Highlights of Turkey with Istanbul City Stay

Highlights of Turkey with Istanbul City Stay

• Trip code: 481X025
• Dauer: 11
• Stil: Classic

Take a big bite out of Istanbul with this short-yet-full Mini Adventure. Grab street food for dinner after touring the Old City, and marvel at the Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, and Mosaic Museum. A culinary day tour adds adventure flavour with stops for Turkish coffee, baklava, a profiterole tasting, and a mezze lunch. Wander through the ancient cities of Troy and Ephesus, delve into the mysterious underground city of Kaymakli, and explore Cappadocia's surreal, otherworldly terrain. Top it all off with a cozy dinner with a local family for a true taste of Turkish hospitality. Starting and ending in the vibrant streets of Istanbul, this trip will leave you craving more of Turkey's magic.

Übersicht

Accommodation

Hotels (9 nts), Overnight Train (1 nt)

Checklist

Conservative Dress:
• Modest clothing that covers knees and shoulders (Long pants, long skirts, shirts that cover shoulders)
• Shawl or scarf (for temple visits)

Documents:
• Flight info (required) (Printouts of e-tickets may be required at the border)
• Insurance info (required) (With photocopies)
• Passport (required) (With photocopies)
• Vouchers and pre-departure information (required)
• Visas or vaccination certificates (With photocopies)

Essentials:
• Toiletries (required) (Shampoo, bodywash, soap, etc.)
• Binoculars (optional)
• Camera (With extra memory cards and batteries)
• Cash, credit and debit cards
• Day pack (Used for daily excursions or short overnights)
• Ear plugs
• First-aid kit (should contain lip balm with sunscreen, sunscreen, whistle, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, bandaids/plasters, tape, anti-histamines, antibacterial gel/wipes, antiseptic cream, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, water purification tablets or drops, insect repellent, sewing kit, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)
• Flashlight/torch (Headlamps are ideal)
• Fleece top/sweater
• Footwear
• Hat
• Headphones (Noise-cancelling recommended)
• Locks for bags
• Long pants/jeans
• Moneybelt
• Outlet adapter
• Personal entertainment (Reading and writing materials, cards, music player, etc.)
• Reusable water bottle
• Shirts/t-shirts
• Sleepwear
• Small travel towel
• Sunglasses
• Swimwear
• Watch and alarm clock
• Waterproof backpack cover
• Windproof rain jacket

Health & Safety:
• Face masks (Clients will be only be required to wear a face mask where it is mandated by local regulations.)
• Hand sanitizer
• Pen (Please bring your own pen for filling out documents.)

Optional/Useful packing list:
• Binoculars (optional)
• Camera (With extra memory cards and batteries)
• Ear plugs
• Locks for bags
• Moneybelt
• Outlet adapter
• Personal entertainment (Reading and writing materials, cards, music player, etc.)
• Sleeping bag liner/sleep sheet

Warm Weather:
• Sandals/flip-flops
• Shorts/skirts (Longer shorts/skirts are recommended)
• Sturdy water shoes/sandals
• Sun hat/bandana
• Swimwear

Group Leader

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout

Group Size Notes

Max 15, avg 10

Highlights

Walk through time on a day tour of the Old City, Experience traditional Turkish foods and flavours on a culinary tour, Enjoy an authentic street food dinner, Discover historic cities and explore the ancient ruins of Ephesus and Troy, Visit the historic WWI battlefield of Gallipoli, Marvel at the extraordinary scenery of Cappadocia, Enjoy dinner in a local family home

Introduction

Take a big bite out of Istanbul with this short-yet-full Mini Adventure. Grab street food for dinner after touring the Old City, and marvel at the Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, and Mosaic Museum. A culinary day tour adds adventure flavour with stops for Turkish coffee, baklava, a profiterole tasting, and a mezze lunch. Wander through the ancient cities of Troy and Ephesus, delve into the mysterious underground city of Kaymakli, and explore Cappadocia's surreal, otherworldly terrain. Top it all off with a cozy dinner with a local family for a true taste of Turkish hospitality. Starting and ending in the vibrant streets of Istanbul, this trip will leave you craving more of Turkey's magic

Meal Budget

Plane USD185-240 für nicht inbegriffene Mahlzeiten ein

Optional Activities

Istanbul
- Hamam (50-70EUR pro Person)
- Archäologisches Museum (15EUR pro Person)
- Dolmabahçe-Palast (1200TRY pro Person)
- Cisterna Basilica (900TRY pro Person)

Göreme
- Besuch eines Töpferzentrums (Gratis)
- Balloonfahrt in Kappadokien
- Turkish Bath (75EUR pro Person)

Cappadocia
- Teppichvorführung (Gratis)

Istanbul
- Besuch im Topkapi-Palast (1500TRY pro Person)
- Galataturm (30EUR pro Person)
- Besichtigung der Aya Sofya (25EUR pro Person)

