Turkey Heritage Tour
Per person sharing
The Turkey Heritage Tour promises a fascinating journey through some of the country’s most beautiful and historic destinations, combining iconic highlights with unique experiences and hidden gems. Begin your adventure in Istanbul, where three full-day tours introduce you to the city’s remarkable landmarks, fascinating history and vibrant culture.
Continue to the extraordinary landscapes of Cappadocia, where you will stay in a traditional Cave Hotel and discover the region’s famous rock formations and ancient heritage.
Your journey then continues to Antalya, known for its beautiful coastline, charming old town and Mediterranean atmosphere, before travelling to Kusadasi, a wonderful base for exploring Turkey’s ancient ruins and archaeological treasures.
With a wonderful combination of history, culture, spectacular scenery and authentic Turkish experiences, this tour offers an unforgettable introduction to the many treasures of Turkey.
At a glance
| Istanbul | 06 Nights Istanbul at the Avantgarde Taksim Hotel |
| Cappadocia | 02 Nights Cappadocia at the Heaven Cave Hotel |
| Antalya | 02 Nights Antalya at the Ramada by Wyndham Lara |
| Kusadasi | 02 Nights Kusadasi at the Derici Hotel |
| Other | Tours in Istancul, Cappadocia, Antalya and Kusadasi |
| Accommodation in 4* Hotels | |
| All Relevant Transfers | |
| Breakfast daily |
Highlights
Istanbul:
Full-day SIC Old City Tour with lunch (excluding entrance fees)
Full-day SIC Bursa Cable Car Tour with Lunch
Full-day SIC Princess Island Tour with Lunch
Cappadocia:
Full-day SIC South Cappadocia Tour with Lunch
Antalya:
Full-day SIC Antalya Old City Tour & Waterfall Tour with Lunch
Full-day SIC Pamukkale Tour with Lunch (Transfer to Kusadasi after tour)
Kusadasi:
Full-day SIC Ephesus City Tour with Lunch
Quick Contact
Itinerary
Arrive Istanbul
- Welcome to Istanbul and your holiday has officially started
- You will be met in the arrival hall by our representative for transfer to your hotel
- The remainder of the day is free for you to explore your immediate surrounding
Istanbul City Tour (B/L)
- Depart from your hotel around 08:00 am on a full-day Ottoman and Byzantium Relics tour. Start at the Sultanahmet district, the oldest, most historic part of the city. Your first stop is at the Hagia Sophia. Your tour guide will explain the significance of this massive building, once a Christian church, then a mosque, and now a museum. Continue to the Hippodrome of Constantinople, where you will see the impressive obelisk. Continue to the Blue Mosque
- Next on the itinerary is the Grand Bazaar, a massive, bustling complex and perfect to buy clothing, decorative furnishings, food, and more. On the way to the bazaar, you will see other historical monuments such as the Tomb of Sultan Ahmet I, the Firuz Aga Mosque, and the exterior of the Tomb of Mehmed II.
- After visiting the Grand Bazaar, you will stop briefly for lunch.
- During the afternoon, you will visit Topkapi Palace, the primary residence of the Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years and Little Hagia Sophia.
- Return to your hotel after the tour
Please Note:
St. Sophia Museum is closed on Mondays, Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays, and the Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays
Museum Entrance fees are excluded
Bursa Tour (B/L)
- Escape the bustling streets of Istanbul and unwind with an official guide on a full-day nature trip to Bursa.
- Unlike cultural or history tours, this excursion allows you to explore the landmarks of the second capital of the Ottoman Empire, including Uludağ (Olympus Mountain), the Green Mosque and the Green Tomb.
- Explore the historic and cultural wonders of Bursa, including the wonderful Inkaya Plane Tree, the iconic Green Mosque and the serene Green Tomb. Ascend the majestic Uludağ Mountain for panoramic views and nature.
- Return to Istanbul for overnight
Inclusions
- Return Flights on Turkish Airlines from Johannesburg (Specific & Limited Seats)
- Arrival transfer at Istanbul to your hotel by our local representative
- Transfer and intercity transportation as per itinerary in an AC vehicle
- 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 31 October 26
Contact us for alternative dates of travel
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 pieces 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 a common form of greetings. Hospitability is a top priority. Pointing fingers at a person 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 you're 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 traveling from your hotel to the touristic areas.
Before going into a restaurant, you might want to check the menu for prices. Istanbul has restaurants more expensive than in London and New York.