Summary
A great way to experience all that Turkey has to offer, this 13 day tour explores cosmopolitan Istanbul and the ancient sites of Troy, Pergamum and Ephesus before enjoying a 3 night cruise on board a traditional Turkish gulet in the Gulf of Fethiye. We then head inland to see the surreal rocky landscape of Cappadocia and explore an underground city before returning to Istanbul
Short Itinerary / Route
- Day 1
- Arrive In Istanbul
- Day 2
- Istanbul, Old City Tour
- Day 3
- Gallipoli Battlefields And Memorials Tour
- Day 4
- Tour Of Troy And The Acropolis Of Pergamum
- Day 5
- Ephesus Ancient Site, Temple Of Artemis, Wine Tast...
- Day 6
- To Fethiye, Start Gulet Cruise
- Day 7
- Gulet Cruise, Gocek Bay
- Day 8
- Gulet Cruise Through The Gulf Of Fethiye
- Day 9
- Pamukkale And Hierapolis
- Day 10
- Follow The Silk Road To Cappadocia
- Day 11
- Cappadocia Tour, Goreme Valley & Underground City
- Day 12
- Drive To Istanbul Via Ankara
- Day 13
- Istanbul. Tour Ends
Travel Cities (7): Ankara, Fethiye, Goreme, Istanbul, Konya, Kusadasi, Pamukkale
Details
This tour spends 13 days exploring some of Turkey's main historic and cultural highlights, combined with drives and a 3 night Gulet cruise along the beautiful Mediterranean coast.
Starting with a tour of the exciting city of Istanbul, where Europe meets Asia, we head next to the Gallipoli peninsular and the important ANzac day battlefields and memorial sites. Turning south we drive down the Mediterranean coastline with stops at the ancient sites of Troy, Pergamum and Ephesus before arriving at the seaside town of Kusadasi. Next we'll take a relaxing 3 night cruise in the Gulf of Fethiye on a traditional Turkish gulet. We'll visit lots of secluded bays and have plenty of stops to swim in the clear waters, visit tiny local villages and relax on board.
Time to head inland next, as we visit the tiered calcium Travertines and Pamukkale, and the Roman spa city of Hieropolis. A drive along the ancient Silk Road to Cappadocia follows, with a stop at Sultanhani Caravansary and the Mevlana Museum in Konya on the way. While in Cappadocia we'll stay in a boutique 'cave hotel' and tour the spectacular natural scenery of Goreme Valley, see the famous 'fairy chimneys', and explore the many levels of one of the regions underground cities. A final day's drive takes us back to Istanbul with a stop on the way at Ankara where we visit Anitkabir, mausoleum of the famed Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.
The tour runs during the warmer months, from late April through to October, with accommodation in comfortable mid-range hotels, and on board the Gulet (where may people often choose to sleep under the stars on mattresses on the deck of the boat).
NOTE: On 2025 departures the following visits will be replaced:
Topkapi Palace - Replaced with a visit to the Basilica Cistern
Ancient Pergamum - Replaced with a visit to Assos.