Days
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Travel Turkey's eastern coast, stopping in at Gallipoli
Start with a kebab in Istanbul, leave for Gallipoli then zoom through Eceabat to Ayvalik for a visit to Troy and harbourside bevvies. On to Selcuk to explore Ephesus (where Antony and Cleopatra hung out), then Pamikkale for its healing pools, Fethiye for beach times, and a cruise for sunbaking and sunken ruins.
Leaping into the sparkly waters of the Mediterranean is super fun. Two things: don’t hold your nose or you’ll blow out an eardrum, and make sure your bikini bottoms or speedos are securely fastened before you jump.
- Start
- Istanbul, Turkey
- Finish
- Antalya, Turkey
- Destination
- Turkey
- Code
- GETL
- Physical rating
- Traveller’s rating
- 89 reviews
- Ages
- Min 18 , Max 29
- Group size
- Min 1, Max 16
Why you'll love this trip
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Get to know Istanbul from the inside as you get (deliberately) lost in the maze of bustling backstreets with a local leader
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We’ve got the cure for whatever ails ya; the hot springs at Pamukkale, pure white calcium travertines that cascade down the cliffs overlooking the town, are said to have magical healing properties
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Thought all the best Roman ruins were in Italy? Think again! Turkey is home to one of the best preserved classical cities in all of Europe. Discover Ephesus just like Anthony and Cleopatra did 2,000 years ago
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While paying your respects, you can’t but be moved by the battles fought and lives lost at the now peaceful scene of the Gallipoli coast
Is this trip right for you?
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You’ll get an extra taste of local life on this trip, with most travel done on public buses. There are loads of reasons why this is great, but here are just a few: it minimises our carbon footprint, gives you a real chance to interact with the local community, and these aren’t your regular buses. Most Turkish buses have Wi-Fi and serve coffee and cake. Yes, you heard right, coffee and cake! Oh and did we mention the in-seat entertainment?
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Can you feel that tingling in your fingers? That my friend is power! This trip puts it in your hands with the options of free time or taking optional tours. Maybe budget a little extra cash for activities that aren’t included.
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You’re probably pro at packing light and smart, but just in case your tempted to bring a big, heavy bag, remember you’ll have to carry it to and from hotels, bus stops, train stations etc.
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The weather can be hot in July and August but this is the best time to enjoy the clear water of the Mediterranean.
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You’ll need your walking shoes, a hat, some sunscreen, and a daypack to explore some of historical sites. All site tours are guided, but you can wander at your own pace if you prefer.
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Bring your best sweater along, as temperatures in April and October can be a bit cooler than you might expect, especially in the evenings.
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Itinerary
Notes: If you can't arrange a flight that will have you arrive at the hotel by early evening, you may wish to arrive a day early, so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). If you're going to be late, please contact the hotel reception.
Accommodation
- Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
- Istanbul - Turkish Hamam (incl. massage) - TRY120
- Istanbul - Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts - TRY25
- Istanbul - Blue Mosque - Free
- Galata Tower - TRY18
- Bosphorus Boat Cruise (Public Boat) - TRY25
- Istanbul - Archaeology Museum - TRY20
- Istanbul - Basilica Cistern - TRY20
- Istanbul - Hagia Sophia - TRY40
- Istanbul - Topkapi Palace - TRY65
- Istanbul - Chora Church - TRY30
- Istanbul - Whirling Dervish show - TRY60
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.Spend the evening of day two in Canakkale. The city has young local vibe due to it being a popular spot to go to Uni. Chill on the edge of the Dardanelles with an Efes or check out a local band. Don't leave town without trying the cheesy desert thing.
Accommodation
- Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
- Ayvalik - Boat From Ayvalık to Cunda Island - TRY10
- Troy - Guided visit - TRY85
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
- Ephesus - guided archaeological site visit - TRY40
- Selcuk - Archaeological Museum - TRY15
- Selcuk - Basilica of St John - TRY10
- Ephesus - Terrace Houses Entry - TRY25
- Selcuk - Meryemana (Mary's House) entrance fee - TRY20
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
- Pamukkale - Hierapolis Museum - TRY5
- Pamukkale - Hierapolis Cleopatra pool - TRY35
- Pamukkale - Hierapolis & Travertines National Park - TRY35
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Accommodation
- Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
- Fethiye - Oludeniz Blue Lagoon - TRY6
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Overnight Boat (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Accommodation
- Overnight Boat (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodation
- Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
- Antalya - Antalya Museum - TRY20
- Antalya - Aspendos Ancient City - TRY25
- Antalya - Mermerli Beach Kaleici - TRY11
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.Meals
9 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinnersTransport
Ferry, Local bus, Private Bus, Train, BoatAccommodation
Boat (2 nights), Pension (1 nights), Hotel (6 nights), Camping (1 night)Reviews
Our Totally Turkey trips score an average of 4.91 out of 5 based on 89 reviews in the last year.
Totally Turkey, September 2017
Jordan Tredinnick
Turkey is a truly beautiful country and this trip was a fantastic way to experience the immense beauty and uniqueness of Turkey. I loved every minute of this trip. It was a perfect balance of travel, people, nature and history. Unfortunately we weren't able to camp in Butterfly Valley because we weren't able to get the boat to the Valley because of some storms at sea. However the alternative activites offered by our guide Burak more than made up for this slight initial disappointment. Could not recommend this trip more!
Review submitted 31 Oct 2017
Totally Turkey, September 2017
Maggi Heneghan
Overview: Incredible trip! Delicious food, adventure, relaxation, history, and culture. I would absolutely recommend this trip, the only caveat is that you do spend between 2 - 4 hours on a bus each morning getting to your next destination. It always included stops to grab snack and wasn't bad, but if you get car sick really easily then this might not be the best trip for you.
Review submitted 04 Oct 2017
Dates & availability
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There are currently no scheduled departures on our Totally Turkey trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.
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Important notes
ANZAC DAY DEPARTURE:
The 23rd April 2018 departure ties in with ANZAC day at Gallipoli. The night of Day 2 will be spent camping in Anzac Cove instead of in Istanbul. Please bring a sleeping bag if you are travelling on this departure.
We would also like to advise that attendance at this event requires an attendance pass. We recommend applying for this pass in advance at the links below. Passes are available in electronic format if you are travelling and unable to receive your pass it will be emailed to you. It will also be necessary to carry this pass and your personal identification at all times whilst on site. For those that arrive without a pass you can apply before the tour departs Istanbul OR at the coach registration upon arrival, however these passes will not be guaranteed, and will be dependent on site capacity.
NZ Citizens
https://ww100.govt.nz/anzac-day-2018-gallipoli
Australian Citizens
https://overseascommemorations.ticketek.com.au/
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT:
An optional single supplement is available on this trip, please refer to your booking agent for further information.
Please note, on the following nights the Single Supplement is not available:
-Day 3: Ayvalik
-Day 6: Faralya
-Day 8 & 9: Southern Sailing Cruise
Following recent safety incidents we recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest information on travelling in Turkey before your departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all areas of your itinerary. We have links to prominent government travel advisories and regular updates on issues affecting this trip on our Travel Alerts page - www.geckosadventures.com/en-au/travel-alerts