Hit Turkey’s hotspots, from cosmopolitan Istanbul to ancient Ephesus
This journey packs a mighty punch in just eight days. Start in Istanbul and marvel at the Blue Mosque before navigating the warrens of the Grand Bazaar, then travel to the Aegean Sea to soak up sun, salt and history in Kusadasi with a visit to the ancient city of Ephesus. Travel on the overnight train to Central Anatolia and the fairytale landscape of Cappadocia, where hot air balloons dot the skyline and dwellings are cut into the cliffs, then finish back in Istanbul, the long-lived metropolis where East meets West.
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Terms & ConditionsThis short but sweet trip packs a punch with visits to Istanbul, Cappadocia and Ephesus while still leaving plenty of time to relax.
Enjoy a free day on the Aegean in the resort town of Kusadasi. You can check out Pamukkale's thermal pools, take a gulet cruise along the coast or relax on the beach.
Taste local fruit wines in one of the best-preserved Greek Ottoman villages in the country. It's picture perfect and produces quite the delicious tipple!
Get a birds-eye view of Cappadocia’s caves, fairy chimneys and honeycomb terrain with an optional balloon ride over this other-worldly landscape.
Discover the back streets and vibrant local markets of Istanbul with your expert guide, find hidden hotspots and local hangouts that you won’t find in the guidebooks.
Whilst we have tried to pack a lot into eight days at a steady pace, there is still much to see so you may want to consider a bigger slice of the country on a 15-day trip.
You will need to carry your bags on and off local trams and trains during this trip. The distances aren't far, and it's possible to do this with a wheelie bag – but be aware of cobblestone streets.
This trip has two included flights and internal luggage restrictions of 15 kg apply. If you are travelling for a longer period, it is possible to store excess luggage in Istanbul.
Trip departures are unavailable.
There are currently no scheduled departures on our Turkey Highlights trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.
1. This trip starts in Istanbul on Day 1 at 1 pm. This allows time after the welcome meeting to explore Istanbul.
2. There are internal flights on this trip and most internal flights in Turkey have a luggage restriction of 15kg checked and 8kg cabin.
3. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 5 (Overnight train) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
4. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest information on travelling in Turkey before your departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all areas of your itinerary. We have links to prominent government travel advisories and regular updates on issues affecting this trip on our Travel Alerts page: www.intrepidtravel.com/au/travel-alerts
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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