Turkey Premium Discovery

Turkey Premium Discovery — Ancient Cities, Coastal Beauty and Cultural Treasures

Experience Turkey on an 11-day private journey from the legendary ruins of Troy and the hilltop Acropolis of Pergamon to Ephesus, Aphrodisias and the white terraces of Pamukkale. Discover Antalya’s historic streets and the theatre of Aspendos, travel across Anatolia to Cappadocia, and complete your journey in Istanbul with historic neighbourhoods, colourful bazaars and a Bosphorus cruise.

Duration: 11 Days / 10 Nights
Starts and ends: Istanbul
Tour style: Private Tour
Route: Istanbul → Çanakkale → Pergamon → İzmir → Kuşadası → Aphrodisias → Pamukkale → Antalya → Konya → Cappadocia → Istanbul

Tour Highlights

• Discover Troy and Pergamon — explore Troy and take a cable car to Pergamon’s Acropolis.
• Explore Ephesus and Selçuk — visit the ancient city, the House of the Virgin Mary and the Basilica of St. John.
• Experience Şirince — wander through a village known for its historic houses and fruit wines.
• Visit Aphrodisias, Pamukkale and Hierapolis — discover ancient heritage and striking white travertine terraces.
• Discover Antalya and Aspendos — explore Kaleiçi, Hadrian’s Gate and the ancient theatre.
• Travel through Konya — visit the Mevlana Museum and enjoy a photo stop at Sultanhanı Caravanserai.
• Explore Cappadocia — discover Kaymaklı Underground City, Göreme’s rock-cut churches, valleys and fairy chimneys.
• Enjoy Istanbul in depth — explore its Old City, Fener and Balat, bazaars and the Bosphorus.

Private Tour Prices

Valid for travel: 15 November 2026 – 14 March 2027

Room basis: Twin / Double Room-Sharing

Single room supplement: $790.00 per person

Prices are quoted in USD per person. Final pricing is subject to availability and confirmation for your travel dates.

Planning a private journey?
Send us your travel dates and group size using the enquiry form for a personalised quote.

Day 1 — Arrival in Istanbul and Journey to Çanakkale

Meet your local guide on arrival at Istanbul Airport and begin your journey towards Çanakkale, travelling along the shores of the Sea of Marmara. Enjoy lunch in the Gallipoli area, associated with the First World War campaigns and the ANZAC landings.

Cross the Dardanelles by crossing over a suspension bridge and stop in central Çanakkale to see the wooden horse used in the film Troy. Continue to the archaeological site of Troy, whose layers of settlement evoke the world of Homer’s Iliad. After your visit, check in to your hotel.

Overnight: Çanakkale
Meals: Lunch and dinner

Day 2 — Çanakkale to Pergamon, İzmir and Kuşadası

After breakfast, travel to Bergama, ancient Pergamon. Take the cable car to the Acropolis and explore the hilltop remains, including the sanctuary of Athena, the Temple of Trajan, the library area and the site of the Altar of Zeus. Discover the city’s place in the history of the Seven Churches of Revelation.

After lunch in Bergama, continue towards Kuşadası. Pass through İzmir for a panoramic coach tour with views of its bay before arriving at your hotel.

Overnight: Kuşadası
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3 — Ephesus, Christian Heritage and Şirince

Begin with a visit to the House of the Virgin Mary, a peaceful pilgrimage site traditionally associated with her final years. Visit a leather outlet for a fashion show and an introduction to Turkish leather products.

After lunch, explore Ephesus, including the Great Theatre, Arcadian Street, the Fountain of Trajan, the Library of Celsus and the Temple of Hadrian. Continue to the Basilica of St. John, traditionally associated with the apostle’s burial place.

Visit Şirince, a village known for its historic houses, charming streets and fruit wines, before returning to your hotel in Kuşadası.

Overnight: Kuşadası
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 — Kuşadası to Aphrodisias and Pamukkale

After breakfast, travel to Aphrodisias, an ancient city named after Aphrodite. Explore its archaeological remains before lunch at a local restaurant.

Continue to Pamukkale to discover the white travertine terraces and the ancient thermal city of Hierapolis. See the setting of the Antique Pool, often called Cleopatra’s Pool, before checking in to your hotel.

Bring swimwear if you would like to use the thermal swimming facilities available during your stay. Access, operating conditions and any additional charges will be confirmed for your travel dates.

