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13-Day Delights of Turkey Guided Tour incl. Troy & Gallipoli - Including Flights

Book now & save on 2020 tours!
  • history
    DURATION
    11 nights
  • history
    DURATION DAYS
  • history
    DURATION NIGHTS
    11 nights

  • Visit the Anzac Cemetery, a memorial to the casualties of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps in Gallipoli
  • Tour the classical 4000-year-old city of Troy immortalised in Homer's epic poem, The Iliad
  • Visit Pergamum, a kingdom dating back to the 4th century, home to the Roman centre of Asklepion
  • View the thermal pools at Pamukkale's "cotton castle" of cascading snow-falls
  • View Hierapolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Visit the Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk, founder and first president of the Turkish Republic

Photos

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Istanbul, Turkey

Inclusions/Exclusions

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TOUR INCLUSIONS:

  • Airline taxes & fuel surcharges
  • 11 nights in First Class accommodation
  • Hotel taxes, fees and service charges
  • Hotel porterage
  • 21 meals: 11 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 9 dinners
  • Sightseeing as per itinerary in modern air-conditioned motor coach
  • Services of English-speaking tour manager
  • Entrance fees as per itinerary
  • Comfortable wireless earphones for enhanced touring
  • Gratuities for tour manager and coach driver

Itinerary

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Note: your itinerary will change depending upon the day of the week you depart. Optional Tours are not included.

DAY 1, Monday - Depart for Turkey
Depart for Turkey

DAY 2, Tuesday - Arrive in Istanbul
Arrive in Istanbul, at the crossroads of Europe and Asia and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day is at leisure. Tonight, attend an orientation meeting with your Tour manager and fellow travellers, followed by a Welcome Dinner
Overnight: Istanbul
Meals: Dinner

