This tour is fully escorted by a dedicated tour leader who will accompany you throughout the tour. If your trip includes multiple countries, you will be met by a new tour leader in each country and any internal flights included will be unescorted.
This is considered a fast-paced tour. In order to explore as much as possible, this tour may require early starts and long travel days. One to two nights at one destination is standard. While some free time may be scheduled, most sightseeing is included throughout this tour. You will be required to move about unassisted, including getting on and off vehicles, walking up and down stairs and some activities will be conducted on uneven or steep terrain. You will be required to handle your own luggage. To ensure this trip is right for you, any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability. If you have any form of walking aid, then this tour is not suitable.
These tours are our proudest creations. They have been crafted for Inspiring Vacations travellers exclusively, with personal and unique experiences in mind. Please see the Important Information on your selected tour for exact group size. Enjoy features such as hand-picked accommodation, a sampling of the region’s best culinary delights, and a range of optional activities to choose from to best suit your travel style.
✓ Incredible sightseeing including guided visits in Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale and Izmir
✓ 5 nights in 5-star premium accommodation
✓ 2 nights' stay inside a cave hotel in Cappadocia
✓ Airport transfers included on the first and last day of your tour
✓ Breakfast daily, 1 lunch & 6 dinners
✓ Benefit from the expertise of an English-speaking Tour Director throughout the journey
✓ Economy class flights from Istanbul to Cappadocia & Izmir to Istanbul
✈ Needing international airfares to accompany your Inspiring Vacation? You will be able to access our flight portal after securing your package to add international airfares to your booking.
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Arrive at the airport, where you will be greeted with a private transfer to your hotel.
At 19:00, convene with your Tour Director at the hotel's Reception Desk for a welcome gathering. This will be your opportunity to meet the other travellers joining you on this journey.
Savour a Welcome Dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Arrival airport transfers are included as part of your package. You will be met upon arrival at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed.
Please note: if you are arriving early and have made your own arrangements prior to your tour commencing, airport transfers will not be included. However, if you are purchasing pre-nights accommodation as part of your Inspiring Vacations package, airport transfers will still be provided to the starting hotel.
Start your day with a buffet breakfast at the hotel.
Afterward, depart from the hotel then explore the Topkapi Palace, once the royal residence of Ottoman sultans. Later, have lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, explore the Sultanahmet neighbourhood, which includes the Roman Hippodrome square, the iconic Blue Mosque with its six minarets, and the magnificent Hagia Sophia Mosque dating back to the 6th century.
In the evening, visit the Egyptian Bazaar before returning to your hotel for the night.
In the morning, embark on a citywide panoramic tour that traverses both the historic and modern neighbourhoods. This includes a stroll along the pedestrian-friendly Istiklal Street.
Explore the Grand Bazaar at your leisure (closed on Sundays, religious holidays and on October 29), Next, embark on a boat excursion along the Bosphorus, witnessing Istanbul's natural beauty and palaces.
Following your sightseeing, you will be transferred to the airport for a domestic flight to Cappadocia (flight time will be advised locally).
Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel.
End your day with dinner at your hotel.
Note: if arrival at the hotel is after 10pm a pre-prepared box meal will be provided.
Internal Flights - Luggage Allowance: Please note checked luggage allowance is 23kg.
Today we'll explore the captivating region shaped by ancient volcanic activity. We'll visit rock-carved monasteries and chapels in Göreme valley, and then move on to Avcilar and Güvercinlik valleys, famous for their unique "Fairy Chimneys" and the troglodyte town of Uçhisar with its rock-carved fortress.
Additionally, you'll have the chance to visit Turkish carpet workshops during our Cappadocia tour.
Tonight, dinner is included at your hotel.
In the morning, visit a traditional pottery workshop. Then, visit a remarkably preserved 13th-century caravanserai, where travellers of the past sought refuge and rest.
En route, we'll stop to explore Serhatlı, an underground city built by Christian communities to shield themselves from Arab raids.
Upon reaching Konya, our tour will take us to the Mevlana Whirling Dervishes monastery, offering a captivating glimpse into Turkish culture.
End the day with dinner at your hotel.
Start your day with a hearty buffet breakfast at your hotel.
Today, we'll journey to Pamukkale, a remarkable natural wonder featuring massive white waterfalls, stalactites, and natural hot spring pools. Pamukkale is renowned for its petrified calcareous waterfalls formed by the lime-rich water in the region.
Our next stop will be Hierapolis, which boasts a necropolis containing over 150,000 tombs.
Finish the day with dinner and your overnight stay at the hotel.
Enjoy a buffet breakfast at your hotel.
Today, our voyage takes us to the illustrious city of Ephesus, an ancient metropolis that once stood as the capital of Roman Asia Minor, resonating with echoes of its glorious past. As we wander through its captivating archaeological treasures, we will behold the grandeur of antiquity in the form of iconic structures such as the Temple of Hadrian, an exquisite testament to Roman architecture, and the Library of Celsus, an enduring symbol of wisdom and knowledge. Ephesus, steeped in history and rich in cultural heritage, beckons us to delve into its storied past and revel in its archaeological marvels.
In the evening, we fly back to Istanbul from Izmir and have a Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant.
Enjoy a full buffet breakfast at your hotel.
Take a private transfer to the airport.
Departure transfers are included as part of your package. You will be collected from your hotel at the appropriate time and transferred to the airport to meet your flight.
If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed.
This is a land only package.
This package does not include international airfares. If you would like to add airfares to your booking our flight portal will be available via your Traveller Hub. The flight portal will allow you to search for all available airfares to your destination. The function works like most general flight search engines allowing you to select your preferred airline, book different cabin classes (eg. Business class) and view flight durations and transit times to your destination.