Overnight: Pamukkale
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 — Pamukkale to Antalya and Aspendos

After breakfast, drive towards Antalya on the Mediterranean coast. Explore Kaleiçi, the historic centre, with its restored houses, winding lanes, shops and cafés. Visit Hadrian’s Gate, one of the city’s distinctive Roman monuments.

Continue to Aspendos to visit its remarkably preserved ancient theatre. Discover its grand stage building and tiered seating before transferring to your hotel in Antalya.

Overnight: Antalya
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 — Antalya to Konya and Cappadocia

After breakfast, travel inland towards Konya through a region crossed by historic trade routes. Visit the Mevlana Museum to discover the legacy of Rumi and the traditions associated with the whirling dervishes.

Continue towards Cappadocia, stopping for photographs at Sultanhanı Caravanserai, an impressive reminder of the inns that served merchants travelling across Anatolia. On arrival, check in to your hotel.

Overnight: Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 — Cappadocia’s Underground City and Valleys

You may begin the morning with an optional hot-air balloon ride, subject to weather, operating conditions and availability. Explore Kaymaklı Underground City and its network of passages, living spaces, storage areas and other chambers.

After lunch, visit Uçhisar Castle and the surrounding village, then enjoy the views at Pigeon Valley. Visit a carpet workshop to learn about traditional Turkish hand weaving, followed by a photo stop at Haunting Valley. Enjoy dinner at a restaurant before returning to your hotel.

Overnight: Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Optional activity: Hot-air balloon ride (additional cost)

Day 8 — Cappadocia’s Rock-Cut Churches and Flight to Istanbul

After breakfast, explore Göreme Open-Air Museum and its rock-cut churches, some decorated with frescoes. Continue to Devrent Valley, also known as Imagination Valley, and stop for photographs at the Three Beauties fairy chimneys.

After lunch, transfer to the airport for your domestic flight to Istanbul. On arrival, enjoy a panoramic coach tour before dinner and transfer to your hotel. Flight details will be confirmed for your travel dates.

Overnight: Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 9 — Istanbul’s Historic Old City

After breakfast, travel to Istanbul’s historic Old City. Visit the Blue Mosque, celebrated for its tilework and six minarets, and explore the former Hippodrome, including the Egyptian Obelisk, Serpent Column and German Fountain.

Enjoy an exterior photo stop at Hagia Sophia. After lunch, continue with an exterior photo stop at Topkapı Palace. Interior visits to Hagia Sophia and Topkapı Palace are not scheduled in this itinerary.

Spend free time browsing the Grand Bazaar and its stalls selling jewellery, ceramics, handicrafts and other local products. Transfer to your hotel.

Overnight: Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast, lunch.

Day 10 — Istanbul’s Bazaars and Historic Neighbourhoods

After breakfast, explore the Spice Market, where colourful stalls display spices, dried fruit, nuts and teas. Continue to Fener and Balat to discover historic streets, colourful houses and the area’s diverse religious heritage, including views of the Phanar Greek Orthodox School.

Enjoy an exterior photo stop at Galata Tower before a walking tour around Taksim and Istiklal Avenue. Visit St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church and experience the shops, cafés and lively atmosphere of this part of Istanbul. Lunch is included during the day. Return to your hotel for your final overnight stay.

Overnight: Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast and lunch.

Day 11 — Bosphorus Cruise, Ortaköy and Departure

After breakfast, enjoy a Bosphorus cruise between the European and Asian shores of Istanbul. Admire waterfront palaces, historic mansions and views of the fortresses lining the strait from the boat.

Continue to Ortaköy for time to explore its waterfront and shopping streets, with the opportunity to try its famous kumpir, a generously filled baked potato. After lunch at a fish restaurant, transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

Tour ends: Istanbul Airport
Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Before You Travel

Day 1 sightseeing depends on your international arrival time, and Day 11 activities require a suitably timed departure flight. Domestic flight schedules, traffic, site opening hours and religious services may affect the order of visits. The Grand Bazaar visit is subject to its opening days. Thermal pool access and any swimming arrangements will be confirmed separately. Accommodation details, flight arrangements, admission fees and the full list of included services will be confirmed in your personalised proposal.

Plan Your Turkey Premium Discovery Journey

Send us your preferred travel dates and number of travellers using the booking enquiry form. We will help you plan your Turkey Premium Discovery journey and provide a personalised proposal.