TURKEY UNPLUGGED - 10 DAYS
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Turkey Unplugged - 10 Days
( This tour program can also stared from İzmir Airport, Bodrum Airport, Dalaman Airport, Ankara and Kayseri Airport)
Explore stunning Istanbul with its bazaars and mosques, wander around the battlefields of Gallipoli, see Roman ruins in Pergamum and Ephesus, discover the beautiful Aegean Coast, the natural wonder of Pamukkale and the jewel in Turkey’s crown - Cappadocia, with its amazing underground cities and whimsical landscape.
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from £ 1,120 € 1,299
Price varies by group size
Minimum group size: 2 people
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
Cappadocia region, UNESCO World Heritage listed Goreme Valley, Kaymakli Underground City and Uchisar Castle
Pamukkale thermal pools and Roman Hierapolis
Gallipoli Peninsular - ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair memorials, trenches and battlefields
Troy - Trojan horse and ruins
Roman ruins of Pergamum and Ephesus
Istanbul - old city, Istanbul, Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia, Basilica Underground Cistern and Topkapi Palace
Aegean Coast
Carpet weaving and leather manufacturing houses
INCLUDED
9 breakfasts and 1 dinner
Airport arrival transfer on day 1 of tour and departure transfer (to Ataturk International Airport) at 11am & 1.30pm on day 10
Escorted by an English speaking, degree qualified Turkish tour guide
9 nights 4 star and special class hotels
Guided sightseeing - Istanbul, Gallipoli, Troy, Ruins of Ephesus and Pergamum, Pamukkale, Hierapolis and Cappadocia
All relevant transfer and transportation in private modern air-conditioned vehicles
NOT INCLUDED
Tip for your tour guide and driver. We recommend you allow €2 - €4 per day, per traveller as a tip for your guide and € 1 EURO per day for your driver. Tipping your guide and driver is an entirely personal gesture.
Entrance Fees: EURO€ 90-110, paid in local currency
Day 1
Welcome to Turkey!
Saturday. Welcome to Turkey and the start of your holiday. Included arrival transfer to our hotel. Spend the afternoon at leisure or head out to explore the city. Istanbul is easy to get around on foot and there are plenty of restaurants and cafes dotted about the city.
Overnight: Istanbul
Day 2
The Old City
Enjoy a tour of the Old City from where the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires were ruled. We’ll visit the stunning Blue Mosque famed for it’s blue Iznik tiles, Hippodrome, Hagia Sofia - constructed as a Basilica in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian and Topkapi Palace.
Overnight: Istanbul | Breakfast
Day 3
Gallipoli - WW1 Battlefields
Istanbul – Gallipoli. Today we explore ANZAC Cove and the many memorials dotted across the WW1 battlefields. Our guided tour takes in sights such as ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine Memorial and cemetery, Chunuk Bair Memorial and cemetery, the Nek, Johnston’s Jolly and the many fortified trenches still clearly visible amongst the scrub after all these years.
Overnight: Canakkale | Breakfast
Day 4
Troy & Kusadasi
Gallipoli – Kusadasi. This morning we enjoy a short guided tour of Troy! The legend of the lost city of Troy and Homer’s poetry was bought alive by it’s rediscovery in 1863. Subsequent excavations revealed nine ancient cities, one on top of the other, dating back to 3000 BC! We enjoy a tour of the ruins and bear witness to a replica of the stoic Trojan wooden horse that, as the story goes, was filled to the gunnels with Aechaean soldiers who helped sack Troy.
Driving further south to the ancient ruins of Pergamum, home to one of the steepest, vertigo - inducing amphitheatres in the classical world. Pergamum was also famous for its Asclepion (medical centre). We continue to Kusadasi on the Aegean Coast via a leather manufacturing house.
Overnight: Kusadasi | Breakfast
Day 5
Ancient Ephesus
Today, we explore legendary Ephesus - positively the best-preserved classical city in the eastern Mediterranean. Ephesus, under the Romans was a vast city with a population nearing 250,000, revelling in prosperity from commerce and visiting pilgrims who came to see its great Temple of Artemis - one of the Seven Ancient Wonders.
We have plenty of time to tour the marble ruins of Ephesus. Be sure to see the famous Library of Celsus, the gymnasium of Vedius, Stadium, and the Great Theatre. We’ll see ancient public toilets, a brothel, fountains and various temples. We also visit a carpet manufacturing house.
Overnight: Kusadasi | Breakfast
Day 6
Pamukkale Thermal Pools
Kusadasi – Pamukkale. Driving east, we arrive at Pamukkale - home of the famous gleaming white calcium terraced pools. Known locally as the Cotton Castles, they are a natural phenomena and gift of Mother Nature. Pamukkale was formed when warm, calcium rich mineral water cascaded over the cliff edge, cooling and depositing in the process. The calcium built natural shelves and pools on the cliffs, known as travertines. Take a barefoot walk along the traverines or opt for a dip in the warm waters of the Pamukkale Thermal pool, with its submerged fragments of fluted marble columns. Our last stop for the day is the ruined spa town of Hierapolis, famed for the curative powers of mineral springs, dammed to create communal baths.
