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Stay · Insight Vacations · 10 nights

Wonders of Turkey

  • Comfortable, air-conditioned coach with extra legroom and onboard facilities
  • Guided tours with local experts and included hotel/restaurant tips
  • Explore historic sites, traditional crafts, and natural wonders of Turkey
From
$4,275 pp twin share
10 nights
Departs 10 September 2026 Returns 26 March 2028
Duration10 nights
OperatorInsight Vacations
StyleStay
HighlightDiscover the wonders of Turkey on this 11-day guided tour, from ancient ruins and thermal pools to traditional cave houses and the vibrant Grand Bazaar
See the ancient city of Ephesus and its impressive amphitheatre. Explore the turquoise travertine pools and thermal spas of Pamukkale. Visit a traditional cave house in Cappadocia and watch whirling dervishes dance

Fall in love with Turkey on this 11-day guided tour. See Ephesus, an ancient city founded in the 10th century BC, home to an amphitheatre that once sat 24,000 people. Drive through the Maeander River Valley to an organic farm, where you can walk the lush lands, then feast on fresh produce during a mouth-watering lunch. See the turquoise travertine pools in Pamukkale where ancient Romans used to soak — then dip into the spa at your hotel to indulge in its Turkish baths. Take a tour of a traditional cave house in Cappadocia with the local who lives there, then dine as you watch whirling dervishes dance nearby. In Ankara, visit the Mausoleum of Atatürk, the final resting place of the country’s first president. Travel to Istanbul, where you’ll see the infamous Blue Mosque before bargaining at the eclectic Grand Bazaar, which boasts more than 4,000 shops.

When & how much

Departures & Pricing

Departs
10 September 2026
Returns 26 March 2028
Returns
26 March 2028
Duration
10 nights
From pp twin share
$4,275 pp
  • 10 Sep 2026 - 20 Sep 2026
    from $5,287.50 pp twin share *
  • 24 Sep 2026 - 04 Oct 2026
    from $4,972.50 pp twin share *
  • 08 Oct 2026 - 18 Oct 2026
    from $5,775 pp twin share *
  • 05 Nov 2026 - 15 Nov 2026
    from $4,275 pp twin share *
  • 17 Dec 2026 - 27 Dec 2026
    from $4,275 pp twin share *
  • 28 Jan 2027 - 07 Feb 2027
    from $4,612.50 pp twin share *
  • 25 Feb 2027 - 07 Mar 2027
    from $4,750 pp twin share *
  • 04 Mar 2027 - 14 Mar 2027
    from $4,750 pp twin share *
  • 18 Mar 2027 - 28 Mar 2027
    from $4,275 pp twin share *
  • 01 Apr 2027 - 11 Apr 2027
    from $5,595 pp twin share *
  • 06 May 2027 - 16 May 2027
    from $5,595 pp twin share *
  • 20 May 2027 - 30 May 2027
    from $5,595 pp twin share *
  • 03 Jun 2027 - 13 Jun 2027
    from $5,595 pp twin share *
  • 17 Jun 2027 - 27 Jun 2027
    from $5,595 pp twin share *
  • 15 Jul 2027 - 25 Jul 2027
    from $5,595 pp twin share *
  • 12 Aug 2027 - 22 Aug 2027
    from $5,595 pp twin share *
  • 09 Sep 2027 - 19 Sep 2027
    from $5,595 pp twin share *
  • 07 Oct 2027 - 17 Oct 2027
    from $5,595 pp twin share *
  • 28 Oct 2027 - 07 Nov 2027
    from $5,595 pp twin share *
  • 04 Nov 2027 - 14 Nov 2027
    from $4,825 pp twin share *
  • 11 Nov 2027 - 21 Nov 2027
    from $4,825 pp twin share *
  • 09 Dec 2027 - 19 Dec 2027
    from $4,825 pp twin share *
  • 16 Dec 2027 - 26 Dec 2027
    from $4,825 pp twin share *
  • 27 Jan 2028 - 06 Feb 2028
    from $4,825 pp twin share *
  • 24 Feb 2028 - 05 Mar 2028
    from $4,825 pp twin share *
  • 02 Mar 2028 - 12 Mar 2028
    from $4,825 pp twin share *
  • 09 Mar 2028 - 19 Mar 2028
    from $4,825 pp twin share *
  • 16 Mar 2028 - 26 Mar 2028
    from $4,825 pp twin share *

* Prices and category availability are subject to change without notice.

