Magical Turkey
Per person sharing
Magical Turkey will let you explore World Heritage sites during this eight-day tour. Your Turkish adventure starts on arrival in Istanbul, the meeting point of Europe and Asia, where we will pick you up from the airport and drive you to the hotel.
Spend a day on the beautiful Princess Island and discover the sites of Bursa, also known as the "Green City". Continue to Kusadasi for 2 nights. Visits to Pamukkale, Hierapolis and Ephesus are included
Head out to explore Cappadocia, legend has it that the Persians encountered herds of wild horses roaming freely in this area. Cappadocia is now known all over the world for its unusual rock formations known as fairy chimneys and ancient churches, both of which you will encounter during your Cappadocia stay.
At a glance
| Istanbul | 3 Nights at the Avantgarde Taksim Hotel | ||
| Full-Day Bursa tour with lunch | |||
| Full-Day Princess Island tour with lunch | |||
| Kusadasi | 2 Nights | ||
| Full-Day Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour with lunch | |||
| Full-Day Ephesus Tour with Lunch | |||
| Cappadocia | 2 Nights at the Heaven Cave Hotel | ||
| Full-Day Red Cappadocia tour with lunch | |||
| Meals | Breakfast daily | ||
| Transfers | All relevant transfers | ||
| Notes | Tours are based on a seat-in-coach | ||
Highlights
- Experience the quaint Princess Island
- Visit Bursa, one of the most significant Ottoman Empire-period cities
- See the cascading hot water springs of Pamukkale & Cappadocia's famous fairy chimneys
Quick Contact
Itinerary
Istanbul - Kusadasi (B)
- Check out of your hotel in Istanbul and transfer to the Airport for onward flight to Kusadasi.
- You are met on arrival by our representative for transfer to your hotel
Kusadasi (B/L)
- TodayExplore Pamukkale’s dazzling white terraces and ancient Hierapolis on a well-planned day trip from Antalya/Kemer.
- Full day out to: See the surreal limestone landscapes of Pamukkale and the ancient city of Hierapolis - two of Turkey's most majestic UNESCO sites.
- You’ll get: Round-trip hotel transfers, an English-speaking guide, air-conditioned bus transport, open buffet lunch, and insurance all included.
- Pamukkale: Marvel at the UNESCO-listed white travertine terraces and natural thermal pools, a true geological wonder. Take a dip in them to really soak up the experience.
Kusadasi - Cappadocia (B/L)
- Step into the past with our Ephesus Tour, a journey that feels like travelling through time.
- We’ll start by picking you up from your hotel in Kusadasi or Selcuk, then take you to the peaceful Virgin Mary’s House hidden in the mountains. After that, get ready to explore the ancient Ephesus City, where you’ll see amazing sights like the Celsus Library, Great Theatre, Temple of Hadrian, and more.
- You’ll also visit the Terrace Houses, giving you a glimpse into how people lived back then. After a lunch break, we’ll head to the impressive Artemis Temple.
- After the tour, return to the Airport for onward flight to Cappadocia
Inclusions
- Return flights with Turkish Airlines from Johannesburg (Specific and Limited Seats)
- Meet and assist on arrival and departure by our local representative
- Transfer as per the itinerary in AC vehicle
- Domestic airfares (subject to change)
- Accommodation in selected hotels in double/twin sharing
- Meals: as mentioned
- Local English Speaking Guide
- Entrance fees
Exclusions
- Personal expenses, meals and drinks unless otherwise specified
- Travel insurance
- Turkey visa fee
- Tips
- Services not stated in the itinerary
Validity
- Rate valid for travel between 01 and 30 September 26
Contact us for any other travel date required
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: the 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 slices of bread, 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 the 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 the 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: 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 your expected, a tip of between 20 and 30 Tl will be greatly appreciated