tour of turkey

Turkey Vacation & Tour Packages

Overflowing with Mediterranean energy and Middle Eastern hospitality, Turkey feels like a continent unto itself.

With Greco-Roman ruins, a sun-drenched Turquoise Coast, tiny hillside villages, delicately decorated minarets, and the world’s most spectacular historic mosques – Turkey is impossible to pigeonhole. If you know where to look among the shifting mountain backdrops, you’ll find one-of-a-kind sights and experiences that will set up camp in your heart. Break bread (and the fast) with new friends during Ramazan in the courtyard of the 17th-century Blue Mosque. Explore the hand-forged cave churches of Cappadocia in a landscape of towering wind-carved fairy chimneys. Sink your teeth into a gozleme filled with veggies you pulled from the dirt yourself. Discover Turkey with a local who is passionate about the land they call home.

Our Turkey trips

Let's create an exclusive trip for your group.

Turkey tour reviews

Filter by rating

Turkey Highlights

Articles of Turkey

After swearing off working in travel, Intrepid helped Selcuk Baki find his fire again  

Explore these 7 tea rituals from around the world

The 7 best places to go on a hot air balloon ride  

Don’t miss these top destinations in Turkey

Turkey’s most underrated experience: mountain biking in Cappadocia

6 family holidays with a difference

Morag was left disabled after a hit and run. But that won’t stop her from seeing the world.

Hamams and hot-air balloons: What it’s like getting around Turkey as a plus-size traveller

Turkey departures by month

Popular regions, turkey at a glance, capital city.

Ankara (5.6 million)

(GMT+02:00) Athens, Bucharest, Istanbul

CALLING CODE

Electricity.

Type C (European 2-pin) Type F (German 2-pin, side clip earth)

Learn more about Turkey

Culture and customs.

Turkey has a strong national identity and both its location and the legacy of the Ottoman Empire have contributed to a cultural mix of influences from  Europe ,  Asia  and the  Middle East . Cultural practices vary significantly depending on which region of Turkey you are travelling in. It's important to remember that while most Turkish cities are modern metropolises, Turks can still be quite traditional.

Travelers will find Turkish people to be polite and quite formal in their greetings, kind and hospitable as hosts and friendly as new acquaintances. While bars and nightclubs are common in big cities like Istanbul, outside of these environments it’s a good idea to take your cues from the locals and behave in a subdued manner. This doesn’t mean you can’t have fun, but raucous behavior should be contained to the appropriate venues and kept off the street.

While Turkey is nominally secular, the vast majority of the population identifies as Muslim and Islamic holidays like Ramazan (Ramadan) and Eid are widely observed and recognized as public holidays.

How to be a respectful traveler in Turkey

• Clean your plate If you’re eating with locals (particularly as a guest in their home), you’ll make them very happy if you eat multiple servings and finish everything on your plate. Plan ahead and arrive on an empty stomach for extra points.
• Know when to haggle Remember the first rule of bartering is to decide how much you’re willing to spend beforehand and use that as your guide. In regular shops – as opposed to markets – don’t attempt to haggle over prices.
• Respect the elderly Small gestures like letting elderly folks go ahead of you through doors, offering them your seat on public transport and generally being considerate and respectful of older people will be greatly appreciated.
• Keep criticism private It’s a good rule of thumb not to criticize the culture, government or politics of Turkey. While not all Turks are strict nationalists, you could cause a lot of trouble and offense. You should especially avoid discussing topics related to the Kurdish or Armenian people. When in doubt, follow the conversational lead of the locals. If you’re traveling with Intrepid, ask your leader for guidance. If you’re after a little insight into the geopolitical complexities of Turkey, check out the 'further reading' list below for some perspectives from Turkish authors.

History and government

Ancient history.

There is evidence of hominin habitation in the region known as Anatolia, or Asian Turkey, that dates as far back as 500,000 years and ample evidence of numerous Neolithic settlements popping up between 8000 and 10,000 years ago. 

Notable civilizations who occupied the prehistoric Anatolian region were the Hattians (circa 2500 BC to 2000 BC), the Hittites (circa 1700 BC to 1200 BC) and the Assyrians. From around 2000 BC, Greeks began settling in north-western Anatolia and the southern coasts, establishing individual city-states.

Pre-modern history

The majority of Anatolia was conquered by Alexander the Great in 334 BC. After his death, a succession of various Greek-Macedonian rulers controlled the area until 133 BC when the region was given to the Roman Republic.

Roman control had little impact on the dominant classical Greek culture, which continued to thrive in Anatolia until the region’s absorption into the Byzantine Empire.

Between the sixth and 11th centuries a massive wave of what is known as the ‘Turkic migration’ occurred, and millions traveled across Central Asia into Europe and the Middle East . Among this migratory wave were various Turkic tribes who brought the Islamic religion and Turkic languages that dominate modern Turkey.

The Byzantine Empire sustained a number of invasions and limped forward before finally collapsing in the 14th century, by which point much of Anatolia was already controlled by tribal micro-kingdoms. One of these Turkic tribal groups, the Ottomans, emerged as the dominant regional power during the 15th century and enjoyed a few hundred years of expansion and growth until territorial losses forced its eventual decline in the 19th century.

20th century

The final dissolution of the Ottoman Empire after defeat at the hands of the Allies in WWI was followed by a brief period of Allied occupation before the establishment of the Republic of Turkey in 1923.

Mustafa Kemal Ataturk became the republic’s first president and introduced radical reforms to modernize Turkey and imbue it with a unique identity that was separate from that of the former empire. His ideas continue to be influential in contemporary politics today.

In the decades since the death of Ataturk in 1938, Turkey has seen a number of swings between democratic and autocratic governance, interrupted by brief periods of military governance and occasional political chaos.

Turkey today is a presidential republic where the ruling political parties have historically been nationalist and somewhat economically liberal, with a varying amount of Islamic influence. 

Far-left political activist groups and minority rebel groups have waxed and waned in terms of public and political influence. The most notable is the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), a militant political group originally formed with the intention of creating a Kurdish separatist state. The arrest of PKK founder Abdullah Ocalan in 1999 was a crushing blow to the once-powerful group, though they continue to operate with the stated aim of ensuring the rights and autonomy of the Kurdish people in Turkey and beyond.   

More recently, Turkey has experienced relative prosperity and political stability, though the economy – based on mineral mining, agriculture, tourism and construction – continues to fluctuate between growth and stasis.

Eating and drinking

Home to some of the tastiest produce you can get your hands on, traditional cooking methods and influence from Asia, Europe and the Middle East, Turkey’s food is surprising, delicious and delightful (pun definitely intended).

Plant-based options

Many Turkish favorites are already non-meat. Gozleme, simit and cig kofte are all vegetarian and easy to find in markets, street corner food stands and restaurants. Vegans will have a trickier time finding pre-made dishes that contain no animal products. However, Turkey has an abundance of markets selling fresh produce, bread and extras like hummus and fava bean dip. With a little planning, vegans will be able to assemble meze-style lunches when pre-made options aren’t available.

In dishes like soups and stews it’s a good idea to watch out for beef stock – called et suyu – as it is used frequently even in ‘vegetarian’ dishes.

Must-try Turkish dishes and beverages

• Gozleme This spinach and cheese pastry is a tasty budget-friendly bite that will satisfy everyone (especially vegetarians).
• Lokum Love it or hate it, this divisive treat (known internationally as Turkish delight) can be found in shops, bazaars and street stalls nearly everywhere in Turkey. Made from rosewater, lemon, sugar, cornflour and water, it's relatively easy to make… and even easier to eat.
• Simit As far as quick and easy snacks go it’s hard to pass up simit, a bread similar to a sesame-encrusted bagel. Carts selling simit can be found at bus and train stations, main streets and other busy thoroughfares in most cities.
• Cig kofte Made with bulgur, onion, tomato paste and spices, this south-eastern specialty is essentially a big ol’ vegetarian ‘meatball’. The traditional kind (made with raw meat) is now banned, so you can eat without fear of food poisoning.
• Fish sandwiches Particularly if you’re spending time in the Bosphorus, a fish sandwich (or balik ekmek) is a must-try local dish. Made with white fish, onion and salad, it’s a simple classic that hits the spot.
• Manti Though the ingredients that fill these handmade dumplings vary, the best kind are filled with lamb and served with yogurt and butter. It’s hard to move after polishing off a plate, but so worth it.
• Turkish coffee Turkish coffee is known around the world for its unique brewing method. It's made with arabica beans which are ground into a fine powder and boiled with cardamom and water in a cevze – a pretty copper or brass pot with a long, thin handle.

Learn more about what to drink in Turkey

Turkey travel highlights

One of the best-preserved classical cities in the Eastern Mediterranean and arguably the greatest Greco-Roman site in the world, the ruins of Ephesus are essential viewing for amateur historians.

Turkey Highlights, 8 days

Turkey: Bike & Kayak, 12 days

Boasting incredible Roman ruins and a harbor that proves the term ‘Turquoise Coast’ is well-deserved, Antalya is a sophisticated slice of Mediterranean Turkey.  

Turkey Encompassed, 15 days

Essential Turkey, 11 days

3. Istanbul

People are passionate about Istanbul. Allow at least a few days to explore the sights of this continent-straddling city and discover the indefinable quality that inspires such devotion.

Taste of Istanbul, 3 days

Turkey Real Food Adventure, 11 days

 The main base for exploring stunning Cappadocia, Goreme has many buildings that are carved into the same soft volcanic rock that forms the fairy chimneys and spires the region is famous for.

Turkey Uncovered, 14 days

5. Mt Nemrut

Hike to the summit of this remote mountain and you’ll be rewarded with the ruins of an ancient mausoleum, including gigantic stone heads which are all that remain of epic statues of various gods.

Turkey Backroads, 5 days

Turkey Explored, 18 days

Cruise to the sunken city of Kekova, where you can swim and snorkel in crystal blue waters, taste fabulous local cuisine, float over an ancient sunken city or explore Lycian tombs.

Geography and environment

A fairly mountainous country sharing borders with Bulgaria , Greece , Syria, Iraq, Iran , Armenia , Georgia and Azerbaijan , Turkey also has wide stretches of coastline along the Aegean, Mediterranean and Black Seas.

Blessed with large tracts of fertile soil, Turkey is one of the world's biggest agricultural producers, and visitors can expect to see many farms, orchards, plantations and areas of permanent crops occupying certain regions.

Due to its location, Turkey is home to a wide variety of landscapes, from the rocky, forested coastline of the Black Sea region to the fertile plateaus of the Marmara, the white sand beaches of the Aegean and the limestone formations of the Mediterranean. Adding further environmental diversity, the Anatolia highlands (considered the heartland of the country) feature rugged snow-capped peaks and crystalline lakes.

