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Best of West Turkey

9 days

Take in the highlights of Western Turkey on this nine-day tour. Travelling from Istanbul and the iconic Blue Mosque to the picturesque port city of Fethiye on the Turquoise Coast. Taking in the remarkable Roman ruins of Ephesus and the white calcium terraces of Pammukale en route.

For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more download our Trip Notes

Free cancellation
Free amends
Available on all departures booked at least 40 days in advance. Cancel or change your booking for FREE for up to 7 days after booking

Accommodation Standard

4 Star

Tour Overview

Duration

9 days

Starts

Istanbul

Ends

Istanbul

Range

Private

Tour Guide

Yes - for all scheduled sightseeing

Group Size

Min 2 / Max 14

Minimum age

5 yrs, accompanied by an adult

Departs

Any day of the year

Hotel Rating

4 or 5 star

Countries

Turkey

Arrival Transfer

Yes

Departure Transfer

Ends on arrival back into Istanbul Airport

Meals included

Breakfast: 8, Lunch: 1, Dinner: 3
Per Person From
R 60,265.00
Deposit From
Final payment
R 19,998.00
R 100,532.00

Accommodation Standard

4 Star

Tour Highlights

Istanbul - Take in the highlights of the Old City including the iconic Blue Mosque, behemoth Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and the bustling Grand Bazaar
Ephesus - Roam around the Roman ruins of ancient Ephesus, with its spectacular Library of Celsus and see all that remains of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World
Kusadasi - Spend two nights on Turkey's beautiful Aegean Coast in this attractive resort town
Pamukkale - Paddle in the thermal pools and walk along the striking white calcium terraces that have formed over thousands of years
Hierapolis - Explore this hill-top Roman spa town and opt to swim in Cleopatra's sacred pool with its submerged Roman ruins
Fethiye - Enjoy three days of R&R in this picturesque port city on the Turquoise Coast

Included

8 breakfasts, 1 lunches & 3 dinners
8 nights 4-star hotels
2 internal flights (Istanbul - Izmir and Dalaman - Istanbul)
Airport transfers on days 1, 3 and 9
Shared sightseeing in Istanbul, Ephesus and Pamukkale (with others in max group of 14 passengers. Private guide is available for a supplement)
English-speaking, degree qualified Turkish tour guide for all included sightseeing
All relevant transfers in private modern air-conditioned vehicles. Transportation for sightseeing tours in a modern air-conditioned touring vehicle/coach
Entrance fees for all included sightseeing

Not Included

International flights and visas
Tipping - an entirely personal gesture
Optional Bosphorus dinner cruise (book locally)

Accommodation Standard

4 Star

Itinerary

Day 1 - Istanbul

Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel in the heart of the city. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight: Istanbul

Day 2 - Istanbul sightseeing

After breakfast take in the highlights of Istanbul on a full day tour. In the heart of the Old City visit the famous Blue Mosque of Sultan Ahmet I, with its six minarets and enjoy the exterior of the striking Hagia Sophia, which was the largest church in Christendom for a thousand years. Also explore the ruinous Byzantine Hippodrome with its various monuments and Topkapi Palace, home of the Ottoman sultans for almost 400 years. Then venture into the labyrinthine Grand Bazaar where you can barter for souvenirs before transferring back to your hotel for the night.

Please note that some sites are closed on certain days in Istanbul. Hagia Sofia - closed on Mondays, Topkapi Palace closed on Tuesdays and Grand Bazaar - closed on Sundays. So only external viewing will be possible on these days.

Overnight: Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3 - Kusadasi

Istanbul – Izmir - Kusadasi. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Izmir. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Kusadasi, a large resort town on Turkey's beautiful Aegean Coast. The rest of the day is free to spend at leisure.

Overnight: Kusadasi
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4 - Ephesus & the Temple of Artemis

This morning you will be picked up from your hotel for a full day tour of Ephesus and the Virgin Mary’s House. First, visit the ruins of the Temple of Artemis, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Then travel on to ancient Ephesus, the best-preserved Classical city in the eastern Mediterranean. Ephesus was a vast Roman city with a population nearing 250,000 and on the tour of this remarkable archaeological site you will see the Great Theatre (once capable of seating 25,000 spectators at one time), Curetes Way (one of the main thoroughfares) the Temple of Serapis, the elegant facades of the Temple of Hadrian and the spectacular Library of Celsus. Then visit the House of Mother Mary where she is believed to have spent her last years together with St. John. You will also a visit a leather factory before returning to your hotel in Kusadasi.

Overnight: Kusadasi
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5 - Pamukkale

Kusadasi - Pammukale. Bid farewell to Kusadasi and transfer by road to Pammukale with its spectacular white calcium terraces, filled with natural thermal spring waters. On a tour of this remarkable site, take a walk along the hillside terraces, known as travertines, and paddle your feet warm water. Then visit the ancient spa city of Hierapolis, which sits on top of Pammukale's travertines. Explore the ruins, visit the spectacular theatre and opt for a swim in Cleopatra's sacred pool, where the shallow thermal waters ripple over a scattering of ancient Roman ruins that lie beneath. After the tour continue to your hotel for the night.

