Absolute Turkey: Winter
15 days
from Istanbul to Istanbul
From
$ 1699
Duration15 days
On the winter edition of our comprehensive Turkey tour, you'll see the country's incredible sights without battling the crowds. Begin your trip roaming the palaces and mosques of Istanbul before journeying into the bizarre as you explore otherworldly Cappadocia. From the ancient city of Hierapolis to the bustling bazaars of Istanbul, our local Chief Experience Officers (CEOs) will show you the region’s hidden gems and make sure your trip burns brightly in your memory long after you've left this crossroads of Asia and Europe.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 15 daysService level: Standard
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Starts in: IstanbulPhysical Grading: Light
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Ends in: IstanbulAges: 12+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Istanbul
There are no activities planned until our evening welcome meeting. After the meeting, opt to join your CEO and fellow travellers for dinner.
Get the most out of your time in Istanbul by pre-booking one of the following full-day activities to experience before your tour starts: Istanbul Backstreets Walk or Dolmabahçe Palace Visit and Bosporus Cruise. If you do, we recommend booking accommodation for an extra night pre-tour.
And don’t worry if you can’t decide now. These activities are available for pre-booking any time before your tour starts, while any of the optional activities listed can be booked independently upon arrival in Istanbul.
Get the most out of your time in Istanbul by pre-booking one of the following full-day activities to experience before your tour starts: Istanbul Backstreets Walk or Dolmabahçe Palace Visit and Bosporus Cruise. If you do, we recommend booking accommodation for an extra night pre-tour.
And don’t worry if you can’t decide now. These activities are available for pre-booking any time before your tour starts, while any of the optional activities listed can be booked independently upon arrival in Istanbul.
Arrive at any time.
Day 2: Istanbul/Bolu
Enjoy an orientation walk around Istanbul before moving on to the small, but vibrant city of Bolu.
Meals: B
Day 3: Bolu/Göreme
Transfer to the town of Göreme, the base for exploring Cappadocia. With two and a half days free to explore, there will be plenty of time to tour the area by bike, visit neighbouring villages, trek regional valleys or try a hot air balloon ride.
During one of the evenings here, travel to a nearby village and enjoy dinner with a local family.
During one of the evenings here, travel to a nearby village and enjoy dinner with a local family.
Visit Anitkabir before driving to the Cappadocia region. Enjoy a home-cooked dinner with a local family.
The local dinner may take place on any night in Göreme based on the family's availability.
Meals: B, D
Day 4-5: Göreme
Outdoor enthusiast? Hire a bike to get around on two wheels or join your CEO on an optional trekking tour through one of the beautiful valleys of the region.
If you want to go further afield, take a local bus to explore nearby villages.
If you want to go further afield, take a local bus to explore nearby villages.
Enjoy an included visit to the Göreme Open Air Museum before free time to explore this unique region. Enjoy a guided walk through the valley with a visit to an underground city.
Want to do more with your tour? Pre-booking is available for Cappadocia Balloon Ride and Whirling Dervishes.
Any of the optional activities listed on this day can also be booked upon arrival.
If you pre-booked the Cappadocia hot air balloon ride, you will be flying on Day 4 or 5 (weather permitting).
Any of the optional activities listed on this day can also be booked upon arrival.
If you pre-booked the Cappadocia hot air balloon ride, you will be flying on Day 4 or 5 (weather permitting).
Meals: B
Day 6: Göreme/Konya
Visit Konya and continue to Beyşehir. Visit the Esrefoglu mosque, one of the unique mosques in the country.
Traditional home-cooked meal in a local home.
Meals: B, D
Day 7: Konya/Antalya
Arrive at Antalya around lunchtime.
With a free afternoon, wander the charming cobbled hillside streets of the district of Kaleici, a great place to stop and have a drink with amazing views of the marina below. For a break from the hustle and bustle, head for the greenery and teashops at one of Antalya's beautiful parks or catch some sun at a nearby beach.
With a free afternoon, wander the charming cobbled hillside streets of the district of Kaleici, a great place to stop and have a drink with amazing views of the marina below. For a break from the hustle and bustle, head for the greenery and teashops at one of Antalya's beautiful parks or catch some sun at a nearby beach.
Wander the cobbled streets of the old harbour.
Meals: B
Day 8: Antalya
Enjoy more time in Antalya to explore.
Meals: B
Day 9: Antalya/Pamukkale
Passing through fruit orchards on the way to Pamukkale.
