Intrepid Travel
Real Turkey
Real Turkey
See the real Turkey on this 15-day adventure through the best bits. Discover the cultural melting pot that is this fascinating landscape, which straddles both Europe and the Middle East. Indulge in some incredible local bites (and maybe some shisha, too), explore ancient ruins and walk in the footsteps of Marc Antony and the Trojan army. Wander Istanbul at your own pace, then hit the coast to swim and sunbake in the Dardanelles Strait, the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, sailing along the south coast. Learn about the practices of Sufism and the art and performance of the whirling dervish, then spend a few days getting to know otherworldly Cappadocia. Wander the fairy chimneys, get up early to see the iconic sight of hot air balloons floating along the city’s skyline and maybe even treat yourself to a ride at sunrise! This trip is all the best bits of Turkey and more!
Activities
- Gallipoli – Battlefields Tour
- Ayvalik – Copmadam Visit (trashyteyze / Tara Hopkins)
- Ayvalik – Orientation Walk
- Ephesus – Archaeological site visit
- Pamukkale – Hierapolis and Travertines National Park
- Kas – Turkish Coast day sailing
- Antalya – Kaleici Walking Tour
- Cappadocia – Kaymakli Underground City
- Cappadocia – Dinner at Local Family Home
- Cappadocia – Pottery demonstration
- Cappadocia – Pigeon Valley and Devrent Valley
- Cappadocia – Sunset Hike
- Istanbul – Historical Peninsula Tour
Highlights
- Eat, swim, sunbake, repeat – that’s what will happen when you get cruising along Turkey’s Mediterranean coastline. The choice is yours if you’d like to go exploring or just relax on deck.
- Delight your tastebuds with exceptional Turkish cuisine, from kebabs to coffee and the famous Ayvalik tost – a Turkish-style toasted sandwich. Then, dine in the home of a local family, where you’ll be treated to a traditional home-cooked Turkish meal.
- Thought all the best Roman ruins were in Italy Think again! Turkey is home to one of the best-preserved classics of Ephesus and you’ll see it all with a local leader.
- Explore the weird and wonderful world of Cappadocia – this might be the most unusual place in Turkey. Learn all about its fairy chimneys and sprawling rock formations from your expert local leader.
- Wade through the scenic hot springs at Pamukkale – pure white calcium deposits that cascade down the cliffs overlooking the town are said to have magical healing properties.
| Day 1 |
Istanbul, previously known as Byzantium and Constantinople, is where East meets West. Situated on both sides of the narrow strait Bosporus, Istanbul is a connector between Europe and Asia.
Turkey's most populated and culturally rich city has been profoundly shaped by history. Imperialistic armies, a revolving door of rulers (including Greeks, Romans and Venetians) and its strategic positioning on the Silk Road led Istanbul, though centuries, to become the diverse and incomparable city it is today. Visitors will discover striking domed monuments, Byzantine architecture and a natural beauty. The Hagia Sophia is called the 8th wonder of the world, and the Blue Mosque also demands attention. Shop at the sprawling Grand Bazaar, walk the Topkapi Palace Museum, take a boat tour on the Bosporus, and take in a wondrous view of the city on Çamlica Hill. |
| Day 2 |
The city of Canakkale lies at the narrow, 1,200 meter entrance to the Canakkale Strait that connects the Sea of Marmara and the Aegean. To honor the 500,000 soldiers who lost their lives at Gelibolu (Gallipoli), the peninsula was made into Gelibou Historical National Park.
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| Day 3 |
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| Day 4 |
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| Day 5 |
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| Day 6 |
Pamukkale is a fairyland of dazzling white, petrified castles. It is a magical and spectacular natural site, unique in the world. Thermal spring waters laden with calcareous salts running off the plateau's edge, have created this fantastic formation of stalactites, cataracts and basins. |
| Day 7 |
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| Day 8 |
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| Day 9 |
One of Turkey's popular holiday vacation spots, Antalya is an engaging city. The region is immersed in sunshine for 300 days of the year, making it a hot spot for sunbathing, swimming and activities like wind-surfing, water-skiing, sailing, mountain climbing and caving. The Toros (Taurus) Mountains meander down to the sea forming a rocky coastline with
many secluded coves. Because of the immense differences in terrain, during the spring months, one can ski in the mornings and swim in the warm Mediterranean waters in the afternoon. It is no wonder that many vacationers find refuge in this Mediterranean paradise. Along with the sunbathing and activities, Antalya has a rich, historical background. One particular area of interest is the charming old quarter, Kaleic, with it's narrow, winding streets and old wooden houses adjoining the ancient city walls. Explore the rich olive and citrus groves and palm, avocado and banana plantations. Have fun discovering the many wonders that are Antalya! |
| Day 10 |
The city of Whirling Dervishes. Konya was the capital of Seljuk Turks from 12th to 13th centuries. It ranks as one of the greatest cultural centers of Turkey. |
| Day 11 |
The ancient region of Cappadocia lies in Central Anatolia, between the cities of Nevsehir, Kayseri and Nigde. Here, the traveler finds one of the most fantastic landscapes in the world. Three million years ago, violent eruptions of the volcanoes Mt. Erciyes (3891 m) and Mt. Hasan (3250 m) covered the surrounding plateau with tuff. Wind and weather have eroded the soft volcanic rock with hundreds of strangely shaped pillars, cones and "fairy chimneys", often very tall, and in every shade from pink through yellow to russet browns. Since the most ancient of times, men have hollowed out dwellings in this soft rock, and here, at the dawn of Christianity, the early Christians made countless cave churches, chapels and monasteries. Goreme, in Cappadocia, is an important area for shopping, with its wonderful carpets and kilims, onyx souvenirs, and very fine local wines. It is also a wonderful region for trekking and for photo-safaris. |
| Day 12 |
