Absolute Turkey: Winter
15 days, Istanbul to Istanbul
Itinerary
Day 1Istanbul
Arrive at any time.
There are no activities planned until our evening welcome meeting. After the meeting, opt to join your CEO and fellow travellers for dinner.
Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Day 2Istanbul/Ankara
Enjoy an orientation walk around Istanbul before moving on to the capital city of Ankara.
Istanbul Orientation Walk
Enjoy an orientation walk of Istanbul. Each walk varies, allowing your CEO to show off their favourite spots around the city. Pass by city highlights such as the Topkapi Palace, the Hagia Sophia (also known as the Aya Sofya), and the Blue Mosque. Walks may also include the atmospheric Spice Bazaar or breathtaking Grand Bazaar.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 3Ankara/Göreme
Visit Anitkabir before driving to the Cappadocia region. Enjoy a home-cooked dinner with a local family.
Visit Anitkabir before transferring to the town of Göreme, the base for exploring Cappadocia. With two and a half days free to explore, there will be plenty of time to tour the area by bike, visit neighbouring villages, trek regional valleys or try a hot air balloon ride.
During one of the evenings here, travel to a nearby village and enjoy dinner with a local family.
The local dinner may take place on any night in Göreme based on the family's availability.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Anitkabir Visit
Visit the monumental tomb of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the republic of Turkey. Learn about his significance to gain more insight into your Turkish exploration.
Your Local Living Moment: Dinner with Local Family
Enjoy seasonal homemade dishes, and talk with friendly hosts about life in rural Cappadocia.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDays 4–5Göreme
Enjoy an included visit to the Open Air Museum before free time to explore this unique region. Opt to see it from above on a hot air balloon ride. Enjoy a guided walk through the valley with a visit to an underground city.
Outdoor enthusiast? Hire a bike to get around on two wheels or join your CEO on an optional trekking tour through one of the beautiful valleys of the region.
If you want to go further afield, take a local bus to explore nearby villages.
If you pre-booked the Cappadocia hot air balloon ride, you will be flying today (weather permitting).
Göreme Open Air Museum Guided Tour
Be inspired by the natural beauty of the historic Göreme Open Air Museum, a complex of medieval painted cave churches carved out by Orthodox monks. Tour the more than 10 caves on site, and enjoy the color and vibrancy of many of the churches that are up to 1,000 years old.
Free Time
Free time to explore the region any way you like.
Underground City Visit
Visit one of the underground cities (there are approximately 30 in the region) that were famously used as hiding places for Christians escaping the persecution of the Roman Empire between the fifth and tenth centuries. See how people transferred their surface lives to this underground world – there are cellars, rooms for food storage, kitchens, churches, stables, wine and oil presses, and shafts for ventilation.
Optional Activities - Days 4–5 HideShow
Hot Air Balloon Ride
290EUR per personCappadocia is captivating from the ground, but that’s just the half of it. See the seemingly hand-painted landscapes of Cappadocia as they deserve to be seen, from the air aboard a hot air balloon. Get up early and enjoy a simple breakfast before climbing in the basket and taking to the skies in one of the most favoured places in the world to experience a hot air balloon ride.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 6Göreme/Güneysınır
Visit Konya before spending the night in a local Turkish village. Stay as the guest of a local family.
Depart Göreme and head to the region of Konya.
Travel about one hour to a local village for a cozy homestay. On the way, visit Catalhoyuk, a uniquely well-preserved Neolithic site.
Upon arrival in the village, learn about local life and enjoy a home-cooked dinner.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Catalhoyuk Visit
Explore this interesting Neolithic proto-city settlement – there are no streets, and houses are closely clustered with rooftop access for travel. Witness the cultural evolution from the first settlers in 7500 BC to the remnants of the urban centre we see today.
Your Local Living Moment: Turkish Village Homestay
Take the opportunity to learn about local Turkish life on this village homestay. Join the group in a community experience; bathroom facilities and sleeping arrangements (in the living room) are shared.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 7Konya/Antalya
Wander the streets of the 'white city' and opt to visit the Catalina Convent.
Arrive at Antalya around lunchtime.
With a free afternoon, wander the charming cobbled hillside streets of the district of Kaleici, a great place to stop and have a drink with amazing views of the marina below. For a break from the hustle and bustle, head for the greenery and teashops at one of Antalya's beautiful parks or catch some sun at a nearby beach.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free Time
Spend free time exploring the city of Antalya. Take advantage of its parks and beaches or duck into a museum or two.
Optional Activities - Day 7 HideShow
Antalya Archaeological Museum Visit
15EUR per personTake in some culture at the Antalya Museum, home to 13 exhibition galleries. See a wide range of exhibits, including great reconstructions of life under the Ottoman Empire.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 8Antalya
Enjoy more time in Antalya to explore.
Free Time
Head out and see the sights.
Optional Activities - Day 8 HideShow
Antalya Archaeological Museum Visit
15EUR per personTake in some culture at the Antalya Museum, home to 13 exhibition galleries. See a wide range of exhibits, including great reconstructions of life under the Ottoman Empire.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 9Antalya/Pamukkale
Guided walk of Pamukkale and the ancient city of Hierapolis.
Passing through fruit orchards on the way to Pamukkale.