With one of the biggest bazaars in the world, flea markets aplenty and a cutting-edge contemporary fashion scene in the bigger cities, shopping in Turkey is more diverse than you might think.

It's a good idea to check with your local customs officials to ensure that you are able to bring certain items back into your home country, particularly perishable items. Australia and New Zealand, for example, generally have strict quarantine laws.

A note on ceramics

While beautifully decorated tiles and ceramics overflow from Turkey’s market stalls, you should keep in mind that their point of origin can be hard to decipher. In other words, watch out for fakes. The real deal tends to be pretty expensive (but worth it, if you ask us). Of course, if you’re just after something pretty to remind you of your travels, don’t feel too bad about reaching for the inexpensive option.

Things to buy in Turkey

• Handwoven carpets Turkish carpets are a worldwide phenomenon and represent centuries of artistic tradition woven into a beautiful work of art. Go in with an idea of how much you’re willing to pay and don’t be afraid to bargain a little. Just keep in mind that quality craftsmanship deserves to be rewarded with a fair price. A lot of vendors and stores will give you the carpet in a bag suitable to transport as luggage, or you might consider shipping it back home.
• Nazar boncuk (evil eye talisman) Want to bring home a little piece of Turkey and ward off evil spirits and intentions at the same time? An evil eye talisman is a perfect thing. You’ll see these little blue ‘eyes’ in every shop and the majority of Turks carry one with them wherever they go.
• Jewelry Turkey's artisan-made gold and silver earrings, rings and bracelets are good buys. Bazaars, boutiques, museum gift shops and silversmiths offer a wide range of designs from modern to Ottoman-inspired.
• Brass and copper You can find an assortment of brass and copper decorative objects for the home in the bazaars of Turkey. Serving platters, pitchers, trays, pots and urns will add some souvenir flair to your kitchen.

Festivals and events

If you want an adventure with a point of difference, consider planning your travels to coincide with these popular events.

The 30-day Islamic holy month of Ramadan (Ramadan) is widely observed in Turkey. The exact dates change every year, so it’s important to check when Ramazan will take place in the year you plan to travel. As a general rule, five consecutive public holidays are observed at the beginning of the month and a few at the end.

The level of celebration varies considerably depending on what part of Turkey you are in. The east has a larger Muslim population and, therefore, a more devoutly observed Ramazan, whereas the southern and western coasts will be less affected.

Whether or not you want to travel during Ramazan (Ramadan) will depend on what kind of adventure you’re after. If you love immersing yourself in local culture and religious practices (and don’t mind a little inconvenience), you might just find travelling during this holy month a fascinating and enriching experience. While the days are dedicated to fasting and contemplation, the evenings are full of colorful celebration and, of course, feasting! Plus, there are fewer tourists around to compete with.

Anniversary of the Anzac campaign

Thousands of people head to Gallipoli every year to pay their respects to fallen Australian , New Zealand and Turkish soldiers who died during the bloody Gallipoli campaign of WWI. The moving dawn ceremony is an iconic event that grows in popularity each year, so if you're hoping to head to Gallipoli in April for Anzac Day, plan ahead.

Efes Pilsen One Love Festival

This annual summer music festival held in Istanbul presents two days of rock, pop, folk and electronic entertainment for masses of locals and visitors keen on soaking up some tunes and summer love.

Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Championships

Want to see thousands of oiled-up men wrestle and grapple with each other? Then this is the festival for you! This wrestling championship is held over several days, usually in late June, when Turkey's national sport is celebrated with gusto and fanfare. Apart from the one-on-one wrestling bouts, there are Romani bands, traditional food and belly dancers providing the perfect sideshow attractions.

Cappadox Festival

Set in the otherworldly landscape of Cappadocia, this eco-friendly music festival features artists and musicians performing on solar-powered stages and inside the ancient caves that the region is famous for. Held around June, the festival was originally an annual event but has moved to a biennial timetable.

Learn more about festivals in Turkey

Public holidays that may impact travel include:

Ramazan Bayrami

National Sovereignty and Children's Day

Commemoration of Atat

Kurban Bayrami

Victory Day

Republic Day

Please note that the dates of Turkey's public holidays may vary.

Further reading

For inspiring stories to prepare you for your Turkey adventure, check out these books:

• Turkey: A Short History – Norman Stone
• The Bastard of Istanbul – Elif Shafak
• Last Train to Istanbul – Ayse Kulin
• Poems of Nazim Hikmet – Nazim Hikmet
• Istanbul: Memories and the City – Orhan Pamuk
• Portrait of a Turkish Family – Irfan Orga
• A Fez of the Heart – Jeremy Seal
• Turkish Coast Through Writers' Eyes – Rupert Scott (ed.)

Turkey travel FAQs

Do i need a covid-19 vaccine to join an intrepid trip.

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travelers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Do you need a visa to travel to Turkey?

You may need a visa to enter Turkey depending on where you’re from. Foreign nationals from several countries will need an e-visa that allows stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period, including:

• South Africa

Travelers from many countries – including  New Zealand , the  United Kingdom , Denmark, Finland, France, Germany,  Japan , Norway, Sweden and  Switzerland  – don’t require a visa for stays of less than three months if the trip is for tourism or business purposes.

When is the best time to visit Turkey?

The best time to visit Turkey is typically during the shoulder seasons of March to May or September to October when the temperatures are still warm and there aren't yet large summer crowds.

For the best beach weather, the hottest time of year is June and July, however, this collides with the summer holidays, so it will be busy.

The cooler months are quieter and accommodation (when still open) is cheaper.

If you are planning to travel to the eastern reaches of Turkey during Ramadan/Ramazan, it’s important to consider that many restaurants and shops will either be closed or operating at reduced hours. However, the carnival atmosphere that erupts when the fast breaks in the evening is magical, so travelers who enjoy immersive cultural experiences might prefer to travel during the holy month.

What's the weather like in Turkey?

The weather in Turkey depends on the time of year and region you're visiting. The southern coastlines typically experience a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and wet winters, while the interior regions can experience drastic temperature changes and even snow.

If you're planning on swimming, the water is generally still warm up until the start of November and October is great as it's much quieter.

Weather in Istanbul is fairly temperate, sheltered from severe weather by its proximity to the coastlines.

Is tipping customary in Turkey?

While tipping isn't mandatory in Turkey, a cash tip that equals a small percentage of the total bill is very much appreciated in restaurants.

It's also customary to tip staff while visiting hammams (bathhouses). It's not necessary to tip taxi drivers, although rounding up the fare for convenience is commonplace.

What is the internet access like in Turkey?

Free wi-fi is common in Turkey’s cities, but the quality of connection varies. Alternatively, Turkey has an abundance of internet cafes in large cities, and most of them serve coffee and snacks so you can refuel while you catch up with folks back home.

Internet access can be spotty or non-existent in rural areas, so it’s best to treat travel in these regions as an opportunity for a digital detox. 

Can I use my mobile phone while in Turkey?

Mobile phone coverage is good in Turkey, especially in large cities. Coverage may not be available in more remote areas. Ensure you have global roaming activated with your mobile carrier before you leave home if you wish to use your mobile.

What are the toilets like in Turkey?

Turkey has a mix of Western-style and squat-style toilets, sometimes with a jug of water for manual flushing. The latter becomes more common the more remote the region, however, there's typically a Western-style toilet in every bathroom.

Toilets are known as WCs (short for water closets) in Turkey.

Many public toilets require a small payment of roughly 2-10 TRY for use, so make sure you carry change when out and about.

You may find the standards of hygiene and sanitation in Turkey are laxer than you are used to so it's a good idea to carry toilet paper and hand sanitiser if you are concerned.

Can I drink the water in Turkey?

Drinking tap water isn't recommended in Turkey. For environmental reasons, try to avoid buying bottled water. Fill a reusable water bottle or canteen with filtered water or carry water purification tablets with you. It's also advisable to avoid ice in drinks and to peel fruit and vegetables rather than eating washed or unwashed produce.

Are credit cards widely accepted in Turkey?

Major credit cards are widely accepted in tourist shopping areas and large hotels in Turkey, but are less commonly accepted by smaller vendors, in remote towns and rural areas. We recommend carrying cash for purchases to avoid being caught out.

What is ATM access like in Turkey?

ATMs are available in large cities in Turkey but are not common in rural areas and smaller towns. Be prepared for this by having enough cash before traveling out of the city.

What to wear in Turkey

Turkey can get quite warm in summer and during the shoulder seasons but it’s important to remember that clothing that covers you from elbows to below the knee is appropriate in (or even around) mosques. Think linen pants, lightweight tops/shirts and long dresses. Female travelers should also carry a scarf on them to wear when visiting mosques.

Do I need to purchase travel insurance before traveling?

Absolutely. All passengers traveling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance

Is Turkey safe for LGBTQIA+ travelers?

LGBTQIA+ travelers should be aware that while Turkey is nominally secular it can also be very conservative. As such, negative attitudes towards LGBTQIA+ individuals are common, particularly outside major cities.  

While same-sex relationships and non-normative gender presentation are not against the law in Turkey, LGBTQIA+ people have no legally enshrined protection from discrimination. Legal prohibitions against ‘ offenses against public morality’ can and have been used to persecute LGBTQIA+ folks, though the likelihood of this being used to target travelers is low.

Transgender travelers, in particular, should be aware that trans people in Turkey report being the targets of violence and overt discrimination. 

Istanbul and Ankara have established queer scenes, both of which are primarily oriented around cisgender gay men and to a lesser extent cisgender gay women. However, same-sex couples are still unlikely to engage in public displays of affection in these cities.

For more detailed and up-to-date advice, we recommend visiting Equaldex or ILGA before you travel.

If you are traveling solo on an Intrepid group tour, you will share accommodation with a passenger of the same gender as per your passport information. If you don’t identify with the gender assigned on your passport, please let us know at the time of booking and we’ll arrange the rooming configuration accordingly. A single supplement is available on some tours for travelers who do not wish to share a room.

Is Turkey accessible for travelers with disabilities?

Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. We’re always happy to talk to travelers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them toward the most suitable itinerary for their needs and, where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

While infrastructure is improving, much of Turkey remains difficult to navigate for wheelchair users and people with mobility concerns. Many cities in Turkey have been occupied for thousands of years and their design reflects that, with little regard given to making streets and attractions accessible. Travelers with impaired mobility will find that while tourist locales in Istanbul, such as hotels and mosques, are fitted with ramps and connected by an accessible tram, getting around the rest of the city can be challenging. Rural regions like Cappadocia will be difficult for travelers with mobility impairment to navigate independently. 

Squat toilets remain the norm in many parts of Turkey, which can pose problems for travelers with certain disabilities.

Traffic in Turkey can be chaotic, and even when traffic lights and pedestrian crossings exist drivers do not always obey them. Taxis are, for the most part, not wheelchair-friendly.         