Start / Finish

von Istanbul

Transport

Private vehicle, ferry, train, plane, walking

What's Included

Dein G-for-Good-Moment: Handwerksprojekt Çöp(m)adam, Ayvalık
Dein Foodie-Moment: Street Food Experience, Istanbul
Dein Welcome-Moment: Anreise und Begrüßungstreffen
Dein Foodie-Moment: Pide Demonstration and Lunch, Selçuk
Dein Local-Living-Moment: Abendessen bei einer einheimischen Familie, Çavuşin. Old Town Orientation Walk. Street Food Dinner Experience. Hagia Sophia Visit. Old City Underground Tour. Hippodrome Visit. Culinary Walking Tour Of "Cool" Istanbul. Kadiköy Visit. Gallipoli battlefields entrance and guided visit. Troy entrance and guided visit. Ephesus entrance and visit. Orientation walk in the old Kemeralti bazaar in Izmir. Tour the Mevlana Museum. Tea at sunset from a viewpoint over Cappadocia. Hike through the "fairy chimneys" of Cappadocia. Kaymakli underground city exploration. Internal flight. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Meals Included

10 Frühstück, 2 Mittagessen, 2 Abendessen

Minimum Age

Um ohne Begleitperson mit G Adventures zu reisen, musst du mindestens 18 Jahre alt sein. Das Mindestalter für Kinder in Begleitung eines Erziehungsberechtigten (über 21) beträgt 12 Jahre

Itinerary

Day 1 Istanbul

Arrive at any time and spend the day exploring on your own. Later, meet your CEO and the group before heading out for a stroll through the Old Town to enjoy some of Istanbul's most famous street foods for dinner

Day 2 Istanbul

Tour the world-renowned Hagia Sofia. After, explore a lesser-known side of Istanbul's Old Town and visit subterranean Roman and Byzantine ruins, the Hippodrome and the Little Haiga Sofia Mosque. Tonight, opt to visit a hammam (traditional Turkish bath)

Day 3 Istanbul

Enjoy a culinary walking tour of the trendiest districts in Istanbul. Wander through Taksim Square and the lively district of Karaköy on a CEO-led culinary walking tour, sampling local specialties such as baklava and Turkish coffee. Enjoy a sumptuous mezze lunch. Catch a ferry to Kadiköy, on the Asian side of Istanbul

Day 4 Istanbul

Enjoy a free day with suggestions provided by your CEO for further sightseeing. In the evening attend a welcome meeting with newly-joining group members before heading out for an optional dinner

Day 5 Istanbul/Çanakkale

Travel east from Istanbul to the Gallipoli Peninsula for a guided tour of the area including ANZAC Cove, the war cemeteries, and Lone Pine. In the afternoon, continue on to the harbour town of Çanakkale

Day 6 Çanakkale/Selçuk

Set off from Çanakkale and visit the ancient city of Troy. Continue to Ayvalik and stop by the G-supported Cöp(m)adam handicraft coop before travelling south to the town of Selçuk for the night

Day 7 Selçuk/İzmir

Explore Ephesus this morning as well as the Temple of Artemis, one of the ancient seven wonders of the world. Back in Selçuk, take part in a demonstration of how to prepare pide, a traditional Turkish flatbread, then devour the delicious results for lunch. In the afternoon transfer to the city of Izmir for an orientation walk of the old Kemeralti bazaar then board an overnight train bound for Cappadocia

Day 8 Konya/Cappadocia

Disembark the train in Konya and grab some breakfast at a nearby restaurant. Visit the Mevlana Museum before continuing by private vehicle to the Cappadocia region and check into the hotel. Sip a cup of tea or coffee while taking in the sunset from a nearby viewpoint before heading out for an optional dinner with the group in the evening

Day 9 Cappadocia

Set out on a full day of exploration of the Cappadocia area, starting with a hike through the iconic "fairy chimneys." Stop at various scenic viewpoints for photos on the way to the massive subterranean complex of the Kaymakli underground city before some free time in the afternoon for individual exploration or to relax at the hotel. In the evening, gain insight into the local cultural traditions by sharing a meal with a local family

Day 10 Cappadocia/Istanbul

After an early breakfast, transfer to the airport to catch the flight back to Istanbul. Enjoy the rest of the day free for individual exploration of the historic and vibrant city, grab some street food or relax at a cafe before an optional final dinner with the group

Day 11 Istanbul

Depart at any time

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Istanbul

Day 2 Istanbul

Day 3 Istanbul

Day 4 Istanbul

Day 5 Istanbul/Çanakkale

Make an early morning visit to Gallipoli, where thousands gave their lives during WWI in the battle of the same name. Take in the sights and learn the sombre story.

It is only a little further to Çanakkale, a busy harbour town with a thriving student population. Join the crowds as they stroll the waterfront nightly.

Day 6 Çanakkale/Selçuk

Visit the nearby historic and world-famous city of Troy and then visit the G-supported Cöp(m)adam handicraft cooperation, which support the local women who work in the workshop. Continue south to Selçuk for the next couple of nights.

Day 7 Selçuk/İzmir

Tour the nearby ancient Roman ruins of Ephesus for a glimpse into what life was like thousands of years before in this part of what is now Turkey. After driving back to Selçuk, learn all about how to make "Turkish pizza," called pide before transferring north to the city of Izmir for some exploration before hopping on the overnight train.

Day 8 Konya/Cappadocia

Transfer to Cappadocia for 2 days of exploring the surreal and spectacular landscapes of the area.

Day 9 Cappadocia

Outdoor enthusiast? Hire a bike to get around on two wheels or join your CEO on an optional trekking tour through one of the beautiful valleys of the region.

Day 10 Cappadocia/Istanbul

Continue on to İstanbul for the opportunity to finish up your sightseeing or get in some last minute shopping.

Day 11 Istanbul