Overnight: Pamukkale | Breakfast
Days 7-8
Fairytale Cappadocia
Pamukkale - Cappadocia. On our drive to Cappadocia, we visit some ancient caravanserais such as Sultanhani caravanserai. Tonight (day 7) why not join us on an optional and fun Turkish folklore evening out.
On day 8, after breakfast and a good night’s rest, we enjoy a guided tour of Cappadocia - perhaps the jewel in Turkey’s crown. Cappadocia is one of Turkey’s most extraordinary national treasures. The utter improbability of the seemingly surreal landscape has to be seen to be believed with its ‘stuff of fables’ cave dwellings and phallic ‘fairy chimneys’ landscape. Whole troglodyte villages, subterranean churches and fortresses have been hewn from the soft, porous, eerily eroded rock of Cappadocia.
A guided tour of the region takes us to the World – Heritage listed site of the Göreme Valley where you’ll see stunning examples of rock-cut Byzantine churches, chapels and temples and Zelve with its phallic-like eroded landscape. Stopping on the outskirts of Goreme Village we have the opportunity to see Pigeon Valley where century’s old pigeon houses are carved into the surrounding cliffs, the pigeon droppings that litter the area have been used as fertilizer on crops for generations. Here you will also have the opportunity to visit an Onyx shop, specialising in historic jewellery designs unique to Turkey and using local materials and craftsmen. For those not interested in shopping spend a little time relaxing and grab a drink from the local cafe. This evening, we enjoy dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Cappadocia | Breakfast x 2, Dinner x 1
Day 9
Back to Istanbul
Cappadocia - Istanbul. Today we head back to Istanbul, stopping en route for lunch (payable locally). We arrive into Istanbul in the evening.
If you'd prefer to avoid the long journey over land today we also offer the opportunity to fly from Cappadocia to Istanbul.
Overnight: Istanbul | Breakfast
Day 10
Istanbul
Monday. After breakfast your tour draws to a close. Onward departure transfers to Ataturk International Airport are offered complimentary at 11am and 1:30pm today. Happy travels!
Breakfast
The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard when necessary.
Ramada Old City, Istanbul
Our Category: Superior | Regional Category: 4 Star Hotel
A member of the reputable Ramada chain, the Istanbul Old Town property is modern and comfortable with excellent amenities. Guestrooms are bright and spacious with contemporary amenities. Two restaurants are on offer and our personal favourite is the wonderful roof top restaurant, serving delicious local cuisine coupled with a magnificent view of the City and Sea. The perfect way to end the day. Located very close to the Historical part of the city with major Monuments are all walking distance.
Parion Hotel, Canakkale
Our Category: Superior | Regional Category: 5 Star Hotel
The Parion is an elegant property situated in the heart of Canakkale on the southern coast of the Dardanelles in Turkey. The hotel features 162 guest rooms and suites with en suit facilities, air conditioning, flat-screen satellite TV and a fully stocked minibar. Those looking for a bite to eat can check out the hotel restaurant, which serves a breakfast buffet and a la carte menus at lunch and dinner. There is also a hotel bar and room service is available.
Marina Hotel, Kusadasi
Our Category: Superior | Regional Category: 4 Star Hotel
Marina hotel is a modern hotel with a sea view and balcony from nearly every spacious room. It has recently been renovated and features an indoor and outdoor pool and you may also use the facilities and beach of 5-Star Pine Bay.
Colossae Thermal Spa Hotel, Pamukkale
Our Category: Superior | Regional Category: 4 Star Hotel
Set in landscaped gardens, the Colossae Thermal Spa Hotel has an envious location in Pamukkale. Guest rooms are spacious and tastefully decorated and offer a wonderful level of comfort, ensuring a good night's sleep. The on site thermal spa offers guests the chance to relax, revitalise and enjoy what this region is most famous for. Breakfast can be eaten outside on the terrace while dinner is often taken by the shimmering water of the pool.
Burcu Kaya Hotel, Cappadocia
Our Category: Superior | Regional Category: 4 Star Hotel
The Burca Kaya building was modelled on ancient Seljuk architecture and carved into rocks. The rooms are simply furnished and decorated with neutral colours. The stone walls and rich wooden panelling give the accommodation a truly authentic feel, whilst still maintaining a high level of comfort. The swimming pool has views of the famous fairy chimneys and the restaurant uses locally produced fruit and vegetables. The hotel is located in Ortahisar, the centre of Cappadocia.
Payment: We accept all credit cards, pounds, Euro, USD, and cash