Turkey 2024
A Taste of Turkey with Judith Cullen – Itinerary 2024 (July 13th to 31st) Days 1/2/3 Istanbul
On arrival at Istanbul Airport, you will be met and transferred to our hotel in the heart of the historic city of Istanbul. We will all meet for drinks and dinner on the evening of your arrival.
We will have 2 full days with a local guide to view the main sights of Istanbul. These include
Topkapı Palace of the Ottoman Sultans.
Basilica Cistern – the amazing underground water storage area under the city with its magnificent columns.
Süleymaniye Mosque, the finest example of the work of the architect Sinan, built during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent, when the Ottoman Empire was at its zenith.
Shopping in the Grand Bazaar and the (Egyptian) Spice Bazaar (as pictured).
Boat trip on the Bosphorus, which bisects the city and separates Europe from Asia.
There will be some free time for shopping, Turkish baths and own activities.
The last night will be a “free” night.
Included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
Day 4 Gallipoli Peninsula/ Çanakkale
We travel by road to the Gallipoli peninsula. We will visit the Museum and have a guided tour of the key battlefield and memorial sites on the peninsula such as landing site at Anzac
Cove, Arıburnu Cemetery, Lone Pine Cemetery, and the New Zealand memorial at Chunuk Bair, before crossing to the city of Çanakkale to stay the night. Dinner is included at a renowned local seafood restaurant overlooking the Dardanelles Straits.
Included: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Days 5/6 Ayvalık
We depart Çanakkale by road stopping at Troy – where we’ll visit the historical ruins and the recently opened museum which documents the history of the city and its excavations. We then continue to Ayvalık, a delightful seaside village where we’ll spend 2 nights. This area is famous for Aegean cuisine, based on products of the olive trees, which grow in abundance in the region. We will experience olive oil tasting and local cooking demonstration and there’ll be time to wander through the charming streets of Cunda Island.
Included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
Days 7/8/9 Kuşadası
We continue our road trip south through the olive groves of the Aegean region to Kuşadası. In the morning, we’ll visit the ancient city of Pergamon, known as a centre for learning and medicine in ancient times and have lunch before continuing to Kuşadası.
We will spend 3 nights in Kuşadası. From our base we will explore:
Days 10/11 Kaş
Ephesus – the best preserved and restored ancient city of Turkey. We will have a guided visit at a leisurely pace.
Priene and Miletus – ancient cities from ancient Greek times.
We’ll enjoy a traditional Turkish lunch.
Dinner will be provided at our hotel on the night of arrival.
Dinner at a local restaurant in the area on the last evening.
Included: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners (1 “free” night)
Our journey continues to Kaş Peninsula on the Mediterranean Coast. Our 2-night stay in includes:
Dinner on the night of our arrival.
A full-day boat trip on a traditional gulet to Kekova Island with its sunken city and crusader castle including barbecue lunch, with opportunities to swim in the Mediterranean or just relax on board.
There will be a free night to explore on your own. You might like to stroll around the town’s streets, shop in its boutiques and enjoy the nightlife around the marina. Included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner (1 “free” night)
Days 12/13 Antalya
We will spend two nights in one of Turkey’s most popular holiday destinations. While in Antalya, you will have some free time to explore the area of Kaleiçi or go shopping. Antalya is particularly renowned for leather goods and jewellery. You can also go swimming if you wish. Our first night we will have dinner in our hotel in the lovely walled city and former Roman port of Kaleiçi. The second night is free for exploration of the walled city where there are numerous bars and restaurants.
Included: 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner (1 “free” lunch, 1 “free” night)
Days 14/15/16/17 Cappadocia
We’ll enjoy 4 nights in Cappadocia, a fascinating region where you will have the opportunity to meet and experience Turkish culture and hospitality. Over the available days, we will include the following visits and activities:
Goreme Open Air Museum (a UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Paşzbağ (famous for spectacularly photogenic fairy chimneys), Devrent Valley (also known as Valley of the Fairy Chimneys) & Red Valley
An underground city
Visit Ürgüp and Mustafapaşa
The first night we will include welcome drinks and dinner nearby the hotel and the
last night dinner is included. The other night is free and there are restaurants close to the hotel which you might like to try.
Optional things you might like to do would include
sampling local wines in Ürgüp,
hot air ballooning
learning about traditional Turkish carpets
see pottery artisans at work in Avanos.
Included: 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners
Day 18 Departure
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Istanbul and onward destinations.
Total Inclusions: Transport (bus and internal flight from Cappadocia to Istanbul), sightseeing, licensed qualified guides, hotel accommodation (4-5 star or special category), most meals (as indicated).