Travelers who use battery-operated hearing aids should consider bringing a stash of extra batteries, as they can be difficult to locate in Turkey.

If you do live with a visual, hearing or other impairment, let your booking agent or group leader know early on so they’re aware and suitable arrangements can be made. As a general rule, knowing some common words in the local language, carrying a written itinerary with you and taking to the streets in a group, rather than solo, can help make your travel experience the best it can be.

Does my trip to Turkey support The Intrepid Foundation?

Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. In fact, we make a donation on behalf of every traveler. Trips to Turkey directly support our foundation partner, C ontemporary Life Support Association (CYDD) . 

Contemporary Life Support Association (CYDD) provide scholarships and educational programs for economically disadvantaged youth in Turkey. Donations from our trips fund a program where young scholarship awardees undertake outreach workshops with marginalized children in regional villages. Workshops include information sessions on gender equality, health, law, culture, and other human rights topics.

Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

How do I stay safe and healthy while traveling?

From Australia?

Go to: Smart Traveller

From Canada?

Go to:  Canada Travel Information

From the UK?

Go to:  UK Foreign Travel Advice

From New Zealand?

Go to:  Safe Travel

From the US?

Go to:  US Department of State

The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.

What kind of accommodation will I be staying in?

Traveling with Intrepid is a little bit different. We endeavor to provide travelers with an authentic experience to remember, so we try to keep accommodation as unique and traditional as possible.

When traveling with us in Turkey you may find yourself staying in a:

These locally run guesthouses are the perfect blend of a comfortable homestay and a hotel, combining well-situated and authentic Turkish accommodation with modern conveniences.

Immerse yourself in local village life and enjoy Turkish hospitality (and food) during a homestay. Share a home-cooked meal with your hosts and embrace the slow life.

How will I be traveling around Turkey?

Intrepid believes half the fun of experiencing a new country is getting there, and getting around once there! Where possible, Intrepid uses local transport options and traditional modes of transport – which usually have less of an environmental impact, support small local operators and are heaps more fun.

Depending what trip you're on while in Turkey, you may find yourself traveling by:

Explore the rugged beauty of Turkey’s coast on a traditional Turkish sailing gulet. Spend days exploring submerged ruins and nights cozied up on deck under the stars.

What is it like traveling on a small group tour?

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or you’re about to embark on your first trip, traveling can be as intimidating as it is exciting. That's the beauty of a small group tour. From handling the logistics and organizing amazing cultural activities to local leaders who know each destination like the back of their hand (like which street has the best markets and where to get the most authentic food), traveling on a small group tour with Intrepid will give you unforgettable travel experiences without the hassle that comes with exploring a new place. Plus, you'll have ready-made friends to share the journey with. All you have to do is turn up with a healthy sense of adventure and we’ll take care of the rest.

Does my Intrepid trip include airfare?

While our Intrepid trips include many modes of transport, from tuk-tuks to overland vehicles, bullet trains and feluccas, airfare to and from your home country is not included in your tour package.

TTC family of brands

My Trafalgar

Destinations

Get Inspired

866 513 1995

See All Turkey Tours

Trending Turkey tours

Save up to $654

Best of Greece

14 Locations

2 Countries

Consider extending your holiday beyond The Best of Greece. Set your sights on the Cyclades and cruise to the idyllic Greek Islands of Mykonos and Santorini.

Best of Turkey

16 Locations

From the legends of Troy to ancient Greek cities, your travels will reveal the places where history happened. On this in-depth Best of Turkey voyage, you’ll also venture into the Taurus Mountains for lunch with the Yazir community and relax on the shores of the Turkish Riviera.

Best of Italy and Greece

4 Countries

Admire the art and architecture of Rome and the rich cultural heritage of Florence. Visit the monasteries of Meteora and see the site of the most important oracle in the classical world.

Save up to $250

Highlights of Turkey

15 Locations

Travel along the age-old trading routes that linked East and West, where the Highlights of Turkey are revealed. Haggle in Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar, daydream through the fairy-tale landscapes of Cappadocia and walk in the footsteps of the ancient Greeks in Ephesus.

Internal flights included

See More Turkey Trips

5 million happy guests and counting

Turkish lira

Capital City

Good morning

Good evening

İyi akşamlar

"It is always my pleasure to introduce my country to our guests. Trafalgar trips in Turkey, the cradle of civilisations, offer not only deep history, wonderful museums, great cities, amazing architecture but breathtaking natural beauty as well"

Barcin, Travel Director

Dine listening to Turkish folk and watching belly dancing

Slip into the Karsilama rhythm for a night of Turkish dance and folk music. The seductive art of belly dancing originated in Egypt but has found an energetic form here in Turkey. Take to the stage and try your hand and hips at these skillful moves. 

See the House of Virgin Mary at Mt. Koressos

A humble stone house dating back to the Apostolic Age, the significance of Mt. Koressos's House of Virgin Mary sits within its Catholic mythology. The site where Jesus's mother was said to spend her last days on earth, this shrine attracts pilgrims from near and far.

Relax in the water of Pamukkale's Cotton Castle Springs

Found in River Menderes valley, the Cotton Castle Springs of Pamukkale will leave you in awe of Mother Nature. Soak in the steaming waters of the travertine terraces that are known for their dense mineral content, allowing plenty of time to photograph the milky blue pools and the snow-like setting.

Savor the intoxicating smells of the Spice Market in Ankara

In the nation's capital, dried fruits, nutty sweets and endless spices will entice your senses. Take time to wander the street of Çıkrıkçılar Yokuşu before moving closer to Ankara Castle, where you can shop for silver and ceramics while eating your delicious snacks.

Visit the peculiar landscapes of Cappadocia

One of the top things to do in Turkey, be amazed by the peculiar landscapes of Cappadocia covered in cave hotels and hot air balloons. Visit the so-called fairy chimney rock formations and discover remarkable beauty in the underground Bronze Age homes.

Our top 5 things to do in Turkey

From the otherworldly hot springs of Pamukkale to the balloon covered valleys of Cappadocia, these are just some of the pinch-me moments to experience on our trips to Turkey.

Hagia Sophia

A 6th-century masterpiece showing the opulence of distant eras, Hagia Sophia is a former cathedral transformed into a mosque before finding its current form as a museum. Stare upwards in awe of dome ceilings and ornate chandeliers before stepping outside to take in the external beauty from various angles.

Istanbul Archeology Museum

Connect with an unfathomable depth of history in Turkey's Archaeology Museums. Featuring three buildings, the collections found here unlock the ancient orient and showcase the finest in Islamic art. Allow a whole day to get lost in the depths of distant eras.

Istanbul Modern

Contemporary Turkish artists take the stage in the museum of Istanbul Modern. Housed in a former maritime warehouse, the building now features a cinema, library, gift shop and restaurant with views of the Bosphorus River. Find hours of entertainment within these progressive walls.

Best museums in Turkey

Ready yourself for dazzling cathedrals, contemporary artworks and archaeological marvels on your Turkey trip. Trafalgar will take you under the skin of this country through its soul-stirring museum collection.

Pistachios, pastry and honey come together to create the delicious sweet of baklava. Connected to stories of Sultans and layered with history, sample this treat many times over in the name of culture. Find many moreish trays in any Turkish food market.

Fill your tour of Turkey with copious amounts of the country's famous bread. Typically filled with stringy cheese and spinach, the pie meets pizza snack perfectly compliments a cup of sweet Turkish tea or a stroll around the city.

Balik Ekmek

Balik Ekmek is a popular street food of oily fish wedged between two layers of soft Turkish bread. Traditionally dished up on a boat direct from the fisherman, find this lunch staple and enjoy it while walking along the Bosporus River.

Best food in Turkey

A tantalizing blend between Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine, we'll uncover the very best of Turkish food. From baklava to cheesy pides, with many glasses of hot tea in between.

What to pack for Turkey

A thirst for adventure

A Turkish Hammam scrub is a ritual you need to enjoy when visiting this country. Often teamed with communal bathing and occasionally requiring full nudity, pack your confidence to enjoy this tradition that is truly doing as the locals do.

Modest clothing

Turkey is a religious and somewhat traditional country. Pack modest full-length clothing so you can respectfully enjoy momentous religious sights.

A good camera

A smartphone won't suffice when trying to capture a peculiar desert framing a sky of hot air balloons. Pack a good camera so you can snap Turkey to its full beauty.

Old swimwear

Dense in minerals, Turkey's Pamukkale's Cotton Castle Springs may aggravate your swimming clothes should you take a dip. Pack something old and submerge until your heart is content.

Spare suitcase space

Baklava, tea, carpets and jewelry are just some of the goods that will entice you when shopping in Turkey. Leave space for the many treats and trinkets you will want to take home.

Pack for sustainable travel

Consider your environmental impact when you next take a trip and go single-use-plastic-free by packing a reusable water bottle, a steel straw, your own shopping bags and refillable toiletry bottles.

Our Europe & Britain destinations

Bosnia Herzegovina

Czech Republic

Liechtenstein

North Macedonia

Netherlands

Northern Ireland

Switzerland

Other worldwide regions we visit

Africa the Middle East

Australia and New Zealand

North and Central America

South America

Get your free brochure

Find your next escape with the world's leading travel brand

Request A Brochure

Award winning tours

Every year, we're proud to win some of the most prestigious travel accolades around the world - from the Travel Globes to the Agent's Choice Awards

Search Our Tours

Help & Info

WE MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®

Unedited Reviews

Our Destination Management Companies

Frequently Asked Questions

Travel Updates

Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

Travel Planning

Get Your Free Brochure

Travel Insurance

Booking Conditions

Trip Deposit Level

Recommendations

Trafalgar Tours Limited is a proud member of  The Travel Corporation  family of companies.

#SimplyTrafalgar

Travel House, Rue du Manoir St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 2JH

Selected Region

United States

United Kingdom

New Zealand

South Africa

Copyright 2024 Trafalgar. All rights reserved.

Terms and Conditions

Privacy Policy

Cookie Policy

• Turkey and Greece Tours
• Turquía Tours en español
• TURKEY TOURS REVIEWS

Turkey Tours 2024/2025, Turkey Tours Packages

Let's customize your trip, 01 destinations, 02 your information, 04 number of travelers, turkey tour packages 2024 toursturkey.com has been the most preferred local tour in turkey since 1999 ✔ plan your perfect trip with over   1800 unbiased tripadvisor reviews   the following escorted turkey package tours have been in continuous operation with a great success for 25 years and enjoyed by thousands of guests each year. below are our recommended turkey itineraries from 2-3 days to 16 days to give you the best possible overview of turkey. if you travel more than 16 days in turkey please   contact us   so we can customize your trip according to your dates. we also organise   istanbul shore excursions   ephesus shore excursions   as well as   turkey tour packages, discover turkey with local tour operator.

