Incredible Turkey by Gulet (5 Star Hotels)
15 Days Starting and ending in Istanbul, Turkey
Visiting: Istanbul, Cappadocia, Antalya, Fethiye, Gocek Gulf, Pamukkale, Canakkale
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TI2
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
25 - 30
Age range:
18-70
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Turkey with the "Incredible Turkey by Gulet" tour, featuring luxurious 5-star accommodations and a traditional Turkish gulet cruise. Begin in Istanbul, exploring iconic landmarks like the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace. Discover the underground cities of Cappadocia, marvel at the travertine terraces of Pamukkale, and wander through the ancient ruins of Ephesus and Troy. Sail the Mediterranean, stopping at stunning bays and islands, and pay respects at Gallipoli's historic sites. This tour offers a perfect blend of cultural immersion, historical exploration, and scenic beauty, all while traveling in comfort and style.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Istanbul
Location: Istanbul
Accommodation Name: Legacy Ottoman Hotel – 5 Star
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
Legacy Ottoman Hotel – 5 Star
Included Activities
Welcome Meeting
Optional Activities
Group Dinner
Day 2: Istanbul City Tour
Location: Istanbul
Accommodation Name: Legacy Ottoman Hotel – 5 Star
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, we begin to experience the magnificence of Istanbul.
We will 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
Legacy Ottoman 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 1700 TL
Day 3: Istanbul, Cappadocia
Location: Cappadocia
Accommodation Name: Avrasya Hotel - 5 Star
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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 Hammam (Turkish bath).
Accommodation
Avrasya Hotel - 5 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
Location: Cappadocia
Accommodation Name: Avrasya Hotel - 5 Star
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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 - 5 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
Location: Cappadocia
Accommodation Name: Novotel Konya Hotel – 5 Star
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Start an unforgettable day by exploring the famous underground city of Kaymakli where ancient Christians took refuge to escape raids and wars for centuries.
Here you will discover the complex network of underground tunnels, storerooms, burial chambers and chapels dating back to various eras.
Together with the unique geology, each civilization and culture have shaped this marvelous heritage over thousands of years into a one-of-a-kind experience for all travelers.
The journey continues towards Konya, home of the famous whirling dervishes - members of the Sufism order.
You can relax at your hotel over dinner and replay cherished moments of discovery.
Accommodation
Novotel Konya Hotel – 5 Star
Meals Included
Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
Kaymaklı Underground City
Day 6: Konya,Antalya
Location: Antalya
Accommodation Name: TBA
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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.
In the afternoon, breathe in the clean scent of the sea as we drive to Antalya.
Giving a break at a marvelous local restaurant for lunch, we will arrive to our hotel late in the afternoon.
Antalya is a hugely popular seaside resort with endless beaches and premium service.
Dinner at the hotel and personal leisure time in the evening.
Accommodation
TBA
Meals Included
Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
Karatay Madrasa Visit
Mevlana Museum Visit
Day 7: Antalya, Perge, Aspendos
Location: Antalya
Accommodation Name: TBA
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today, our first stop will be Perge located 15 km east of Antalya, and home to remarkable ruins of ancient Pamphylia city.
The acropolis here holds incredible mosaics dating back to the Bronze Age.
With a short drive away lies Aspendos, the sister town of Perge.
Aspendos is known for having the best-preserved theatre of antiquity.
Imagine an amphitheater maintained in excellent quality over 2,000 years and an unbelievable capacity of 12,000! Its incredible acoustics haven't aged a day.
We return to Antalya to rest up after an epic adventure.
Accommodation
TBA
Meals Included
Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
Sightseeing of Perge
Sightseeing of Aspendos
Day 8: Antalya, Fethiye Gulet
Location: Fethiye
Accommodation Name: Turkish Traditional Gulet
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast, we will depart for Fethiye where we will embark on our traditional Turkish gulet boat and sail to amazing Yassica Islands for a swim.
We will have dinner and stay overnight on our boat.
Accommodation
Turkish Traditional Gulet
Meals Included
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9: Gulet Cruise, Gocek Gulf, Tersane, Bedri Rahmi Bay, Sunken Bath/Cleopatra
Location: Gocek Gulf
Accommodation Name: Turkish Traditional Gulet
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast at Yassi Islands we will cruise to Tersane for a swimming break and lunch.
We will then sail to Bedri Rahmi Bay for another swimming stop.
 We'll sail to yet another amazing spot at Sunken Bath area for dinner and place for our Gulet to spend a night.
This place is also known as Cleopatra Bay or Sunken Bath Bay, due to the beautiful underwater ruins of an old bath.
Accommodation
Turkish Traditional Gulet
Meals Included
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
Gulet Cruise on the Mediterranean
Bedri Rahmi Bay
Cleopatra/Sunken Bath
Day 10: Gulet Cruise, Boncuklu Bay, Fethiye Marina
Location: Fethiye
Accommodation Name: Turkish Traditional Gulet
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Another day in paradise! After breakfast, we will anchor at Boncuklu Bay for our last swimming break and lunch.
We will the make our way to Fethiye for you to explore its shops and buzzing atmosphere.
After dinner back on the boat, get amongst Fethiye famous nightlife.
Accommodation
Turkish Traditional Gulet
Meals Included
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
Gulet Cruise on the Mediterranean
Boncuklu Bay
Fethiye Marina
Day 11: Fethiye, Pamukkale
Location: Pamukkale
Accommodation Name: Hierapark Hotel - 5 Star
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
It's time to get your cameras out, because today is a photographers dream! Today we will 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.
