Welcome to Trafalgar's South African website. Would you like to visit Trafalgar's US website instead?
Navigation Close Icon
This site is not fully supported in Internet Explorer 11 (and earlier) versions. Please upgrade your browser to Microsoft Edge, Chrome, Safari or other latest browser.
You are viewing the consumer version of the trip page.Please click here to return to search results where you can access the agent version of these trip pages.
From the legends of Troy to ancient Greek cities, your travels will reveal the places where history happened. On this in-depth Best of Turkey voyage, you’ll also venture into the Taurus Mountains for lunch with the Yazir community and relax on the shores of the Turkish Riviera.
From the legends of Troy to ancient Greek cities, your travels will reveal the places where history happened. On this in-depth Best of Turkey voyage, you’ll also venture into the Taurus Mountains for lunch with the Yazir community and relax on the shores of the Turkish Riviera.
Stand at the ancient crossroads between Europe and Asia, embarking on a journey of discovery through ancient lands and the marauding empires who fought to rule it. Arriving in vibrant Istanbul, you will be transferred to your hotel before joining your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a memorable Welcome Reception to kick off your epic adventure.
Spend your day delving into a city where modern and ancient coexist effortlessly. Gain insights into the Ottoman Empire's power during your guided tour of the Topkapi Palace and see the 4th-century Egyptian obelisk. Visit Hagia Sophia, the Hippodrome and the exquisite Blue Mosque, said to rival even the Great Mosque in Mecca. Dive Into Culture this afternoon, with a visit to the Grand Bazaar. Spend your afternoon haggling with passionate market vendors lining its labyrinthine lanes. This evening, consider an optional dinner with Turkish folk and belly dancing.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Day 3
Journey to Gallipoli and Çanakkale
Pay tribute to the brave souls who lost their lives at Gallipoli – the national pride of two nations, the Turkish and Australians, were awakened at the site of the bloody WWI battlefields and are commemorated to this day. See Anzac Cove and the Dardanelles, and visit the cemeteries of Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair, the final resting place of many Allied soldiers. We continue to Çanakkale where we dine at our hotel tonight.
Explore the legends of Troy and see the symbolic replica of the famous Wooden Horse the Greeks used to break their siege of this ancient city. Visit the ancient Asclepion Medical Centre in the city of Pergamon before retiring in seaside Izmir this evening where we'll dine at our hotel.
Stroll through the ruins of the ancient Greek city of Ephesus, past the amazingly intact façade of the Library of Celcus and down to what was once its thriving port. See the House of Virgin Mary at Mt. Koressos then spend the rest of the day at leisure. This evening you may consider joining an optional dinner at a local restaurant in Izmir and indulge in some of the local raki.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Optional Experience
Izmir Seafood Dinner
Head to the Kordon where we take you to one of Izmir's favourite seafood restaurants. Known for stunning views and for serving the best fish dishes in coastal Turkey, dine on a variety of seafood and meze delights with drinks. Don't worry there's great options for those who don't like seafood too!.
Adult Price: $50.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 6
Onwards to Pamukkale
Leave the coastal city of Izmir behind as you journey inland to Pamukkale. Relax and enjoy the blissful thermal pools at your hotel before dinner.
Tread in the footsteps of the ancients who sought relief and relaxation at the Roman health spa at Hierapolis, then admire the bubbling pools and delicate white cascades of water of Pamukkale's Cotton Castle Springs. Later, we travel through scenic countryside and join the Yazir community in the Taurus Mountains, where we’ll Connect With Locals and gain insights into their traditions at our Be My Guest lunch. Our stop for the next two nights is the Mediterranean retreat of Antalya. Enjoy some time on your own ambling through the winding lanes of its old city and admiring beautifully preserved Ottoman architecture. This evening, join your companions for a Regional Dinner at a local restaurant.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Crowne Plaza
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast, Be My Guest, Regional Dinner
Day 8
Enjoy Ancient Perge
Enjoy a morning on your terms to soak up the enchanting seaside atmosphere of the Turkish Riviera, embarking on an optional yacht cruise or relaxing at the hotel pool. This afternoon, we travel to the Roman city of Perge to visit the impressive Antalya Archaeological Museum and see treasures spanning the centuries.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Optional Experience
Antalya Old Town And Waterfall Yacht Cruise
Antalya Old Town, 'Kaleici', is the picturesque old quarter in the centre of present day Antalya. Your Local Specialist will show you the imposing Hadrian's Gate, dating from 130 AD when the Roman Emperor visited the city. Then you'll enjoy a yacht cruise to the stunning Düden waterfall.
