This tour is fully escorted by a dedicated tour leader who will accompany you throughout the tour. If your tour includes multiple countries, you will be met by a new tour leader in each country and any internal flights included will be unescorted.
This tour is categorised as 3 out of 5
Balanced exploration with walking tours: Our most popular style, this tour offers a good mix of planned activities and free time. Expect moderate daily walking tours, so pack comfortable shoes.
As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, 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 and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.
Experience a superior level of comfort. Our Small Group tours have been crafted for Inspiring Vacations travellers exclusively, with personal and unique experiences in mind. Travel with no more than 26 people, allowing for a more personalised and immersive experience. Please see the Important Information on your selected tour for the exact group size.
✓ Small group touring, no more than 20 people
✓Incredible sightseeing including Istanbul's historic monuments, visit the spectacular Ishak Pasha Palace, the ancient outpost of Van and the cliffs of Gallipoli
✓ Airport transfers included on the first and last day of tour
✓ 13 nights in comfortable and boutique accommodation
✓ 3 nights in a spectacular cave hotel in Cappadocia
✓ Airport transfers included on the first and last day of your tour
✓ Breakfast daily, 1 lunch and 8 dinners
✓ Enjoy a scenic cruise along the Dalyan River
✓ Fully escorted by expert, English-speaking guide throughout
✓ Internal flights Ankara to Van and Igdir to Istanbul
✓ In-depth sightseeing, including all entry fees as per the itinerary
✓ Dedicated, air-conditioned transportation
✈ 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.
Welcome to Istanbul! The only city in the world spanning across two continents.
Spend the remainder of the day at leisure.
Special Information:
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.
Today we will partake in a fully guided tour of the old city of Istanbul, taking in such sites as the Blue Mosque, St Sophia Museum, Topkapi Palace (including Hagia Irene) and the Hippodrome.
This afternoon is spent at leisure. You may be interested in a half day Bosphorus cruise to take in some of the building architecture that lines the waterway between Asia and Europe. Or perhaps exploring Istanbul’s famous Underground Cistern or venture into the famous bazaar and marvel at the antiquities on display.
Please note: the Blue Mosque is currently closed due to restorations which are scheduled until 2024. Certain parts of the mosque may be covered in scaffolding.
Leave the bustling city behind as we head west and along the Dardanelle Strait to the famous World War 1 battlefields of Gallipoli.
We will visit such locations as the ANZAC Cove landings, the Australian Memorial at Lone Pine, the Turkish Memorial at Ari Burnu, the New Zealand Memorial at Chunuk Bair, The Nek, Johnston’s Jolly and various original trenches and tunnels that line the region.
There will be plenty of time to wander through the memorials and take it all in at your own pace.
Once leaving Gallipoli, we will cross the Dardanelle Strait by ferry and arrive in Çanakkale.
For those movie buffs, we can visit the famous Trojan horse from the movie Troy, which is situated along the foreshore.
Today, continue our visit to historical sites as we visit the archeological site of Troy.
There are 4,000 years of remains at the site, of which pertain to substantial evidence of contact between the civilisations of the flourishing Mediterranean world and Anatolia.
As we head further south, we will stop at the hill-top acropolis of Pergamon. Once the capital of the Kingdom of Pergamon, the site was repeatedly sacked throughout the 12th century and more-or-less forgotten until the 17th century when European explorers began writing descriptions of it.
From here, continue south to the coastal city of Kuşadası.
Absorb yourself in history today with a guided tour of Ephesus and a visit to the site of the Temple of Artemis. Feel the mystical atmosphere of the ancient city and theatre before continuing to the former Greek village of Sirince, famous for its fruit wines.
Carpet weaving has long traditions in Turkey and at the carpet village we learn how the carpets are made by hand and what determines their value.
This morning we will head to the magnificent white calcium terraces, known as Travertines, in Pamukkale where we also tour the ancient city of Hierapolis. Take a dip, amongst ancient columns, in the hot springs that were used in Roman times for their therapeutic powers.
Spend the remainder of the day at leisure.
Today our first stop is the lakeside town of Dalyan. Here we take a leisurely boat trip along the Dalyan River, passing the ancient Kaunos tombs that have been carved into the cliff face. The Dalyan Delta is a nature conservation area and a home to protected loggerhead turtle (Caretta Caretta) nesting grounds. And finally there are the Sultaniye mud baths, fun, rejuvenating and surely a great chance for a snapshot.
From here it's a short drive to our final stop, the seaside town of Fethiye.
Today we take a 12-island boat cruise from Fethiye, we can swim in the crystal clear blue water and enjoy the amazing views of the Turquoise bays, small islands and secluded beaches. We may even see dolphins or sea turtles!
Lunch will be served on board the boat.
This morning we head to Kayakoy, regarded as Turkey’s religious ghost town. The morning light provides excellent photos of this deserted Greek village.
