Turkey, Culture, Cities & Coast
22 Sep –
7 Oct 2024
- 16 Days
- 4 and 5 Star Hotels
- 21 Meals
- Group size: 15
Menu
Itinerary
We meet at O.R. Tambo International and check in for our flight to Istanbul.
On arrival, we are met at the airport and drive to Cappadocia, where we take an orientation tour. Located in the Anatolian region of Türkiye, Cappadocia is one of the most surreal landscapes in the world. Ancient volcanic eruptions and centuries of erosion have left behind undulating rose-tinted valleys speckled with tufa formations called “fairy chimneys.” We check into our hotel and enjoy a well-deserved rest.
After breakfast at the hotel, we visit the rock-carved monasteries and underground cities of Cappadocia. Next, we enjoy engaging artisan visits with a carpet weaving demonstration, interactive pottery making workshop and wine tasting. For dinner, we are treated to a traditional testi kebab, a magnificent meat dish made in authentic pottery vessels.
This morning we set out for Antalya, driving through the picturesque Anatolian countryside towards the coast. Enroute we stop at the Ağzıkara Han Caravanserai. Dating back to the Seljuk era, this roadside inn was part of a network that crisscrossed the continent supporting the ancient trade routes. Later, we arrive in Antalya, a beautiful resort town on Turkey’s glittering Turquoise Coast. Tonight, we gather at a local restaurant for dinner.
From Antalya, we travel to the coastal town of Manavgat to visit the stunning waterfall. Next, we go to Aspendos, the site of one of the best-preserved Roman theatres of the ancient world. Built during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius between 161 and 80 AD, this enormous construction has a diameter of 96 metres and provided seating for almost 7,000 people. Later, we continue our exploration of Turkish cuisine by learning to make gözleme (filled flatbreads) at a local restaurant. The rest of the day is spent at leisure in Antalya.
We have breakfast at the hotel, and then depart for Fethiye. This stretch of Türkiye’s Mediterranean coast is an important habitat and nesting spot for endangered loggerhead and green turtles. We learn more about these species and go in search of the turtle nests. Next, we stop at Myra, one of the most important towns in ancient Lycia. An exquisite necropolis decorates the cliffside, with ornately carved pillars and facades emerging from the stone. Later, we arrive in Fethiye, a laidback resort town with the lively waterfront.
For thousands of years, mineral springs have cascaded down the hillside at Pamukkale to create an extraordinary sight. A series of snow-white terraces and petrified waterfalls cup ice-blue water in shallow pools. We explore the site, perhaps sinking our feet into the soft sediment or dipping our toes in the mineral-rich water. We continue to Sardis, the ruins of an ancient and once powerful city controlled by great civilisations such as the Lydians, Greeks, Romans and Byzantines. In the evening, we arrive in Kusadasi, a bustling seaside town.
Today, we set out for Kusadasi’s most famous sight, Ephesus. Walking along marble roads worn smooth by almost 2,000 years of use and gazing at the grand façade of the Library of Celsus, you’ll feel like you’ve taken a step back in time. Next, we visit the quaint village of Şirince, a cluster of terracotta rooftops and quaint cobbled streets nestled into a wooded hillside. For lunch, we take part in a beloved Turkish ritual: barbeque. The evening is spent at leisure in Kusadasi.
The next three days are spent at leisure in Kusadasi. Take on the town’s many sights and activities at your own pace, or choose from a selection of optional excursions including visits to Izmir, Pergamum, Pamukkale and the ancient cities of Priene, Miletus and Dydime.
A day of travelling lies ahead as we say goodbye to Türkiye’s Turquoise Coast and head north to Istanbul via Bursa. Bursa is known as the birthplace of the Ottoman Empire and is filled with gorgeous historical sights, including mosques, colourful Ottoman houses and timeworn marketplaces. We are served a delicious Iskender kebab, one of Bursa’s traditional dishes, for lunch. We continue to Istanbul where we check into our hotel. The rest of the day is spent at leisure.
