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Wonders of Turkey - Premium Small Group - 01 Apr 2027 to 28 Oct 2027
Operated by Trafalgar
Tripcode: 4I983M27
Overview
Destination:
Turk,
Duration:11 days
Type:Group tour (max 45)
Travel Period
April 2027 - October 2027
Across Turkey, your Small Group travels from the echoing interiors of Istanbul’s mosques and the spice-filled aisles of its bazaars to the broad sweep of the Bosphorus. At Gallipoli, Troy and Ephesus, you'll cross battlefields, weathered ruins and ancient streets once crowded with merchants and pilgrims. Pamukkale’s travertine terraces curve beneath your path before you enter the cool hush of a Cappadocian cave house and attend a traditional Sema ceremony. Back in Istanbul, you stand beneath Hagia Sophia’s vast dome as light catches its mosaics and marble columns.
Highlights:
Standard inclusions
- 7 Dinner (D)
- 10 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Lunch (L)
- Air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door
- From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with a local specialty representing the destination.
- Complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi where available
Itinerary
Expand all 
Collapse all
Collapse allWelcome to Istanbul
Arrive in Istanbul, the only major city set across two continents, shaped by the Bosphorus and a skyline of domes and minarets. You’ll transfer to Canopy by Hilton Istanbul, in the Beyoğlu district, and have time to settle in. If time allows, head out for a first look at the city’s waterfront life, watching ferries cross the strait and taking in views towards the historic peninsula. This evening, meet your Travel Director and your small group for dinner in a local restaurant and begin getting to know the travellers you’ll be exploring with.
Gallipoli, Anzac Cove and Troy
Follow the shores of the Sea of Marmara towards the Gallipoli Peninsula, a landscape defined by the 1915 campaign and the events commemorated each year on ANZAC Day. Visit ANZAC Cove and Lone Pine Cemetery, learning how the coastline and ridgelines shaped what happened here and how the memorial sites were established. Later, continue to Troy, the archaeological site linked to Homeric legend and later excavations that revealed multiple layers of settlement. See the replica Trojan Horse at Troy beside the excavated mound at Hisarlık, where archaeologists have identified nine main settlement layers dating from the Early Bronze Age to around A.D. 500.
Izmir
Start the day at Copmadam, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience where women turn recycled materials into handmade goods. The co-operative supports long-term employment in a part of Turkey where opportunities for women remain limited. Continue to Nif Bağları, a family-owned wine producer in the hills outside Izmir, for a Farm-to-Table vineyard lunch. Later, arrive in Izmir with time to explore the waterfront, visit the Kemeralti Bazaar or stop for a coffee in the Alsancak district before dinner with your Small Group.
Ancient Ephesus
Travel to Selçuk for a visit to Ephesus, walking along ancient streets lined with monumental remains from the city’s Roman period. Continue to a local workshop for an introduction to Turkish carpet weaving, learning how wool and silk, natural dyes and regional knotting techniques shape one of Anatolia’s long-standing crafts. Visit the House of the Virgin Mary, a small shrine above Selçuk visited by pilgrims. Later, arrive at a traditional coffee shop, learning the basics of tavla before sitting down for a game over Turkish coffee. Continue to İzmir for the night, where you could join an Optional Experience for dinner on the seafront promenade, sharing seafood and meze with drinks.
The Pools of Pamukkale
Travel inland to Pamukkale, known for its white travertine terraces formed by mineral-rich thermal waters. Visit a leather shop to learn about Turkish leather craft, seeing how different materials, cutting methods and finishing techniques come together in the final designs. Continue to ancient Hierapolis with your Travel Director, visiting the Roman theatre and the remains of streets, tombs and bathhouses, and see the pools that still flow across the terraces today. Later, check in to your hotel, the Doğa Thermal Health Spa, which draws its water from the same geothermal sources. You’ll have time to unwind in the thermal pools, try a traditional hammam or explore the wider spa facilities before dinner with your small group.
The Underground City and Cappadocia
Travel into central Turkey, following a route once used by traders and travellers on the Silk Road. Stop at the Sultanhani Caravanserai, a fortified roadside inn built in the 13th century to shelter caravans. Later, explore the underground city of Saratlı, where early communities carved out homes, storage areas and passageways beneath the ground. Arrive in Ürgüp in the early evening and settle into your hotel before dinner.
