Overview
11 Days
Istanbul
Istanbul
Regional Journey
4 - 4.5 Star
Premium
5-99 Years
40
Fully Guided
I983
Itinerary
Welcome to Turkey. Your journey begins in vibrant Istanbul, the only city in the world that spans two continents: Europe and Asia, where a representative will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to the hotel. Relax and settle in before joining your Travel Director and fellow travellers for dinner. (D) Stay: Radisson Blu Sisli, Istanbul
Marvel at breathtaking coastal views as you make your way along the shores of the Sea of Marmara to historic Gallipoli. Located in the southern part of East Thrace, it was here that for nine months during the Great War, Anzac troops fought in an in an attempt to gain control of the Dardanelles Strait. Learn more about these events as you visit Anzac Cove and Lone Pine Cemetery.
Later, join your group as you head from Eceabat across the sea to Çanakkale before arriving in the historic city of Troy, the focal point of the Trojan War and the backdrop to one of history's most famous love stories, that of Paris and Helen of Troy, the face that launched 1000 ships. A replica of the mighty Trojan horse, which helped the Greeks capture the city in 1200 B.C., can be seen beside the city's walls. (B/D) Stay: Kolin, Çanakkale
Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at Copmadam, a women's co-op turning recycled materials into unique items, and addressing women's employment issues. After some time exploring, continue your journey to Izmir, where you will stop for a Farm-to-Table lunch at Nif Bağları, a family-owned wine producer. Explore the four acres of crop fields, nestled amidst picturesque surroundings before continuing your journey to the coastal resort of Izmir. (B/L/D) Stay: Swissotel Büyük Efes, Izmir
Start your morning with a trip to the nearby town of Selçuk. Home to the House of the Virgin Mary and the Temple of Artemis, you'll begin with an educational visit to the Archaeological Museum. Once here, delve into the area's history as you explore the museum's exhibits, many of which have been retrieved from the nearby Ephesus excavation site.
Later, explore the famous site itself. Walk through the colonnaded Arcadian Way, see the Library of Celsus and the huge Amphitheatre, before visiting the House of the Virgin Mary, situated above the Ephesus ruins. (B)
Head to Pamukkale, famous for its mineral-rich thermal waters and chalk-white limestone terraces, explore the area with your Travel Director. See the ruins of the ancient Roman spa city of Hierapolis, founded in 190 B.C. You'll see the city's well-preserved theatre and its turquoise travertine pools.
Later, head to your hotel, the esteemed Doğa Thermal Health & Spa. Take full advantage of its indoor and outdoor thermal pools, steam room and its Turkish bath complex. (B/D) Stay: Doğa Thermal Health & Spa, Pamukkale
Today your journey takes you to Urgup, a historic town in the heart of Cappadocia. Visit the 13th-century Sultanhani Caravanserai before exploring the underground city of Saratli. You will recognise this famous area from the striking golden, volcanic landscapes that surround it. (B/D) Stay: DoubleTree by Hilton Avanos, Cappadocia
Move on to Göreme, a striking town in the Cappadocia region of Turkey. Explore its rock-hewn churches decorated with ancient wall paintings before moving on to the Pasabag 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'll witness a performance of the Whirling Dervishes before dining at a local restaurant. (B/D)
One for art lovers, this morning, you'll learn about the art of pottery making in Avanos. A town based in Cappadocia, it is famous for its earthenware pottery. Continue your journey to Ankara, where you'll visit the Hittite Museum and the Mausoleum of Atatürk, Turkey's greatest modern leader and the first President of the Republic of Turkey. Perhaps relax in the spa and wellness centre at your hotel this evening. (B) Stay: Ankara HiltonSA
It's time to head to Istanbul. A glorious fusion of East and West, this popular city offers something for everyone, with history, culture, modernity, delicious cuisine and of course, the friendliest of faces. Enjoy the excitement of bargaining in the bustling Grand Bazaar. Your evening is at leisure. (B) Stay: Radisson Blu Sisli, Istanbul
Take in the sites of Istanbul, visit the historic Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome, where Roman chariot races were held. Explore Hagia Sophia with Insight Choice. Choose between visiting Hagia Sophia History Digital Experience, offering an immersive journey through the landmarks marvels, or alternatively, visit Hagia Sophia, built in A.D. 537 and famous for its domed roof. Visit the Topkapi Palace, perched above the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn, the primary inlet of the waterway. Enjoy a relaxing cruise on the Bosphorus, where you will pass Ottoman palaces, old mansions and fortresses.
In the evening, join your fellow travellers for dinner at a local restaurant. (B/D)
It's time to say goodbye to your new friends, as your trip comes to an end. A transfer will take you to the airport for your onward flights, or for those extending their stay in Istanbul, speak to your Travel Director for tips and tricks on where to head. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- Gallipoli: Pay your respects at Anzac Cove and Lone Pine Cemetery.
- Troy: Visit this ancient sight fabled to have been destroyed over love and view the huge reconstructed Trojan Horse.
- Ephesus: Visit the Archaeological museum housing many of the artefacts from Ephesus.
- Ephesus: Discover one of the world's finest ancient sites. Led by your Local Expert, walk the Arcadian Way, see the Library of Celsus and Amphitheatre and visit the House of the Virgin Mary.
