Wonders of Turkey - With Anzac Day, Classic Group
Wonders of Turkey - With Anzac Day, Classic Group
$3195
Wonders of Turkey - With Anzac Day, Classic Group
11 Days Starting and ending in Istanbul
Visiting: Istanbul, Çanakkale, Troy, Kusadasi, Pamukkale, Cappadocia, Ankara
Tour operator:
Tour code:
Z983N26
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Tour Overview
Fall in love with Turkey on this 11-day guided tour. Drive through the Maender River Valley to an organic farm, where you can walk the lush lands, then feast on fresh produce during a mouth-watering lunch. See the turquoise travertine pools in Pamukkale where ancient Romans used to soak — then dip into the spa at your hotel to indulge in its Turkish baths. Take a tour of a traditional cave house in Cappadocia with the local who lives there, then dine as you watch whirling dervishes dance nearby. Visit the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the resting place of the country’s first president, in Ankara. Travel to Istanbul, where you’ll see the infamous Blue Mosque before bargaining at the electric Grand Bazaar, which boasts more than 4,000 shops.
Choice Highlights
- Choose between two carefully selected activities
- Istanbul: An immersive digital experience through the iconic structure's rich past, showcasing its transformation from a Byzantine cathedral to an Ottoman mosque and now a museum, with captivating exhibits and architectural wonders.
- Istanbul: Journey through time with a visit to Hagia Sophia, take a unique glimpse into the complex layers of Istanbul's rich cultural and religious heritage.
Top Rated Highlights
- Gallipoli: Visit the Gallipoli Peninsula and attend the moving Dawn Service remembering, honoring and paying respect to the fallen fighting in World War I.
- Troy: Visit this ancient sight fabled to have been destroyed over love and view the huge reconstructed Trojan Horse.
- Pamukkale: See the cascading Cotton Castle of milky white travertine pools and the ancient ruin of Hierapolis.
- Konya: Accompanied by your Local Expert, visit the beautiful Mevlana Tekke museum for an insight into the mystic Whirling Dervishes. See the Karatay Medrese and Ince Minaret.
- Konya: Visit a well preserved Seljuk Caravanserai.
- Goreme: With your Local Expert, explore the underground cities, rock-cut churches, fairy-tale chimneys and the Pasabag Valley.
- : Visit the narrow passages and interconnecting rooms of this Stone Age underground city dug out from the hills and built to block invaders and defend against attacks.
- : Learn about the ancient art of pottery making in Avanos.
- Ankara: Discover the mysterious Hittite civilization and visit the Mausoleum of Ataturk.
- Istanbul: Enjoy a relaxing cruise on the Bosphorus in Istanbul, where you'll pass Ottoman palaces, old mansions and fortresses.
- Istanbul: Visit the Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome. With your Local Expert, gain insight into the lives of the Ottoman Sultans during a visit to the fabulous Topkapi Palace. Then stroll through the Grand Bazaar.
Make Travel Matter
Ayvalik: Visit the Copmadam workshop, where one-of-a-kind items are made from recycled packaging, creating employment opportunities for local women. This experience advances United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality.
Goreme: Meet the members of Goreme Women’s Cooperative, a collective of local women determined to expand employment opportunities in the region. Through the production and sale of handicrafts and traditional delicacies like jams and sweets, they are contributing to the region’s cultural vibrancy. This experience advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality.
Authentic Dining
Istanbul: Begin your travels savoring traditional flavors over dinner at a local restaurant.
Izmir: Head to a local organic farm where you will be treated to a Farm-to-Table lunch. Enjoy the breathtaking views during your meal made from seasonal crops grown on site.
Cappadocia: Watch a spectacular Sema performance of Whirling Dervishes and discover the flavors of Cappadocia as you indulge in a regional dinner of colorful dishes.
Istanbul: Toast the culmination of your travels during dinner at a local restaurant.
Insight Choice
Istanbul: An immersive digital experience through the iconic structure's rich past, showcasing its transformation from a Byzantine cathedral to an Ottoman mosque and now a museum, with captivating exhibits and architectural wonders.
