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The Best of Turkey
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Length
12 Days
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Quality
This indicates the overall quality of the tour operator's products. A low rating does not mean it is not good - it just means that it does not include as much, or perhaps is of a more standard quality than the higher quality tours. For example, a 3 star quality rating means that it is a more standard/economical tour, while 5 stars is a very luxurious tour that often includes a lot of amenities. -
Starts in
Istanbul (Turkey)
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Ends in
Istanbul (Turkey)
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Available Tour Start Dates
APR 13, 2028 to OCT 26, 2028
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Activity Level
No Rating Provided
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Style
Fully-Guided
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Language
English
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Guaranteed Date(s)
Yes means that there is at least one tour date that the vendor guarantees will occur. No means that there is not at least one tour date that the vendor guarantees will occur, which usually means that the vendor wants a certain amount of reservations on each tour in order for each one to occur. Of course, the terms and conditions of the vendor do allow for the vendor to cancel guaranteed tour dates for certain reasons (for example, a natural disaster).No
From
Pricing listed is per person, based on double occupancy, and is the least expensive price for at least one departure date of this tour. Price is for the tour only. Additional items, including but not limited to, airfare (unless noted otherwise), travel insurance, and more, are additional.
$10,990.00
Overview
A land of ancient wonders and living traditions...
Where East meets West, ancient civilizations come alive in a captivating blend of cultures, landscapes, and traditions. Discover the many treasures of Turkey, from Istanbul's magnificent mosques, opulent palaces and bustling bazaars to Cappadocia's otherworldly landscapes, where fairy chimneys rise above centuries-old cave dwellings. Soar over surreal valleys by private hot air balloon, witness the mesmerizing ritual of whirling dervishes, explore remarkably preserved Greco-Roman cities, and savor the flavors of Turkish cuisine. Along the way, experience warm hospitality, timeless traditions, and unexpected discoveries that reveal the heart and soul of this extraordinary country.
Visited During Tour
Antalya (Turkey) | Cappadocia (Turkey) | Ephesus (Turkey) | Istanbul (Turkey)
Dates, Offers & Prices Dates
Tour Itinerary Itinerary
More Details Details
Dates, Offers & Prices
The following are The Best of Turkey tour dates available from Tauck. Select a bonus offer graphic to view its details, including its terms.
Tour Itinerary
Tauck Tour Code TQ2028
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Day
1Welcome to Istanbul
Tour begins: 6:00 PM, Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul. Your journey begins in Istanbul, a city of magnificent contrasts where Europe meets Asia across the shimmering Bosphorus Strait. A transfer from Istanbul Airport is included to the luxurious Çırağan Palace Kempinski, an Ottoman imperial palace transformed into one of the city's most celebrated hotels. Join us for a welcome reception and dinner at the hotel tonight.
- Meals Included:
- Dinner
Accommodations: Ciragan Palace Kempinski -
Day
2Ottoman splendors and a Bosphorus cruise
Step into the world of Ottoman sultans on a guided visit to Topkapi Palace, once the seat of an empire that stretched across three continents. Explore its opulent chambers, courtyards, and legendary Harem before discovering the Grand Bazaar, a centuries-old marketplace alive with colorful carpets, glittering jewelry, ceramics, and the ever-present art of bargaining. Enjoy time to explore as you wish before embarking on a private cruise along the Bosphorus Strait, where waterfront palaces, historic landmarks, and two continents create a spectacular panorama. Dinner at a local restaurant completes your day.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Accommodations: Ciragan Palace Kempinski -
Day
3Istanbul's architectural wonders
Discover the architectural masterpieces that define Istanbul's extraordinary skyline. Marvel at the soaring domes and intricate blue tiles of the Blue Mosque, then visit Hagia Sophia, a monumental testament to the city's Byzantine and Ottoman heritage, where modest dress, shoulders and knees covered, is required. Following lunch at a local restaurant, descend into the Basilica Cistern, an atmospheric underground reservoir supported by hundreds of ancient columns. Return to your palace hotel for dinner at leisure.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodations: Ciragan Palace Kempinski -
Day
4Cappadocia's underground world