• 2 - 4 Day Turkey Tours Packages

• 5 - 6 Day Turkey Tours Packages

• 7 - 8 Day Turkey Tours Packages

• 9 - 10 Day Turkey Tours Packages

11 - 16 Day Turkey Tours Packages

Cappadocia Tours

Ephesus Tours

Istanbul Tours

Pamukkale Tours

Turkey Budget Tours

Turkey Private Tours

Turkey Tours From Istanbul

Best turkey tour packages.

4 Days Cappadocia and Ephesus Tour

• 4 Days 3 Nights
• From : USD 840

4 Days Cappadocia, Ephesus and Pamukkale Tour

5 Days Cappadocia Ephesus and Pamukkale Tour

• 5 Days 4 Nights
• From : USD 985

6 days Istanbul Cappadocia Pamukkale Ephesus Tour

• 6 Days 5 Nights
• From : USD 1190

7 Days Istanbul Cappadocia Ephesus and Pamukkale Tour

• 7 Days 6 Nights
• From : USD 1445

8 Days Istanbul Cappadocia Ephesus and Pamukkale Tour

• 8 Days 7 Nights

10 Days Istanbul, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Antalya, Konya and Cappadocia Tour

• 10 Days 9 Nights
• From : USD 2130

12 Days Ephesus, Pamukkale, Fethiye, Blue Cruise, Antalya, Konya and Cappadocia Tour

• 12 Days 11 Nights
• From : USD 2475

16 Days Istanbul Gallipoli Troy Pergamum Ephesus Pamukkale Fethiye Blue Cruise Antalya Konya and Cappadocia Tour

• 16 Days 15 Nights
• From : USD 3355

We always knew we promote only the very best tours in Turkey, but we are now able to say they are truly award-winning. We are proud of being   Most Recommended Tour Company in Turkey   on   TripAdvisor   in a row 2010-2024 for Turkey Tours. We have been awarded the 2010-2024   TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence   for our   Turkey Tours   14 times! You can book your tour with confidence.

• Our Company
• How Do I Make Reservation
• Cancellation Policy
• Secure Booking

Turkey Tour Packages

• Alemdar Cd. No:12 3th Floor Sultanahmet-Fatih/Istanbul / TURKEY
• +905077632447
• bookings@toursturkey.com

© Copyright 1999-2024 ToursTurkey.com All rights reserved.

Privacy Policy | Terms of Use

58th THE PRESIDENTIAL CYCLING TOUR OF TÜRKIYE , 8-15 OCTOBER 2023

The Presidential Cycling Tour of Türkiye (TUR), which began in 1963 as the Marmara Tour, gained international status in 1966 and has been taken under the auspices of the Presidency since 1968, hosts renowned cycling teams and cyclists in the elite men's category in a route surrounded by natural and historical treasures of Turkey.

The Presidential Cycling Tour of Türkiye, which supports the development of Turkish cycling and has an important place and brand value in world cycling, will take place from 8-15 October 2023 after being postponed from its original date (23-30 April) due to the devastating earthquakes in February.

Presidential Cycling Tour of Türkiye with the participation of 25 professional cycling teams will be held between 8-15 October, as 8 stages, with greater enthusiasm and grandeur on the 100th anniversary of the founding of Turkish Republic and the Turkish Cycling Federation.  

We continue our journey through the Mediterranean and Agean coastlines to reach the 8,000-year-old historic peninsula of Istanbul for the grand finale of our cross-continental journey. 8 days of international live TV coverage of over 2 hours a day on prestigious sports channels around the world, challenging stages for both sprinters and climbers, beautiful scenery surrounded by unique history and natural beauty, sunshine along the route, a good selection of Turkish cuisine, warm and generous hospitality are some of the most recognized features of this unique experience.

The 58th Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey will feature the following stages:

• Stage 1: 8 October 2023 Alanya - Antalya (135 km)
• Stage 2: 9 October 2023 Kemer - Kalkan (166,5 km)
• Stage 3: 10 October 2023 Fethiye - Babadağ (104,1 km)
• Stage 4: 11 October 2023 Fethiye - Marmaris (165,3 km)
• Stage 5: 12 October 2023 Marmaris - Yalıkavak (180.6 km)
• Stage 6: 13 October 2023 Bodrum - Selçuk (193.3 km)
• Stage 7: 14 October 2023 Selçuk - Manisa- İzmir (159.8 km)
• Stage 8: 15 October 2023 Istanbul - Sultanahmet (130,5 km)

No products in the cart.

15-Day Grand Tour of Turkey

$ 2,180.00   per person

Considering a journey to Turkey? Experience the best of this diverse country on our meticulously planned 15-day Grand Tour. Led by local travel specialists, this comprehensive tour covers Turkey’s iconic destinations, from Istanbul to Ankara. Over the course of 15 days, you’ll explore the historical wonders of Istanbul, Gallipoli, Troy, and Pergamon. You’ll also enjoy the coastal beauty of Kuşadası, the ancient allure of Ephesus and Pamukkale, the Mediterranean charm of Antalya, and the mystical landscapes of Cappadocia. This is the perfect itinerary to immerse yourself in Turkey’s rich history and natural beauty.

Obtain your tour price in USD by selecting tour dates and specifics below:

Please Pick a Tour start Date

• Detailed Itinerary
• Inquire About This Trip
• Reviews (3)

Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul, Airport Transfer and Free Day

Arrive at any time. Upon your arrival at Istanbul New Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökcen Airport (SAW), our team will be waiting for you at the exit of the international line of the Airport, holding a sign with your name written on it. After which, you will be transferred to your hotel. The afternoon is free for you to spend at leisure. Alternatively, you can join the Night Cruise on the Bosphorus with Dinner & Show .

• Overnight in Istanbul
• Included Meal(s): No meals are included on this day
• Accommodation: Muyan Suites OR Antea Hotel Oldcity OR Ayasultan Hotel OR Deluxe Golden Horn Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 2: Istanbul Byzantine and Ottoman Relics Tour

After your breakfast, at the agreed time, we will pick you up from your hotel to begin a full-day tour of this magnificent city. It includes an official English-speaking guide, tickets, lunch at a central city restaurant and a visit to the most resplendent monuments that the Ottoman, Byzantine, and Roman empires have handed down to future generations:  Hagia Sophia ,  Blue Mosque ,  Hippodrome (Sultanahmet Square) ,   Topkapi Palace  and  Grand Bazaar,  which houses more than 4000 stores. At the end of the visit, you may linger some more in the old city, enjoying the amazing atmosphere, and finally, you will make your own way to your hotel.

• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3: Gallipoli Tour

Early morning pick up from your hotel and departure for Gallipoli. It will take around 4.5 hours to get to the Gallipoli War Fields. There will be a one-stop en route for a short break for personal needs. Once you arrive in Ecebat, lunch will be provided. After lunch around 1:00 pm you will begin the fully guided tour of Gallipoli with visits to the  Brighton Beach ,  Beach Cemetery ,  ANZAC Cove ,  Ariburnu Cemetery ,  ANZAC Commemorative Site ,  Respect to Mehmetcik Statue ,  Lone Pine Australian ,  Memorial ,  Johnston’s Jolly  (Turkish and Allied trenches and tunnels), Turkish 57.  Infantry Regiment Cemetery , The  Nek,  and the  Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial . After the tour transfer to Canakkale for check-in to your hotel.

• Overnight in Çanakkale
• Accommodation: Anzac Hotel OR Grand Anzac Hotel OR Helen Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 4: Troy and Pergamon Tour

After breakfast at the hotel, your guide will pick up you from the hotel to departure for the Troy tour, today we will visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Troy , see a replica of the Trojan horse that you can climb for a photo and the fortification walls of Troy Vl with its tower and gateway entrance. After Troy, we will be driving to an important  Greek-Roman ancient city Pergamum  with its  Acropolis  and  Altar of Zeus which is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. At the end of the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel in Kusadasi.

• Overnight in Kusadasi
• Accommodation: Derici Hotel OR Ilayda Avantgarde Hotel OR Efe Boutique Hotel OR Marina Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 5: Ephesus Tour

After breakfast at the hotel around 9:00 am you will be picked up and met by your tour guide to begin your full-day tour of Ephesus. Your tour guide will brief you on the day’s activities. You will first visit the  Temple of Artemis  which was once one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Next, you will visit the world-famous  ancient Greco-Roman City of Ephesus , the most well-preserved example in the world. After visiting this impressive site, you will have a break for lunch. After lunch, you will visit the  House of Virgin Mary , where it is believed she spent her last days. This is a holy place for both Christians and Muslims. Afterwards, you will visit the  Isabey Mosque . Next, you will be taken to the  Sirince Village ; which is an old Greek village and is well-know for its quaint beauty and wine tasting and production. Here you will have one hour free to explore on your own without a guide the different foods and wines of the area and visit various small traditional village shops. After the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel in Kusadasi.

Day 6: Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour

After breakfast around 7:30 am, you will be picked up from your Kusadasi hotel and taken to the meeting point in Selcuk to join the full group. You will then be driven by road for approximately 3 hours starting around 8:30 am to travel from Selcuk to Pamukkale. En route to Pamukkale after 1.5 hours, there will be a 10-minute stop for a restroom break. Upon arrival around 11:45 am, the group will be taken to have lunch and after lunch at around 1:00 pm, the group will begin a guided tour of the Pamukkale and Hierapolis area with a professional licensed tour guide. In Pamukkale, you will see the Cotton Cliffs , one of the natural wonders of the world formed by deposits of calcareous salts. Also, you will visit the ancient ruins of the  City of Hierapolis  with its basilica,  theatre , and  Roman Baths .  At the end of the guided tour, you will have some free time to explore the area on your own. As an option, you may choose to swim in the Pamukkale antique pools (at your own expense) during this free time. The tour guide will inform you about the exact meeting point and time. At the end of the tour around approximately 4:00 pm, you will be transferred to your hotel in Pamukkale for check-in.

• Overnight in Pamukkale
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation: Adempira Thermal & Spa Hotel OR Colossae Thermal Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 7: Bus to Antalya

After breakfast in the morning, you will be transferred to the main bus station in Denizli. From there, you will board an intercity day coach to Antalya, a journey that takes approximately 5 hours. Upon arrival at the main bus station in Antalya, you will be met and then transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore Antalya at your leisure.

• Overnight in Antalya
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast
• Accommodation: 1207 Boutique Hotel OR Kosa Boutique Hotel OR Alp Pasa Boutique Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 8: Full Day Tour to Perge, Aspendos, Side and Waterfall

Breakfast at the hotel. You will be picked up from your hotel around 8.00 am. First place you will visit is Perge , which was originally settled by the Hittites around 1500 BC and was one of the largest ancient cities in the Pamphylia region. Then you will depart for the Aspendos Ancient Theatre. This incredibly well preserved ancient theatre was built in the 2nd century A.D., it has a capacity of 15,000 people and it is still being used for festivals and music concerts.