Afterwards we drive to the resort town of Antalya. Here we will take a walking tour of the old town area of Antalya known as "Kaleiçi". Amongst other things we'll visit Hadrian's Gate, the Ancient Harbour and Suna-Inan Kiraç Kaleiçi Museum which even has a Greek Orthodox Church in its garden!
Today we head for mystical Konya, visiting Aspendos en route.
In Aspendos, we will visit a few historical remnants of the ancient Greco-Roman city. Arguably the most impressive location is the Aspendos Theatre which is still used today for some arts performances.
Our next stop is Tinatepe Cave before continuing onto Konya.
This morning we will visit the mausoleum of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi with its accompanying Mevlana museum. At the museum, we will learn about the Whirling Dervishes and their ancient religious traditions.
En route to Cappadocia and following in the ancient Silk Road, stopping at the Greek village of Sille and the largest Seljuk caravanserais along the famous Silk Road - Sultanhani Caravanserai.
Following breafast, commence your tour of this unique region. Marvel at the lunar landscape of Cappadocia today as we visit the Goreme Valley Open Air Museum and the fairy chimneys, and explore the many levels of an underground city.
Today we visit Pigeon and Red Valley, followed by Cavusin village and lastly Avanos town where we will learn about hand-made pottery.
Departure in the morning from Cappadocia, we head to Ankara for our direct flight to Van. On arrival to Van Airport, you will meet with your Eastern Turkey tour guide. Before we go to our hotel, we will explore the Citadel with its Urartian fortress of Van. located 3,300 meters above sea level. This location offers an opportunaity to witness the extraordinary sunset.
Domestic Flights - Luggage Allowance: Please note checked luggage allowance is 25kg.
After breakfast, we will travel by ferry stopping at Akdamar Island to see a spectacular 10th century church built by an Armenian king, and if there is time, swim in Lake Van.
Then, we will return to the city centre to visit the largest Urartu Museum in the World. Artifacts from the Paleolithic, Neolithic, Chalcolithic, Urartian, Persian, Roman, Byzantine, Islamic, Seljuk, Turkish-Islamic, and Ottoman Periods are exhibited in chronological order taking our visitors on a unique historical journey.
After the museum, visit Van Cat House. Van cats are relatively large, have a chalky white coat, sometimes with ruddy coloration on the head and hindquarters, and have blue, amber eyes or one eye of each colour. This variety has been referred to as "the swimming cat", and has been observed to swim in Lake Van.
After breakfast, we leave for Dogubeyazit via Muradiye and the Bendimaahi Falls. In Dogubeayzit, we visit the spectacular Ishak Pasha Palace, which has a unique fusion of architecture from Seljuk, Ottoman, Georgian, and Armenian - Persian styles. Contruction of the palace took place from 1685 and was completed in 1784.
In the afternoon we will drive to Igdir Airport for our flight to Istanbul. On arrival in Istanbul you will be transferred to your hotel.
Unfortunately after breakfast our tour concludes. Thank you for travelling with Inspiring Vacations. We hope you had a memorable experience.
Special Information:
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 categorised as a”3”
Moderate Tour: A good level of fitness and mobility is required, as this tour includes a moderate level of physical activity and is considered a medium-fast paced tour. You should be able to walk up and down stairs, get on and off the coach and able to walk reasonable distances of approximately 2 kilometres per day or more with ease. 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 are happy with the services provided, a tip is an appropriate way to thank them. While it may not be customary to you, it is of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels and inspires excellent service.
Over the years we have found that many of our travellers find the need for tipping to be both tiresome and embarrassing, especially if they don’t have the correct small change. To overcome this, your leader might raise the idea of a group tipping kitty, whereby everybody contributes an equal amount and then your tour leader pays the tips as you go. The leader will keep a running record of all monies spent (except restaurant tips). The record can be checked at any time and any money remaining at the end of the tour returned to group members. This amount is usually €2-4 (AUD$3-6) per person per day. This kitty does not include tips for your leader and crew.
You may also consider tipping your tour leader for outstanding service throughout your trip. The amount is entirely a personal preference; however as a guideline of €2-4 (AUD$3-6) per person per day can be used. Of course, you are free to tip as you see fit, depending on your perception of service quality and the length of your trip.
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 $1,695.00 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.
Tour Length
The total length of the tour in days includes time spent in flight and is subject to change depending on the flight schedule, please refer to the day by day itinerary for the time spent on land.
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.
Group Size
Minimum of 2 Maximum of 20 people
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:
Domestic Flights - Luggage Allowance:
Please note checked luggage allowance is 25kg.
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.
You can enhance your holiday by arriving or departing before or after the tour. On this tour you can choose from the following options:
Pre Tour Accommodation
Post Tour Accommodation
Please select the number of extra nights required in the 'Additional Nights Accommodation' field when making your purchase. The additional cost for these arrangements will be added to your final payment invoice and are subject to availability.
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...
28 Feb 2023
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...
28 Feb 2023
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...
28 Feb 2023
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...
28 Feb 2023
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...
18 Aug 2021
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 –...
