Meals

7 Dinner (D) 9 Breakfast (B) 1 Lunch (L)

Hygieneprotocol

All guests travelling with Trafalgar through December 31, 2022 are required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, which may include a booster shot to keep the vaccination status current and valid, depending on the travel destination. Children not eligible for vaccination and/or booster at the time of travel must provide a verifiable and negative Covid-19 test result, taken within 72 hours prior to the start of the tour (taking time zones into consideration) for all tours departing until December 31, 2022. While highly recommended, COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters are no longer required for guests traveling with us from January 1, 2023 onward. It is your client’s responsibly to comply with specific vaccine and/or booster requirements imposed by airlines and/or authorities in the destinations visited, as well as requirements for accessing restaurants and venues, which may be more restrictive than the above. No refunds will be given if they are unable to undertake some or all of their vacation due to failure to comply with these requirements.

Guide

An expert Travel Director and professional Driver

Transport

Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)

Accommodation

Renaissance Polat Hotel Kolin Kaya Izmir Thermal & Convention Colossae Thermal Dedeman Exedra Novotel Istanbul Zeytinburnu

Others

Izmir: Meet the most liberated women in Turkey in the village of Demircidere, where you’ll learn how to bake traditional bread and taste the local wine at our Be My Guest lunch. 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. : Learn about the art of pottery making in Avanos. Istanbul: Visit the house of Turkey’s greatest classical composer, Dede Efendi. Recently brought back to its former architectural glory, this unique museum holds a rare collection of traditional instruments, which we experience first hand during a private concert by Music Conservancy students. This experience advances United Nations’ Global Sustainable Goal 4: Quality Education. Our visits provide opportunities for the students to perform. This experience also advances United Nations’ Global Sustainable Goal 11: Resilient Cities and Communities. Our visits contribute to Turkey’s cultural vibrancy in safeguarding traditional forms of music which was fast disappearing. Our visits also support the important work of TURKEV association, who researches and safeguards Turkish traditional architectures and houses. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 4 and 11: Quality Education and Sustainable Cities and Communities. Explore Istanbul View the Wooden Horse at Troy and the Blue Mosque See the exquisite Blue Mosque Cappadocia: Exedra Hotel’s rooms, carved from rock, feature unique designs and display handcrafted antiques. During construction of the hotel, a chapel was discovered, inspiring the name ’Exedra’ -- a meeting place in ancient Rome. An expert Travel Director and professional Driver Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted All porterage and restaurant gratuities All hotel tips, charges and local taxes Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing Ferry across the Dardanelles from Eceabat to Canakkale Flight from Cappadocia to Istanbul Optional Experiences and free time On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised.

Not included:

Insurance

Insurance is not included.

Others

Other activities and services are not included.

Flights

International flights are not included.

Optional

Traditional Bosphorus Cruise No stay would be complete without this unforgettable cruise along the Bosphorus, the winding strait separating Europe and Asia. Along the shores you’ll see a beautiful mixture of modern hotels, ancient wooden villas, marble palaces, fortresses and small fishing villages, as you relax on board. Adult Price: $40.00* Istanbul Nightlife Experience You’ll enjoy a short drive through the illuminated streets of Istanbul before arriving at the famous Kervansaray Night Club. You’ll taste Turkish specialties while being entertained by musicians, belly and folk dancers, performing dances from different regions of Turkey. You’ll also get the chance to join in. Adult Price: $75.00* Dance Of The Whirling Dervishes The ’dance’ of the Whirling Dervishes is called Sema. It is part of Turkish custom, history, beliefs and culture and represents a man’s spiritual journey, and will be a highlight of your trip to Turkey. Adult Price: $25.00* TRADITIONAL BOSPHORUS CRUISE No stay would be complete without this unforgettable cruise along the Bosphorus, the winding strait separating Europe and Asia. Along the shores you’ll see a beautiful mixture of modern hotels, ancient wooden villas, marble palaces, fortresses and small fishing villages, as you relax on board. Adult Price: $40.00* ISTANBUL NIGHTLIFE EXPERIENCE You’ll enjoy a short drive through the illuminated streets of Istanbul before arriving at the famous Kervansaray Night Club. You’ll taste Turkish specialties while being entertained by musicians, belly and folk dancers, performing dances from different regions of Turkey. You’ll also get the chance to join in. Adult Price: $75.00* DANCE OF THE WHIRLING DERVISHES The ’dance’ of the Whirling Dervishes is called Sema. It is part of Turkish custom, history, beliefs and culture and represents a man’s spiritual journey, and will be a highlight of your trip to Turkey. Adult Price: $25.00* * The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Welcome To Istanbul
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Welcome To Istanbul

Meet at the crossroads of East and West – the effervescent capital of Istanbul launches your journey of discovery through centuries of turmoil and triumph. Spend the day exploring after being transferred to your hotel. Later, you’ll meet your Travel Director and travel companions for a memorable Light Meal.
Day 2 Day 2: Discover Colourful Istanbul Dive Into Culture
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Discover Colourful Istanbul Dive Into Culture

