: Konya, Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast, Regional Dinner
Accommodation: Dilek Kaya
Day 11A Day to Explore Spectacular Göreme Dive Into Culture
The other-worldly landscapes of Cappadocia take centre stage today as we explore its volcanic landscape dotted with caves and troglodyte dwellings. We visit the Göreme Open-Air Museum to admire the extraordinary rock-hewn churches and Dive Into Culture to learn about the art of pottery making in Avanos before dining in our hotel this evening.
Visits: Cappadocia, Göreme, Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Dilek Kaya
Day 12Onwards to Ankara
Arriving in the youthful capital of Turkey today, we visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations and the final resting place of the country's beloved Atatürk, the first president of the modern Turkish nation. This evening we dine at our hotel in Ankara.
Visits: Cappadocia, Ankara
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: DoubleTree by Hilton
Day 13Return to Istanbul
Returning to Istanbul, we enjoy the rest of the day on our own. Delve into the depths of the Basilica Cistern, savour 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.
Visits: Ankara, Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner
Accommodation: Grand Hyatt
Day 14Farewell Istanbul
Our epic journey into antiquity has come to an end as we bid Istanbul and newfound friends a fond farewell. Find out more about your free airport transfer at trafalgar.com/freetransfers.
Visits: Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast


Available Room Types: Single, Triple, Twin, Twinshare
Child: ages 5 to 17

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