Christmas Turkey - 12 days
Christmas Turkey - 12 days
Christmas Turkey - 12 days
12 Days Starting and ending in Istanbul
Visiting: Istanbul, Canakkale, Troy & legendary Ephesus, Pamukkale, Xmas Eve at St Nic's, Cappadocia, Ankara
Tour operator:
Tour code:
167/CTU
Specialist Group:
Family/Kids
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 24
Age range:
16 years with an accompanying adult
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Please contact On The Go Tours with specific dietary requests
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Tour Overview
CHRISTMAS TOUR: There’s no stuffing birds or entertaining aunts! Enjoy snowflakes on fairy chimneys, legendary sites at Ephesus, Troy and Aspendos, thermal springs at Pamukkale and Christmas Eve at St Nic’s on this 12 day tour of Turkey.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Istanbul
Location: Istanbul
18 December. Welcome to Turkey! Arrive Istanbul and transfer to hotel. Remainder of the day and evening at leisure.
Day 2: Istanbul
Location: Istanbul
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy a tour of old Istanbul. The only city to span two continents sits on the Bosphorus - the strait of water that divides the continents of Europe and Asia. Its illustrious past leaves a rich legacy of churches, mosques, palaces and museums, complemented by the behemoth Grand Bazaar and colourful street life.
Sultanahmet, the compact old city of Istanbul, is full of parks, gardens and stunning sights. The Blue Mosque is famed for it’s blue Iznik tiles and unique 6 minarets. Here, explore the exterior of the Hagia Sophia, constructed in the 6th century and considered by some to be the epitome of Byzantine architecture, reigned as the grandest and biggest church in Christendom until the conquest of Constantinople in 1453, when it became a mosque.
Just around the corner is the stunning Topkapi Palace and the Underground Cistern. Rest of day free. Tonight, we are free to explore or relax in our hotel.
Day 3: Canakkale
Location: Canakkale
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Istanbul – Canakkale. Today, we enjoy a visit to battle-scarred Gallipoli. On the 25th April 1915, under the guidance of the British Command, the combined forces of Australia and New Zealand, otherwise known as the ‘ANZACs’, mounted an assault at a beach in North-Western Turkey. The futile campaign, infamously known as Gallipoli, is poignantly etched in history due to the enormous loss of lives and the impossibly hopeless situation faced by these brave young soldiers, many of whom had left home for the first time, destined never to return. In the fierce struggle for Turkish territory, thousands perished as the odds were resolutely stacked against them. The Turks sustained terrible losses. Thousands of British, French and Indian Allied troops also died. As always in war, common men died, cruelly robbed of their potential because of actions and decisions of military leaders.
Day 4-5: Troy & Legendary Ephesus
Location: Troy & legendary Ephesus
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Canakkale - Kusadasi. Step back in time as we visit the legendary Roman ruins of Pergamum and Troy - inspiration for Homer's Illiad and much more recently the movie Troy. On day 5, we explore ancient Ephesus. Exemplifying the finesse of Roman urban life, Ephesus boasts carefully restored elements including a Great Theatre, Curetes Way, the Temple of Serapis and the Library of Celsus. Stop by the ancient public toilets and public brothel! Afterward, we stop at a local leather manufacturer. Turkey produces some of the finest leather goods in the world and many are made here before branding in Italy.
Day 6: Pamukkale
Location: Pamukkale
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Kusadasi – Pammukale. Today we visit the famous gleaming white calcium terraced pools of Pamukkale. Known locally as the Cotton Castles, they are a natural phenomena and gift of Mother Nature. We can also opt to enjoy a unique and very pleasant dip in the warm waters at the Pamukkale Thermal with its submerged fragments of fluted marble columns near the centre of the ruined spa town of Hierapolis, which was a was a Roman curative centre.
Day 7: Xmas Eve At St Nic's
Location: Xmas Eve at St Nic's
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Pammukale - Demre - Antalya. The legend of Saint Nicholas (aka Santa Claus) began in Turkey! St Nicholas - a 4th century bishop gave anonymous gifts to dowryless village girls. He would drop bags of coins down the chimneys of their houses and this ‘gift from heaven’ would allow them to marry. We visit the church and tomb of St Nicholas in Demre before continuing to coastal Antalya for a fantastic Christmas Eve dinner on a hilltop restaurant overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.
Day 8: Christmas Day & Roman Ruins
Location: Christmas Day & Roman Ruins
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Kemer - Konya. Merry Christmas! En route to Konya we tour the incredible Roman ruins of Perge and Aspendos. Settled first by the Hittites around 1500 BC, Perge was an important city in Pamphylia (today’s Mediterranean region). The ruins of the ancient theatre (capacity 12,000 people) boasting marble reliefs depicting the life and times of Dionysos along with the remains of the first church built in Perge, and various temples can be seen. Nearby Aspendos is famous for its well-preserved theatre of antiquity.
Day 9-10: Cappadocia
Location: Cappadocia
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Konya – Cappadocia. Day 9 we tour Konya and the Mevlana monastery before heading north east to Cappadocia. We stop en route at an ancient caravanserai and later take a short walk through the beautiful Ihlara Valley. In the evening, opt for a traditional Turkish dinner and folklore evening. On day 10, we explore the stunning Goreme Valley, fairy chimneys, amazing troglodyte villages, Uchisar Castle and Derinkuyu underground city.
Stopping on the outskirts of Goreme Village we have the opportunity to see Pigeon Valley where century’s old pigeon houses are carved into the surrounding cliffs, the pigeon droppings that litter the area have been used as fertilizer on crops for generations. Here you will also have the opportunity to visit an Onyx shop, specialising in historic jewellery designs unique to Turkey and using local materials and craftsmen. For those not interested in shopping spend a little time relaxing and grab a drink from the local cafe.
Day 11: Ankara
Location: Ankara
Meals Included: Breakfast
Cappadocia - Istanbul. Today we head back to Istanbul, stopping en route for lunch (payable locally).
If you'd prefer to avoid the long journey over land today, we also offer the opportunity to fly from Cappadocia to Istanbul.
Day 12: Istanbul
Location: Istanbul
Meals Included: Breakfast
29 December. After breakfast our tour concludes with an onward departure transfer to the airport. We hope you had a wonderful Christmas in Turkey!
What's Included
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Accommodation
4 - 5 star -
Breakfast daily and 6 dinners inclusive of a special Christmas Eve Dinner in Antalya overlooking the Mediterranean Sea
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10 nights 4 star and special class hotels, 1 night 5 star hotel
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Guided sightseeing - Istanbul including the Blue Mosque, Underground Cistern, Topkapi Palace, Hippodrome and Hagia Sofia
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Guided sightseeing - Gallipoli, Troy, Ruins of Ephesus and Pergamum, Pamukkale and Roman Hierapolis, Perge, Aspendos, Konya and Cappadocia
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Escorted by an English speaking, degree qualified Turkish tour guide
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Airport arrival transfer on day 1 and departure transfer (to Istanbul International Airport) on day 12
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Relevant transfers and transportation in private modern air-conditioned vehicles
What's Not Included
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International flights and visa
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Tip for your tour guide and driver. We recommend you allow EUR €5 - 7 per day, per traveller as a tip for your guide and EUR €2 per day for your driver. Tipping your guide and driver is an entirely personal gesture
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Entrance Fees: EUR€280-300pp, paid in EUR
Age Policy
16 years with an accompanying adult
Check out our Q&As
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Airport arrival transfer on day 1 and departure transfer (to Istanbul International Airport) on day 12
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1998
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
Reviews of this operator
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Thursday - Monday
Dec 18, 2025 - Dec 29, 2025Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 600 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.