We will have a lunch break at a restaurant on a nearby river then depart for Side (pronounced Seeday). Side is one of the best classical ancient cities in Turkey, it was a port city that served the largest slave market in this region. During Roman times much construction took place in Side including a large theatre, Roman Baths and the Temple of Apollo.

Guests will have 1 hour of free time here to enjoy the sea and the city. You will stop at the Manavgat Waterfall on the way back, then drive back to Antalya where you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Day 9: Fly to Kayseri/Nevsehir from Antalya

After breakfast check out of the hotel in Antalya. You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to Antalya airport to take your flight to Kayseri or Nevsehir. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Cappadocia. Check into your hotel in Cappadocia and the rest of the day is free.

• Overnight in Cappadocia
• Accommodation: Holiday Cave Hotel OR Heaven Cave House OR Dedeli Konak Cave Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 10: North Cappadocia Tour

For an additional option, you can book an early morning   hot air balloon ride   and enjoy breathtaking aerial views of the valleys. Please be aware that this activity comes at an extra cost.

After breakfast around 9:30 am, you will be picked up from your hotel to join the full-day tour of North Cappadocia. Your tour will start with a visit to the  Devrent Valley  to see the unique fairy chimneys. Next, you will visit the  Pasabag Valley  (Monks Valley) to see the mushroom-shaped pinnacles. After this visit, you will drive to the city of  Avanos . After lunch, you will visit the  Zelve Open Air Museum in Cappadocia. The museum features a series of carved caves and ancient churches, providing a glimpse into the region’s monastic history. Finally, towards the end of the day tour before returning to your hotel, you will have around 15 minutes to take panoramic pictures of the natural  castles of Uchisar . After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel around 4:00 pm. You will have the rest of the day free to relax, explore the city on your own, or take part in any optional activities that are offered.

Day 11: South Cappadocia Tour

After breakfast at the hotel around 9:30 am you will be picked up and met by your tour guide to begin your full-day tour of South Cappadocia. Your tour guide will brief you on the day’s activities. Your tour will begin with a visit to the  Red Valley  where you will be able to explore the famous rock-cut churches and hike approximately 5 km through the  Rose Valley  (Gulludere Vadisi). Next, you will visit  Cavusin Village  which is famous for its houses and churches of Christian Clergymen. We will take a break for lunch around noon. After lunch, you will drive to the  Pigeon Valley  (Guvercinlik Vadisi). In the afternoon you will visit the  Kaymakli Underground City  or  Ozkonak Underground City where early Christians lived. This will be the end of your full-day tour. After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel around 4:00 pm.

Day 12: From Cappadocia to Ankara by Intercity Bus (299 km)

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Nevsehir Bus Terminal. From here you will board the intercity day coach to Ankara (duration 5 hours). Upon your arrival at the main bus station in Ankara, you will be met at the bus station and transferred to your hotel in Ankara.

• Overnight in Ankara
• Accommodation: Best Western Plus Center Hotel OR Holiday Inn Ankara OR The Wings Hotels Neva Palas or similar (Standard quality)

Day 13: Ankara Tour ⏤ Fly back to Istanbul

After breakfast, pay a visit to the world-class  Museum of Anatolian Civilizations . This archaeological museum showcases the splendid ancient civilization of Turkey in different eras from the Paleolithic Age to the Lydian Period. Take your time and soak up the history. Later, pay our respects at the Ataturk Mausoleum , built to memorize Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey. At the end of the tour, you will be transferred to Ankara airport for your late evening return flight to Istanbul. Upon your arrival in Istanbul, you will be met at the airport and transferred from the airport to your hotel.

Day 14: Bosphorus Cruise

After breakfast at around 8:30 am, you will join the Half-day Morning Bosphorus Cruise. At the start of this tour, you will enjoy a drive to the pier in Eminonu for a short visit to the  historical Spice Market  (Egyptian Bazaar). Following this, you will join a shared boat tour and cruise along the Bosphorus which is a narrow strait between the continents of Europe and Asia connecting the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara. You will be able to view the  Ottoman palaces , the Bosphorus Bridge ,  citadels ,  centuries-old mansions , and the European and Asian shorelines while onboard the boat. At the end of the tour, you will be dropped back at your hotel around 12:30 pm.

Day 15: Istanbul – Airport Transfer (Depart)

After breakfast, you will check out from your hotel in Istanbul (hotel check-out is before 12:00 noon) and will then be transferred to the Istanbul International Airport according to your flight details. This will be the end of our tour and services.

INCLUDED in the Tour Price:

• All airport transfer services mentioned in the itinerary.
• All transfers by air-conditioned vehicle.
• Domestic flight tickets from Antalya to Kayseri and from Ankara to Istanbul only.
• English-speaking guide during the tours.
• 4 nights accommodation at a 4-star or special-class hotel with breakfast in Istanbul.
• 1 night accommodation at a 3-star hotel with breakfast in Çanakkale.
• 2 nights accommodation at a 4-star hotel with breakfast in Kuşadasi.
• 1 night accommodation at a 4-star hotel with breakfast in Pamukkale.
• 2 nights accommodation at a boutique hotel with breakfast in Antalya.
• 3 nights accommodation at a cave hotel with breakfast in Cappadocia.
• 1 night accommodation at a 4-star hotel with breakfast in Ankara.
• Meals as per itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
• Entrance fees mentioned by the itinerary.
• Local taxes and service charges.

NOT INCLUDED:

• International Flight Tickets.
• Visa to enter Turkey.
• Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride.
• Optional tours mentioned in the program, they will be provided at an additional cost.
• Escorting tour guide.
• Services not mentioned in the program.
• Drinks with meals.
• Travel insurance (recommended).

IMPORTANT INFO:

• The order of the itinerary is indicative and subject to change, but all visits described will take place.
• This is a regular group tour, but if requested at cost can be provided as a private tour.
• The regular group tour has shopping stops included in the tour.
• Please note that the Blue Mosque is not open for visitation on Fridays as it is closed for religious prayer services. You will only be able to visit the outside of the Blue Mosque area on tours operated on Fridays. No visitation will be allowed inside the Blue Mosque for tourists on Fridays.
• Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesday, it will be replaced with the  Basilica Cistern  (Yerebatan Sarnici).
• Grand Bazaar is closed on Sunday.
• During religious holidays, the spice market and Grand Bazaar are closed.

Inquire About this Trip

Please fill out the information below and we will be in touch shortly with your personalized quote.

3 reviews for 15-Day Grand Tour of Turkey

Vania L. – June 1, 2022

We used One Nation Travel for our 15 days tour to Turkey in May 2022. Everything where excellent and our family with 2 young daughters had a great time. The tour guide Max was excellent. Really recommend the tour.

Linda W. – June 27, 2022

We have used One Nation Travel for all of our international travel (Egypt, Greece and now Turkey). They are professional, responsive and on top of it. We would highly recommend them for any type of international travel.

Hannah F. – July 29, 2022

One Nation Travel is a fantastic travel agent. They were so helpful with booking our 15-day Turkey trip. They went above and beyond to make sure that we were comfortable and cared for during our travels. The tour itself was amazing. We were able to experience so many incredible things. This is definitely a company I would recommend to anyone thinking of traveling to Turkey.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Your review  *

Name  *

Email  *

Other itineraries you may be interested in

6 Days Istanbul, Troy, Gallipoli and Ephesus Tour

2-Day Ephesus and Pamukkale Tour from Istanbul by Plane

5 Days Istanbul and Troy Tour

Start planning your trip.

Our team of experts have a wealth of knowledge and experience to help you plan your adventure of a lifetime.

Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey 2024

Latest news from the race.

Bouhanni and Arkéa sue Tour of Turkey for €6.9 million over career-altering crash

Tour of Turkey: Van den Broek secures overall win as final stage is neutralised

Tour of Turkey: Andresen scores third win in stage 7 sprint finish

Latest Content on the Race

By Dani Ostanek published 3 May 24

News Frenchman fractured neck in 2022 crash caused by spectator walking on the road

‘Sprinting is not an addiction to me’ – Mark Cavendish prepares to return at Tour of Turkey

By Stephen Farrand published 17 April 24

News Manxman trains in Greece after four-weeks out of action

CIC Mont Ventoux cancelled for 2024, Tour of Turkey moves back to April

By Daniel Ostanek published 16 November 23

News French one-day race off the calendar due to Olympic torch relay date clash

Jasper Philipsen becomes 'king of the victories' with 18th win in 2023

By James Moultrie published 11 October 23

News Belgian sprinter passes Pogacar for most wins this season after stage 4 victory at Tour of Turkey

Mark Cavendish to take on Jasper Philipsen at Tour of Turkey

By Lyne Lamoureux published 8 October 23

News Mountainous stage 3 provides potential launchpad for Jay Vine and UAE Team Emirates to seal UCI Team Rankings

'It's not over yet' – Mark Cavendish to race on in 2024, target Tour de France record

By Daniel Ostanek published 4 October 23

News Sprinter stays with Astana Qazaqstan as he seeks record-breaking 35th Tour stage win

Tour of Turkey ends early due to slippery conditions, Bevin declared winner

By Jean-François Quénet published 17 April 22

News Morning rain made roads of Istanbul 'unraceable', race neutralised after large low-speed crash early in stage

Patrick Bevin on the verge of winning the Tour of Turkey

By Jean-François Quénet published 16 April 22

News New Zealander back in business and on the top step after breaking collarbone in February

Caleb Ewan puts his mark on the footsteps of the history of Australia

By Jean-François Quénet published 15 April 22

News Sprinter ace wins the much-awaited Gallipoli stage as a tribute to World War 1 victims

Aussie Welsford ignites season for Team DSM with win in Turkey

By Jean-François Quénet published 14 April 22

News First pro victory on the road for the multiple track world champion nets Dutch squad first win in 2022

Top News on the Race

Three days and three podium steps for Kaden Groves at Tour of Turkey

Philipsen hones his sprint in Turkey with Tour de France in mind

Sam Bennett: I am not far away from being really competitive again

Deals of the Week   Captivating Costa Rica   Up to 50% OFF

Fully Guided Tours & Trips in Turkey

• Cappadocia Fully Guided
• Eastern Turkey Fully Guided

250+ Fully Guided tour packages in Turkey with 3,419 reviews

In-depth Cultural Family Christmas & New Year +1

Timeless Cities in Modern Transportation: Turkey Unleashed 10 Day Tour

"The highlights of our trip were our exceptional tour guide, GG, and our skillful driver, Hassan, who both took fabulous care of us throughout the journey." Sophal, traveled in June 2024

Explorer Family Historical Christmas & New Year +1

Turkey Classics Tour

"Türkiye far exceeded our expectations in the ancient sites we visited, the delicious food we had daily." Vivienne, traveled in April 2024

