Essential Turkey (5 Star Hotels)
Essential Turkey (5 Star Hotels)
Essential Turkey (5 Star Hotels)
9 Days Starting and ending in Istanbul
Visiting: Turkey
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TE
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
35 - 40
Age range:
18-59
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Essential Turkey tour combines history, culture, wonders and natural phenomena.
Discover the vibrant culture and welcoming tradition together with countless unique travel experiences. Roam the incredible palaces, bazaars and mosques of Istanbul before cruising right between Europe and Asia. Then journey into the bizarre as you explore other-worldly Cappadocia and balloon over fairy-chimneys. Walk among the impressive ancient wonders of Pergamum & Ephesus and the natural treasures of Pamukkale. Pay your respects for the fallen at the shores of Gallipoli before returning to Istanbul.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Istanbul
Welcome to Turkey! At the Istanbul airport terminal keep your eyes peeled for the Travel Talk sign for your transfer to the hotel.
Meet in the hotel lobby at 7:00pm for an informal meeting with your group and guide.
Until then, you can start to explore Istanbul like climbing to the top of the Galata Tower for epic views or splash some cash at the Grand Bazaar.
After the meeting, join in an optional group dinner at a local restaurant to get to know your new travel mates.
Accommodation
Ottoman Legacy Hotel – 5 Star
Included Activities
Group Dinner
Day 2: Istanbul City Tour
After breakfast, we begin to explore the magical old town of Istanbul.
Stroll through the historical heart of the old city, making stops along the way to the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, majestic Topkapi Palace and the Hagia Sophia.
In the afternoon take an optional cruise down the Bosphorus river and see the epic skyline.
Accommodation
Ottoman Legacy Hotel – 5 Star
Meals Included
Breakfast
Included Activities
Sightseeing of Blue Mosque
Sightseeing of Hagia Sophia
Sightseeing of Topkapi Palace Museum
Optional Activities
Bosphorus Boat Cruise - 10 EUR
Entrance Fees
Blue Mosque - Free
Hagia Sophia - 25 EUR
Topkapi Palace Museum - 1500 TL
Day 3: Istanbul, Cappadocia
Today we sit back and relax in the coach.
Watch the amazing Turkish scenery unfold before us and see small towns and villages as we pass on by.
We will drive through the capital city of Ankara before we reach Cappadocia.
In the afternoon, we will visit Derinkuyu Underground City, a city complete with a church, wells, food stores, and even stables which is all located 60m under the ground.
End the day with an optional traditional Hamman (Turkish bath).
Accommodation
Avrasya Hotel - 4 Star
Meals Included
Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
Sightseeing of Derinkuyu Underground City
Optional Activities
Turkish Bath Experience - 30 EUR
Entrance Fees
Derinkuyu Underground City - 13 EUR
Day 4: Cappadocia
Rise and shine, it will be an early start for our optional sunrise hot air balloon ride over the stunning landscapes and fairy chimneys of Cappadocia.
Or if preferred enjoy a leisurely start to the morning before we all fill up on breakfast.
We will explore the UNESCO World Heritage listed Göreme, and tick off bucket list sights along the way including Göreme Musuem, Pigeon Valley, Uchisar and Cavusin.
Tonight, get your dancing shoes on for our optional Turkish Night.
Accommodation
Avrasya Hotel - 4 Star
Meals Included
Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
Goreme Open Air Museum Visit
Sightseeing of Cavusin
Sightseeing of Pigeon Valley
Sightseeing of Uchisar
Optional Activities
Turkish Night Show - 35 EUR
Hot Air Balooning - 290 EUR
Entrance Fees
Goreme Open Air Museum - 20 EUR
Day 5: Cappadocia, Konya
It's time to hit the road to Konya, home of the famous whirling dervishes – members of the Sufism order.
Along the way we will stop at Devrent Valley, a unique honeycombed canyon with rock-cut underground dwellings and churches from the Byzantine period.
You can relax and replay cherished moments of discovery at our overnight stay in Konya.
Accommodation
Novotel Konya Hotel – 5 Star
Meals Included
Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
Sightseeing of Devrent Valley
Day 6: Konya, Pamukkale
Meet the diverse Turkish culture and its various facades today.
Starting with an 8-century-old center of education and architectural beauty, Karatay Madrasa, continue to the Museum and Mausoleum of Mevlana, also globally known as Rumi.
Explore the ideas and works of the famous scholar, poet and theologist of the 13th century, whose teachings of understanding and acceptance have lived on to this day.