- Pamukkale: See the cascading Cotton Castle of milky white travertine pools and the ancient ruin of Hierapolis.
- Konya: Visit a well preserved Seljuk Caravanserai.
- Saratli: Descend into a layered underground city—explore carved rooms, ventilation chimneys and millstone doors that sheltered early Christians beneath Cappadocia.
- Göreme: With your Local Expert, explore the underground cities, rock-cut churches, fairy-tale chimneys and the Pasabag Valley.
- Learn about the ancient art of pottery making in Avanos.
- Ankara: Discover the mysterious Hittite civilisation and visit the Mausoleum of Atatürk.
- Istanbul: Visit the Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome. With your Local Expert, gain insight into the lives of the Ottoman Sultans during a visit to the fabulous Topkapi Palace. Then stroll through the Grand Bazaar.
- Istanbul: Enjoy a relaxing cruise on the Bosphorus in Istanbul, where you'll pass Ottoman palaces, old mansions and fortresses.
- Cappadocia: Join a Cappadocian local, who has lived in the city for decades and take a tour of their cave house to learn more about their unique way of life.
Choose between two carefully selected activities
- Istanbul: An immersive digital experience through the iconic structure's rich past, showcasing its transformation from a Byzantine cathedral to an Ottoman mosque and now a museum, with captivating exhibits and architectural wonders.
- Istanbul: Journey through time with a visit to Hagia Sophia, take a unique glimpse into the complex layers of Istanbul's rich cultural and religious heritage.
- Ayvalik: Visit the Copmadam workshop, where one-of-a-kind items are made from recycled packaging, creating employment opportunities for local women. This experience advances United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality.
- Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
- Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
- 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 an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
- Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
- If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
- Istanbul: Begin your travels savouring traditional flavours over dinner at a local restaurant.
- Izmir: Head to a local organic farm where you will be treated to a Farm-to-Table lunch. Enjoy the breathtaking views during your meal made from seasonal crops grown on site.
- Cappadocia: Watch a spectacular Sema performance of Whirling Dervishes and discover the flavours of Cappadocia as you indulge in a regional dinner of colourful dishes.
- Istanbul: Toast the culmination of your travels during dinner at a local restaurant.
- Dining Summary: 7 Dinners (D), 10 Breakfasts (B), 1 Lunch (L)
- Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
- Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
- Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
Operator
Why are we different to any other operator? It’s our unique Insight experiences. It’s our authentic and varied dining options, it’s t moreravelling in smaller groups on customised coaches with twice the legroom, it’s staying in the right hotels in the right location, all brought together seamlessly by our exceptional travel directors. In essence: All the sights, and the insights….up close and personal…in comfort and style.
Travel is such a joy and a personal passion for myself and every member of our team. We’re so proud of the quality, service and value we provide and invite you to try it for yourself. Talk to Global Journeys to find out more about travelling in style and booking your next holiday with Insight Vacations.
Trip Reviews (18)
The accommodation was more than comfortable and even a touch exotic, like the cave hotel in Cappadocia. Most meals were provided, some were set meals, others were buffet meals, but in all cases the food was good and fresh. Although Insight does not include Cappadocia’s famous hot-air balloon rides as part of its itinerary, those interested can book a ride from the hotel. The organisation of the tour, from its beginning in Istanbul to its end in Istanbul, was meticulous, thanks to the tour director, Daghan Erdogdu. He brought his love of his country and its history to the tour.
Like any tour, there will be some who will wish that they had stayed longer at one place and less time at another. This tour struck the right balance. To use a now probably long forgotten Australian expression, ‘I wouldn’t have missed this tour for quids’. As for travelling with Insight again, that I will. And as for using Global Journeys and Jemma again for future tours, that’s a certainty.
We joined the Greek Island cruise section of our holiday in Istanbul. While this was a more relaxed paced, we found we had been spoilt with having such an outstanding tour director with us throughout Turkey. Because a number of different tour groups joined the cruise, the group we had was suddenly much bigger, coaches for the land excursions more crowded and overall the tour guiding was not nearly as informative and interesting as our Turkey experience had been. This may have been influenced by the nature of a cruise differing from the nature of a smaller, more intimate tour group travelling throughout a country together. But this does not explain the different attitudes between the tour directors. Whilst our Turkey tour director was very open in sharing and acknowledging the historical past and the present of the country in a way that acknowledged how the past has shaped the present, we found that the Greek tour guides always seemed defensive of Greece, relying primarily on its ancient past without teaching us also about modern day Greece. They did not distinguish well between historical fact and mythical history, and this was frustrating for anyone who actually had any knowledge of ancient history. We definitely missed being led on a tour of discovering how more recent history (e.g. the last 1000 years) has influenced the development of modern Greece, and just how Greece functions today. We always got the feeling that somehow the Greeks have a bit of a chip on their shoulder, and only had the glories of their ancient past to boast of... I actually don't think this should be the case, as Greece is undoubtedly a very unique country. it's just that the tour guide failed to bring this out.
Nevertheless, overall the trip was fantastic. Without at doubt, the Turkish Delights part of the trip, though very full on, was an amazing and unforgettable experience that has changed my understanding and knowledge of modern Turkey enormously. Marvel Tourism, that manages the Insight tours in Turkey, really has got their act together! Well done!
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Insight Vacations Worldwide (2025-26)
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A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Inquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Insight Vacations. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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