Classical Turkey

Luxury Turkey Holiday - 12-day escorted tour

Immersed in an exotic culture, transfixed by historical intrigue, journey through the land of Gods, Emperors, Kings and Sultans to discover ancient kingdoms basking beneath the Mediterranean sun.

Tour highlights
• Cruising along the scenic Bosphorus Strait with spectacular views of Istanbul and the Turkish coast
• Uncovering the historic secrets of Istanbul on a tour that includes the Blue Mosque and Grand Baazar
• Discovering the ancient UNESCO World Heritage Site of Troy and visiting Pergamon, home to the grand Hellenistic Acropolis
• Exploring the historic sites of Izmir, including the majestic 2nd century Roman Agora
• Touring the ancient site of Ephesus and discovering the healing wonders of the UNESCO protected Travertens of Pamukkale
• Marvelling at the beautiful carved valleys of the Cappadocia region with its maze of underground villages and unique architecture
• Staying in an ancient Cave Hotel dating back to the 5th century

Extend your Holiday
Combine relaxation in gorgeous beachside surroundings with exploration of some of the most ancient sites in the world on this Classical Turkey extension. You’ll be based at the luxurious Rixos Downtown Antalya Hotel, perched on the cliffs above the famous Konyaalti Beach. There’s an optional sightseeing tour of Perge, an impressive and well preserved ancient city, and Aspendos, another Roman city which features a magnificent near-complete Roman theatre.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1 Depart Heathrow
Once you’ve checked in at the airport, your Tour Manager will be ready to welcome you in to the executive lounge where you can relax over complimentary drinks and snacks and meet your fellow adventurers. Then, you’ll board your flight to Istanbul, which arrives early this evening. Join your Tour Manager and travelling companions for an authentic Turkish dinner.
Meals: In-flight. Dinner.
Hotel: Crowne Plaza Old City.

Day 2 Istanbul
Today you’ll really get a feel for this exciting and exotic city on a full day tour of the historic, cultural and religious sites. You’ll stop at the Blue Mosque, with its incredible mosaics and six elegant minarets and the truly epic church of St Sophia. You will also visit the open spaces of Hippodrome Square and later have the chance to perfect your haggling skills as we head to the magnificent Grand Bazaar; a bustling centre of arts, crafts and souvenirs stalls.
Meals: Breakfast.
Hotel: Crowne Plaza Old City

Day 3 Istanbul
After breakfast, view the former capital of the Ottoman Empire from the water. On a cruise along the Bosphorus Strait, which connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara, you’ll be rewarded with a truly unique view of Istanbul and the marble palaces and luxurious residences on the riverbank. In the afternoon you’ll visit Topkapi Palace; once the hub of Ottoman powers, the Suleymaniye Mosque and the spice market.
Meals: Breakfast.
Hotel: Crowne Plaza Old City.

Day 4 Istanbul to Canakkale
Leaving the bustle and energy of Istanbul behind, you’ll head west today, to Canakkale. En route, you’ll stop at the 1st World War battlefields around Gallipoli. This is where the British and French fought to control Istanbul, along with an important supply route to Russia. Tonight, you’ll stay on the shores of the Dardanelle Strait. After dinner with your Tour Manager and fellow travellers, relax and recoup, in preparation for the astounding sites the next day will bring.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Hotel: Kolin.

Day 5 Canakkale to Izmir
After breakfast, you’ll travel to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Troy to explore the archaeological ruins. Discovered in the 19th century, this ancient city is steeped in myths and legends, and has a fascinating history. Your tour then continues on to Bergama, once the ancient site of Pergamon, where you’ll see the ruins of the grand Acropolis; a citadel perched atop a hill, which uses the steep hillside as a natural incline for its theatre seating. There’s also chance to visit the Asclepieion; an important place of healing for the ancient Greeks. You’ll then continue to Izmir, arriving at your hotel in the evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Hotel: Movenpick Izmir.

Day 6 Izmir
This morning, you’ll embark on a guided morning orientation of Izmir, a beautiful city nestled on the Mediterranean Sea. The wonderful sights you’ll see include the 2nd century Roman Agora, a term which means ‘place of congregation’, and the striking marble clock tower at Izmir harbour. In the afternoon, you’re free to absorb the ambience in Izmir and explore at your own pace. If you’d like some suggestions of what to do, your Tour Manager will have plenty of ideas. You might like more time to wander the atmospheric Kemeralti Bazaar; one of the liveliest places in Izmir, or Konak Pier which was designed by Gustave Eiffel in 1890. You may be interested in a trip to Cigli Bird Sanctuary, or you might simply want to take it easy and relax over lunch in one of the popular pavement cafés on the historic Pasaport Quay.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Hotel: Movenpick Izmir.