Istanbul: Journey through time with a visit to Hagia Sophia, take a unique glimpse into the complex layers of Istanbul's rich cultural and religious heritage.
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To Istanbul
Location: Istanbul
Accommodation Name: Wyndham Grand Istanbul Levent
Meals Included: Dinner
Welcome to Turkey. You’ll start in vibrant Istanbul, where a representative will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Relax and settle in before joining your Travel Director and getting to know your fellow travelers over a delicious dinner.
Day 2: Gallipoli And Anzac Cove
Location: Istanbul, Çanakkale
Accommodation Name: Kolin Hotel, Canakkale.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Marvel at breathtaking coastal views as you make your way along the shores of the Sea of Marmara to historic Gallipoli. Located in the southern part of East Thrace, it was here that for nine months during the Great War, Anzac troops fought in an in an attempt to gain control of the Dardanelles Strait. Learn more about these events as you visit Anzac Cove and Lone Pine Cemetery. Later, join your group as you head from Eceabat across the sea to Çanakkale. Home to famous archaeological site, Troy, this historic destination will be your home for the night.
Day 3: Canakkale
Location: Çanakkale
Accommodation Name: Kolin Hotel, Canakkale.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Dawn and first light signals the commencement of the annual Dawn Service. Attend alongside Australian, New Zealand and other foreign dignitaries and military personnel to honor the fallen soldiers. After the service pay your respects at the Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair Cemeteries, whilst learning more about the events which lead to the Anzac troops fighting in an attempt to gain control of the Dardanelles Strait. This afternoon return to your hotel for the rest of your day at leisure. Perhaps relax poolside and admire the beautiful surroundings or book in for one of the many treatments on offer at the hotel spa.
Day 4: Troy, Pergamon And Kusadasi
Location: Çanakkale, Troy, Kusadasi
Accommodation Name: Charisma De Luxe, Kusadasi
Meals Included: Breakfast
Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at Copmadam, a women's co-op turning recycled materials into unique items, and addressing women's employment issues. After some time exploring, continue your journey to Izmir where you will stop for a Farm-to-Table lunch at Nif Bağları, a family-owned wine producer. Explore the four acres of crop fields, nestled amidst picturesque surroundings before continuing your journey to the coastal resort of Kusadasi.
Day 5: The Pools Of Pamukkale
Location: Kusadasi, Pamukkale
Accommodation Name: Doğa Thermal Health & Spa, Pamukkale
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Head to Pamukkale, famous for its mineral-rich thermal waters and chalk-white limestone terraces, explore the area with your Travel Director. See the ruins of the ancient Roman spa city of Hierapolis, founded in 190 B.C. You’ll see the city’s well-preserved theater and its turquoise travertine pools. Later, head back to your hotel, the esteemed Doğa Thermal Health & Spa. Take full advantage of its indoor and outdoor thermal pools, steam room and its Turkish bath complex.
Day 6: Konya, The Whirling Dervishes And Cappadocia
Location: Pamukkale, Cappadocia
Accommodation Name: DoubleTree by Hilton Avanos, Cappadocia
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today you’ll travel to Konya. The home of the Whirling Dervish, this city offers tradition in abundance. Noteworthy buildings line its streets, with beautiful mosques and modern buildings providing a delightful contrast. Visit the Mevlana Tekke museum, with its recognisable turquoise dome. See the Karatay Madrasa before moving on to another ornate 13th-century madrasa, the Ince Minaret. Continue your journey to Urgup, an historic town in the heart of Cappadocia. You will recognise this famous area from the bright balloons that decorate its sky and the striking golden, volcanic landscapes that surround it. Your abode for the night is the unique Alfina Cave Hotel Cappadocia, built in old cave dwellings. Get some rest here before your travels continue in the morning.