Fly to Cappadocia, a region of surreal rock formations, ancient cave dwellings, and landscapes unlike anywhere else on earth. After lunch, venture into the underground city of Kaymaklı, a labyrinth of rooms, tunnels, and passageways carved deep into the soft volcanic stone, where communities once sought refuge. This evening, experience the spiritual traditions of Turkey during a private performance of whirling dervishes, whose graceful, meditative movements reflect centuries of Sufi mysticism.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodations: Avantgarde Refined - Caves of Cappadocia -
Day
5Soaring over Cappadocia
Rise before dawn for an unforgettable adventure aboard a private hot air balloon as it soars above Cappadocia's magical landscape. Watch the morning light illuminate fairy chimneys, sculpted valleys, and ancient rock formations from a breathtaking perspective. Back on the ground, savor an outdoor breakfast surrounded by the region's extraordinary scenery before exploring the UNESCO-listed Göreme Open-Air Museum, where early Christian communities carved churches and sanctuaries into the rock, adorning them with centuries-old frescoes. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure before dinner at a local restaurant.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Accommodations: Avantgarde Refined - Caves of Cappadocia -
Day
6Along the ancient Silk Road to Konya
Journey across the Anatolian plateau toward Konya, stopping along the way at a historic caravanserai, once a welcome refuge for merchants traveling the legendary Silk Road. In Konya, discover the spiritual legacy of the 13th-century poet and mystic Rumi at the Mevlana Museum, home to his mausoleum and exhibits illuminating the traditions of the whirling dervishes. Later, you may choose to visit Çatalhöyük, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where archaeological discoveries reveal one of the world's earliest known settlements, dating back thousands of years. Dinner is at leisure at your hotel in Konya.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodations: Hilton Garden Inn Konya -
Day
7Roman treasures on the Mediterranean coast
Leave the Anatolian Plateau behind on a scenic drive through the Taurus Mountains, and on to the Mediterranean Coast and Antalya. Following lunch near Antalya, walk the colonnaded streets of Perge like Alexander the Great once did in the 4th century BC; once a thriving Greco-Roman city, the remains of baths, a stadium, and monumental architecture recall its former grandeur. At Aspendos, see one of the best-preserved Roman theaters in the world, an astonishing feat of ancient engineering. Continue to your hotel in Antalya for an evening at leisure.
Accommodations: Divan Talya -
Day
8A taste of Antalya
Discover the flavors and local character of Turkey's Mediterranean coast during a hands-on cooking class featuring traditional Turkish dishes. Then explore Antalya's atmospheric Old Town, known as Kaleiçi, where narrow cobblestone lanes wind past historic houses, inviting cafés, and colorful shops. See Hadrian's Gate, a monumental reminder of the city's Roman past, before enjoying lunch at a local restaurant. The afternoon and evening are yours to explore at your own pace, relax by the pool, take a swim in the Mediterranean, or find a charming spot for dinner in the Old Town.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Accommodations: Divan Talya -
Day
9Ancient Smyrna and modern Turkish life
Fly to Izmir on Turkey's Aegean coast, a region celebrated for its rich history, fertile vineyards, and Mediterranean way of life. Enjoy lunch at Sevilen Winery before exploring the ancient Agora of Smyrna, where excavated columns, arches, and marketplace ruins reveal the city's Greco-Roman past. Later, gain a more personal perspective on contemporary Turkish culture during an engaging talk about the lives and experiences of women in modern-day Turkey. Settle into your hotel, ideally situated near the waterfront, and enjoy dinner at leisure.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodations: Swissotel Buyuk Efes Izmir -
Day
10The ancient wonders of Ephesus
Walk in the footsteps of emperors, merchants, and philosophers as you explore Ephesus, one of the Mediterranean world's most magnificent ancient cities. Along its remarkably preserved marble streets, discover monumental ruins that recall the grandeur of Greek and Roman civilization, including the celebrated Library of Celsus. Enjoy a closer look at daily life in antiquity with a visit to the covered Roman villas, viewing intricate mosaics and frescoes still surviving from centuries past. Following lunch at a local restaurant, return to Izmir for an afternoon and evening at leisure.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Accommodations: Swissotel Buyuk Efes Izmir -
Day
11Istanbul's spice-scented streets