Overnight: Pamukkale
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Days 6-8 - Fethiye R&R

Pammukale - Fethiye. Travel south to Fethiye for three days of relaxation in this picturesque port town on Turkey's stunning Turquoise Coast. Spend your days at leisure strolling around the atmospheric Old Town with its traditional markets. And make sure to visit some of the beautiful beaches in the area, including the famous Blue Lagoon. Perhaps enjoy a cruise around the bay, which is strewn with picturesque islands.

Overnight: Fethiye (3)
Meals: Breakfast x3

Day 9 - Return to Istanbul

Fethiye - Istanbul. Transfer to Dalaman Airport today for your included flight back to Istanbul, where your tour comes to an end.

Alternatively, if you would like to extend your stay in Istanbul then we would be happy to arrange this for you. You can also opt to exclude the flight back to Istanbul if you wish.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation Standard

4 Star

Hotels

The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour when booking 4 star. For the frequently used 5 star hotels, please refer to the 5 star Trip Notes. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.
Kent Hotel
Istanbul

The charming Kent Hotel is a great example of contemporary design and a friendly atmosphere. Guest rooms are superbly equipped with modern facilities including Wi-Fi connectivity, state of the art technology and bright marbled bathrooms. Enjoying a delicious Turkish meal at the in house Calcedoine Restaurant after a hard days sightseeing is highly recommended. The hotel is also fantastically located within a 10-minute walk of the Grand Bazaar and Old Town in the Bayazit area in the European side of Istanbul.

Our Rating
Superior
Local Rating
4 Star Hotel
Marina Hotel
Kusadasi

Marina hotel is a modern hotel with a sea view and balcony from nearly every spacious room. It has recently been renovated and features an indoor and outdoor pool and you may also use the facilities and beach of 5-Star Pine Bay.

Our Rating
Superior
Local Rating
4 Star Hotel
Colossae Thermal Spa Hotel
Pamukkale

Set in landscaped gardens, the Colossae Thermal Spa Hotel has an envious location in Pamukkale. Guest rooms are spacious and tastefully decorated and offer a wonderful level of comfort, ensuring a good night's sleep. The on site thermal spa offers guests the chance to relax, revitalise and enjoy what this region is most famous for. Breakfast can be eaten outside on the terrace while dinner is often taken by the shimmering water of the pool.

Our Rating
Superior
Local Rating
4 Star Hotel
Alesta Yacht Hotel
Fethiye

Located where the Aegean Sea meets the Mediterranean and opposite the Fethiye Yacht Marina, the Alesta Yacht Hotel features a private beach, outdoor pool, spa, sauna, and hammam. Rooms boast beautiful wooden floors and soft colours, with TV, air-conditioning, and sea-facing balconies in some rooms. Dining is at the onsite Alarga restaurant beside the marina, and there's a bar serving delicious cocktails. The hotel is just 5 minutes from the city centre and 100 metres from the amphitheatre.

Our Rating
Superior
Local Rating
4 Star Hotel

Accommodation Standard

4 Star

Prices & Dates

'Twin/Double' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to solo travellers and anyone wanting the privacy of their own room, based on a travelling party of at least 2 adults. Please note that guided sightseeing is on a shared basis, if you wish to upgrade to private sightseeing this can be arranged for a supplement.

Departs daily, subject to availability. When choosing your travel dates please bear in mind that Hagia Sofia is closed on Mondays, Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays and Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays.

2024
Twin/Double
Single
3 Dec - 11 Dec
Sold Out
Sold Out
4 Dec - 12 Dec
Sold Out
Sold Out
5 Dec - 13 Dec
Sold Out
Sold Out
6 Dec - 14 Dec
R 60,265
R 78,085
7 Dec - 15 Dec
R 60,265
R 78,085
8 Dec - 16 Dec
R 60,265
R 78,085
9 Dec - 17 Dec
R 60,265
R 78,085
10 Dec - 18 Dec
R 60,265
R 78,085
2025
Twin/Double
Single
1 Jan - 9 Jan
R 60,265
R 78,085
2 Jan - 10 Jan
R 60,265
R 78,085
3 Jan - 11 Jan
R 60,265
R 78,085
4 Jan - 12 Jan
R 60,265
R 78,085
5 Jan - 13 Jan
R 60,265
R 78,085
6 Jan - 14 Jan
R 60,265
R 78,085
7 Jan - 15 Jan
R 60,265
R 78,085
8 Jan - 16 Jan
R 60,265
R 78,085
2026
Twin/Double
Single
1 Jan - 9 Jan
R 60,265
R 78,085

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