Today, we take a classical tour of elegant Istanbul. We see the Blue Mosque, so named for the tens of thousands of blue İznik tiles that adorn the interior; the Hippodrome, once an arena for chariot races; the Hagia Sophia, an ancient mosque filled with Byzantine finery; and the colourful Topkapi Palace which echoes with history. Our tour ends at the Basilica Cistern, an enormous underground reservoir so beautifully designed that it is sometimes called the Underground Palace. Tonight, enjoy some free time in Istanbul.
Visit the famous Spice Bazaar, browsing the mountains of olives, towers of spices and hills of Turkish Delight that fill the stalls. Continue to a cooking class where we create an authentic Turkish meal for lunch. In the afternoon, we visit the Grand Bazaar, the largest covered market in the world. It has been home to thousands of merchants and artisans for hundreds of years. Within its labyrinthine streets, find everything and anything from precious Turkish antiques to colourful lanterns and gorgeous rugs. The rest of the day is spent at leisure.
Spend the morning at leisure in Istanbul. In the afternoon, we are transferred to the pier for a private boat cruise along the Bosphorus Strait. Later, we continue to the Kumkapi quarter for dinner. First founded as a fishing village known as Kontonskalion, Kumkapi is known for its twisting narrow streets and excellent fish restaurants. We sit down to a seafood dinner and toast an excellent tour. After dinner, we are transferred to the airport for our flight to Johannesburg.
We arrive at O.R. Tambo International Airport with wonderful memories of Türkiye. The beauty of Cappadocia, the sun-soaked Turquoise Coast and the bustle of Istanbul are bucket-list experiences that we’ll treasure for years to come.
We meet at O.R. Tambo International and check in for our flight to Istanbul.
On arrival, we are met at the airport and drive to Cappadocia, where we take an orientation tour. Located in the Anatolian region of Türkiye, Cappadocia is one of the most surreal landscapes in the world. Ancient volcanic eruptions and centuries of erosion have left behind undulating rose-tinted valleys speckled with tufa formations called “fairy chimneys.” We check into our hotel and enjoy a well-deserved rest.
After breakfast at the hotel, we visit the rock-carved monasteries and underground cities of Cappadocia. Next, we enjoy engaging artisan visits with a carpet weaving demonstration, interactive pottery making workshop and wine tasting. For dinner, we are treated to a traditional testi kebab, a magnificent meat dish made in authentic pottery vessels.
This morning we set out for Antalya, driving through the picturesque Anatolian countryside towards the coast. Enroute we stop at the Ağzıkara Han Caravanserai. Dating back to the Seljuk era, this roadside inn was part of a network that crisscrossed the continent supporting the ancient trade routes. Later, we arrive in Antalya, a beautiful resort town on Turkey’s glittering Turquoise Coast. Tonight, we gather at a local restaurant for dinner.
From Antalya, we travel to the coastal town of Manavgat to visit the stunning waterfall. Next, we go to Aspendos, the site of one of the best-preserved Roman theatres of the ancient world. Built during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius between 161 and 80 AD, this enormous construction has a diameter of 96 metres and provided seating for almost 7,000 people. Later, we continue our exploration of Turkish cuisine by learning to make gözleme (filled flatbreads) at a local restaurant. The rest of the day is spent at leisure in Antalya.
We have breakfast at the hotel, and then depart for Fethiye. This stretch of Türkiye’s Mediterranean coast is an important habitat and nesting spot for endangered loggerhead and green turtles. We learn more about these species and go in search of the turtle nests. Next, we stop at Myra, one of the most important towns in ancient Lycia. An exquisite necropolis decorates the cliffside, with ornately carved pillars and facades emerging from the stone. Later, we arrive in Fethiye, a laidback resort town with the lively waterfront.
For thousands of years, mineral springs have cascaded down the hillside at Pamukkale to create an extraordinary sight. A series of snow-white terraces and petrified waterfalls cup ice-blue water in shallow pools. We explore the site, perhaps sinking our feet into the soft sediment or dipping our toes in the mineral-rich water. We continue to Sardis, the ruins of an ancient and once powerful city controlled by great civilisations such as the Lydians, Greeks, Romans and Byzantines. In the evening, we arrive in Kusadasi, a bustling seaside town.