Day 7: Women Of Göreme
Location: Cappadocia
Accommodation Name: DoubleTree by Hilton Avanos, Cappadocia
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Move on to Göreme, a striking town in the Cappadocia region of Turkey, to explore its rock-hewn churches decorated with ancient wall paintings. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at a women’s Coop addressing women’s employment issues. Move on to the Pasabag Valley, located on the road to Zelve. You’ll find otherworldly earth pillars here, ‘fairy chimneys’ and troglodyte dwellings. Visit the underground city of Özkonak, where you’ll have time to explore its tunnels and caves with your Travel Director. Later, join a Cappadocian local who has lived in the city for decades and take a tour of their cave house. You’ll learn more about their unique way of living, local traditions and family life. Dinner tonight will at a local restaurant, later you’ll witness a performance of Whirling Dervishes.
Day 8: Ankara
Location: Cappadocia, Ankara
Accommodation Name: Ankara HiltonSA
Meals Included: Breakfast
One for art lovers, this morning, you’ll learn about the art of pottery making in Avanos. A town based in Cappadocia, it is famous for its earthenware pottery. On your way, stop off at one of the best-preserved Seljuk Caravanserais in Anatolia. Continue your journey to Ankara, where you’ll visit the Hittite Museum and Anit Kabir, the Mausoleum of Atatürk—Turkey's greatest modern leader and the first President of the Republic of Turkey. Perhaps relax in the spa and wellness center at your hotel this evening.
Day 9: To Istanbul
Location: Ankara, Istanbul
Accommodation Name: Wyndham Grand Istanbul Levent
Meals Included: Breakfast
It’s time to head to Istanbul. A glorious fusion of east and west, this popular city offers something for everyone, with history, culture, modernity, delicious cuisine and of course, the friendliest of faces. Board a cruise along the Bosphorus. As you make your way from Eminönü to the Black Sea, witness the area’s beautiful Ottoman palaces and fortresses lining the waterfront. Your evening is at leisure, why not ask your Travel Director for suggestions on places to dine.
Day 10: Istanbul And The Ottoman Empire
Location: Istanbul
Accommodation Name: Wyndham Grand Istanbul Levent
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today you’ll take in the sites of Istanbul. In the morning visit the historic Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome, where Roman chariot races were held. Explore Hagia Sophia with Insight Choice. Choose between visiting Hagia Sophia Digital Experience, offering an immersive journey through the landmarks marvels, or alternatively, visit Hagia Sophia built in A.D. 537 and famous for its domed roof. Visit the Topkapi Palace, perched above the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn, the primary inlet of the waterway. In the evening, join your fellow travelers and toast to your trip over dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 11: Farewell Istanbul
Location: Istanbul
Meals Included: Breakfast
It’s time to say goodbye to your new friends, as your trip comes to an end. A transfer will take you to the airport for your onward flights, or for those extending their stay in Istanbul, speak to your Travel Director for tips and tricks on where to head.
What's Included
-
Meals
6 Dinners (D) and 10 Breakfasts (B) are included.
-
Activities
Choose between two carefully selected activities in Istanbul.
-
Personal Radio Headsets
Personal radio headsets are provided to give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights without missing any of your Local Expert’s commentary.
-
Tips and Taxes
Hotel and restaurant tips are included, along with all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
-
Luggage Handling
Your bags are carried for you and promptly delivered to your hotel door.
-
Insight Flourish
From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, a local specialty representing the destination.
-
Wi-Fi
Stay connected with complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
-
Transfers
Transfers are available at scheduled times if your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates.
-
Local Dinners
Enjoy traditional flavors over dinner at local restaurants in Istanbul and Cappadocia.
-
Farm-to-Table Lunch
Head to a local organic farm in Izmir for a Farm-to-Table lunch.
What's Not Included
-
Flights
International and domestic flights are not included.
-
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended.
-
Optional Activities
Optional activities and excursions not mentioned in the itinerary are not included.
-
Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and beverages are not included.
-
Visa Fees
Visa fees and any related costs are not included.
-
Additional Transfers
Transfers outside the scheduled times or for flights not as per the itinerary start and end dates are not included.
Mode of Transport
Travel in comfort with Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach featuring double the standard legroom and an onboard washroom. Complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi are available, and physical distancing measures are implemented.