Fly to Istanbul this morning. Following lunch overlooking the historic city, immerse yourself in the sights, scents, and flavors of the Spice Bazaar, amidst colorful displays of aromatic spices, Turkish delight, and local delicacies that tempt the senses. Walk across the Galata Bridge above the Golden Horn, then ride an underground funicular up Galata Hill to your historic accommodations at the legendary Pera Palace Hotel. This evening, join us for a farewell reception and dinner.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodations: Pera Palace Hotel -
Day
12Journey home
Tour ends: 9:00 AM, Pera Palace Hotel. Enjoy breakfast before an included transfer from the Pera Palace Hotel to Istanbul Airport for your journey home. Allow a minimum of three hours for flight check-in.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
More Details
Tauck is informing us of the following additional details regarding their The Best of Turkey tour:
Tauck Values
The following is being included by Tauck on this tour:
- Soar over the surreal landscapes and fairy chimneys of Cappadocia on a hot air balloon flight at dawn and view a whirling dervish performance, both private for Tauck guests only
- Cruise the Bosphorus, separating the continents of Europe and Asia, aboard a private boat as you view waterfront mansions and historic sites from a different perspective
- Learn to cook like the locals at a hands-on Turkish cooking class featuring traditional regional dishes during your stay in Antalya
- 3 on-tour flights
- Guided sightseeing in Istanbul, including the Harem, the Basilica Cistern, the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, with visits to the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Market
- Explore the underground city of Kaymaklı and visit the UNESCO-listed Göreme Open-Air Museum, including ancient rock-cut churches and frescoes
Pricing listed above for tours is per person, in US Dollars, and is based on double occupancy. Pricing may change for other occupancy types. Pricing is based on the last time the vendor electronically sent us pricing data, which varies by vendor (usually occurs overnight or multiple times throughout each day).
Pricing and availability are subject to change and must be confirmed by one of our travel advisors, who can contact the vendor to do so. Intra-vacation air (also referred to as internal air) is usually based on economy class seating (do not assume otherwise, unless explicity noted otherwise) and may be 100% non-refundable at time of final payment. Air quotes (including intra-vacation airfare) may be subject to change until final payment has been received by the vendor. Flight confirmation may be based on availability. Air reservations may not be able to be confirmed until a passport copy is received by the vendor. The following charges are not included in the vacation price unless otherwise noted: airfare to and from the start of your vacation; airline baggage fees including checked and/or excess baggage fees; Federal inspection fees for the Federal U.S. Customs and Immigrations; International Air Transportation tax; agricultural tax; other per person taxes imposed by government entities; airport taxes and fees, including the September 11th Security fee, passenger facility charges, Federal domestic flight segment fees, and U.S. and international arrival and departure and other government-imposed fees added by the airline and applicable at time of booking; port taxes; passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to your Cruise Director, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, and/or ship's crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; minibar; alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant or onboard your vessel (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel, ship, or restaurant); airport transfers on non-qualifying flights; optional excursions; additional activities and excursions purchased online; porterage at airports and train stations; Travel Protection; and all other items of a personal nature. Itinerary details are provided by the vendor. Vendors may reserve the right to change itineraries, even on existing reservations. There may be instances where the name of a tour contains a tour length in it, but where there is a version of the tour that is a different number of days in length. You can check the true length of a tour by referring to the length value listed in association with that tour. Destination images displayed on this web page, some which are supplied by the related vendor and some which are not, are intended to simply give a general representation of the region of the world being visited during the tour. Such images are not necessarily of the exact areas being visited during the tour. Hotel details (including, but not limited to: rating/class, descriptions, images, amenities and addresses) are provided by Tauck. Hotel amenities may be communicated in shorthand by Tauck (for example, if "Laundry" is listed that may only mean that the hotel has an optional fee-based service that would allow for your laundry to be done by their staff). We reserve the right to correct errors.