Classic Turkey
19 Oct –
29 Oct 2026
- 11 Days
- Comfortable bespoke accommodation
- 17 Meals
- Group size: 15
Itinerary
We meet at O.R. Tambo International Airport for our overnight flight to Istanbul. The journey begins quietly, offering time to slow down and prepare for the days ahead.
After clearing customs in Istanbul, we connect to a domestic flight to Cappadocia. The landscape that greets us is surreal: stone spires, quiet valleys and hillside villages shaped by centuries. We settle in and share our first meal together.
Highlight:
At sunrise, a few may rise with the light and float in silence over Cappadocia’s valleys, watching the landscape shift from stone to sky.
Later, we visit Göreme’s cave chapels, where faded frescoes still speak of early faith. We continue through the villages of Avanos, Zelve and Uchisar, pausing at viewpoints and walking among the strange, sculpted formations known as Fairy Chimneys. Along the way, we meet local artisans in pottery caves and weaving workshops, which include traditions shaped by hand, carried quietly through generations.
Highlights:
After breakfast at Perissia Hotel, we travel across the Anatolian plateau and stop at the caravanserai of Sultanhani, a well-preserved reminder of the old Silk Road. These stone-built inns once offered shelter to merchants and animals travelling long distances. We continue to Konya, a city shaped by both agriculture and spiritual tradition, where the early Christian journeys of Paul and Barnabas once passed through.
The road continues through a mountain range before descending into the valley of Pamukkale, where mineral terraces spill white across the hillside. We explore the nearby ruins of Hierapolis, an ancient spa city founded in the second century BC. There is also time to visit a local textile workshop, known for its cotton. Later, you may choose to unwind in the thermal waters, long valued for their quiet, healing warmth.
Highlights:
We begin the day with visits to three of the Seven Churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation. In Laodicea, founded around 260 BC, we walk among ruins that once hosted an important Ecumenical Council in the fourth century. From there we continue to Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love, established by King Attalus II of Pergamum in the first century BC.
Our final stop is Sardis, the former capital of the ancient Kingdom of Lydia. Its restored gymnasium and marble-paved synagogue offer a tangible sense of place. Standing among these sites brings new depth to words once read on the page.
By late afternoon, we reach Selçuk on the Aegean coast, where green hills rise gently above the sea.
Highlights:
As we stroll along Ephesus’ gleaming marble streets, the echoes of ancient life surround us. We pause in the grand amphitheatre, once alive with orators and spectacles, imagining the vibrant gatherings of Roman citizens.
Standing before the majestic facade of the Library of Celsus, we reflect on the thousands of scrolls it once safeguarded, a testament to the city’s devotion to knowledge and culture. Our journey continues to the peaceful House of the Virgin Mary, believed to be where she spent her final years, a place of quiet reverence. Nearby lies the ruin of St. John’s Basilica, an impressive 6th-century structure shaped like a cross and crowned with six soaring domes, beneath which the saint’s tomb once rested.
To end the day, we visit a local leather workshop, where skilled artisans craft exquisite pieces, preserving a centuries-old tradition that thrives in the region around Ephesus.
Highlights:
Today we explore the Acropolis of Pergamum, a once-thriving centre of culture and power. Perched high above the valley, this ancient citadel was home to magnificent temples and open-air theatres that echoed with drama and debate. Pergamum also housed one of the world’s greatest libraries, a rival to Alexandria’s, where scholars gathered to study and share knowledge. In the afternoon, we journey onwards to Troy.
Though centuries have passed, rumours about heroes and the fabled wooden horse linger in the air, while the peaceful ruins beg us to listen intently to the stories whispered by stones. We will spend the night at Çanakkale, reflecting on the history we have learnt thus far.
Highlights:
We travel through Nicaea, a pivotal site in early Christian history where the Nicaean Creed was shaped, marking a defining moment in faith. Continuing onwards, we cross the shimmering expanse of the Sea of Marmara by ferry, watching as the skyline of Istanbul slowly unfolds before us. The city’s silhouette rises with its blend of ancient domes, slender minarets and bustling harbours, which is a vibrant crossroads where history, culture and spirit converge.
We arrive in Istanbul in the late afternoon, leaving the rest of the day free to relax, with dinner awaiting us at the hotel.