The Cappadocia Experience
Move on to Göreme, a striking town in the Cappadocia region of Turkey. Rise early to watch the sunrise as hot air balloons lift off and drift above the valleys. Explore Göreme’s rock-hewn churches decorated with ancient wall paintings before moving on to the Paşabağ Valley. Located on the road to Zelve, you’ll find otherworldly earth pillars here, ‘fairy chimneys’ and troglodyte dwellings. Later, join a Cappadocian local who has lived in the city for decades and take a tour of their cave house. You’ll learn more about their unique way of living, local traditions and family life. Complementing the day’s events, this evening you could join an Optional Experience to witness a performance of the Whirling Dervishes. Join your fellow travellers for dinner at a local restaurant.
Ankara
Begin in Avanos, a town on the Kızılırmak River known for its pottery traditions. Learn about the craft and see how local clay is worked and shaped before firing. Continue on to Ankara, Turkey’s capital and the centre of the modern republic. Visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations, often referred to as the Hittite Museum, to see key finds from Anatolia’s early cultures. Then visit Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of modern Turkey and the Republic’s first President. The rest of the day is at leisure. Perhaps head up to Ankara Castle for views across the city, explore the lanes of Hamamönü’s restored Ottoman-era quarter, or spend longer in Ulus around the historic centre.
To Istanbul
Leave Ankara for Istanbul, returning to the city where your journey began. On arrival, join a Bosphorus cruise to see Istanbul from the water, travelling between Europe and Asia as you pass Ottoman palaces, neighbourhood mosques and busy quays along both shores. In the evening, explore at your own pace. You might walk through Karaköy and across the Galata Bridge, follow İstiklal Caddesi’s shops and cafes, or head towards the Spice Bazaar and Eminönü’s ferry piers.
Istanbul and the Ottoman Empire
Spend your final full day exploring Istanbul’s historic peninsula. Start at the Blue Mosque, known for its six minarets and interior Iznik tiles, then cross the Hippodrome, the former chariot-racing ground of Constantinople. Continue to Hagia Sophia with your choice: select the Hagia Sophia History Digital Experience, outlining its shift from basilica to mosque and museum, or visit Hagia Sophia itself with your Local Specialist. Later, visit Topkapi Palace, once the seat of Ottoman sultans, and walk the covered streets of the Grand Bazaar. In the evening, share a final dinner with your Small Group and Travel Director as your journey through Turkey comes to a close.
Farewell Istanbul
Your journey through Turkey comes to an end in Istanbul. After breakfast, take a moment to say goodbye to your Travel Director and Small Group, reflecting on the days spent travelling together, before transferring to the airport for your onward travel.
Dates
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Operator
Trafalgar
The best of the world unlocked for you. Imagine unmissable experiences you’ve always dreamed of, getting to know the locals and having everything taken care of every step of the way. Here's what you'll experience: Must-sees to local secrets: Visiting bucket list sites are a highlight of travelling, however, travelling on your own can make them hard work. Don’t queue with other sightseers for hours, with Trafalgar our experts unlock doors – think exclusive access to the Vatican out of hours or a tour of Versailles and its grounds with an expert. This, coupled with the intimate glimpses and hidden gems our local specialists show you, are the life-changing experiences that make you feel like an insider, not a tourist. One-of-a-kind experiences: Thanks to our global network you’ll unlock local access to communities and people around the world. Our 100+ Be My Guest experiences are a signature Trafalgar exclusive, where you will enjoy the hospitality of locals as you are welcomed into their homes to hear their stories and learn about their cultures. In every destination, you’ll also enjoy unique “Stays with stories” accommodation: more than just a place to rest your head, they are part of the heritage and fabric of the communities you visit. Responsible travel at heart: When you choose Trafalgar, you are choosing to make your travels a force for good and support our goal to MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®. We recognise our responsibility to ensure we make a positive impact on the planet we call home, the people we visit, and the rich wildlife we find. We ensure that the impacts of our business and your travels are positive in two ways: through our TreadRight Foundation, and our 5-year sustainability strategy How We Tread Right.
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10 nights
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