Spend time bathing in its pools, or explore the natural and unusual landscape.
Accommodation
Hierapark Hotel - 5 Star
Meals Included
Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
Sightseeing of Pamukkale White Terraces
Entrance Fees
Pamukkale White Terraces - 30 EUR
Day 12: Pamukkale, Ephesus, Kusadasi
Location: Pamukkale
Accommodation Name: Signature Blue Resort – 5 Star
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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 13: Kusadasi, Troy, Canakkale
Location: Canakkale
Accommodation Name: Kolin Hotel – 5 Star
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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 14: Canakkale, Gallipoli, Istanbul
Location: Istanbul
Accommodation Name: Legacy Ottoman Hotel – 5 Star
Meals Included: Breakfast
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 15: Istanbul
Location: Istanbul
Meals Included: Breakfast
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
Stay in luxurious 5-star hotels including the Legacy Ottoman Hotel, Avrasya Hotel, Novotel Konya Hotel, and more. Enjoy a unique experience on a traditional Turkish Gulet Cruise for several nights.
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Meals
14 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches & 11 Dinners.
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Transportation
Travel comfortably in an air-conditioned coach or mini-bus, with airport transfers from Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gokcen Airport on day 1.
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Airport Transfer(s)
From Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gokcen Airport (on day 1).
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Tour Guiding
Services of experienced Travel Talk local guides licensed by the Ministry of Tourism.
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Gulet Cruise
Traditional Turkish Gulet Cruise (3 Days).
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Included Activities
Welcome Meeting, Sightseeing of Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace Museum, Derinkuyu Underground City, Goreme Open Air Museum, Cavusin, Pigeon Valley, Uchisar, Kaymakli Underground City, Karatay Madrasa, Mevlana Museum, Perge, Aspendos, Gulet Cruise on the Mediterranean, Bedri Rahmi Bay, Cleopatra/Sunken Bath, Boncuklu Bay, Fethiye Marina, Pamukkale White Terraces, Ephesus Ancient City, Troy Ancient City, Anzac Cove, Beach Cemetery, Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair, War Trenches.
What's Not Included
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Optional Activities
Group Dinner, Bosphorus Boat Cruise - 10 EUR, Turkish Bath Experience - 30 EUR, Turkish Night Show - 35 EUR, Hot Air Ballooning - 290 EUR.
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Entrance Fees
Hagia Sophia - 25 EUR, Topkapi Palace Museum 1700 TL, Derinkuyu Underground City - 13 EUR, Goreme Open Air Museum - 20 EUR, Pamukkale White Terraces - 30 EUR, Ephesus Ancient City - 40 EUR, Troy Ancient City - 27 EUR.
Mode of Transport
Travel comfortably in an air-conditioned coach or mini-bus, with airport transfers from Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gokcen Airport on day 1.
Add Ons
Local Payment: £0
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes stays in luxurious 5-star hotels such as the Legacy Ottoman Hotel, Avrasya Hotel, Novotel Konya Hotel, and more. Additionally, you will enjoy a unique experience on a traditional Turkish Gulet Cruise for several nights.
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What meals are included in the tour package?
The tour package includes 14 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 11 dinners.
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What kind of transportation is provided during the tour?
Travel is provided in an air-conditioned coach or mini-bus. Airport transfers from Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gokcen Airport are included on day 1.
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Are there any optional activities available during the tour?
Yes, there are several optional activities available, including a group dinner, Bosphorus Boat Cruise for 10 EUR, Turkish Bath Experience for 30 EUR, Turkish Night Show for 35 EUR, and Hot Air Ballooning for 290 EUR.
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What entrance fees are not included in the tour price?
Entrance fees not included in the tour price are Hagia Sophia (25 EUR), Topkapi Palace Museum (1700 TL), Derinkuyu Underground City (13 EUR), Goreme Open Air Museum (20 EUR), Pamukkale White Terraces (30 EUR), Ephesus Ancient City (40 EUR), and Troy Ancient City (27 EUR).
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What are some of the key highlights of the tour?
Key highlights include climbing to the top of the Galata Tower in Istanbul, visiting the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Topkapi Palace, and Hagia Sophia, exploring Derinkuyu Underground City in Cappadocia, sailing on a traditional Turkish gulet boat to Yassica Islands, Tersane, Bedri Rahmi Bay, and Cleopatra Bay, and visiting the ruins of ancient cities such as Ephesus and Troy.
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What activities are included during the Gulet Cruise?
During the Gulet Cruise, you will sail to Yassica Islands, Tersane, Bedri Rahmi Bay, and Cleopatra Bay. You will have opportunities for swimming, exploring underwater ruins, and enjoying the beautiful Mediterranean scenery.
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What historical sites will be visited in Istanbul?
In Istanbul, you will visit the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Topkapi Palace, and Hagia Sophia.
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What is the significance of the visit to Gallipoli?
The visit to Gallipoli is significant for Australians and New Zealanders as it includes visits to ANZAC Cove, Chunuk Bair, and Lone Pine, where you can pay respects at the memorial sites and learn about the historical importance of the area.
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What can I expect to see in Cappadocia?
In Cappadocia, you will explore the UNESCO World Heritage listed Göreme, including Göreme Museum, Pigeon Valley, Uchisar, and Cavusin. You will also visit the Derinkuyu Underground City and have the option to take a hot air balloon ride over the stunning landscapes.
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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
Reviews of this operator
Book with Confidence
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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.