In the afternoon, visit the famous white cliffs of Pamukkale and the ancient site of Hierapolis, built on top of the white "castle".
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is evidence that the hot springs of Pamukkale were used as a spa since the second century BC.
In the afternoon, visit the famous white cliffs of Pamukkale and the ancient site of Hierapolis, built on top of the white "castle".
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is evidence that the hot springs of Pamukkale were used as a spa since the second century BC.
Guided walk of Pamukkale and the ancient city of Hierapolis.
Meals: B
Day 10: Pamukkale/Selçuk
Travel to the town of Selçuk. In the afternoon, visit the ruins of the ancient Roman town of Ephesus.
Visit the ruins of the ancient Roman town of Ephesus.
Meals: B
Day 11: Selçuk
Opt to walk to the remains of St John's Basilica, visit the Mosque of Isa Bey or wander the streets of this vibrant Turkish town. Or catch a local “dolmus” bus to the picturesque village of Şirince (8 km) to sample some local wine or shop for crafts. For dedicated sunseekers, the beach at Pamucaki is also within reach.
Late in the afternoon, drive to a nearby village for a local cooking class. Our host will demonstrate some Turkish dishes for everyone to enjoy at the end of the class.
Late in the afternoon, drive to a nearby village for a local cooking class. Our host will demonstrate some Turkish dishes for everyone to enjoy at the end of the class.
Free time to walk up to the remains of St John's Basilica, visit the mosque of Isa Bey or just wander the streets and cafés of this vibrant Turkish town. Enjoy a cooking class in a nearby village in the afternoon.
Meals: B, D
Day 12: Selçuk/Bergama
Travel to the market town of Bergama, and explore the Acropolis of ancient Pergamon.
Meals: B
Day 13: Bergama/Çanakkale
çöp(m)adam began as an experimental project in Western Turkey, meant to address lack of employment opportunities for women alongside the importance of recycling/re-using. The co-op aims to use waste in a creative, aesthetic, and unique way, all while providing work for women from impoverished communities. When G Adventures travellers visit the workshop, they can purchase souvenirs and handicrafts that directly support the women that made them. After a visit to this project, continue exploring the seaside town of Ayvalık.
Afterwards, enjoy a visit to the world-famous city of Troy. Continue to the harbour town of Çanakkale, a busy port with a thriving student population.
Afterwards, enjoy a visit to the world-famous city of Troy. Continue to the harbour town of Çanakkale, a busy port with a thriving student population.
Visit the G-supported handicraft workshop in Ayvalik, before enjoying free time in the surrounding area. Visit the ancient city of Troy en route to Çanakkale.
Meals: B
Day 14: Çanakkale/Istanbul
Make an early morning visit to Gallipoli, where thousands gave their lives during WWI in the battle of the same name. Take in the sights and learn the sombre story.
Continue on to İstanbul for the opportunity to finish up your sightseeing or get in some last minute shopping.
Continue on to İstanbul for the opportunity to finish up your sightseeing or get in some last minute shopping.
Guided tour of Gallipoli, including ANZAC Cove, the war cemeteries, and Lone Pine.
Meals: B
Day 15: Istanbul
Your tour might be finished, but the adventure’s far from over. Pre-book one of the following activities to experience after your tour ends: Dolmabahçe Palace Visit and Bosporus Cruise or Istanbul Backstreets Walk. If you do, we recommend booking accommodation for an extra night in Istanbul.
And don’t worry if you can’t decide now. These activities are available for pre-booking any time before your tour starts, or they can be booked upon arrival in Istanbul.
And don’t worry if you can’t decide now. These activities are available for pre-booking any time before your tour starts, or they can be booked upon arrival in Istanbul.
Depart at any time.
Meals: B
Inclusions
Included
- Your G for Good Moment: Çöp(m)adam Visit, Ayvalık Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Local Living Moment: Dinner with Local Family, Çavuşin Your Foodie Moment: Cooking Class, Selçuk
- Istanbul walking tour
- Visit to the Göreme Open Air Museum
- Guided walk in a valley with Underground City exploration
- Traditional dinner with local family (Cappadocia)
- Ancient Hierapolis and Pamukkale entrance and guided walk
- Ephesus entrance and visit
- Cooking class in a nearby village
- Troy entrance and guided visit
- Gallipoli battlefields entrance and guided visit
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Transport
Private air-conditioned van -
Accommodation
Hotels (14 nts)