16-Day Turkey Legends
This is a great circle journey that starts in Istanbul and takes you across Turkey to visit some of the most memorable destinations, including historical sites, the Aegean Sea, and geological wonders.
Days
16
Price
from US$4,880 p/p
Best For
First-timers, History lovers
Best Time
Apr. to Oct.
Tour Highlights
We have just returned from an amazing trip to Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. Our travel adviser Albee Ning prepared a wonderful itinerary taking us to great locations with creative activities highlighting local culture.
We traveled with Asia Highlights (Lissie was our agent) several years ago when we went to Saigon, and the experience was so positive, we automatically went to Asia Highlights again for an extensive trip to Southeast Asia.
Itinerary Details
The itinerary below is only a typical sample and you may alter anything to suit your preferences. Tell us your needs and our travel advisors will tailor-make the itinerary to meet your requirements.
Upon your arrival in Istanbul, your private tour guide and driver will be ready to meet you. You will be transferred to your hotel where you can have a good rest ready to start your great circle tour.
Meals provided: breakfast and lunch
You will explore the old city of Istanbul. Start from the Hippodrome of Constantinople — the place chariot races and competitive athletic events took place during the Roman period. Then continue to the Blue Mosque, which is a 17th-century Ottoman mosque famous for its six minarets and magnificent interior with blue tiles. Next, go to Hagia Sophia – the great Byzantine basilica built in the 6th century – which remained the largest cathedral in the world for almost a thousand years. Then your tour will take you to the Topkapi Palace, which was the residence of the Ottoman sultans and houses riches from 700 years ago. Finally, visit the Grand Bazaar and immerse yourself among the dazzling goods.
Special Notes
- Hagia Sophia is closed on Mondays.
- The Blue Mosque is closed on Fridays.
- The Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays.
- The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays.
Optional Trip to Enrich Your Tour
Bosphorus night cruise with dinner: Enjoy sightseeing at night with views of both Asia and Europe from the Bosphorus Bay. Your dinner will be served on the cruise.
Meals provided: breakfast and lunch
After having breakfast, drive to Gallipoli, which is historically famous for being the site of World War I. You will visit some of the famous sites including the Dardanelles Memorial, Brighton Beach, and Anzac Cove. At the end of the day, take a ferry to the other side of Dardanelles — Canakkale.
Meals provided: breakfast and lunch
You will start the day with Troy, the place where the legendary Trojan War took place in the historical works of Homer and Quintus of Smyrna. After lunch at a local restaurant, drive to the ancient city of Pergamum, which had one of the most important libraries in the ancient world and the Altar of Zeus.
Later in the day, you will arrive in Kusadasi.
Meals provided: breakfast and lunch
You will tour the ancient city of Ephesus.Ephesus is an ancient city that became famous for its well-preserved buildings. Visit the Temple of Artemis, one of the wonders of the ancient world, the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, Marble Street, and the House of the Virgin Mary.
Meals provided: breakfast and lunch
In the morning, drive to Aphrodisias and then visit the ancient city of Hierapolis. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and used to be visited by people to soothe their ailments, retire, and also to die there. Have a break as you walk on the terraces or swim in Cleopatra's Pool (optional).
Optional Trip to Enrich Your Tour
Swimming in an ancient spring pool in Hierapolis is an amazing experience. Float in the natural warm water and gaze at pieces of ruins from the ancient city that are clearly visible at the bottom of the water. Please take your swimsuit with you at the start of this tour.
Meals provided: breakfast and lunch
In the morning, have fun in the 'Cotton Castle', Pamukkale, which has hot springs and travertines, which are terraces of carbonate minerals left by the flowing and cooling water. After lunch in a local restaurant, drive to the beautiful coastal city of Fethiye. Relax for the rest of the day.
Meal provided: breakfast
This is a free day. Why not enjoy some swimming, try food in the local old town of Paspatur, and visit some of the Lycian rock tombs dotted around the city.
Once the evening begins, Fethiye offers a range of dining from quick meals to fine dining followed by bars and nightclubs to relax with a drink.
Optional Trips to Enrich Your Tour
Island-hopping day trip: Hop on a pirate ship to explore the little islands! You will visit the Blue Cave, Butterfly Valley, Camel Beach, and more. Play high up on the deck and dance in the deck foam party!
Half-day diving trip: If you love diving, joining a half-day diving trip will be fun!
