Turkey is a massive country, but this clever tour allows you to see some of its best sights without being rushed off your feet. Highlights come thick and fast in Istanbul and on the Mediterranean coast, before you head east and finish up in spectacular Cappadocia
Explore Istanbulhead to the Med at Kusadasi see classical civilisations at the ancient city of Ephesusenjoy fruit wine and carpet weaving in Sirincesee the travertine terraces at Pamukkalesoak in ancient thermal pools in Hierapolislearn about whirling dervishes in Konyatour Cappadocia痴 subterranean churcheshead back to Istanbul via Ankara
Follow an ancient spice route into Turkey on this comprehensive tour of some of the country痴 best sights. You値l spend eight days travelling through Turkey, visiting some of its most renowned areas. This tour starts in Istanbul before you fly to Kusadasi for two nights to see Ephesus, and then drive inland to Pamukkale. Follow the Silk Road from here to the city of Konya, and find yourself in the otherworldly beauty of Cappadocia, before your drive back to Istanbul via Ankara.
Turkey痴 ancient history really shines through on this tour. You値l see Roman and Greek ruins in Ephesus including the much-admired and photographed Library of Celsus. You値l wonder at the amazing calcium terraces at Pamukkale and even be able to bathe in thermal pools used by Romans in Hierapolis. In Cappadocia, a highlight on the trip, you値l walk among fairy chimneys in an otherworldly valley, and also learn about the early Christian communities who sheltered here in underground churches. You値l explore modern Turkey too, and a cruise on the Bosphorus will show you Istanbul in all its megacity glory.
As well as famous sights you値l get to soak up unique local culture: you値l learn about the Mevlevi Whirling Dervishes and enjoy a Turkish folklore evening; in the small village of Sirince, you値l try the fruit wines which are made in the sunny vineyards in the area, and you値l visit a collective where you can see carpet weaving. In Istanbul, thanks to a local guide you値l be taken on a walking tour that shows you the real city, as well as its biggest attractions.
This tour stays in smaller boutique style hotels and four star properties, and ends with a drive back to Istanbul, but flights are available if you prefer. Tack a few more days on to the end of your trip to relax in Istanbul. After your packed itinerary, you definitely deserve some time in the hammam.
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｣1679To｣1799excluding flights
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Reviews
1 Reviews of Classic Turkey 8 day tour
5 out of 5 stars
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Reviewed on 09 Apr 2024 by Hilary Berg
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Lots of highlights but the stay in the cave hotel in Cappadocia was amazing as was Cappadocia itself.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Do book the optional flight back from Cappadocia to Istanbul. Have an extra day in Istanbul, it's very easy to get round and visit things by yourselves.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The visits to local tradespeople benefitted their local businesses. Some visits more valuable than others though.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent, we loved Turkey.
Responsible Travel
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we've screened this (and every) holiday so that you can travel knowing we've worked to maximise the benefits of your holiday to local people and places, and minimise any negative impacts.
Planet
At Pamukkale, we discourage our travellers from disturbing the mud pools in an effort to preserve this unique natural site for future visitors. Whilst the pools are incredibly inviting, we recommend enjoying the waters at nearby Hierapolis instead where you can enjoy the hot springs without damaging the environment. We have also changed the way we explore the underground cities in Cappadocia to ensure less potential damage is caused by our visits.
Drinking water and the waste associated by single use plastic water bottles is something we are working hard on in Turkey as well as other destinations. All travellers are encouraged to bring their own refillable water bottles and we are rolling out a program of providing large water canisters in our vehicles on group tours to take refills from. We are also offering water filtering bottles to travellers, all of which which can vastly reduce waste generated by our customers both during the tour and on an ongoing basis.
Our Turkish guides are strict in monitoring and preventing littering to protect the sites we visit and waste bins are provided in all vehicles. Many of the sites we visit are incredibly important historical and natural wonders, and we encourage our travellers to treat these sites as such, sticking to marked paths, not climbing on ruins, picking wild plants or flowers, and avoiding disturbing the local wildlife as much as possible.
As responsible travelers, we recognize the need to reduce our plastic consumption and provide sustainable alternatives to our customers. That's why we've partnered with Water to Go to offer a fantastic solution.
Water to Go is a company on a mission to tackle the issue of plastic pollution by providing travelers with reusable filter bottles. These bottles are not your average water containers. They are designed with advanced filtration technology that allows you to safely refill your bottle from natural water sources, taps, and even in places where tap water is not typically considered safe to drink.
People
In Turkey, we visit a couple of carefully selected local shops during most tours, where travellers can learn about the local traditions and methods of carpet-weaving and leather production. All products sold in these shops are sourced from the surrounding local communities.
On this and our other tours in Turkey aim to support the local economy by using only local Turkish guides and working with smaller boutique style hotels, locally owned wherever possible, including some cave-style hotels in Cappadocia.
To provide a more in depth experience of Turkish culture, we also take a walking tour through the streets of Istanbul. We aim to take some of the lesser explored pathways whilst exploring the city before reaching the more touristy sections around Aya Sophia.
Our tour notes provide advance information on dress codes and particular local customs and our guides will expand on this in their explanations during the tour. This means we can create valuable and rewarding opportunities for our travellers and local people to mingle and exchange ideas and thoughts without causing any unintended offence.
