Vacation Overview
Tour Details
The Best of Turkey with Istanbul City Stay
Take a big bite out of Istanbul with this short-yet-full Mini Adventure. Grab street food for dinner after touring the Old City, and marvel at the Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, and Mosaic Museum. A culinary day tour adds adventure flavour with stops for Turkish coffee, baklava, a profiterole tasting, and a mezze lunch. Continue the journey at the WWI battlefield of Gallipoli, then leap into Greek myths and explore the remains of the legendary city of Troy before strolling along the streets of Ephesus. Don't miss the remarkable white cliff pools of Pamukkale before boarding a comfortable and convenient flight back to Istanbul. Return refreshed and ready to explore the city’s bazaars, mosques, and tea houses.
Highlights
Walk through time on a day tour of the Old City, Experience traditional Turkish foods and flavours on a culinary tour, Enjoy an authentic street food dinner, Explore ancient historic cities, discover ancient Roman ruins and amazing natural scenery, taste delicious local cuisine, walk through the astonishing white pools of Pamukkale.
Meals Included
10 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
What's Included
Your G for Good Moment: Çöp(m)adam Visit, Ayvalik
Your Foodie Moment: Street Food Experience, Istanbul
Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group.
Old Town Orientation Walk. Street Food Dinner Experience. Hagia Sophia Visit. Old City Underground Tour. Hippodrome Visit. Culinary Walking Tour Of "Cool" Istanbul. Kadiköy Visit. Gallipoli battlefields entrance and guided visit. Troy entrance and guided visit. Ephesus entrance and visit. Orientation walk in the old Kemeralti bazaar in Izmir. Tour the Mevlana Museum. Tea at sunset from a viewpoint over Cappadocia. Hike through the "fairy chimneys" of Cappadocia. Kaymakli underground city exploration. Internal flight. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
Daily Itinerary
G Adventures: The Best of Turkey with Istanbul City Stay
Day 1: Istanbul
Arrive at any time and spend the day exploring on your own. Later, meet your CEO and the group before heading out for a stroll through the Old Town to enjoy some of Istanbul's most famous street foods for dinner.
Day 2: Istanbul
Tour the world-renowned Hagia Sofia. After, explore a lesser-known side of Istanbul's Old Town and visit subterranean Roman and Byzantine ruins, the Hippodrome and the Little Haiga Sofia Mosque. Tonight, opt to visit a hammam (traditional Turkish bath).
Day 3: Istanbul
Enjoy a culinary walking tour of the trendiest districts in Istanbul. Wander through Taksim Square and the lively district of Karaköy on a CEO-led culinary walking tour, sampling local specialties such as baklava and Turkish coffee. Enjoy a sumptuous mezze lunch. Catch a ferry to Kadiköy, on the Asian side of Istanbul.
Day 4: Istanbul
Enjoy a free day with suggestions provided by your CEO for further sightseeing. In the evening attend a welcome meeting with newly-joining group members before heading out for an optional dinner.
Day 5: Istanbul/Çanakkale
Set off from Istanbul and take a guided tour of Gallipoli, including ANZAC Cove, the war cemeteries, and Lone Pine. Continue on to the harbour town of Çanakkale for the night.
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.It is only a little further to Çanakkale, a busy harbour town with a thriving student population. Join the crowds as they stroll the waterfront nightly.
Day 6: Çanakkale/Ayvalik/Bergama
Enjoy a guided visit of Troy before arriving at Ayvalik. Visit a women's handicraft shop, a G Adventures supported project. Opt to enjoy a half-day boat trip.
Enjoy a visit to the world-famous city of Troy. Continue to Ayvalik. Be charmed by the blend of old Ottoman architecture, cobblestoned streets, and an attractive harbour. In the afternoon, opt to charter a small boat from the harbour to cruise this beautiful area. After, head to waterside restaurants for a sunset drink.
Day 7: Bergama/Selçuk
Visit ancient Ephesus before continuing on to Selçuk.
Enjoy a free morning in Bergama before travelling to Selçuk, the base for exploring the ruins of the ancient Roman town of Ephesus. Head to town and enjoy some free time to explore.
Day 8: Selçuk
Opt to visit St John's Basilica and the Mosque of Isa Bey or the nearby picturesque village of Sirince.
With free time, choose to pre-book a traditional Selcuk cooking class, walk to the remains of St John's Basilica, visit the Mosque of Isa Bey or wander the streets of this vibrant Turkish town. Another option is to catch a local “dolmus” bus to the picturesque village of Sirince (8km/5 mi) to sample some local wine or shop for crafts. For dedicated sunseekers, the beach at Pamucaki is also within reach.
Day 9: Selçuk/Pamukkale
Guided walk of Pamukkale and the ancient city of Hierapolis.
Visit the famous white cliffs of Pamukkale and the ancient site of Hierapolis.This UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hierapolis is evidence that the hot springs of Pamukkale were used as a spa since the second century BC.
Day 10: Pamukkale/Istanbul
Hop on a morning flight to Istanbul. Take a guided orientation walk before free time to explore some highlights, including the Grand Bazaar, Topkapi Palace or Hagia Sophia (or Aya Sofya).
Take a short flight to Istanbul. After settling in, depart for a walking tour of the city. Each tour will be a bit different, allowing your CEO to point out their favourite spots. See highlights that may include the Hagia Sophia (or Aya Sofya) and the Topkapi Palace. With a little extra time, return to explore these sights in depth.
Day 11: Istanbul
Depart at any time.
Your tour might be finished, but the adventure’s far from over. Pre-book the following activity to experience after your tour ends: Istanbul Walking Tour and Bosphorus Cruise. If you do, we recommend booking accommodation for an extra night in Istanbul.And don’t worry if you can’t decide now. This activity is available for pre-booking any time before your tour starts, or it can be booked upon arrival in Istanbul.