Adult Price: $40.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 9
On the Road to Aspendos and Konya
Witness the world's best-preserved theatre of antiquity during your first stop in Aspendos this morning, before continuing to Konya, where we will gain insights into the mystical Whirling Dervish sect whose remains lie in the Mevlana Museum and Mausoleum. We continue to the Karatay Tile Museum, spellbound by its exquisitely Seljuk-tiled dome, before returning to our hotel where we'll dine tonight.
See a well-preserved 13th-century caravanserai, at which weary travellers used to rest. We journey to Cappadocia with its honey-coloured rocky spires providing an enchanting backdrop for our visit to the underground city of Saratli on the ancient Silk Road. This evening, indulge in the flavours of traditional pottery kebabs during a Regional Dinner at a local restaurant, before retiring to your hotel with beautiful views of the surrounding fairy chimneys. Tonight we stay in one of Trafalgar's Stays With Stories located alongside the ancient Ortahisar rock castle.
The other-worldly landscapes of Cappadocia take centre stage today as we explore its volcanic landscape dotted with caves and troglodyte dwellings. We visit the Göreme Open-Air Museum to admire the extraordinary rock-hewn churches and Dive Into Culture to learn about the art of pottery making in Avanos before dining in our hotel this evening.
The 'dance' of the Whirling Dervishes is called Sema. It is part of Turkish custom, history, beliefs and culture and represents a man's spiritual journey, and will be a highlight of your trip to Turkey. (*) Performance of Whirling Dervishes is NOT a show but instead it is a mystic ceremony.
Adult Price: $32.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 12
Onwards to Ankara
Arriving in the youthful capital of Turkey today, we visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations and the final resting place of the country's beloved Atatürk, the first president of the modern Turkish nation. This evening we dine at our hotel in Ankara.
Returning to Istanbul, we enjoy the rest of the day on our own. Delve into the depths of the Basilica Cistern, savour the intoxicating smells of the Spice Market or ascend Galata Tower for exquisite views of east and west. Consider an optional cruise navigating the waters of the Bosphorus before meeting your Travel Director and fellow companions for a memorable Farewell Dinner.
No stay would be complete without this unforgettable cruise along the Bosphorus, the winding strait separating Europe and Asia. Along the shores you’ll see a beautiful mixture of modern hotels, ancient wooden villas, marble palaces, fortresses and small fishing villages, as you relax on board.
Adult Price: $45.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 14
Farewell Istanbul
Our epic journey into antiquity has come to an end as we bid Istanbul and newfound friends a fond farewell. Find out more about your free airport transfer at trafalgar.com/freetransfers.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
All optional experiences for this trip
Book with your travel director when you travel
Available on day 5
Izmir Seafood Dinner
Head to the Kordon where we take you to one of Izmir's favourite seafood restaurants. Known for stunning views and for serving the best fish dishes in coastal Turkey, dine on a variety of seafood and meze delights with drinks. Don't worry there's great options for those who don't like seafood too!.
Adult Price: $50.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 8
Antalya Old Town And Waterfall Yacht Cruise
Antalya Old Town, 'Kaleici', is the picturesque old quarter in the centre of present day Antalya. Your Local Specialist will show you the imposing Hadrian's Gate, dating from 130 AD when the Roman Emperor visited the city. Then you'll enjoy a yacht cruise to the stunning Düden waterfall.
Adult Price: $40.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 11
Performance of Whirling Dervishes
The 'dance' of the Whirling Dervishes is called Sema. It is part of Turkish custom, history, beliefs and culture and represents a man's spiritual journey, and will be a highlight of your trip to Turkey. (*) Performance of Whirling Dervishes is NOT a show but instead it is a mystic ceremony.