Meals provided: breakfast and lunch
D400 is considered to be one of the most beautiful coastal roads in the world and it lies between Fethiye and Antalya. You can sit back and enjoy a relaxing ride along the stunning coastline. Stop over at Kas, a lovely town on the way, and enjoy local food in a seaside restaurant.
You will arrive in Antalya in the afternoon.
Meals provided: breakfast and lunch
Explore the ancient sites of Perge and Aspendos, visit the beautiful Side, and see the natural Kursunlu and Manavgat waterfalls (depending on the season).
You will be picked up from your hotel in the morning and the tour will begin with a visit to Perge. Tour the stadium, the Roman Gate, the Nymphaeum, the Roman baths, the Hellenistic Gate, the colonnaded main street, and the Agora. After lunch, there will be time to visit one of the waterfalls depending on the time of year. Aspendos is the next stop and it is known for its well-preserved theater.
Meal provided: breakfast
After breakfast, enjoy a free day at leisure on your own. You can stroll along the coast or just do nothing.
Optional Trip to Enrich Your Tour
Paragliding: This experience will make your heart beat faster! Go paragliding from Babadag mountain to Oludeniz Beach landing point via a tandem flight (approximately 40 minutes). This offers a unique photo opportunity on your honeymoon in Turkey.
Meals provided: breakfast and lunch
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, say goodbye to Antalya, and then head to Cappadocia. After 4 hours of driving, you will reach Konya where you have the chance to visit the Mevlana Museum, a school of whirling dervishes. You will have your lunch in a traditional Turkish restaurant. Then, you will be driven for another 3 hours to reach Cappadocia.
We have selected a lovely cave hotel for you to have an intimate time.
Meals provided: breakfast and lunch
Start your day at Goreme Panorama which offers a splendid view over the village of Goreme, the land of fairy chimneys. Then, you will be fascinated by the Goreme Open-Air Museum, which is the biggest monastery complex in the region. You will continue to Ortahisar, a typical village with a castle and caves for food storage.
Afterward, you will visit one of the most interesting places, Fairy Chimneys Valley – Pasabag – with its mushroom-like rock formations. Passing through Imaginary Valley (Devrent Valley), you will have the impression that animals are petrified in the rocks.
You will enjoy an open buffet for lunch in a restaurant.
Finally, you will walk along the Red River’s flourishing Avanos town, which is famous for its pottery cave workshops dating back thousands of years to the Hittites. On the way back to your hotel, you will visit Love Valley, which offers a magnificent view.
Meals provided: breakfast and lunch
Your visit will start with Uchisar Castle, the biggest fairy chimney used as a fortress by many civilizations. Next, you will be amazed by Kaymakli Underground City, which served for many centuries as a refuge for the local people and saved early Christians from Roman persecution.
Then, you will visit Pigeon Valley with its lovely pigeons still living in pigeon houses. It has a wonderful view of Uchisar Castle.
Take a late flight to Istanbul.
Optional Trip to Enrich Your Tour
Hot-air balloon ride: This experience will be a happy ending for your honeymoon! Ride in a hot-air balloon and have a full view of Goreme. Enjoy flying in the air with your loved one. We will make sure you get window seats in our balloon and we are certain your expectations will be met!
Meal provided: breakfast
After having breakfast at your hotel, you will have a free day to explore the city on your own.
Meal provided: breakfast
According to your flight time, you will be transferred to Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) where you will wave goodbye to your guide and check in, ready for your flight back home.
Trip Notes
1. Accommodation
Many types of accommodation are available including 5-star hotels, superior 4-star hotels, best value 3-star hotels, and popular boutique hotels in various Turkish styles. We will select the perfect one for you.
2. Transportation
We usually recommend flights to connect destination cities, which is more effective and saves time. Feel free to tell us if you prefer to experience the trains or buses.
3. Meals
Lunches are prepared in local restaurants for you to taste authentic Turkish food. Please tell us if you have any special dietary requirements, such as vegetarian, Indian, gluten-free, or halal. Your guide will take care of it.
Hand-picked Hotels
Price Includes
Price from: $4,880 (tour code: gh-tk-3)
Why Travel with Global Highlights During the Pandemic
- Tailor-made experience: All of your ideas/needs will be carefully considered to create your ideal trip.
- Worry-free planning: Your 1:1 travel consultant in Asia will take all the uncertainty out of your planning, helping you navigate any travel restrictions.
- No-risk booking: 100% refund policy! (prior to 3 weeks before departure, more details)