Day 7 Izmir to Pamukkale
You’ll feel like a true explorer today as your journey takes you to the ancient site of Ephesus. Rich in ancient Greek and Roman history, this city is a playground for any historian, enthusiast or amateur. Once the second largest city in the Roman Empire, Ephesus is home to many unique sights, including an epic theatre built into the hillside, and ruins of the once majestic Library of Celsus. Once you’ve absorbed the majesty and grandeur of civilisations past, you’ll continue through the River Menderes valley to Pamukkale, where a truly unique natural wonder lies. The travertens of Pamukkale are hot spring pools created by years of erosion by water that can reach very high temperatures. Calcium deposits have created a remarkable white, tiered landscape. Now protected by UNESCO, it is no longer possible to bathe in the pools, however, you will have chance to soak in thermal baths at the hotel, which are said to help everything from neurological illnesses to rheumatism. This evening, you’ll dine at the Pam Thermal hotel, which gives you an opportunity to share your favourite moments of the tour so far.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Hotel: Pam Thermal

Day 8 Pamukkale to Konya
Sit back and relax as you set off on your scenic drive to Konya. The journey takes you past stunning Turkish scenery including lakes and mountains, and you’ll also make a stop en route at Dinar, a small rural town which is the former capital of Turkish Seljuk. When you arrive in Konya, you’ll take a tour of the city to see the stunning mosque and the tomb of Mevlana, the founder of the Whirling Dervishes. This evening, enjoy dinner at your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Hotel: Dedeman.

Day 9 Konya to Urgup
Your journey inland continues today, into the Cappadocia region of Turkey. En route, you’ll pass the Salt Lake, Tuz Golu, which is the 2nd biggest lake in Turkey and contains 25% salt. When you arrive in the ancient village of Urgup, a unique experience awaits as you check into your hotel. Carved into the rock in typical Cappadocia style, Yusuf Yigitoglu Konagi dates back to the 5th century, when it was a collection of three troglodyte houses. In the 19th century, these houses were converted into a Cappadocian villa, which has now been elegantly restored and opened as a boutique hotel with an amazing cultural heritage.
Meals: Breakfast.
Hotel: Yusuf Yigitoglu Konagi.

Day 10 Urgup
Today, you’ll explore the region of Cappadocia, taking in its breathtaking landscapes and extraordinary ‘moonscapes’. The unique appearance and features of the geology have been formed by solidified lava flows from three volcanoes, which have then been eroded, creating valleys, caves and strange rock formations, known as ‘fairy chimneys’ which rise magically up out of the ground. The valleys were used to hide the first churches of Cappadocia that were carved into caves and you’ll see some very unique architecture, such as temples built into rock faces and homes crafted out of stone. You’ll visit the rock castle of Uchisar, which is a great vantage point to admire the views of Cappadocia, and the Valley of Goreme, with its wonderful painted churches.
Meals: Breakfast.
Hotel: Yusuf Yigitoglu Konagi.

Day 11 Urgup
This weird and wonderful, beautiful and historic region deserves greater exploration, so you’ll spend another day venturing further into the valleys and surrounding villages of Cappadocia. Your day begins in the village of Avanos, situated on the banks of the Kizilirmak, the Red River, which is famous for its traditional pottery. With its beautiful maze of old stone houses built in the traditional Ottoman style, this village has existed for over two thousand years. Your journey then continues to the village of Cavusin where you’ll visit the Church of Cavusin. Your final stop of the day is the incredible underground city of Kaymakli, dating back to 2000BC, where there are four floors of stables, houses, store rooms and galleries, linked by nearly 100 tunnels carved out of the rock. Through history, the tunnels have been used as hiding places by the early Christians during the Roman and Arab invasions, and are still used today as storage areas, stables and cellars. Later this evening, you’re invited to join your Tour Manager and fellow adventurers for a farewell dinner to relive the memories of this wonderful trip.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Hotel: Yusuf Yigitoglu Konagi.

Day 12 Arrive Heathrow
Today, you’ll transfer to Kayseri for your flight back to London via Istanbul, forever in awe of the marvels you’ve encountered.
Meals: Breakfast, In-flight

Any questions? Chat to your Personal Travel Advisor on 0161 491 7616