Delve into the treasures of the Ottoman Empire, strolling through the exquisite Topkapi Palace with its spellbinding views of the Bosphorus. Visit the Byzantine Hippodrome to see where thundering chariots once raced to victory before following in the footsteps of the faithful to see the Blue Mosque – its six minarets and beautiful blue Iznik tiles are a sight to behold. Dive Into Culture as you 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. Later, we e explore Hagia Sophia, once one of the greatest churches in all of Christendom. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at the museum of Classical Turkish Music, preserving this traditional art. Come across the genius of Turkey’s greatest composer, Dede Efendi, during a private concert by students of the Music Conservancy. The evening is yours to further explore the city.
Day 3 Day 3: Journey To Gallipoli And Çanakkale
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Journey To Gallipoli And Çanakkale

Remember the heroism of the many thousands of men who fought bravely at Gallipoli. You’ll see Lone Pine Cemetery and the battlefields that today still hold special significance for the Turkish, Australian and New Zealand nations. Spend a quiet moment commemorating the lives lost at Anzac Cove and Chunuk Bair, where some of the fiercest fighting took place during World War I. This evening stay in Çanakkale where tonight you’ll dine at the hotel.
Day 4 Day 4: Off To Troy, Pergamon And Izmir Connect With Locals
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Off To Troy, Pergamon And Izmir Connect With Locals

Visit a land of Trojan legends, an ancient city immortalised by Homer in the stories of King Priamus, Hector, Paris and the beautiful Helen. We admire the archaeological excavations at Troy revealing nine separate periods of settlement and the symbolic replica wooden Trojan horse commemorating the epic war machine constructed by the Greeks to end a lengthy siege. We continue to the ancient kingdom of Pergamon to visit the Asklepion Medical Centre whose staff of entwined snakes remains a symbol of modern medicine today. This afternoon, we Connect With Locals over lunch in the village of Demircidere at a Be My Guest experience. We travel to the broad boulevards of seaside Izmir later and dine in our hotel this evening.
Day 5 Day 5: Admire The Ruins Of Ephesus And On To Pamukkale
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Admire The Ruins Of Ephesus And On To Pamukkale

Journey into antiquity and explore the ruins of the ancient Greek city of Ephesus admiring the well-preserved façade of the Library of Celsus and its famous Temple of Artemis. Visit the House of the Virgin Mary, the Temple of Hadrian guarded by Medusa’s head, and the Great Theatre, built by the Romans in the 2nd-century and still in use today. You’ll learn about the intricate heritage and art of carpet weaving during a visit to a Turkish carpet emporium. Relax and enjoy the blissful thermal pools at your hotel in Pamukkale.
Day 6 Day 6: Onwards To Hierapolis And Konya
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Onwards To Hierapolis And Konya

This morning, enjoy a leisurely visit to the ancient ruins of the Holy City of Hierapolis, imagining ancient patrons seeking revival and rest within their limestone-laden thermal springs. Visit the Mevlana Museum and Mausoleum in Konya, a former dervish lodge of the Mevlevi order, which reveals the origins of Sufism. Your last stop today is Konya where tonight you’ll dine at the hotel.
Day 7 Day 7: Continue To Cappadocia Dive Into Culture Stays With Stories
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Continue To Cappadocia Dive Into Culture Stays With Stories

Continue your journey to Cappadocia, you’ll see a 13th-century caravanserai and underground city of Saratli on the ancient Silk Road. Then Dive Into Culture to learn about the art of pottery making in Avanos. Later, consider joining an Optional Experience to watch the Whirling Dervishes then enjoy a Regional Meal at a local restaurant. Tonight we stay in one of Trafalgar’s Stays With Stories hewn out of the surrounding rock and houses.
Day 8 Day 8: A Day To Explore Spectacular Göreme
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: A Day To Explore Spectacular Göreme

The whimsical landscapes of Cappadocia take centre stage today as you embark on a full-day excursion that will see you visit the Göreme Open-Air Museum, the Paşabağı and Kizil Vadi valleys. Join your fellow travellers for an included dinner this evening.
Day 9 Day 9: Return To Istanbul
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Return To Istanbul

Take a short flight this morning to Istanbul, where the rest of the day is yours to explore the city your way. Enjoy a sensory explosion at the vibrant Spice Market, take a stroll through the historic Sultanahmet or find a quiet rooftop café and admire Istanbul’s iconic skyline. You could choose instead to join an optional cruise and sail the waters of the Bosphorus which separate Asia and Europe. Tonight, join your Travel Director and fellow companions for dinner.
Day 10 Day 10: Farewell Istanbul
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Farewell Istanbul

Say a fond farewell to Turkey and newfound friends as you prepare to depart to the airport for your flight home.

10 days tour

Highlights Of Turkey (10 Days)

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Highlights Of Turkey (10 Days)

Day 1: Welcome To Istanbul

Day 2: Discover Colourful Istanbul Dive Into Culture

Day 3: Journey To Gallipoli And Çanakkale

Day 4: Off To Troy, Pergamon And Izmir Connect With Locals

Day 5: Admire The Ruins Of Ephesus And On To Pamukkale

Day 6: Onwards To Hierapolis And Konya

Day 7: Continue To Cappadocia Dive Into Culture Stays With Stories

Day 8: A Day To Explore Spectacular Göreme

Day 9: Return To Istanbul

Day 10: Farewell Istanbul

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