In-depth Cultural Family Coach / Bus Historical Christmas & New Year +3

Magic Carpet Tour

"The tour was excellent. It would have been better to have more free time in the town we were staying in." melanie, traveled in July 2023

Anatolian Civilizations | 10 Days

"The hotel in Capadocia did not meet the standards offered by the excursion." Silvia, traveled in October 2023

Turkey in a Nutshell 7 Day Tour

"Cappadocia has very unique scenery that you cannot miss and the scenery you cannot find in another place." JENNY, traveled in October 2023

Best of Turkey- 10 Days

"The logistics of your tour were excellent. Itinerary is just right for a first tour of Turkey." PETER, traveled in April 2024

Turkish Breeze-10 Days

"The tours were very informative and interesting. I had some time to explore on my own and enjoyed wondering on my own." Jamie, traveled in November 2022

Absolutely Turkey

"The sights we saw were fantastic and the balloon ride over Cappadocia plus the optional extra of staying in a cave hotel was a plus too!" Anne, traveled in August 2023

In-depth Cultural Active Historical +1

Absolute Turkey

"The stay was okay, but finding a location with bathrooms inside the room area is important." Parag, traveled in April 2023

In-depth Cultural Active Sailing +1

Essential Turkey

"I enjoyed this tour (both sightseeing, activities and group) so much I bought the Cappadocia and have no regrets in doing so." Florinel, traveled in August 2022

What people love about Fully Guided Tours in Turkey

It was an outstanding tour. We are so glad that we choose dorak for our turkey trip. When we landed in Turkey, the driver did not pick up on time and we had to book a car to travel to the hotel. Yaren who is in operation team was so guilty for the inconvenience that she ensured to not only refund our money for the taxi but also covered the cost for the extra day that we stayed in Istanbul. We were really impressed by the gesture and really appreciate it. Coming to the tour part, the tour guide(Gonul Demirkol) was completely outstanding, in each of the spots she would tell us stories of what happened and made each and every activity fun. We really enjoyed her company and the best part was we were just a small group of 12 people and we got along quite well which made the trip more fun. We are glad that we got Gonul(GG) as our tour guide. She made the trip fabulous. Each and every day we would have a lunch or dinner that is included and the food places that was selected was just so fulfilling. Our tour guide would always ensure that we are always on the same page and enjoy what we are doing which we really appreciated. I also left my ear pods on one of the hotels, she herself ensured that it is posted back to the istanbul hotel. I was glad for this behaviour and was so pleased. The driver(Tolga) who dropped us off to the airport was infront of the hotel on time and he was there till the end. He dropped our luggages to the check in point in the airport. We really appreciate his amazing service. Overall, we are thankful to Dorak and we highly recommend Dorak cause honestly they are the best. Their service is totally outstanding and is completely worth it.

We went on the 2024 ANZAC day Colonial Tour with Ege Ertas as our guide over 13 days. Türkiye far exceeded our expectations in the ancient sites we visited, the people we met and the delicious food we had daily. The knowledge that Ege imparted in each of the places we visited was very impressive. He has been the best tour guide we’ve experienced. Fez travel were very easy to work with and we look forward to returning to do another tour with them

Fez Travel packed in lots of sights and things to see and do. I liked the variety in our stops and sights. Well planned except for the last couple of days. Somehow, they need to be tweaked so there are not so many unreasonable night departures. I would have rather paid a bit more and had the meals ordered when we sat down. Buffet meals were luke warm, over cooked, and meats were so dry from heating for long periods. The meals we sat down and was served were much better, tastier, better variety of foods.

Regions in Turkey

• Western Turkey (135)
• Aegean (63)
• Anatolia (53)
• Cappadocia (41)
• Marmara (29)
• Thrace (23)
• Eastern Turkey (15)
• Turquoise Coast (6)

Travel Styles

• Fully Guided
• Turkey Travel Guide | All You Need to Know

Discover TourRadar

• Kimberley Tours
• Japan Tours
• Southern France tours
• Ol Doinyo Lengai - 3 Days
• Country Roads of Bavaria, Switzerland and Austria (Small Groups, 11 Days)
• Bangkok & Central Thailand in Style – Infinity Pools, River Kwai Lux Cabin & Beach Lux Resort
• Training for Himalayan trekking

• Tour de France
• Giro d'Italia
• La Vuelta ciclista a España
• World Championships
• Milano-Sanremo
• Amstel Gold Race
• Tirreno-Adriatico
• Liège-Bastogne-Liège
• Il Lombardia
• La Flèche Wallonne
• Paris - Nice
• Paris-Roubaix
• Volta Ciclista a Catalunya
• Critérium du Dauphiné
• Tour des Flandres
• Gent-Wevelgem in Flanders Fields
• Clásica Ciclista San Sebastián
• UAE Team Emirates
• Arkéa - B&B Hotels
• Astana Qazaqstan Team
• Alpecin-Deceuninck
• Bahrain - Victorious
• BORA - hansgrohe
• Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team
• EF Education-EasyPost
• Groupama - FDJ
• INEOS Grenadiers
• Intermarché - Wanty
• Lidl - Trek
• Movistar Team
• Soudal - Quick Step
• Team dsm-firmenich PostNL
• Team Jayco AlUla
• Team Visma | Lease a Bike
• Grand tours
• Top competitors
• Final GC favorites
• Stage profiles
• Riders form
• Countdown to 3 billion pageviews
• Favorite500
• Profile Score
• Stage winners
• All stage profiles
• Race palmares
• Complementary results
• Finish photo
• Contribute info
• Contribute results
• Contribute site(s)
• Results - Results
• Info - Info
• Live - Live
• Game - Game
• Stats - Stats
• More - More

Presidential Cycling Tour of Türkiye

•   »  

Treasures of Türkiye sprint (56.2 km)

Sprint (85.2 km), points at finish, kom sprint (4) (116.8 km), team day classification, race information.

• Date: 08 October 2023
• Start time: 11:45 (10:45 CET)
• Avg. speed winner: 49.24 km/h
• Race category: ME - Men Elite
• Distance: 135 km
• Points scale: 2.1.Stage
• UCI scale: UCI.WR.1.Stage
• Parcours type:
• ProfileScore: 2
• Vert. meters: 498
• Departure: Alanya
• Arrival: Antalya
• Race ranking: 122
• Startlist quality score: 160
• Won how: Sprint of large group
• Avg. temperature:

Race profile

Grand Tours

• Vuelta a España

Major Tours

• Volta a Catalunya
• Tour de Romandie
• Tour de Suisse
• Itzulia Basque Country
• Milano-SanRemo
• Ronde van Vlaanderen

Championships

• European championships

Top classics

• Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
• Strade Bianche
• Gent-Wevelgem
• Dwars door Vlaanderen
• Eschborn-Frankfurt
• San Sebastian
• Bretagne Classic
• GP Montréal

Popular riders

• Tadej Pogačar
• Wout van Aert
• Remco Evenepoel
• Jonas Vingegaard
• Mathieu van der Poel
• Mads Pedersen
• Primoz Roglic
• Demi Vollering
• Lotte Kopecky
• Katarzyna Niewiadoma
• PCS ranking
• UCI World Ranking
• Points per age
• Latest injuries
• Youngest riders
• Grand tour statistics
• Monument classics
• Latest transfers
• Favorite 500
• Points scales
• Profile scores
• Reset password
• Cookie consent

About ProCyclingStats

• Cookie policy
• Contributions
• Pageload 0.0738s

Grand Tour of Turkey

4.8 out of 5 stars

You have up to 60 days to get a full refund

Feel good about putting a tour on the calendar today: Enroll in AutoPay or pay in full when you book, and if you change your mind,  you’ll get your money back .†

Uncover a land where the cultures of two continents collide.

In Turkey, Ottoman domes float against modern skylines. Classic scenes from Greek epics come to life, and bustling bazaars and vibrant street vendors prove variety is the spice of life. From Istanbul to Cappadocia and the ruins of Ephesus, take in the living traditions where East meets West on this small group Adventure Tour.

Your tour package includes

• 13 nights in handpicked hotels
• 13 breakfasts
• 1 wine tasting

Included highlights

• Hagia Sophia
• Blue Mosque
• Topkapi Palace
• Archaeological Site of Troy
• Ephesus ruins

An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.

Day-by-day itinerary

Board your overnight flight to Istanbul today.

Welcome to Turkey! Arrive in Istanbul—one of the world’s only cities that spans two continents—and enjoy a welcome drink as you meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers.

Set off on a tour of Istanbul’s vibrant streets and historic UNESCO World Heritage sites led by your Tour Director.

• Step inside the Hagia Sophia, which held the title of the world’s largest cathedral for nearly 1,000 years
• Walk to the Basilica Cistern and explore the 6th-century underground water collection area
• Visit the Hippodrome, once considered the social center of ancient Constantinople
• Enjoy an included welcome lunch at a local restaurant
• Explore the Blue Mosque, named for the blue tiles adorning its interior, and sit down to learn about Ottoman Islamic traditions
• Discover the former residence of Ottoman sultans at Topkapi Palace during a tour of the museum and palace grounds

Please note: Travelers are required to remove or cover shoes when entering the Blue Mosque. On some departures the visit to Basilica Cistern may take place on day 14.

Take a short ferry ride across the Dardanelles Strait and join your Tour Director on a guided tour of Troy, the city at the heart of Homer’s “Iliad.”

• Explore the Archaeological Site of Troy
• See the ruins of the city walls, temples, and buildings
• View a replica of the famous Trojan Horse

After, continue on to Canakkale and sit down for an included dinner.

Head south along the Aegean coast, making several stops along the way.

• Visit Adatepe, a small village in the hills above the Aegean Sea
• Walk along the cobblestone streets and have a chance to visit the elegant stone mosque
• Sample olives, olive oil, and Turkish tea at a local eatery
• Continue on to Bergama where a couple has worked to revive the ancient Hellenistic paper making techniques which date back 1800 years
• See how sheepskin is turned into paper with an opportunity to volunteer and join in on process

Then, travel to the Ephesus region, a historic area on Turkey’s west coast, and sit down for an included dinner.

Join your Tour Director on a guided tour of Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient Greek cities in the Mediterranean region.

• Discover many UNESCO-listed sites, including the elaborate Library of Celsus and the ruins of the Basilica of St. John
• View the Great Theatre, which is still in use today
• Step inside the house where the Virgin Mary is said to have spent her final days

Spend a free evening in the Ephesus region or add an excursion.

Traditional Turkish Meyhane Dinner

From $65 per person

Head inland and stop in the quaint town of Sirince, known for its wine and olive oil, to get a firsthand look at rural village life.