Adult Price: $32.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 13
Traditional Bosphorus Cruise
No stay would be complete without this unforgettable cruise along the Bosphorus, the winding strait separating Europe and Asia. Along the shores you’ll see a beautiful mixture of modern hotels, ancient wooden villas, marble palaces, fortresses and small fishing villages, as you relax on board.
Adult Price: $45.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
All Optional Experiences
The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Notepad Icon You must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to travel
About this trip
About this trip
What's included
Trip Summary Accomodation Icon
13 nights
Accommodation
Trip Summary Meals Icon
24 Meals
1 Be My Guest, 1 Farewell Dinner, 1 Welcome Reception, 13 Breakfasts, 2 Regional Dinners, 6 Dinners
Trip Summary Transport Icon
On-trip Transport
All transport shown
The Trafalgar difference
Connect With Locals
Enjoy a Be My Guest lunch with the Yazir community in the Taurus Mountains near Antalya.
Stays with Stories
Located alongside the ancient Ortahisar rock castle, many of the rooms at Dilek Kaya Hotel are hewn out of the surrounding rock.
Dive into Culture
Haggle for souvenirs at Istanbul's Grand Bazaar one of the largest covered markets in the world with 60 streets and over 5,000 shops.
Dive Into Culture
Learn about the art of pottery making in Avanos.
Sightseeing highlights
Experience Ti Filled Icon
Explore Istanbul with a Local Specialist
Experience Ti Filled Icon
Visit the Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Hippodrome, Blue Mosque and Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Anzac Cove and the War Cemeteries at Gallipoli, the ancient ruins of Troy, the Asclepion Medical Centre at Pergamon, the ancient city at Ephesus, the Cotton Castle Springs in Pamukkale, the Archaeological Museum in Antalya, the home of the Whirling Dervishes at Konya, the underground city of Saratli, Göreme Open Air Museum and the Museum of Anatolian Civilisation at Ankara
Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
Experience Tick Thin Icon
Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
Experience Tick Thin Icon
Ferry across the Dardanelles from Eceabat to Canakkale
Experience Tick Thin Icon
Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
Experience Tick Thin Icon
Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
Experience Tick Thin Icon
Optional Experiences and free time
Live, unedited & independent traveller reviews
Best of Turkey trip reviews
Our guests are at the heart of everything we do, their feedback fuels our innovation, inspiring us to improve continuously and craft Simply The Best vacations. That's why we ask each of our guests to leave a third-party verified, independent review after every trip. As testament to our commitment we have been given the Trusted Service Award from Feefo, recognising we deliver exceptional experiences as rated by real guests.
Overall rating
4.8
Out of 5
Based on 448 independent reviews
Trip rating
Customer experience
Trip rating is the overall quality of the itinerary and trip
4.7
Out of 5
5
Review Star Icon
336
4
Review Star Icon
106
3
Review Star Icon
4
2
Review Star Icon
2
1
Review Star Icon
0
Customer experience is the standard of service you receive
4.8
Out of 5
5
Review Star Icon
366
4
Review Star Icon
76
3
Review Star Icon
2
2
Review Star Icon
2
1
Review Star Icon
2
Navigation Chevron Left Icon
Sharon in AustraliaMy Account Icon
Clock Icon
Quote Icon
Turkey or bust
Trip Rating
Review Star Icon
5
Throughly enjoyed this trip - worth doing if you want to cover Turkey in 2 weeks, interesting places, lot's to do and learn. Everything taken care of by our knowledgeable Travel Director and experienced Driver.
Throughly enjoyed this trip and well worth doing if you really want to discover Turkey in a span of 2 weeks - lot's to see and do and learn! Everything taken care of by our knowledgeable Travel Director and experienced Driver.