Cabin grades, balcony upgrades and pre-cruise hotel options are quoted on enquiry — call 1300 414 198.

Day by day

Itinerary

  1. 1

    Welcome to Istanbul

    Arrive in Istanbul, the only major city set across two continents, shaped by the Bosphorus and a skyline of domes and minarets. You’ll transfer to Canopy by Hilton Istanbul, in the Beyoğlu district, and have time to settle in. If time allows, head out for a first look at the city’s waterfront life, watching ferries cross the strait and taking in views towards the historic peninsula. This evening, meet your Travel Director and your small group for dinner in a local restaurant and begin getting to know the travellers you’ll be exploring with.

  2. 2

    Gallipoli, Anzac Cove and Troy

    Marvel at breathtaking coastal views as you make your way along the shores of the Sea of Marmara to historic Gallipoli. Located in the southern part of East Thrace, it was here that for nine months during the Great War, Anzac troops fought in an in an attempt to gain control of the Dardanelles Strait. Learn more about these events as you visit Anzac Cove and Lone Pine Cemetery. Later, join your group as you head from Eceabat across the sea to Çanakkale before arriving in the historic city of Troy, the focal point of the Trojan War and the backdrop to one of history’s most famous love stories, that of Paris and Helen of Troy, the face that launched 1000 ships. A replica of the mighty Trojan horse, which helped the Greeks capture the city in 1200 B.C., can be seen beside the city’s walls.

  3. 3

    Izmir

    Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at Copmadam, a women's co-op turning recycled materials into unique items, and addressing women's employment issues. After some time exploring, continue your journey to Izmir, where you will stop for a Farm-to-Table lunch at Nif Bağları, a family-owned wine producer. Explore the four acres of crop fields, nestled amidst picturesque surroundings before continuing your journey to the coastal resort of Izmir.

  4. 4

    Ancient Ephesus

    Start your morning with a trip to the nearby town of Selçuk. Home to the House of the Virgin Mary and the Temple of Artemis, it offers an illuminating introduction to the region at the Archaeological Museum, where exhibits retrieved from nearby Ephesus reveal the city’s ancient past. A carpet-weaving demonstration brings Anatolia’s living craft traditions into focus, with symbolic motifs, natural dyes and hand-knotting revealing skills passed through generations. Then explore Ephesus itself, walking the colonnaded Arcadian Way, seeing the Library of Celsus and the vast Amphitheatre before visiting the House of the Virgin Mary, situated above the ruins.

  5. 5

    The Pools of Pamukkale

    Head to Pamukkale, famous for its mineral-rich thermal waters and chalk-white limestone terraces, and explore the area with your Travel Director. Discover Anatolia’s leather-making heritage, historically linked to the Ahi guilds of medieval craftspeople and traders associated with 13th-century leatherworker Ahi Evran. Continue to the ancient Roman spa city of Hierapolis, founded in 190 B.C., to see its well-preserved theatre and turquoise travertine pools. Later, head to your hotel, the esteemed Doğa Thermal Health & Spa, where indoor and outdoor thermal pools, a steam room and Turkish bath complex invite you to unwind.

  6. 6

    The Underground City and Cappadocia

    Today your journey takes you to Urgup, a historic town in the heart of Cappadocia. Visit the 13th-century Sultanhani Caravanserai before exploring the underground city of Saratli. You will recognise this famous area from the striking golden, volcanic landscapes that surround it.

  7. 7

    The Cappadocia Experience

    Move on to Göreme, a striking town in the Cappadocia region of Turkey. Early risers may choose an Optional Experience to watch the sunrise as hot air balloons lift off and drift above the valleys. Explore Göreme’s rock-hewn churches decorated with ancient wall paintings before moving on to the Paşabağ Valley. Located on the road to Zelve, you’ll find otherworldly earth pillars here, ‘fairy chimneys’ and troglodyte dwellings. Later, join a Cappadocian local who has lived in the city for decades and take a tour of their cave house. You’ll learn more about their unique way of living, local traditions and family life. Complementing the day’s events, this evening you'll witness a performance of the Whirling Dervishes before dining at a local restaurant.