In the afternoon, visit the famous white cliffs of Pamukkale and the ancient site of Hierapolis, built on top of the white "castle".
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is evidence that the hot springs of Pamukkale were used as a spa since the second century BC.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Hierapolis and Pamukkale Visit
Tour the white cliffs of Pamukkale to learn about this World Heritage-listed site and natural wonder. Made up of 17 hot water springs, the cliffs are formed when the calcium carbonate hardens with time. Explore the ancient site of Hierapolis built on top of the white "castle." See the large, ancient baths within the city (thought to be evidence that the hot springs of Pamukkale were used as a spa since second century BC).
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 10Pamukkale/Selçuk
Visit the ruins of the ancient Roman town of Ephesus.
Travel to the town of Selçuk. In the afternoon, visit the ruins of the ancient Roman town of Ephesus.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the comfort of a private vehicle.
Ephesus Visit
Tour the ruins of ancient Ephesus to get a feeling of what life must have been like during Roman times. Take in its massive, well-preserved theatre, which dominates the view down Harbour Street. See the two-story library, whose façade has been carefully reconstructed from all original pieces. Built in AD 125, it once held nearly 12,000 scrolls.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 11Selçuk
Free time to walk up to the remains of St John's Basilica, visit the mosque of Isa Bey or just wander the streets and cafés of this vibrant Turkish town. Enjoy a cooking class in a nearby village in the afternoon.
Opt to walk to the remains of St John's Basilica, visit the Mosque of Isa Bey or wander the streets of this vibrant Turkish town. Or catch a local “dolmus” bus to the picturesque village of Şirince (8 km) to sample some local wine or shop for crafts. For dedicated sunseekers, the beach at Pamucaki is also within reach.
Late in the afternoon, drive to a nearby village for a local cooking class. Our host will demonstrate some Turkish dishes for everyone to enjoy at the end of the class.
Free Time
Get out and explore.
Your Foodie Moment: Cooking Class
Visit a local restaurant for a cooking class. Watch a demonstration and learn about regional ingredients and dishes. Enjoy the meal at the end of the class!
Optional Activities - Day 11 HideShow
Saint John's Basilica Visit
6EUR per personView St John's Basilica, once a grand basilica in Ephesus. Constructed by Justinian I in the 6th century, it was built in where John the Apostle is said to be buried.
Mosque of Isa Bey Visit
FreeVisit the centuries-old Isa Bey Mosque on the outskirts of Selçuk to see one of the oldest and most impressive works of art remaining in this region.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 12Selçuk/Ayvalık
Spend the night in a converted Ottoman mansion. Visit the G-supported çöp(m)adam handicraft workshop during an orientation walk of Ayvalik, before enjoying free time in the surrounding area.
Ayvalik’s blend of Ottoman architecture, cobblestoned streets, and attractive harbour make this stop a highlight. The beach of Sarimsakli is a quick bus ride away and the harbour in town offers short cruises.
After exploring, head down to one of the waterside restaurants for a sunset drink or meal. Then enjoy the hospitality and beautiful views from the family-run pension in a restored Ottoman mansion.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free Time
Ayvalık is the perfect place to explore — check out nearby beaches or wander the city and shop.
Your G for Good Moment: Çöp(m)adam Visit
Visit the G-supported çöp(m)adam handicraft cooperation. All products are made out of recycled goods and by making a purchase it will directly support the local women who work in the workshop and over time has contributed to over 500 women who have been part of the project.
Ottoman Mansion Stay
Relax at an overnight stay at a restored Ottoman mansion, and be treated by exceptional hospitality and beautiful views.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 13Ayvalık/Çanakkale
Visit the ancient city of Troy en route to Çanakkale.
Enjoy a visit to the world-famous city of Troy. After exploring the site, continue to the harbour town of Çanakkale, a busy port with a thriving student population.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Troy Visit
See historic Troy, made famous by Homer’s “Iliad,” (and more recently by Orlando Bloom and Brad Pitt). Tour the city that, for centuries, was regarded as just a myth, until its ruins were found in in the mid-19th century. Imagine what a great city this must have been, while taking a tour of the remains. Don't miss the chance to have a photo taken with the Trojan horse.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 14Çanakkale/Istanbul
Guided tour of Gallipoli, including ANZAC Cove, the war cemeteries, and Lone Pine.
Make an early morning visit to Gallipoli, where thousands gave their lives during WWI in the battle of the same name. Take in the sights and learn the sombre story.
Continue on to İstanbul for the opportunity to finish up your sightseeing or get in some last minute shopping.
Ferry
Once in the Gallipoli peninsula, transfer by bus to the Gallipoli battlefields (20 mins).
Gallipoli Battlefields Guided Tour
Visit this moving and beautiful site, a great complement to any trip to Turkey, even for those not familiar with the Battle of Gallipoli. Tour the grounds to see ANZAC Cove, the war cemeteries, and Lone Pine. Learn how the Turks fought off the numerically superior, but badly commanded, Allied forces who were forced to withdraw nine months later; this battle holds special significance for Australians and New Zealanders, as both nations lost many soldiers.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 15Istanbul
Depart at any time.
Want more time in this intoxicating city? No problem – you can book post-trip accommodation. Inquire at the time of booking.