The ancient region of Cappadocia lies in Central Anatolia, between the cities of Nevsehir, Kayseri and Nigde. Here, the traveler finds one of the most fantastic landscapes in the world. Three million years ago, violent eruptions of the volcanoes Mt. Erciyes (3891 m) and Mt. Hasan (3250 m) covered the surrounding plateau with tuff. Wind and weather have eroded the soft volcanic rock with hundreds of strangely shaped pillars, cones and "fairy chimneys", often very tall, and in every shade from pink through yellow to russet browns. Since the most ancient of times, men have hollowed out dwellings in this soft rock, and here, at the dawn of Christianity, the early Christians made countless cave churches, chapels and monasteries. Goreme, in Cappadocia, is an important area for shopping, with its wonderful carpets and kilims, onyx souvenirs, and very fine local wines. It is also a wonderful region for trekking and for photo-safaris. |
| Day 13 |
The ancient region of Cappadocia lies in Central Anatolia, between the cities of Nevsehir, Kayseri and Nigde. Here, the traveler finds one of the most fantastic landscapes in the world. Three million years ago, violent eruptions of the volcanoes Mt. Erciyes (3891 m) and Mt. Hasan (3250 m) covered the surrounding plateau with tuff. Wind and weather have eroded the soft volcanic rock with hundreds of strangely shaped pillars, cones and "fairy chimneys", often very tall, and in every shade from pink through yellow to russet browns. Since the most ancient of times, men have hollowed out dwellings in this soft rock, and here, at the dawn of Christianity, the early Christians made countless cave churches, chapels and monasteries. Goreme, in Cappadocia, is an important area for shopping, with its wonderful carpets and kilims, onyx souvenirs, and very fine local wines. It is also a wonderful region for trekking and for photo-safaris. |
| Day 14 |
Istanbul, previously known as Byzantium and Constantinople, is where East meets West. Situated on both sides of the narrow strait Bosporus, Istanbul is a connector between Europe and Asia.
Turkey's most populated and culturally rich city has been profoundly shaped by history. Imperialistic armies, a revolving door of rulers (including Greeks, Romans and Venetians) and its strategic positioning on the Silk Road led Istanbul, though centuries, to become the diverse and incomparable city it is today. Visitors will discover striking domed monuments, Byzantine architecture and a natural beauty. The Hagia Sophia is called the 8th wonder of the world, and the Blue Mosque also demands attention. Shop at the sprawling Grand Bazaar, walk the Topkapi Palace Museum, take a boat tour on the Bosporus, and take in a wondrous view of the city on Çamlica Hill. |
| Day 15 |
Istanbul, previously known as Byzantium and Constantinople, is where East meets West. Situated on both sides of the narrow strait Bosporus, Istanbul is a connector between Europe and Asia.
Turkey's most populated and culturally rich city has been profoundly shaped by history. Imperialistic armies, a revolving door of rulers (including Greeks, Romans and Venetians) and its strategic positioning on the Silk Road led Istanbul, though centuries, to become the diverse and incomparable city it is today. Visitors will discover striking domed monuments, Byzantine architecture and a natural beauty. The Hagia Sophia is called the 8th wonder of the world, and the Blue Mosque also demands attention. Shop at the sprawling Grand Bazaar, walk the Topkapi Palace Museum, take a boat tour on the Bosporus, and take in a wondrous view of the city on Çamlica Hill. |
| Travel Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
04/26/25 - 05/10/25 |
Starting At $1,755 |
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|
04/30/25 - 05/14/25 |
Starting At $1,517 |
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|
05/10/25 - 05/24/25 |
Starting At $1,611 |
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|
05/17/25 - 05/31/25 |
Starting At $1,580 |
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|
05/24/25 - 06/07/25 |
Starting At $1,492 |
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|
05/31/25 - 06/14/25 |
Starting At $1,504 |
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|
06/07/25 - 06/21/25 |
Starting At $1,522 |
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|
06/14/25 - 06/28/25 |
Starting At $1,770 |
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|
06/21/25 - 07/05/25 |
Starting At $1,755 |
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|
06/28/25 - 07/12/25 |
Starting At $1,835 |
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|
07/05/25 - 07/19/25 |
Starting At $1,875 |
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|
07/09/25 - 07/23/25 |
Starting At $1,855 |
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|
07/12/25 - 07/26/25 |
Starting At $1,845 |
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|
07/19/25 - 07/26/25 |
Starting At $1,875 |
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|
07/30/25 - 08/13/25 |
Starting At $1,855 |
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|
08/02/25 - 08/16/25 |
Starting At $1,850 |
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|
08/09/25 - 08/23/25 |
Starting At $1,950 |
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|
08/16/25 - 08/30/25 |
Starting At $1,895 |
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|
09/06/25 - 09/20/25 |
Starting At $1,950 |
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|
09/17/25 - 10/01/25 |
Starting At $1,915 |
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|
09/20/25 - 09/27/25 |
Starting At $1,920 |
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|
10/01/25 - 10/08/25 |
Starting At $1,935 |
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|
10/11/25 - 10/25/25 |
Starting At $1,945 |
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|
10/18/25 - 11/01/25 |
Starting At $1,895 |
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|
10/22/25 - 11/05/25 |
Starting At $1,855 |
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|
10/25/25 - 11/08/25 |
Starting At $1,825 |
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|
03/21/26 - 11/14/26 |
Starting At $1,840 |
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|
03/20/27 - 11/13/27 |
Starting At $1,755 |
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Offer subject to availability and change without notice. Some restrictions may apply.