The flight portal will be available via your Traveller Hub once the following criteria has been met:
Visit our Flight Hub for more information on terms and conditions, amending your flights and information on luggage allowances.
Some of our packages will include airport transfers in either one or both directions when arriving or departing from your destination. To know if transfers are included please view the ‘inclusions’ section of your selected package. If airport transfers are stated, transfers will be included as advised.
If transfers are not included, we also offer the option to book your airport transfers using our online portal. Access to this portal is available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed. Transfers are readily available and do not need to be booked until your final hotel list has been confirmed. Once you have made a transfer booking, please refer to your confirmation email for all transfer details including a local contact number for the transfer company.
If you book pre and/or post-tour accommodation on your own arrangement, and the tour includes transfers, note that these will be forfeited. The transfers are only provided in line with the tour dates and pre and/or post-tour accommodation purchased through Inspiring Vacations when available.
It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return. Visas may be required for your destination. For further visa information, click here.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
This particular tour is categorized as a ”4”
Active Tour: A very good level of fitness and mobility is required for you to enjoy all aspects of the itinerary, as this is considered a fast-paced tour. While there is some free time scheduled either in the morning or afternoon, there are many full days of sightseeing with minimal rest and some early starts. You will be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off the coach and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability. If you have any form of walking aids, other than a walking stick or hiking poles, then this tour is not suitable.
Tipping
A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. Tipping is not compulsory on your trip, but they can make a big difference to locals employed in the tourism industry. If you feel that your guide and driver have done an impeccable job, you can choose to give a gratuity, but this is entirely your decision.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, but we can’t guarantee your request will be available at all properties.
Single travellers
When booking this tour, solo travellers will be presented with two options:
1 - Single Supplement
By paying an additional $1,204.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price, you guarantee the privacy of your own room throughout the entire trip.
2- Shared Room with a known friend
If travelling together with a friend, you can opt to share your room with him/her and avoid paying a single supplement.
You and your friend can create a unique booking each. Creating a unique booking, gives each of you the flexibility of making different travel arrangements (such adding extra accommodation, flights, etc), make separate payments and have individual access to our Traveller’s Hub
During the purchase path, you will need to provide your friend’s booking ID (if known) or at a minimum, your friend’s full name.
Triple Share
Not available.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is recommended to protect yourself against the unexpected. In addition to the support that a policy may provide, you may be asked to present a copy of your travel insurance documentation while traveling.
We have partnered with nib to offer our customers competitive rates for their travel insurance. You can book Comprehensive or Essentials cover for your domestic, international or multi-trip journeys simply by clicking HERE.
Note that Inspiring Vacations cannot provide advice with regards to any insurance product.
Group Size
Minimum: 2
Maximum: 24
Children
Children must be 5 years old or above and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.
Tour Style
To meet the needs of various types of travelers, we choose to operate various types of tours, and depending on your selected package will mean different services are provided throughout your trip. The following descriptions of each tour style we hope will ensure that each traveller has appropriate expectations before they start their travels:
Please note: groups under 8-10 passengers will be operated with an English-speaking driver-guide.
Internal Flights - Luggage Allowance:
Please note checked luggage allowance is 23kg.
All participants must be in good physical condition to fully engage in this journey. For the safety and welfare of yourself and fellow travellers, if you are feeling unwell prior to departure, we advise staying home and contacting us to arrange alternate plans.
Prior to selecting your trip, carefully review the itinerary to assess your ability to comfortably manage our travel style. Please be aware that if, based on evaluation by our leader or local representative, a participant is deemed unable to safely complete the itinerary, we retain the right to exclude them from all or part of the trip without reimbursement.
It is advisable to consult your physician for current medical travel advisories and any required vaccinations before embarking. We recommend carrying a first aid kit and any necessary medications in their original packaging, as they may not be readily available during travel. For those carrying medication, it's essential to check your government's foreign travel guidelines for local restrictions or regulations.
Click HERE for more information on weather in Turkey.
16 May 2023
Pack your bags and clear your palate; Turkey will satisfy your mind, soul and stomach. Turkey is Muslim...ish Although most citizens identify as Muslim, Turkey is fairly open-minded compared to Morocco or Egypt. It is officially a secular State and no Islamic norms are enforced. Alcohol and tobacco are readily availa...
14 Sep 2020
Partake in this age-old bathing ritual for a full Turkish immersion Few cultural experiences remain as close to its authentic roots the way a Turkish hamam does. Known as a Turkish steam bath, its origin dates back to when the Ottomans took Constantinople (now known as Istanbul) from the Romans in 1450, bringing with...
14 Sep 2020
From cave churches to grand mosques and subterranean cities, Turkey’s sights above and below ground will leave you with something to write home about A fascinating country that needs little introduction, Turkey’s charms are plentiful. From its rich history dating back to the 3rd millennium, 18 UNESCO heritage sites a...
14 Sep 2020
The city of Istanbul is not short on vantage points to admire its mesmerising beauty Istanbul, a city that pulls you in with its east-meets-west vibe, a skyline dotted with minarets and Byzantine church spires where chic rooftop bars lie close to the golden dome of the Hagia Sophia. Everywhere you turn there’s someth...
14 Sep 2020
Straddling two continents, Turkey is the perfect example of east meets west. But, when is the best time to go? Turkey's fusion of vibrant, age-old cultures, incredible architecture and natural wonders have been wowing travellers for ages. The grand city of Istanbul is like no other – with imposing mosques, palaces...
14 Sep 2020
With more than 40 different kebabs to sample and a vast array of natural ingredients, spices and flavours, it’s no wonder Turkish cuisine is among the best in the world With a culinary history that dates back to the Ottoman Empire, Turkish cuisine is not an easy one to summarise. With its endless variety of dishes –...