• Learn about the town’s history of Greek and Turkish residents from your Tour Director
• Hear how the local Turks reconstructed the Ottoman-era houses
• Enjoy free time to explore the streets and markets
• Visit a wine store for a tasting of local wines

Later, arrive in Pamukkale and sit down for an included dinner.

Discover some of the area's natural wonders and ancient ruins on today's guided tour.

• Visit the UNESCO-listed city of Hierapolis to see the well-preserved Greco-Roman ruins
• Walk to neighboring Pamukkale, a popular spa town during the Roman times
• See the town's famous travertines—petrified waterfalls of white stone

Then, travel to Antalya and sit down for an included dinner this evening.

Join your Tour Director on a tour of Antalya, a stunning coastal city known for its pristine beaches and beautiful scenery.

• Explore the Antalya Museum, an enormous complex with nearly 30,000 antiquities from the Stone Age, Roman, Hellenistic, and Byzantine periods
• Walk through Karaalioglu Park to admire views of Hidirlik Tower, the coastline, and mountains
• Uncover the ruins of Hadrian’s Gate, a remarkably well-preserved triumphal arch

Enjoy a free afternoon in Antalya or add an excursion.

Aspendos & Perge

From $59 per person

Spend a free day in Antalya or add an excursion.

Mount Tahtali, Phaselis Ruins & Turquoise Coast

From $95 per person

Cross the Taurus Mountains to visit the mystical center of Konya, the spiritual home of Sufism and the Whirling Dervishes.

• Step inside the Mevlana Museum with your Tour Director
• Learn more about the Dervishes as you tour the museum, which was once their monastery

Continue on to Cappadocia, which is known for its unearthly rock formations, and sit down for an included dinner.

Please note: For an additional cost, you can book a Whirling Dervishes cultural performance for this evening through your Tour Director.

Wander through the Göreme Open-Air Museum, which is comprised of frescoed rock churches dating back to the fourth century.

• See the area’s signature geological rock formations, known as fairy chimneys
• Visit a cave village and a rock-carved church
• Stop in Avanos to discover the town’s distinctive red-clay pottery

This afternoon, join your Tour Director on a hike down through one of Capaddocia’s famous valleys.

• See the dramatic landscapes and rock formations carved by wind and water
• Learn about the people who carved their homes out of the rock

Sit down for an included dinner this evening.

Please note: For an additional cost, you can book a hot air balloon ride for this morning through your Tour Director.

Spend a free morning in Cappadocia or add an excursion.

Then, fly back to Istanbul this afternoon.

Underground City

From $55 per person

Today, see Istanbul from a different perspective as you take a ferry across the Bosporus Strait to Kadiköy and explore Kadiköy Market with a local guide.

• Walk through this open-air market, which sits on the Asian side of Istanbul
• See where locals go to shop for everything from fresh-caught fish to locally grown produce
• Stop by specialty shops to see what the vendors are selling and learn more about the foods used to create some of the country’s culinary staples
• Shop for snacks and pick up some sweets to bring back home
• Head to a nearby restaurant for a farewell lunch featuring food, drinks, and desserts from the Anatolian, or Asia Minor, region of Turkey

This afternoon, take a ferry back up the Golden Horn and head to Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar.

• Step inside the bazaar, which is one of the oldest covered markets in the world
• Follow along as you Tour Director points you in the direction of the best vendors and enjoy free time to shop

Toast to your trip with a farewell drink this evening.

Transfer to the airport for your flight home or extend your stay in Istanbul.

Enjoy a full free day in Istanbul or add an excursion.

Hammam Spa Visit

From $115 per person

Turkish Cooking Class & Dinner

From $119 per person

Spend a free day in Istanbul or add an excursion.

Bosphorus Straits Cruise

From $85 per person

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Book for just $99 down

That’s all it takes to secure your spot on tour with AutoPay. Then, pay for your trip in interest-free, monthly installments.†

Overall rating 4.8 out of 5

5 out of 5 stars

Beautiful country, lots of history, beautiful landscapes. Good food and desserts. Very friendly people.

All I wish is that I had more time in some of the places we visited. Everything was well organized. I enjoyed my trip and would travel with EF again.

It was a fantastic tour. Mehmet, our Tour Director, he went far and beyond. Very knowledgeable about places, history, he knew perfectly well what he was talking about. I give him 5 stars. Bus drivers were excellent. Kolin Hotel, uncomfortable elevators, food not good., my bed was so small that I t...

Maria, thank you for your wonderful and constructi...

Traveler photos

Hotels, flights & FAQ

This modern hotel is located in Istanbul’s Old City. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi and a restaurant and bar. Nearby, you’ll find the Blue Mosque, Hagia Soph...

This upscale hotel is located in the city of Çanakkale. Guests enjoy a spa, sand beach, and indoor and outdoor pools. Nearby, you’ll find the Galipoli...

This beachfront hotel is located in Kuşadası in the Ephesus region. Guest enjoy a private beach area, fitness center, and sauna. Nearby you’ll find a ...

This wellness hotel is located in the Karahayıt neighborhood of Pamukkale. Guests enjoy the luxury spa center, terrace with mountain views, and bar. Y...

This contemporary hotel is located in Antalya. Guests enjoy the rooftop pool, fitness center, and on-site restaurant. Nearby, you’ll find Antalya Muse...

This contemporary hotel is located in Cappadocia. Guests enjoy indoor and outdoor pools, a Turkish bath, and laundry services. Nearby, you’ll find the...

• Round-trip flight for your tour
• Airport transfers at your destination
• A great price locked in today
• 24/7 support from our dedicated service team
• Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
• Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
• Find out more about flights
• In order to enter Turkey, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
• We recommend having at least two blank passport pages for entry stamps.
• There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens.
• If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact your destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
• You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code TUD.
• You will walk for about 2.5 hours daily across moderately uneven terrain, including cobblestone streets, dirt paths, and wooden platforms, with some hills and steps.
• Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
• You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times, as well as getting in and out of ferries.
• Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
• If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
• Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in and depart from Istanbul. A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please exit through door 8 of the arrivals hall where a representative will be waiting for you with a Go Ahead sign or a sign with your name(s).
• Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
• A ferry from Istanbul to Troy and a flight from Cappadocia to Istanbul are included in the price of your tour.
• All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.
• Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
• Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
• Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
• Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
• We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered, as well as a light jacket or rainwear. Please note that temperatures will dip with changes in elevation throughout your tour.
• A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
• A sun hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are recommended for outdoor activities.
• You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
• Visits to mosques and other religious sites require bare legs and shoulders to be covered. Women should bring a light scarf and/or head covering (entrance may be denied on this basis).
• At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov .
• Please be sure to take proper care with sun exposure, the sun can be especially strong in some of the areas you are visiting.
• If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
• Certain over-the-counter and prescription medications may be banned in Turkey. Importing these drugs can carry severe consequences, including imprisonment. Please consult your healthcare provider prior to departure to ensure that any drugs you may want to bring with you are legal in Turkey.
• If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to goaheadtours.com and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.
• In Turkey, breakfast typically consists of sourdough bread with sheep’s cheese and olives, as well as jam or honey. A midday meal or dinner often starts with a meze , which is a plate of varied appetizers like cheese pastry rolls, pickled vegetables, and potato fritters. On the coast, fish is an excellent choice, especially tuna, turbot, and sardines. Meat eaters should try lamb kebabs, available in a wide variety of types, each with a different sauce or dressing. The national drink is tea, but don't miss out on the strong and rich Turkish coffee.
• Turkey operates on the European standard 220-240 volts and uses Types C, E, or F plugs with two small, round pins.
• We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
• The strength of the air conditioning in Turkish hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
• Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.
• Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
• There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
• Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.
• Turkey is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), which is seven hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
• When it’s noon in New York, it’s 7pm in Turkey.
• You will use the Turkish lira on tour.
• Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
• We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
• You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
• Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
• International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
• At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in USD rather than local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
• We recommend tipping between $10USD to $12USD per person per day for your Tour Director and $3USD per person per day for your driver.
• If applicable, we also recommend $2USD per local guide.
• Tips can only be paid in cash.
• Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour.
• Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only).
• Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information. International travel is, by its very nature, unpredictable. We must therefore reserve the right to change this itinerary, without advance notice, to meet with local conditions at the time of travel. We appreciate your understanding. Please refer to our website for Terms & Conditions, dates, and prices.

More tours you might love

4.6 out of 5 stars

4.2 out of 5 stars

From the Archive: Inside Mica and Ahmet Ertegun’s Turkish Oasis

It’s well worth the trip.

You don’t just hail a taxi to get to Mica and Ahmet Ertegun’s house in Turkey. It’s less a trip than a mammoth portage—though everyone who has stayed there agrees that a week with the Erteguns is well worth the myriad inconveniences involved in the journey. As art historian John Richardson attests, the seaside retreat of the Atlantic Records founder and co-chairman and his interior-designer wife is “an oasis of quiet, the ideal place for a summer vacation in the sun.”

First, you have the 11-hour New York-to-Istanbul flight to contend with, followed by a layover at Atatürk Airport and an hour-long flight to Izmir. A car takes you to Bodrum, an ancient fishing port on the Mediterranean. It’s a bone-rattling two-­hour ride over potholed, dust-choked roads, but at the end of it all is the Erteguns’ driveway. From then on, all is paradise.

“Bodrum has a way of life totally different from New York’s,” says the Romanian-born Mica, co-founder with Chessy Rayner of the celebrated Manhattan design firm MAC II. “The rhythm is slower and more graceful, and the house is absolutely peaceful.”

The Erteguns found this enviable vacation house 20 years ago, while driving through Turkey on their first real trip out into the countryside. “My parents owned apartments in Istanbul,” Ahmet explains, “but we only came to Turkey once in a while, usually in the summers. When my father took up his post as ambassador in Washington in the 1930s, going to Turkey was considered too long a trip for children. So I never lived there for any length of time. But I’d always hoped Mica and I would eventually buy a house somewhere on the coast.”

At last they discovered Bodrum. What the couple found in this venerable town was exactly what they were looking for—one of those old Ottoman manors with a separate building for the lord of the manor’s harem. Ahmet Ertegun located the property on a 19th-century map as the Aga’s konak , house of the lord of the village. Its pedigree was impeccable, but the konak itself was an abject ruin.

“It was filled with heaps of rubble,” recalls Ertegun, who decided he was ready to break out his checkbook even though Mica thought the house was too dilapidated and much too small. It took only a little deliberation for the Erteguns to decide that everything else about the property was picture perfect.

Part of the house’s attraction is its magnificent location. Below is a glittering blue bay, a mosque, and the Castle of St. Peter, parts of which date from the 12th century; behind it, farther up the hill, stand the remains of the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

Tour Mica and Ahmet Ertegün's Turkish Retreat

“Bodrum,” Mica explains, “is one of the most ancient spots known to man, a cradle of civilization. When we started to work on the garden we uncovered antiquities and chunks of old marble that had fallen from the mausoleum.”