From cultural to natural wonders, we travel towards to the Cotton Castle of Turkey, Pamukkale.
Your seat for dinner is already reserved at the hotel restaurant.
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Accommodation
Hierapark Hotel – 5 Star
Meals Included
Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
Sightseeing of Karatay Madrasa - 3 EUR
Mevlana Museum Visit
Day 7: Pamukkale, Ephesus, Kusadasi
Get your cameras ready, as it is time to visit Pamukkale, or ‘cotton castle' in Turkish.
Pamukkale is a natural site that contains hot springs and travertine, giving the appearance of terraces made by carbonate minerals left by the flowing water.
The ancient city of Hierapolis was built on top of the white castle and people have bathed in its pools for thousands of years.
Our next stop is the spectacular, well preserved ancient city of Ephesus.
Ephesus was cited in the book of Revelations, and historians believe the Gospel of John was written here.
Famed for the Temple of Artemis which was completed around 550 BC and is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
We will sleep overnight in the seaside town of Kusadasi.
Accommodation
Signature Blue Resort – 5 Star
Meals Included
Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
Sightseeing of Pamukkale White Terraces
Sightseeing of Ephesus Ancient City
Entrance Fees
Pamukkale White Terraces – 30 EUR
Ephesus Ancient City – 40 EUR
Day 8: Kusadasi, Troy, Canakkale
After breakfast we will depart for ancient city of Troy.
You may of heard of Troy from Greek mythology or maybe just watched the Brad Pitt movie, but now you will visit the ruins and archaeological site of the city of Troy, and of course the famous wooden horse.
We will stay overnight in Canakkale.
You will have the evening to relax and discover the town.
Accommodation
Kolin Hotel – 5 Star
Meals Included
Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
Sightseeing of Troy Ancient City
Entrance Fees
Troy Ancient City – 27 EUR
Day 9: Canakkale, Gallipoli, Istanbul
Today we depart for the shores of Gallipoli.
A place of important significance for Aussies and Kiwis, we will visit the beach and cemeteries at ANZAC Cove, before paying our respects at memorial sites Chunuk Bair and Lone Pine.
In the afternoon, we will drive back to where our adventure began, Istanbul.
Accommodation
Legacy Ottoman Hotel – 5 Star
Meals Included
Breakfast
Included Activities
Sightseeing of Anzac Cove
Sightseeing of Beach Cemetery
Sightseeing of Lone Pine
Sightseeing of Chunuk Bair
Sightseeing of War Trenches
Day 10: Istanbul
Our trip will end in Istanbul after we say goodbye to our new friends over breakfast and check-out of the hotel by 11:00am.
Meals Included
Breakfast
What's Included
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Accommodation
5 and 4 star hotels
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Airport Transfer
From Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gokcen Airport (on day 1)
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Meals
8 breakfasts | 5 dinners
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Transportation
Air-conditioned non-smoking coach or mini-bus
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Guide
Services of experienced Travel Talk local guides licenced by the Ministry of Tourism
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Fully Guided
What's Not Included
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Entrance Fees
Sights and museums
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Tipping and Gratuities
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Any flights
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Travel insurance
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Items of a personal nature
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Visa fees
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Optional activities
Add Ons
Local Payment: £0
Check out our Q&As
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
No, Children under age of 18 not allowed
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
No
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Yes
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Are flights included in this tour?
No
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
There are always single travellers on our tours. If you don't mind being roomed with another single traveller of the same gender, then you do not need to pay a single supplement, however, this excludes all of our North American tours where the sharing option for a solo traveller is not available, and the single supplement must be applied if you are travelling alone. The single supplement is for travellers who would like to stay in a private room for the duration of the tour. PLEASE NOTE: The single private option is not always available, especially for sailing tours and camping.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Our tours are suitable for any traveller above 18 years old. The majority of Travel Talkers are from the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada or Europe, however we always have travellers from all over the world. What brings them together is a passion for travel, discovering authentic cultures and experiencing unique adventures with like-minded travellers.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
At Travel Talk, we believe that travel is a force for good and show our support through various initiatives and charity organizations, as well as keeping the principals of responsible and sustainable travel at the core of our ethos. These values are engrained in our business culture and the design of our trips just the same. Together with our guests, we strive to make a positive impact on local p
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Over 20 years
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Free Date Changes
Travel Talk Tours allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 61 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Travel Talk Tours requires a minimum deposit of 100 GBP 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 travel talk tours charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 85% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.