Today, we set out for Kusadasi’s most famous sight, Ephesus. Walking along marble roads worn smooth by almost 2,000 years of use and gazing at the grand façade of the Library of Celsus, you’ll feel like you’ve taken a step back in time. Next, we visit the quaint village of Şirince, a cluster of terracotta rooftops and quaint cobbled streets nestled into a wooded hillside. For lunch, we take part in a beloved Turkish ritual: barbeque. The evening is spent at leisure in Kusadasi.
The next three days are spent at leisure in Kusadasi. Take on the town’s many sights and activities at your own pace, or choose from a selection of optional excursions including visits to Izmir, Pergamum, Pamukkale and the ancient cities of Priene, Miletus and Dydime.
A day of travelling lies ahead as we say goodbye to Türkiye’s Turquoise Coast and head north to Istanbul via Bursa. Bursa is known as the birthplace of the Ottoman Empire and is filled with gorgeous historical sights, including mosques, colourful Ottoman houses and timeworn marketplaces. We are served a delicious Iskender kebab, one of Bursa’s traditional dishes, for lunch. We continue to Istanbul where we check into our hotel. The rest of the day is spent at leisure.
Today, we take a classical tour of elegant Istanbul. We see the Blue Mosque, so named for the tens of thousands of blue İznik tiles that adorn the interior; the Hippodrome, once an arena for chariot races; the Hagia Sophia, an ancient mosque filled with Byzantine finery; and the colourful Topkapi Palace which echoes with history. Our tour ends at the Basilica Cistern, an enormous underground reservoir so beautifully designed that it is sometimes called the Underground Palace. Tonight, enjoy some free time in Istanbul.
Visit the famous Spice Bazaar, browsing the mountains of olives, towers of spices and hills of Turkish Delight that fill the stalls. Continue to a cooking class where we create an authentic Turkish meal for lunch. In the afternoon, we visit the Grand Bazaar, the largest covered market in the world. It has been home to thousands of merchants and artisans for hundreds of years. Within its labyrinthine streets, find everything and anything from precious Turkish antiques to colourful lanterns and gorgeous rugs. The rest of the day is spent at leisure.
Spend the morning at leisure in Istanbul. In the afternoon, we are transferred to the pier for a private boat cruise along the Bosphorus Strait. Later, we continue to the Kumkapi quarter for dinner. First founded as a fishing village known as Kontonskalion, Kumkapi is known for its twisting narrow streets and excellent fish restaurants. We sit down to a seafood dinner and toast an excellent tour. After dinner, we are transferred to the airport for our flight to Johannesburg.
We arrive at O.R. Tambo International Airport with wonderful memories of Türkiye. The beauty of Cappadocia, the sun-soaked Turquoise Coast and the bustle of Istanbul are bucket-list experiences that we’ll treasure for years to come.
Exotic, mysterious and alluring, Turkey is a captivating destination. The rare beauty of Cappadocia, the bustle of Ottoman bazaars, the scent of spices, and the sun glinting on the Mediterranean are treasures that hypnotise visitors with their irresistible appeal.
Join Seagull Travel & Tours on a luxury tour of Turkey. Our journey starts in Cappadocia, where we discover the secrets of this otherworldly landscape. Next, we travel to the Turquoise Coast, stopping in Antalya, Fethiye and Kusadasi to explore natural wonders, ancient ruins and lively waterfronts on foot. Our trip ends in Istanbul, where the city’s iconic sights, Grand Bazaar and Bosphorus Strait fill our days.
Treat your palate to local culinary delights along the way, from kebabs and Turkish barbeque to fresh seafood. Enjoy cooking classes and artisanal demonstrations that reveal the rich heritage of Turkey.
This expertly organised small group tour of Turkey allows you to embrace and be embraced by Turkey’s renowned hospitality as you connect with locals and expert guides. We look forward to showing you the many delights of Turkey.
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Seagull Travel & Tours crafts small group tours that offer luxury, convenience, and spontaneous moments of joy.
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We are here to help
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.
