Charming Turkey 2023

After breakfast at the hotel begin a guided tour of Istanbul visiting St. Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, and Grand Bazaar.

After breakfast transfer to airport for your flight to Kayseri. Upon arrival you will visit Turasan wine factory and enjoy tasting the beautiful wines of Cappadocia. Then continue for an exciting jeep safari adventure in Cappadocia. Driving from Goreme to Cavusin through Love Valley, we’ll make frequent photo stops en route. Arriving into Cavusin town, we’ll walk up to the old city and see the Church of St. John the Baptist – one of the oldest cave churches in Cappadocia. Next we head to Ortahisar via the Rose Valley. After visiting the picturesque Ortahisar Castle, we make our way to Uzengi Valley. Our drive takes us along the brook bank where we’ll be able to see the pigeon houses carved into the rocks. Later we arrive into Mustafapasa Village (Sinasos) – a town that was inhabited by the Greeks until the population exchange in 1924. After some relaxing time in the town, we drive back to Goreme via Pancarlik, Pigeons, and Babaccik Valleys. After the tour you will be transferred to your hotel. Over night Cappadocia.

Early in the morning an optional balloon tour is available (supplement applies).
After breakfast full day excursion in Cappadocia including visits to the Kaymaki Underground City, Open Air Museum in Goreme and natural fortress in Uchisar. Lunch in a cave restaurant to taste famous pottery Kebap.
An optional and fun Turkish folklore evening is available tonight (supplement applies).
Overnight in Cappadocia

Early departure for Pamukkale. On the way visit the 13th century Seljukian masterpiece, Sultanhan Caravanserai before arrival in Konya. After visiting the Mausoleum of Mevlana we continue our drive to Pamukkale.

After breakfast visit the ancient Hierapolis, with the magnificent Necropolis graveyard and the lime cascade. Thereafter we continue our drive to Selcuk to visit Temple of Artemis ”one of the seven wonders of the ancient world” then continue to Izmir.

After breakfast there is a short drive to Ephesus. Explore its marbled streets, amphitheatre, and the Temple of Hadrian. Take the opportunity to discover and understand the rich history behind local handicrafts like handmade carpets and tiles. Lunch in a nomadic tent in Selcuk to taste Turkish Gozleme. Continue to the village of Sirince, where you can experience one of the most beautiful villages in Turkey, before returning to Izmir.

Early departure for Bergama to visit the Asklepion with its well preserved remains
before continuing to Troy; the site where the legendary Trojan War took place. Drive to Canakkale.

After breakfast at the hotel drive to Gallipoli and visit Anzac Cove, Chunuk Bair, Lone Pine, and the 57th regiment memorial. Cross the Dardanelles. Later in the afternoon continue to Istanbul, arriving later in the evening.

This morning explore the backstreets of Istanbul. Start the tour at the Spice Market area, learning about the spices which dominated Ottoman cuisine. Try sherbet (spice juice), Turkish Delight, and nuts. Experience the smells and the colours of Istanbul…Then walk through Galata Bridge, stopping to taste ethnic dishes from all regions of Anatolia. Galata district is becoming a cultural centre with design shops haute couture designers, wine cellars, boutique hotels… taste Turkish coffee cooked on charcoal, maybe sesame pretzel and roasted chestnuts on the way to Beyoglu. Beyoglu has little labyrinth like streets with hidden tastes of different Greek mezes, Blacksea style Turkish pizza, fried mussels, pickles, soups etc. Conclude the tour with desert, either mastic rice pudding, elastic ice cream, Beyoglu chocolate – or taste all of them if you have a sweet tooth!

After breakfast transfer to Istanbul airport.

• Boutique/ traditional hotels with private facilities.
• Arrival transfer (IST) – supplement applies for Sabika Gocken airport
• Departure transfer to IST only (shuttles depart at 0900 and 1300)
• Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle
• Flight Istanbul – Cappadocia
• Meals and sightseeing as indicated on the itinerary
• Professional English speaking guides
• Entrance fees
• Jeep safari and wine tasting in Cappadocia
• Traditional food and soft beverage tasting in Istanbul
• Porterage at hotels
• Turkey Travel Notes – issued by Innovative Travel

• International airfares
• Optional tours and excursions
• Port Taxes and fuel surcharges
• Porterage
• Tipping/Gratuities (please refer to tour notes for a recommended guideline)
• Personal Expenses
• Departure taxes
• Hotel charges for minibar or any extra charges
• Visas (unless specified)
• Any other services not clearly mentioned in the inclusions above

Porterage for one suitcase is included in the tour price. Due to limited coach capacity the single bag should not exceed the dimensions of 30”x18”x10” and not weigh more than 50lbs (25kg).

The hotel selection may change – please use this as a guideline only