Treasures of Turkey

Treasures of Turkey

Turkey dazzles your senses, from Istanbul's bustling Grand Bazaar with scents of spices to the incredible cave dwellings of Cappadocia and the shimmering tiles of the Blue Mosque – not to mention the delicious cuisine. This tour takes you far and wide to discover richly historical sites, such as the famous Hagia Sophia, the Topkapi Palace and the legendary city of Troy.

Soak up culture and tradition with belly dancing and the heady scent of Turkish coffee. Travel along the Mediterranean past sparkling lakes and through sweeping valleys. This holiday is all about you, so choose optional excursions with expert Local Guides or let your wandering feet explore at your leisure.

What's Included

• Return flights from London
• 11 nights in 4-star hotels
• 23 meals: 11 breakfasts, 2 lunches,10 dinners and welcome drink
• Travelsphere Holiday Director
• Overseas transfers, other transportation and porterage

Included Holiday Highlights:

• ​Tour of Istanbul including The Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia, Topkapi Palace and Grand Bazaar
• Coffee and Baklava-tasting
• Visit the Gallipoli War Memorial
• Troy tour and visit to the ancient city of Pergamon
• Visit one of the ancient wonders of the world, the Temple of Artemis, in Ephesus
• Visit Sirince Village and discover Turkish agriculture
• Picnic lunch in Aphrodisias
• Pamukkale hot springs and swimming opportunity
• Visit Konya – capital of the Seldjuk Empire
• Cappadocia and the Goreme Valley with a glass of wine at sunset

Day 1: UK - Istanbul

Today you will fly to Istanbul, from where we'll transfer you to your hotel. Enjoy your first dinner in Turkiye, relax and get set for your exciting journey.

Meals included: D

Day 2: Istanbul

Launch straight into action today on our Byzantine and Ottoman Relics tour where we explore Istanbul, the once capital of the Roman and Ottoman Empires. From Sultanahmet Square we'll explore the Hippodrome's stunning obelisks and intriguing history of chariot races. Prepare yourself for breathtaking sights as we visit the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.

​After savouring local flavours at a Turkish restaurant, we'll marvel over the priceless collections at the Topkapi Palace Museum. Once a Christian church then later a mosque, this is one of the largest buildings in the city. Sharpen your bargaining skills at the Grand Bazaar, the trading hub of the city where you can find everything from pots and carpets to fruit and spices. Taste baklava, a sweet pastry made of layers of filo filled with chopped nuts and honey, and learn the secrets of Turkish coffee-making at Sark Kahvesi – a famed coffee shop. Dance to your own tune in the city tonight or join our optional excursion to watch a traditional Turkish folklore show.

Meals included: B,L

Day 3: Istanbul

A day at leisure to explore this amazing City straddling two Continents, or choose an optional cruise of the Bosporus. With a good time spent on board, we'll see both sides of the Bosphorus - glimpse life in both Europe and Asia at the same time.

Meals included: B,D

Day 4: Istanbul - Canakkale

Our leisurely drive to Canakkale takes us via the lovely Marmara Sea for sweeping coastal views. On the way, we'll stop at the famous World War I battlefields of Gallipoli, the large and poignant resting site of Australian, New Zealand, British and Turkish soldiers killed in the war. A ferry trip across the Dardanelles channel brings us to Canakkale for dinner at the hotel.

Meals included: B,D

Day 5: Canakkale

The first visit of today will be the legendary city of Troy. With over five thousand years of history, your guide will describe the civilisations settled in this unique geographical zone where Anatolia, Aegean and Balkans meet. We will also visit the Troy Museum, exhibiting the historical artefacts from Troy and some other ancient cities in the area, and on nearby islands. At the end of the excursion, we'll drive back to Canakkale where we will have free time for lunch and the remainder of the afternoon at leisure.

Meals included: B,D

Day 6: Canakkale - Kusadasi

Today will start with a drive along the Aegean coastline to the small town of Ayvalik. Here we will have a chance to visit a social enterprise called Cop(m)adam. This social enterprise is partnered with Planeterra and is a customer market benefitting local women working in impoverished communities in Turkiye. We will also visit Ayvalik centre, once a major crossroads for Greek commercial, literary and intellectual life in Ottoman times, with a population that consisted almost exclusively of Greek Orthodox Christians. Following this visit, we will drive to Bergama and visit the ancient city of Pergamon with its Acropolis. After the visits, we will drive via Izmir to Kusadasi.

Meals included: B,L,D

Day 7: Ephesus & Sirince

Today's adventure begins at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ephesus. One of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world, the excavation of Ephesus continues to this day, following a century of unearthing agoras, temples and churches. Get your camera ready for a shot of you and the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. In the afternoon we'll visit a charming village known for its excellent wine production. Sirince sits at the top of a hill boasting vineyard and countryside views, with Greek heritage and plenty of gourmet food to feast on.

Meals included: B,D

Day 8: Kusadasi - Pamukkale

We'll travel to Aphrodisias today to discover the beautifully preserved Greco-Roman settlement and museum. Dedicated to the goddess of love, Aphrodite, the temple here dates from the 3rd century BC. You'll enjoy a delicious picnic lunch before we travel to Pamukkale, celebrated for its startling white cliffs and mineral-rich thermal waters.

Meals included: B,D

Day 9: Pamukkale - Konya

Next, we'll take an exciting tour of Hierapolis. The ruins of this ancient spa city include a Roman theatre, the agora and a huge Necropolis, home to more than 1,000 tombs. You may choose to swim in the hot spring pool at the hotel before we drive to Konya, which was once the capital of the Seljuk Empire. On the way, we'll pass the glistening lakes of Egirdir and Beysehir, surrounded by lush landscapes.

Meals included: B,D

Day 10: Konya - Cappadocia

Konya is home to the Mausoleum of Mevlana, who was the founder of the sect of Whirling Dervishes, and it's our first stop after breakfast at the hotel today. We'll also admire the spectacular blue-tiled dome of Karatay Medrese, and visit the 13th century Caravanserai Sultanhani, once a popular stop for merchants along the ancient Silk Road trade route. Here, you can choose to join our optional excursion to watch a Whirling Dervishes performance - a unique spiritual ceremony.

Meals included: B,D

Day 11: Cappadocia

Awake amidst Cappadocia's other-worldly scenery for a full day of exploration ahead. Join us for a tour of Göreme Valley with its fairytale rock formations and network of man-made caves that house churches, storehouses and living quarters. The incredible Ozkonak Underground City was used by the earliest Christian settlers in the area. This spectacular underground city is set across different levels and feature a maze of tunnels and rooms. At sunset, relish a glass of local wine with stunning views over Love Valley.

Meals included: B,D

Day 12: Cappadocia - UK

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel this morning before your airport transfer and flight home to the UK.

Meals included: B