A local architect, Turgut Çansever, was hired to restore the house. Ironically, Çansever was also working on a nearby holiday village and had hoped that the Erteguns would buy a house there. “We didn’t want to live in a holiday development,” Ertegun says, “and we’d already bought this property. But Turgut is a very astute scholar and historian of Ottoman culture, so we asked him to work for us.” The rebuilding took two labor-intensive years. “In Bodrum, all the houses are tiny,” says Ahmet, “and this was the largest one around, but it was very narrow. Without changing the facade at all, we widened it at the back to make larger rooms downstairs.”

In addition to bringing the place into the 20th century, Mica was determined to keep it totally Turkish, inside and out. What she didn’t want to live in was a Western-style import. She got her wish, and her efforts won international acclaim when, in 1980, the couple flew to Pakistan to accept the Aga Khan Award for Architecture. Composed of distinguished architectural scholars and chaired by the Aga Khan, the jury praised the Ertegun project, calling it “the imaginative conservation of two seaside houses...demonstrating that new structures can be sympathetically added to the old without resorting to direct imitation.

Ahmet Ertegun is immensely proud of the fact that the jury “gave us the first prize because it was our idea—and Mica’s design—but the cash prizes went to village people: the architect, the foreman, and the chief carpenter.”

The Ertegun house may appear Turkish from every angle, but it has been carefully modernized. The pair of two-story buildings have been joined by a new one­-story kitchen-and-dining wing; and nestled into the rear of the house is a garden and two guest cottages. Like the original house, these are made of white­-painted stone.

Indoors, the pro-Turkish theme continues. “Ninety­-nine percent of the furnishings were bought in local bazaars,” Mica says, “where you can buy everything from peaches to brassieres. The only things I brought from America were the bed linens and the stainless steel flatware.”

.css-12zwr2e{font-family:Sabon,Sabon-styleitalic-roboto,Sabon-styleitalic-local,Georgia,Times,Serif;font-size:1.625rem;font-style:italic;letter-spacing:-0.0225rem;line-height:1.2;margin:0rem;}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-12zwr2e{font-size:1.9375rem;line-height:1.3;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-12zwr2e{font-size:1.9375rem;line-height:1.3;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-12zwr2e{font-size:2.75rem;line-height:1.1;}}.css-12zwr2e b,.css-12zwr2e strong{font-family:inherit;font-weight:bold;}.css-12zwr2e em,.css-12zwr2e i{font-style:italic;font-family:inherit;}.css-12zwr2e i,.css-12zwr2e em{font-style:italic;font-family:Sabon,Sabon-styleitalic-roboto,Sabon-styleitalic-local,Georgia,Times,Serif;} Mica was determined to keep it totally Turkish, inside and out.

The rooms are filled with cushioned banquettes (a typical Turkish seating arrangement), handwoven rugs, low tables, embroidered cotton curtains, and mellow old Turkish paneling. The first-floor rooms are open to the tree-shaded garden, though when the fierce afternoon winds pick up, they are shielded somewhat from the onslaught of giant pine shutters. Mica copied these after ones she had seen in yalis , the ornate carved wooden houses that are a trademark of life on the Bosphorus.

“It’s a very flexible house,” she explains, “and I hope that it is also a very relaxed one.”

Her hopes are not in vain. Guests continue to arrive in droves: Mercedes and Sid Bass, Chessy Rayner, Fernanda and James Niven, Annette and Oscar de la Renta, Mary and Swifty Lazar. It’s that kind of high-caliber, high­-octane rendezvous. Nearly everyone downshifts their energies when faced with the languid pace of Asia Minor, but some guests can’t seem to leave behind the rigors of Manhattan. No one can forget the day Mary McFadden went jogging, dressed in something that John Richardson remembers as looking like a tutu. When she returned, the fashion designer was followed up the street by a pack of curious dogs and a couple of equally astonished villagers. “No one jogs in Bodrum,” says Richardson with a laugh.

In the morning, the household gathers in the tree-shaded garden for a breakfast of figs, peaches, rose-petal jam, and homemade yogurt. Then it’s all aboard one of the Erteguns’ wooden sail­boats, or gulets , to set out in search of secluded inlets and coves where, says Richardson, anchor is dropped and “we eat and swim, sleep and swim.”

Then it’s back to the house for a late dinner in the garden or on the roof deck, followed by too many glasses of raki , Turkey’s anise-flavored national drink. There may be a jam session with jazz musicians. Then everyone settles down for a blissful sleep.

“Mica’s got the best spa going,” says one friend, New York real-estate agent Marjorie Downey. “If you don’t want to talk or swim, you can read a book, shop in the bazaar, or just sleep. It’s heaven on earth, really. When I don’t go there, I feel deprived.”

ELLE Decor All Access Exclusive Previews

Art? Color? Oddities? This Home Mixes It All

This House Is Ready for Its Close-Up

Pierre Bergé’s Minimalist Garden Is So French

This Sophisticated Home Hits All the Right Notes

Is ‘Iconic’ Design’s Most Annoying Word?

Peter Marino Designed This House to Disappear

The Terrace Has Postcard Views of the Seine!

This Celebrity Designing Duo Can’t Miss

Is This the Ultimate Poolside WFH Space?

This Apartment Is a Nod to the Women of the 70s

This Bachelor Pad Is Full of Art—And Sneakers

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

What to Know About This Year’s Tour de France (Which Begins in Italy)

Two previous winners are the leading contenders to win cycling’s most famous race, which, in a rarity, does not end in Paris.

By Victor Mather

For three weeks starting Saturday, the world’s best cyclists will do battle in the Tour de France, racing through valleys, hills and high mountains. Though 176 riders will start, most eyes will be on a pair of two-time winners who seek title No. 3.

After more than 2,000 miles and dozens of punishing climbs, will the winner be Jonas Vingegaard of Denmark, who took the last two Tours de France but was hurt in a crash this year? Or Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia, the 2020 and 2021 winner ? Or will an unexpected contender jump up and surprise them?

And, wait: Is it really the Tour de France if the race doesn’t finish on the Champs-Élysées? Here’s a primer to read before the race gets underway.

Where will they race?

For the first time, the race will start in Italy , with the opening stage beginning in Florence and winding through the Apennine Mountains to Rimini, a city on the Adriatic coast. It will be more difficult than most opening stages, with several uphill climbs.

After a few days in Italy, the race will enter France, then go counterclockwise around the country, passing through the Alps, the Massif Central, the Pyrenees and then the Alps again.

Who are the favorites?

Vingegaard won last year’s event by an emphatic seven and a half minutes. But after a good start to the 2024 cycling season, he crashed badly in the Tour of the Basque Country in April and spent 12 days in the hospital with a broken collarbone. He is expected to ride in the Tour de France, but there is uncertainty as to what kind of shape he will be in.

As a result, Pogacar, who has been in fine form, is the favorite to win and regain his crown.

Pogacar rode in the Giro d’Italia, or Tour of Italy, in May. Unlike riders in that race who hold back to preserve their strength for the Tour de France, he gave it his all, winning by almost 10 minutes. If Pogacar claims the Tour as well, he will be the first cyclist since Marco Pantani, in 1998, to win the Giro and the Tour in the same season.

After the big two, other possible contenders include Primoz Roglic of Slovenia, the 2023 Giro winner, and Remco Evenepoel of Belgium, who won the 2022 Tour of Spain.

Though an individual wins the Tour, his team can help a lot, pacing him in the mountains and blocking attacks from rivals. Last year’s leading team, Jumbo-Visma (now Visma–Lease a Bike) has broken up; Vingegaard is still its leader, but Roglic left to join Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe. UAE Team Emirates will support Pogacar with a squad that includes Adam Yates of Britain, a rider with the talent to win the Tour himself; he placed third last year.

Tell me the days that really matter.

The first stage to focus on is July 2, when the riders travel from Italy to France. It includes a climb up the Galibier, one of the Tour’s toughest mountains, and one that still has snow on the side of the roads.

In the midst of a week of flat stages that won’t change the leaderboard much, there is a time trial on July 5 in Burgundy wine country. The riders will race alone against the clock, with no help from teammates, which is why a time trial is known as “the race of truth.”

The real action comes at the end, with five mountain stages. The July 13 stage is particularly notable; it includes a climb up the Tourmalet in the Pyrenees and ends with an uphill — or more accurately, up-mountain — finish that is sure to winnow out any pretenders. Also make note of July 14, 17, 19 and 20 as four more brutal mountain stages where the Tour is likely to be won, or lost.

But even the flat stages, which are usually won by sprinters and seldom affect the overall standings, may have some extra interest this year. The great sprinter Mark Cavendish, 39, has 34 career stage victories and needs one more to break the record he shares with Eddy Merckx, the dominant rider of the 1960s and ’70s.

What’s different this year?

The day after that last mountain stage, the race will end, but not with the traditional ceremonial cruise down the Champs-Élysées in Paris. Instead, the field will hold a time trial to finish the Tour for the first time since 1989. If the race is close, the winner could be decided on that final day, as it was in 1989. That year, the American Greg LeMond snatched the Tour from Laurent Fignon of France in a time trial by a mere eight seconds, still the closest margin in history.

To avoid the Paris Olympics, which open five days later, the time trial will run from Monaco to Nice. It is the first time since 1974 the race has not ended on the Champs-Élysées and the first time ever it has not ended in Paris or its environs.

Remind me what the jerseys mean.

In each stage, whoever is the overall leader wears the yellow jersey to make him easier to spot for TV viewers and the thousands of fans along the route.

But there are other jerseys, too. Finishing near the front in individual stages, especially flat ones, earns points toward the green jersey for best sprinter. Last year’s winner of this jersey was Jasper Philipsen.

The first riders to reach the top of the race’s many mountains earn points toward the garish polka-dot jersey for best climber. The top contenders for yellow are also favored to win this jersey, as is Giulio Ciccone of Italy, who won last year.

Are there any Americans racing?

The days of American favorites like LeMond and Lance Armstrong are over for the time being. Moreover, Sepp Kuss, the American who won the 2023 Tour of Spain, is out because of a Covid-19 infection.

Matteo Jorgenson, 24, on the Visma team, is the top-ranked American. He won this year’s weeklong Paris-Nice race, and some think he can contend for the tour’s title in the future, or maybe, if all goes well, this year.

How can I watch?

Stages generally start around 6 or 7 a.m. Eastern time and last four to five hours. In the United States, Peacock will stream every stage live. Some stages will be shown on NBC and USA as well.

Other broadcasters include ITV and Eurosport (United Kingdom), SBS (Australia), FloBikes (Canada), France Televisions (France), ARD (Germany) and J Sports (Japan).

Victor Mather , who has been a reporter and editor at The Times for 25 years, covers sports and breaking news. More about Victor Mather