Cem, our travel director, is the best - very patient, compassionate, always in control and mild-mannered, and knowledgeable. He sincerely wanted every one in the group to be happy and satisfied, and would go out of his way to ensure that every issue is resolved. He kept an eye on each one of us, and knew instinctively when we were not feeling well. He took care of me when I fell terribly sick, and had to skip an optional excursion. He made sure I get the medicines I needed by calling the hotel staff, and always checked on me, making sure I had food and knew that he is standing by to get me to a doctor. We saved a lot by not having a Well-being director because we already had one with our TD. It is wonderful that we did not need to have local guides, as Cem is very knowledgeable in history and information. One other thing, he also forced the other groups to wear masks during the whirling dervishes show, which we appreciated a lot. We followed rules but these other groups are a hot mess (and some of them were even coughing!). Cem is a fearless leader. I felt secure in his company. His restaurants also were the best, the one in Izmir, Cappadocia and Farewell dinner. Best foods! Even our food at Movenpick Ankara was one of the best. Being very sick, I couldn't really keep food down, but after the terrible breakfast and dinner at the Cappadocia hotel, the Movenpick dinner was such a pleasant surprise. Thank you for having such great choices for restaurants. Although I was flat out sick at Rixos in Antalya, I appreciate the all-inclusive hotel tremendously. Trafalgar is so lucky to have Cem as TD. He is an asset and a jewel to your company. Ibrahim is one of the most skilled drivers I have ever met. He drove expertly through the hills of Cappadocia and the heavy traffic of Istanbul. He meticulously kept the coach clean and disinfected, so our coach was always gleaming. Cem and Ibrahim together make an excellent team.
Trafalgar is the best travel company!! I have been on two tours with them Each one was out standing. The tour guides are extremely knowledgeable and professional. Accommodations, food, venues were perfect.
Generally speaking the hotels were very good. The Crown Plaza old town was a very good hotel, however the desk staff could use some customer service training
A very organized tour crew. Everything happened at the time it was suppose to. The guide was very knowledgeable and kept the pace of the tour at a speed that was comfortable to all.
Special Rate Solo Rooming: Departures 10 July 2022, 24 July 2022, 07 August 2022, 22 January 2023, 05 February 2023 and 26 February 2023 will include 20 – 100% discount on our standard single supplement.
Festive Meals: The 20 December 2022 departure will toast New Year's Eve in Ankara and the 25 December 2022 departure will toast New Year's Eve in Antalya. We have arranged a festive meal for this departure that may replace one of the included meals featured in the itinerary. Please note, Christmas is not celebrated in Turkey.
Important Visa Information: Visas are required for this trip. Please speak to your travel agent at the time of booking to assess your specific requirements. Visas cannot be issued at borders in Europe.
Unless otherwise stated, trip prices are per person, land only, based on double occupancy and reflect applicable discount. Discounts are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice.
Trip prices are correct at the time of the products going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking. All trip information is correct at time of trips going live, however are subject to change - please confirm all details at time of booking.
Twin-share option not available for trips to South America, Costa Rica, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, South Africa, Kenya & Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia or for any holiday & cruise combination, or in Asia and Eastern Mediterranean except Highlights of Turkey (without cruise) & Best of Turkey. It's also not available on Small Group trips. Guided Vacations included in this restriction are Newfoundland and Labrador (DNLA). Does not apply to trips operated by Inspiring Journeys & our Mini-stays.
For trips that are part of our Guaranteed Room Share, please note that there is a no smoking policy in all shared rooms. Solo travel is not accepted on guided Family Experiences holidays unless travelling as part of a family group.
Navigation Close Icon
Your selected departure date will feature some seasonal itinerary changes to what is displayed. Click 'VIEW ITINERARY' below to see full details.
Active Trip Details
Navigation Close Icon
What is an Active Trip? This is an "Active" lifestyle itinerary, with walks and hikes most days. Hikes will range from easy/moderate to strenuous. No technical climbing skills are required but a reasonable level of fitness is required to make the trip more enjoyable. Understanding that not all people want to hike at the same pace or even on the same trail we will, where possible, host map orientation and then let everyone disperse to enjoy the trails best suited to them.
What to Pack Guests should bring lightweight hiking shoes or boots, broad brimmed sun hats, sunglasses, layered clothing, reusable water bottle(s), a hiking day pack and hiking poles (optional)
Weather & Altitude While the itinerary is laid out below, we are at the mercy of the weather and so reserve the right to adjust the program as necessary. Please keep in mind that the higher elevations and possible variations in weather and temperature can increase the perceived level of difficulty of our activities. Elevation ranges up to 9,000 feet for Utah’s Mighty Five and up to 11,000 feet for California High Country Adventure.
Everyone reacts differently to altitude and so if you do have any health issues you should check with your doctor that this trip is suitable for you.