Highlights:
Ferry across the Sea of Marmara
We begin our day in the Spice Market, where rich aromas of saffron, cinnamon, and herbs mingle in the narrow, bustling aisles, alive with the chatter of vendors and the vibrant colours of dried fruits and spices piled high. From there, we step into the Grand Bazaar, a labyrinth of covered streets and stalls that feels part marketplace, part living museum. With over 4,400 shops spread across distinct streets dedicated to every trade, it’s a shopper’s dream full of unexpected treasures and timeless crafts.
The afternoon is yours to wander at your leisure, whether you want to explore deeper or simply pause and take in the city’s distinct pace. Later, we meet together for a leisurely meal.
Highlights:
Enjoy an afternoon at leisure in Istanbul
We spend our final hours roaming through the Old City, admiring the gorgeous Blue Mosque with its delicate blue Iznik tiles, a masterpiece of early 17th-century Ottoman architecture. The beautiful Hagia Sophia, located nearby, is a witness to centuries of faith and transformation, dating back to Emperor Constantine’s time and including Justinian’s grand rebuilding.
In the afternoon, we board a private boat for a peaceful cruise along the Bosphorus, the historic waterway that gracefully separates Europe and Asia. As evening falls, we come together for a quiet farewell dinner at Armada Terrace Restaurant, sharing memories before our journey home.
Highlights:
We return to Johannesburg with more than just photos: a slower pace, a few ancient legends, and a stronger sense of place.
We meet at O.R. Tambo International Airport for our overnight flight to Istanbul. The journey begins quietly, offering time to slow down and prepare for the days ahead.
After clearing customs in Istanbul, we connect to a domestic flight to Cappadocia. The landscape that greets us is surreal: stone spires, quiet valleys and hillside villages shaped by centuries. We settle in and share our first meal together.
Highlight:
At sunrise, a few may rise with the light and float in silence over Cappadocia’s valleys, watching the landscape shift from stone to sky.
Later, we visit Göreme’s cave chapels, where faded frescoes still speak of early faith. We continue through the villages of Avanos, Zelve and Uchisar, pausing at viewpoints and walking among the strange, sculpted formations known as Fairy Chimneys. Along the way, we meet local artisans in pottery caves and weaving workshops, which include traditions shaped by hand, carried quietly through generations.
Highlights:
After breakfast at Perissia Hotel, we travel across the Anatolian plateau and stop at the caravanserai of Sultanhani, a well-preserved reminder of the old Silk Road. These stone-built inns once offered shelter to merchants and animals travelling long distances. We continue to Konya, a city shaped by both agriculture and spiritual tradition, where the early Christian journeys of Paul and Barnabas once passed through.
The road continues through a mountain range before descending into the valley of Pamukkale, where mineral terraces spill white across the hillside. We explore the nearby ruins of Hierapolis, an ancient spa city founded in the second century BC. There is also time to visit a local textile workshop, known for its cotton. Later, you may choose to unwind in the thermal waters, long valued for their quiet, healing warmth.
Highlights:
We begin the day with visits to three of the Seven Churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation. In Laodicea, founded around 260 BC, we walk among ruins that once hosted an important Ecumenical Council in the fourth century. From there we continue to Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love, established by King Attalus II of Pergamum in the first century BC.
Our final stop is Sardis, the former capital of the ancient Kingdom of Lydia. Its restored gymnasium and marble-paved synagogue offer a tangible sense of place. Standing among these sites brings new depth to words once read on the page.
By late afternoon, we reach Selçuk on the Aegean coast, where green hills rise gently above the sea.
Highlights:
As we stroll along Ephesus’ gleaming marble streets, the echoes of ancient life surround us. We pause in the grand amphitheatre, once alive with orators and spectacles, imagining the vibrant gatherings of Roman citizens.
Standing before the majestic facade of the Library of Celsus, we reflect on the thousands of scrolls it once safeguarded, a testament to the city’s devotion to knowledge and culture. Our journey continues to the peaceful House of the Virgin Mary, believed to be where she spent her final years, a place of quiet reverence. Nearby lies the ruin of St. John’s Basilica, an impressive 6th-century structure shaped like a cross and crowned with six soaring domes, beneath which the saint’s tomb once rested.