Accommodation
Stay in luxurious accommodations including the Wyndham Grand Istanbul Levent, Kolin Hotel in Canakkale, Charisma De Luxe in Kusadasi, Doga Thermal Health & Spa in Pamukkale, DoubleTree by Hilton Avanos in Cappadocia, and Ankara HiltonSA.
Dining Summary
- 6 Dinner (D)
- 10 Breakfast (B)
Additional Included Highlights
- Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
- Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
- Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
- If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
Insight Experiences
- Cappadocia: Join a Cappadocian local, who has lived in the city for decades and take a tour of their cave house to learn more about their unique way of life.
Well-being
- Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
- Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
Check out our Q&As
-
What kind of unique experiences can I expect during the tour?
You can expect a variety of unique experiences such as visiting the Copmadam workshop where items are made from recycled packaging, attending a Dawn Service at Gallipoli, exploring the underground cities and rock-cut churches in Göreme, and learning about pottery making in Avanos. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to join a Cappadocian local for a tour of their cave house and witness a performance of Whirling Dervishes.
-
Are there any special activities related to local culture and traditions?
Yes, the tour includes several activities related to local culture and traditions. You will visit the Mevlana Tekke museum in Konya to learn about the Whirling Dervishes, explore the Göreme Women’s Cooperative, and attend a Sema performance of Whirling Dervishes in Cappadocia. Additionally, you will visit the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul to gain insight into the lives of the Ottoman Sultans.
-
What kind of meals are included in the tour?
The tour includes 10 breakfasts and 6 dinners. You will also enjoy a Farm-to-Table lunch at a local organic farm in Izmir and a regional dinner in Cappadocia. Additionally, you will have dinner at local restaurants in Istanbul on the first and last nights of the tour.
-
Will there be any opportunities to learn about historical sites?
Yes, the tour includes visits to several historical sites such as Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Hippodrome in Istanbul, the ancient city of Troy, the ruins of Hierapolis in Pamukkale, and the Mausoleum of Atatürk in Ankara. You will also visit the Gallipoli Peninsula to attend the Dawn Service and learn about the events of World War I.
-
What kind of accommodations can I expect during the tour?
You will stay in a variety of accommodations including the Wyndham Grand Istanbul Levent in Istanbul, the Kolin Hotel in Canakkale, the Charisma De Luxe in Kusadasi, the Doğa Thermal Health & Spa in Pamukkale, the DoubleTree by Hilton Avanos in Cappadocia, and the Ankara HiltonSA in Ankara. In Cappadocia, you will stay in the unique Alfina Cave Hotel, built in old cave dwellings.
-
Are airport transfers included in the tour?
Yes, airport transfers are included if your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights' accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
-
Will there be any free time during the tour?
Yes, there will be some free time during the tour. For example, on Day 3, you will have the rest of the day at leisure after returning to your hotel in Canakkale. Additionally, on Day 9, your evening in Istanbul is at leisure, and on the final day, you can extend your stay in Istanbul and explore the city on your own.
-
What kind of transportation will be provided during the tour?
The tour provides transportation in Insight’s luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and an onboard washroom. The coaches are sanitized before the start of the tour and maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented, and hand sanitizer is freely available on board.
-
Can I join the tour once it has departed?
We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a tour, including experiences such as missed meals or sightseeing.
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1978.
-
What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Insight Vacations is a founding member of the TreadRight Foundation, a joint initiative created by the brands within The Travel Corporation (TTC) almost 15 years ago to ensure our impact through tourism is positive. Our ethos to #MakeTravelMatter guides our decision-making at every level of our business.
-
Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
-
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
You have two options as a solo traveller. Either choose to be matched with a same sex partner for a room share - at no extra cost. Or choose a room of your own with a reduced or even free private room upgrade on select tours.
-
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
Reviews of this operator
Save on this tour
Request your exclusive discount code now and unlock savings for your next adventure!
Send me one now.1 Select your preferred date
Thursday - Sunday
Apr 23, 2026 - May 03, 2026Book with Confidence
-
Low Deposit
Insight Vacations requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of insight vacations charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
-
Terms and Conditions
Enquire for huge savings
Rated 5* on Trust Pilot & ABTA Protected.