  8. 8

    Ankara

    One for art lovers, this morning, you’ll learn about the art of pottery making in Avanos. A town based in Cappadocia, it is famous for its earthenware pottery. Continue your journey to Ankara, where you’ll visit the Hittite Museum and the Mausoleum of Atatürk, Turkey's greatest modern leader and the first President of the Republic of Turkey. Perhaps relax in the spa and wellness centre at your hotel this evening.

  9. 9

    To Istanbul

    It’s time to head to Istanbul, a glorious fusion of East and West where Byzantine splendour meets Ottoman elegance and contemporary energy. This afternoon, set out on a traditional cruise along the Bosphorus, the storied strait that links the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara and divides Europe from Asia. Glide past waterside yalıs, domed mosques and palace façades of Istanbul’s skyline. Your evening is at leisure.

  10. 10

    Istanbul and the Ottoman Empire

    Take in the sights of Istanbul, beginning with the historic Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome, once the heart of imperial Constantinople where chariot races drew roaring crowds. Explore Hagia Sophia with Insight Choice. Choose between the Hagia Sophia History Digital Experience for an immersive journey through the landmark’s layered past or alternatively, visit Hagia Sophia, built in A.D. 537 and famed for its vast dome. Continue to Topkapi Palace, dramatically poised above the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn, then step into the Grand Bazaar, a labyrinth of lanes where centuries-old trading traditions live on in glittering textiles, ceramics and spices. In the evening, join your fellow travellers for dinner at a local restaurant.

  11. 11

    Farewell Istanbul

    It’s time to say goodbye to your new friends, as your trip comes to an end. A transfer will take you to the airport for your onward flights, or for those extending their stay in Istanbul, speak to your Travel Director for tips and tricks on where to head.

What you get for the price

Inclusions & exclusions

What’s included

  • Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom.
  • Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards.
  • Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
  • Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
  • Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
  • Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency.
Where you’ll stay

Accommodation

  • Ankara HiltonSA
  • Canopy by Hilton Istanbul
  • DoubleTree by Hilton Avanos, Cappadocia
  • Doğa Thermal Health & Spa, Pamukkale
  • Kolin, Çanakkale
  • Swissotel Büyük Efes, Izmir
From the operator

Common questions about this voyage

How long is this journey?
This itinerary runs for 11 days and 10 nights.
When can I travel?
Departures are currently scheduled between 10 Sep 2026 and 26 Mar 2028, subject to live availability.
Are there different departure options?
Yes, multiple departures may be available depending on your preferred travel period.
Are discounts available?
Seasonal or loyalty discounts may be available on selected departures at the time of enquiry.
What is generally included?
Inclusions typically cover guided touring and selected experiences, with exact details listed in the itinerary.
Ready to lock in?

Book this stay

Send us an enquiry and a consultant will be in touch, or call 1300 414 198 for personal help choosing a departure.

Enquire about this stay
Travel at 60 Social Getaways

Travel further when you're not travelling alone

Our Social Getaways are small-group holidays designed especially for over-60s Australians who want the freedom of a great trip without the work of planning every detail. A Travel at 60 host travels with the group, the operator handles the logistics, and you get to focus on the bit that matters — the people, the places, and the stories you'll bring home.

Open to solo travellers too. Many of our travellers book on their own and find their feet quickly in a friendly group of like-minded Australians. Reduced single-supplement options are available on most departures — ask one of our consultants and we'll talk you through what's offered on this trip.

  • A friendly Travel at 60 host — an Australian face on the ground, looking out for the group from day one.
  • Curated local guides & boutique suppliers — the same operators we'd book for our own families.
  • Real itineraries, not whirlwind tours — comfortable transfers, breathing room, and the “off the beaten track” stops the big bus tours skip.

Want to talk it through? Call 1300 414 198 7 days a week, Queensland time, and one of our consultants will walk you through it.

— The team at Travel at 60

A Travel at 60 host with travellers on a Social Getaway
From (twin) $4,275 pp
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