To end the day, we visit a local leather workshop, where skilled artisans craft exquisite pieces, preserving a centuries-old tradition that thrives in the region around Ephesus.
Highlights:
Today we explore the Acropolis of Pergamum, a once-thriving centre of culture and power. Perched high above the valley, this ancient citadel was home to magnificent temples and open-air theatres that echoed with drama and debate. Pergamum also housed one of the world’s greatest libraries, a rival to Alexandria’s, where scholars gathered to study and share knowledge. In the afternoon, we journey onwards to Troy.
Though centuries have passed, rumours about heroes and the fabled wooden horse linger in the air, while the peaceful ruins beg us to listen intently to the stories whispered by stones. We will spend the night at Çanakkale, reflecting on the history we have learnt thus far.
Highlights:
We travel through Nicaea, a pivotal site in early Christian history where the Nicaean Creed was shaped, marking a defining moment in faith. Continuing onwards, we cross the shimmering expanse of the Sea of Marmara by ferry, watching as the skyline of Istanbul slowly unfolds before us. The city’s silhouette rises with its blend of ancient domes, slender minarets and bustling harbours, which is a vibrant crossroads where history, culture and spirit converge.
We arrive in Istanbul in the late afternoon, leaving the rest of the day free to relax, with dinner awaiting us at the hotel.
Highlights:
Ferry across the Sea of Marmara
We begin our day in the Spice Market, where rich aromas of saffron, cinnamon, and herbs mingle in the narrow, bustling aisles, alive with the chatter of vendors and the vibrant colours of dried fruits and spices piled high. From there, we step into the Grand Bazaar, a labyrinth of covered streets and stalls that feels part marketplace, part living museum. With over 4,400 shops spread across distinct streets dedicated to every trade, it’s a shopper’s dream full of unexpected treasures and timeless crafts.
The afternoon is yours to wander at your leisure, whether you want to explore deeper or simply pause and take in the city’s distinct pace. Later, we meet together for a leisurely meal.
Highlights:
Enjoy an afternoon at leisure in Istanbul
We spend our final hours roaming through the Old City, admiring the gorgeous Blue Mosque with its delicate blue Iznik tiles, a masterpiece of early 17th-century Ottoman architecture. The beautiful Hagia Sophia, located nearby, is a witness to centuries of faith and transformation, dating back to Emperor Constantine’s time and including Justinian’s grand rebuilding.
In the afternoon, we board a private boat for a peaceful cruise along the Bosphorus, the historic waterway that gracefully separates Europe and Asia. As evening falls, we come together for a quiet farewell dinner at Armada Terrace Restaurant, sharing memories before our journey home.
Highlights:
We return to Johannesburg with more than just photos: a slower pace, a few ancient legends, and a stronger sense of place.
This 11-day trip covers Turkey’s key landscapes and historic sites. You’ll see Cappadocia’s unique rock formations, walk through ancient cities like Ephesus and Troy, and visit places important to early Christianity and classical history. Along the way, there’s time to watch local craftspeople, relax in thermal springs, browse lively markets and take in Istanbul’s complex character. The pace allows for guided visits as well as quiet moments to take it all in.
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The tour leader collects a set amount from each member of a tour. This kitty is then used to tip the local tour guide and city guides, bus drivers, any other assistants, and restaurant staff. We believe in tipping for good service as a token of appreciation, especially as many workers in tourism rely on tips to supplement their income.
Although we cannot apply on your behalf, we are more than willing to give guidance and assistance with completing forms. We do this for many clients on a near-daily basis. It does, however, remain the responsibility of the client to ensure that they get the correct visa on time.
Remember that we limit the number of guests on our tours. This means more time at stops and sites. We definitely do not do groups of 30 pax, where guests are rushed from one site to the other. There is enough time to explore on your own.
We always suggest USD/Euro 50 to USD/Euro 100 per person per day. As we mostly include two meals per day on our tours, this will be enough for lunch/dinner, some snacks, and memento shopping. Should you want to buy larger items, we suggest taking along your credit card. Remember to advise the bank that you will be travelling.
Once you have completed the form, you will receive an email with the itinerary which includes pricing, inclusions and flight options.
You can contact us at info@seagulltours.co.za or +27 42 296 0475