Highlights of Turkey tour
Per person sharing
Highlights of Turkey tour start and end in Istanbul, Turkey. Spend a day visiting Istanbul Princess Island, which combines the sea, vintage-looking, cute streets, fresh air, colourful flowers, sincere people and of course, amazing views of Istanbul. It will be one of the best travelling experiences during your stay in Istanbul. Explore Bursa the large city in northwest Turkey, lying in the foothills of roughly 2,500m-high Mount Uludağ near the Sea of Marmara. The city is known for its mosques and historical sites from the early Ottoman Empire. It's nicknamed "Yeşil Bursa" (Green Bursa), owing to its many parks and trees. Onwards to Turkey's crown, Cappadocia, with its amazing underground cities and surreal landscape. End your holiday in Antalya, a Turkish resort city with its yacht-filled Old Harbour and beaches flanked by large hotels
At a glance
| ISTANBUL | 3 Nights |
| CAPPADOCIA | 2 Nights |
| ANTALYA | 2 Nights |
| KUSADASI | 2 Nights |
| Accommodation | Standard double room in 4* hotels |
| Meals | 9 Bfst, 6 Lunches |
| Transfers | In Istanbul, Cappadocia, Antalya and Kusadasi |
| Tours | In Istanbul, Cappadocia, Antalya and Kusadasi |
Highlights
Istanbul
Princess Island
Spend time at your leisure on the largest of the Princes islands
Admire the island's Ottoman-era mansions
Enjoy lunch at a local seafood restaurant
Bursa
See Bursa city centre, Telesiyej-chair lift in Uludag Mountain, visit the Green Mosque and Mausoleum. Free Shopping time before return to Istanbul
Cappadocia
Explore the Red and Rose Valley – Gulludere Valley – Cavusin Village Kaymakli (or Ozkonak) Underground City – Ortahisar – Uchisar Castle- Pigeon Valley – Three Beauties Valley
Antalya
Discover the most beautiful waterfalls of the Antalya region in this immersive guided tour
Behold the beauty of Duden Waterfalls, walk through a stunning green park, and listen to the sound of rushing water
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and see Antalya’s famous sights
Kusadasi
Kusadasi is a tourist province on the coast of the Aegean region, famous for its natural beauties, turquoise seas and historical sites. The ancient city of Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary and the discover the Travertines and the Ancient city of Hierapolis in Pamukkale.
Quick Contact
Itinerary
Istanbul
- Your ate met at the airport and transfer to your hotel.
- You will be given your room key and the rest of the day is yours to explore Istanbul.
- Overnight in Istanbul.
Istanbul - Princess Island (B/L)
- There is no better way to escape the bustle of Istanbul for a day than with a visit to the idyllic Princes’ Islands. Enjoy cool breezes and charming sights along the way to Büyükada, the largest island in the chain.
- Famous for its mild climates, lush vegetation, and ornate Ottoman Houses, the island is unspoiled by traffic.
- Instead of cars, there are carriages, called phaetons, which are used to tour the island and its beautiful scenery studded with elegant mansions draped with purple bougainvillaea, reminiscent of a more leisured and graceful era.
- Enjoy lunch at one of the many excellent fresh fish restaurants that line the waterfront, gazing across the Asian shore of Istanbul, so close - though it feels worlds away.
- After the tour return to your hotel in Istanbul
Istanbul - Bursa (B/L)
- Our journey starts with a ferry down to Yalova, enjoying the lovely countryside view. The city is frequently cited as "YeÅŸil Bursa" (meaning "Green Bursa") in a reference to the beautiful parks and gardens located across its urban tissue, as well as to the vast forests in rich variety that extend in its surrounding region.
- The mausoleums of early Ottoman sultans are located in Bursa and the numerous edifices built throughout the Ottoman period constitute the city's main landmarks.
- After lunch, we will climb to Uludag Mountain (the legendary Mount Olympos) by cable car.
- You will have time to explore the old Silk Market in the Covered Bazaar.
Inclusions
- Meet and assist on arrival and departure by our local representative
- Transfer as per itinerary in AC vehicle
- Accommodation in selected hotels in double/twin-sharing
- Meals: as mentioned
- Local English Speaking Guide
- Entrance fees
Exclusions
- International Flights – Departure & Fuel taxes (Contact us for best airfares)
- Personal expenses, meals and drinks unless otherwise specified
- Travel insurance
- Turkey visa fee
- Tips
- Services not stated in the itinerary
- Compulsory Travel Insurance
Validity
Rate valid for travel between 01 APR and 31 OCT 26
Contact us for any other travel dates
Country information
Best time to go
The best times to visit Turkey’s archaeological sites and cities are in spring (Apr-May) and autumn (Sep-Oct) as the temperature is warm, but not too hot.
High summer (Jun-Aug) can be hot: best time for beach holidays. Winters can be cold and many hotels though city breaks are still an option. Turkey does offer ski options during the winter months
Turkey food & drink
Turkish food is varied and delicious. It’s often meze style – lots of small dishes to sample, including aubergine dips, calamari, borek (stuffed pastries), mashed broad beans and stuffed vine leaves – plenty of options for vegetarians, too. Local food involves a lot of meat, often in kebab form – the smell of charcoal-grilled beef, lamb and chicken permeates Turkey.
A Turkish menu includes wonderful breads, super-sweet baklava (pistachio and syrup pastry) and salty white cheeses. Despite being a Muslim country, alcohol is easy to find in Turkey, especially in the touristy coastal regions. Efes is the Turkish beer of choice. Raki, grape spirit, is potent.
Turkish coffee is pitch black, very strong and often sweet. Tea is widely drunk and served black
Culture and Language
Turkish is the official language, however, English, French and German are widely spoken in all major cities and tourist areas. Shaking hands is a common form of greetings. Hospitability is a top priority. Pointing fingers at a person a considered rude. Declining an offer is done by putting your hand over your heart. Observe dress code when visiting Islamic sites
Getting around
Train travel is a very popular mode of transport between the major cities. It may be slow but can sometimes offer you some inspiring scenic moments. Coach travel is the most used way of getting around Turkey. Bus routes are relatively cheap and are most comfortable. Just about any city is connected by coach. On certain upmarket coaches, extra legroom and Wi-Fi is offered. If your journey is more than 5 hrs, a 30-minute stop is made about every three hours. Taking a taxi is by far the most convenient way of travel in major cities, but not always the quickest way. Taxis can easily be hailed on the street. Important: only take the official bright yellow taxis. If they do not have a meter, then it is a no go
Tipping
The basic rule is to tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafes and bars. Hotel staff does however expect a tip between 5 and 20 Turkish Lira. Do not tip taxi drivers but round up the fare. Tour Guides do not depend on tips, however, if a tour has really gone beyond what you expected, a tip of between 20 and 30 Tl will be greatly appreciated
TURKEY HOLIDAY TIPS
Always haggle if you are shopping at Kapalicarsi ( Covered or Grand Bazaar ) or the Misir Carsisi
(Egyptian Bazaar ).
If you need cheap transportation, use the ferries, which also offer stunning views.
As Istanbul is large, do your research on the places that you would like to visit and book a hotel close to these places. Due to the distance and the traffic, you might lose half a day only travelling from your hotel to the tourist areas.
Before going into a restaurant, you might want to check the menu for prices. Istanbul has restaurants more expensive than London and New York.