DAY 3, Wednesday - Morning City Tour of Istanbul
Embark on a half day morning tour of Istanbul, the only city that straddles two continents. Your tour includes a short briefing and a picture stop at the courtyard of the Blue Mosque, a 17th century Ottoman Mosque famous for its six minarets and magnificent interior made of blue tiles. Continue to the Hippodrome, the place chariot races and competitive athletic events took place during the Roman period. Then, head to the Topkapi Palace, residence of Ottoman Sultans housing the richness of 700 years. Afterwards, explore the Spice Market with its unforgettable aromas. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure, exploring this city that blurs the line between East and West, with incredible architecture that is rivalled only by its spectacular natural setting on the Bosphorus Strait. In the afternoon, join the fascinating optional tour to the St. Sophia, the great Byzantine Basilica built in the 6th century, which remained the largest cathedral in the world for almost a thousand years, it was later converted to a mosque and now serves as a museum. Then continue to the Grand Bazaar, where you can shop for carpets, jewellery, leather and more*
*The Half Day Istanbul with St. Sophia & Grand Bazaar (PM) optional tour on Day 3 will not be able to visit the Grand Bazaar on the July 30th departure due to the celebration of Ramadan. The Grand Bazaar portion will be moved as part of the optional Half Day Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise on Day 12 instead.
Optional: Half Day Istanbul with St. Sophia & Grand Bazaar (PM)*
Overnight: Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 4, Thursday - Anzac Cemetery, Travel to Canakkale
This morning, drive to the town of Gallipoli, site of the famous Ottoman victory against the Allies during World War I. Visit the Anzac Cemetery, a memorial to the casualties of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, whose fame grew back home as word of their heroic efforts spread. April 25, 2015 marked the 100th Anniversary of the beginning of the Gallipoli Campaign. Afterwards, cross the Dardanelles by ferry and continue to the Canakkale province, located in northwest Turkey, where you will arrive in the early evening
Overnight: Canakkale
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 5, Friday - Visit Troy, Pergamum, Travel to Izmir
This morning, proceed to the classical city of Troy. Tour this 4000-year-old city and legendary centre of the Trojan War, made immortal by Homer's epic poem The Iliad. Then, drive to Pergamum, a powerful kingdom during the ancient Hellenistic period, and visit Asklepion, the ancient Roman spa centre. Enjoy lunch in a local village before continuing to Izmir, a city believed to be the birthplace of Homer
Overnight: Izmir
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6, Saturday - Full Day in Izmir
Enjoy a full day at leisure in Izmir. With over 3500 years of history, the port city known historically as Smyrna offers a variety of impressive archaeological sites, not to mention easy access to ancient Ephesus. Perhaps, relax in the city and sip Türk kahvesi, authentic Turkish coffee, at a café set along the scenic Passport Quay. Don't miss the optional tour to Ephesus, considered one of the greatest ancient cities of the world. Here, you'll visit the House of the Virgin Mary, Basilica of St. John, the library of Celsus, temple of Hadrian, the theatre and the Odeon. After lunch at a local restaurant return to Izmir
Optional: Full Day Ephesus & House of the Virgin Mary with Lunch
Overnight: Izmir
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 7, Sunday - Necropolis & Hierapolis at Pamukkale
Today, depart in the early morning from Izmir and drive to Pamukkale en route to Antalya where you will arrive in the evening. Visit the Necropolis and the ancient city of Hierapolis ("Holy City"), situated atop the Pamukkale hot springs, which together constitute a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Pamukkale hot springs have served as a thermal bath since the 2nd century B.C., primarily for the ailing and elderly, many of whom have retired here
Overnight: Antalya
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 8, Monday - Full Day in Antalya
Spend a full day at leisure in Antalya. Founded by King Attalos of Pergamum as "Heaven on Earth," Antalya is an international resort city that has become a prime destination in Turkey. Long popular among yachters, the city also offers the liveliest nightlife on the southern coast, fantastic beaches, and world-class shopping, in addition to historic ruins in the surrounding region. A fascinating optional tour is offered to the Pamphylian city of Perge and to the ancient city of Aspendos. On the return trip, visit the Antalya Archaeological Museum with its artefacts dating back over 2500 years
Optional: Perge, Aspendos & Antalya Archaeological Museum
Overnight: Antalya
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 9, Tuesday - Cappadocia Caravanserai Sightseeing
Today, depart in the early morning to travel to Cappadocia. En route, visit the 13th-century Caravanserai of Sultanhan, a large abandoned city and shelter in Cappadocia, built on the Silk Road, whose main portal gate is considered a fine example of Turkish Seljuk art. During the Seljuk period, trade flourished, requiring roads for caravan transport and inns for the traveling traders. The Caravanserai provided these traders, both foreign and native, with heated rooms, food, medical attention, equipment repair and many other common conveniences. There was even a small mosque, known as "Kosk Mescid," in the courtyard's centre where the travellers could conduct religious practices. Continue to Nevsehir in Cappadocia where you will arrive in the evening. Tonight, be sure to attend the optional performance of the world-famous Whirling Dervishes
*If time permits there may be a visit to a local school en route to Cappadocia.
Optional: Whirling Dervishes Performance (PM)
Overnight: Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 10, Wednesday - Full Day in Cappadocia
Explore the area independently on your day at leisure. A region of surreal rock formations and incredible cultural heritage, Cappadocia is home to rock-cut temples, ancient underground cities, and unparalleled landscapes. Begin the day very early on an optional hot air balloon ride that takes you soaring over the magnificent Cappadocian landscape with its incredible fairy chimney rock formations. On the half day optional tour*, visit the Open-Air Museum in the Goreme Valley to see the early Christian churches and the Ozkonak Underground City. Explore the village of Avanos, famous for its beautiful old houses and onyx, and visit a local pottery shop
*The Cappadocia Balloon Ride tour ends before the Half Day Cappadocia tour begins. Both tours can be done on the same day.
Optional: Cappadocia Balloon Ride (AM)
Optional: Half Day Cappadocia (AM)
Overnight: Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 11, Thursday - Travel to Ankara, Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk
This morning depart for Ankara, the capital and the second largest city of Turkey. Upon arrival, visit the Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk, founder and first president of the Turkish Republic. Leading up to the Mausoleum, view the vast brick courtyard and monumental avenue lined with Neo-Hittite stone statues and cenotaphs beneath its colonnades. The most noted cenotaphs within the complex are those of General Ismet Inonu, a close comrade of Ataturk's and that of Ataturk himself, beneath which lies his tomb. Continue to the Anatolian Civilisations Museum - built in two Ottoman buildings located near Ankara Castle. The Museum's unique exhibits feature Anatolian archaeological artefacts dating back to the Palaeolithic Age
Overnight: Ankara
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 12, Friday - Return to Istanbul
This morning return to Istanbul. Arrive in the afternoon and spend the remainder of the day at leisure or join the optional cruise along the Bosphorus, the winding straits separating Europe and Asia. The humble fishing villages and contrasting suspension bridges set against the dramatic outline of the Strait demonstrates the link between the East and West. This evening, enjoy a Farewell Dinner at your hotel with your traveling companions
Optional: Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise (PM)
Overnight: Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 13, Saturday - Depart Turkey
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast

Dates and Prices

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*** Book your 2020 tour by 26 Sep 2019 for the following special prices ***

27 April 2020:

  • Usually $3,589 pp twin share, NOW from $2,839 pp twin share

04 May 2020:

  • Usually $3,539 pp twin share, NOW from $2,789 pp twin share

26 May 2020:

  • Usually $3,579 pp twin share, NOW from $2,829 pp twin share

Freecall our Brisbane based travel team on 1300 414 198 for prices on alternative departure dates from from April to October 2020!

Accommodation

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Kolin Hotel Canakkale, Turkey

Your tour includes 11 nights in first class accommodation:

  • 3 nights Istanbul
  • 1 night Canakkale
  • 2 nights Izmir
  • 2 nights Antalya
  • 2 nights Cappadocia
  • 1 night Ankara

FAQs

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Is This Trip Right for You?

This moderately active program covers a good amount of ground each day. Expect from three to four hours walking on some touring days. The pace is moderate, however a majority is over uneven surfaces, stairs, steps and significant slopes. Bus rides to Ankara and Istanbul are approximately seven to eight hours. Those who are claustrophobic or have preexisting knee or back conditions may want to avoid visiting the Underground Cities in Cappadocia. Passageways are narrow and may require crouching to navigate. Airfare options for this program may not include checked luggage nor advance seat assignments, in which case checked luggage fees will apply and seat assignments will only be available at check-in. Adjacent seats may not be available. Higher airfares including checked luggage and/or advanced seat assignments are available, or you may choose to travel with carry-on luggage only. This is a Classic program.

Visa Information:

Australian passport holders need to apply for an electronic Visa (eVisa). Visas can no longer be obtained on arrival at the airport in Istanbul. Apply online at https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/. Immigration officials advise guests to print a hard copy of their e-visa notification and bring it with them in the event of system failure. New Zealand passport holders do not need a visa. 

T&Cs

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Travel at 60 and supplier booking conditions apply. Please enquire for more information.

*Promotion code must be supplied at the time of making a new reservation to obtain the discount. Applicable discount tier is calculated on full booking value (including airfare, tours, optional tours & transfers), with one promo code per reservation. Valid only on new bookings with deposit paid between 19 August – 26 September, 2019, for travel in 2019, 2020 & 2021. Can be used in conjunction with advance ‘Book By’ rates, but not combinable with other offers or travel credits. Discount is valid for escorted tours, river cruises, sea cruises and independent packages. Passengers sharing one room must book on the same reservation number. Advertised pricing is based on twin occupancy. If booking as a single, a single supplement may apply. If booking online, the discount will be applied after entering the promotion code during the reservation process.For full Sale conditions please call 1300 653 618

  • SPEND $3,000+ & Save up to $500 per booking
  • SPEND $7,000+ & Save up to $1,500 per booking
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