Turkey Signature
10 Days
from
$3,930
to
$4,620
per person*
Highlights:
Turkey
(Istanbul, Cappadocia, Bodrum, Izmir)
Trip Start/End:
Istanbul
/
Istanbul
Start your tour in Istanbul, the epicenter of Turkey's hustle and bustle. A frenzy of business, nightclubs, entertainment and culture, the city is a haven for those who enjoy stimulating their senses. Absorb Istanbul's ancient structures, from its mosques to the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empire influenced architecture. The cityscape is vast, with views of cosmopolitan buildings standing side by side to old traditional buildings. Learn more about Byzantine architecture from one of our expert private guides. Take advantage of your guide’s knowledge on visits to St. Sophia Church and the Blue Mosque, known for its blue coloured tiles and architecture. Continue your tour to Byzantine Hippodrome, the renowned Topkapi Palace, and the massive bazaar where virtually every knick knack is available. The Intercontinental Suspension Bridge is a must-see for those who want to capture this city from all perspectives. Beylerbeyi Palace, the white marble summer residence of Ottoman Sultans, is also on the agenda for awe inspiring sights. Our guides will offer their knowledge on attractions and points of interest. After lunch enjoy a cruise by boat on Bosphorus, the world's narrowest internationally traveled strait. Continue on to Goreme National Park in Cappadocia, also referred to as "Valley of the Fairy Chimneys". The formations were created after three volcanoes erupted around 30 million years ago. The area is also known for the spectacular houses that had been carved into the rock. Enjoy a complete view of the entire area in a Hot Air Balloon (optional). Explore Bodrum area and visit Ephesus, the best preserved classical city of the Eastern Mediterranean. Visit Pergamum, an ancient Greek city in Turkey. As an alternative to this, we can offer you a tour to Pamukkale, one of the most famous Thermal Springs & Spas in Turkey.
Overview
| Day | Activities | Hotel |
- Day 1
- Istanbul
| - Transfer - Private - Airport (with Assistant) - Vehicle/Assistant/Driver
- Welcome Package
- Lunch (not included)
- Dinner (not included)
| Arena (4*)
Standard (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 2
- Istanbul
| - Private - St. Sophia Church, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace & Grand Bazaar Tour - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
- Lunch (not included)
- Dinner (not included)
| Arena (4*)
Standard (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 3
- Istanbul
| - Private - Bosphorus Tour (with Cruise) - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
- Lunch (not included)
- Dinner (not included)
| Arena (4*)
Standard (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 4
- Istanbul - Cappadocia
| - Transfer - Private - Airport - Vehicle/Driver
- Air - Istanbul - Cappadocia [Direct (1 hr)] - Economy
- Transfer - Airport - Vehicle/Driver
- Private - Cappadocia Panoramic (with Lunch) - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
- Dinner (not included)
| Gamirasu Cave (4*)
Standard (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 5
- Cappadocia
| - Private - Cappadocia Wonders (with Lunch) - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
- Dinner (not included)
| Gamirasu Cave (4*)
Standard (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 6
- Cappadocia - Bodrum
| - Transfer - Airport - Vehicle/Driver
- Air - Cappadocia - Bodrum [Stop in Istanbul - (4 hr)] - Economy
- Transfer - Private - Airport - Vehicle/Driver
- Lunch (not included)
- Dinner (not included)
| Marmara Bodrum (5*)
Luxury (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 7
- Bodrum
| - Private - 1/2 d City Tour - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
- Lunch (not included)
- Dinner (not included)
| Marmara Bodrum (5*)
Luxury (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 8
- Bodrum - Izmir
| - Private - Ephesus Tour & Izmir (with Lunch) - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
- Dinner (not included)
| KEY Hotel (4*)
Standard Room - Sea View (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 9
- Izmir
| - Private - Pergamum Tour - Vehicle/Guide
- Lunch (not included)
- Dinner (not included)
| KEY Hotel (4*)
Standard Room - Sea View (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 10
- Izmir - Istanbul
| - Transfer - Private - Airport - Vehicle/Driver
- Air - Izmir - Istanbul [Direct (1 hr)] - Economy
| Depart
|
| B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, 1/2d = Half Day, Al = All Inclusive |
Trip Itinerary
Istanbul
Arena Hotel
Day 1: Istanbul
Enjoy a private airport transfer today with a car/driver and airport assistant.
A welcome package with your vouchers, a city map, plane tickets (if relevant) and any other touristic information that you may find useful will be waiting for you upon your arrival at your first hotel on your trip.
Accommodation: Arena (4*) Welcome to Arena Hotel (4*), located in the old city part of Istanbul called Sultanahmet, which is known as one of the biggest open air museums of the world. It is a 19th century Ottoman stone house carefully restored to its original design and decoration. It consists of 30 rooms including 4 suites. The owner was born here. She has restored and decorated it to give guests a glimpse into the Istanbul of yesteryear. It is within walking distance of the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, Agia Sofia, the Grand Bazaar and the wonderful Topkapi Palace.
St. Sophia Church
Day 2: Istanbul
Enjoy a privately guided full day tour of Istanbul and see the most important sights. Visit the St. Sophia Church, the pride and glory of the Byzantine architecture (excluding the Gallery floor); the Blue Mosque, famous for its blue tiles; Byzantine Hippodrome, where once chariot races were held; and the Grand Bazaar, world’s largest covered bazaar with 4000 shops. Visit Topkapi Palace, the famous residence of the Sultans (The Harem section is not included in the tour).
Accommodation: Arena (4*) 
Beylerbeyi Palace
Day 3: Istanbul
Enjoy a full day with your own private car and guide. Cross the Bosphorus by driving through the Intercontinental Suspension Bridge to go over the Asian side of Istanbul. A visit to Beylerbeyi Palace, the white marble summer residence of Ottoman Sultans used in the 19th century. Enjoy a cruise by public boat on Bosphorus, the unique winding strait separating two continents.
Accommodation: Arena (4*) 
Goreme
Gamirasu Cave
Day 4: Istanbul - Cappadocia
Airport transfer with your private car and driver.
Enjoy a direct flight from Istanbul to Capadoccia. The flight duration is about 1 hour.
Airport transfer with your private car and driver.
Enjoy a full day tour with your own private car and guide in Cappadocia. You will be driven to Devrent Valley and then to Pasabagi Valley, to see the amazing fairy chimneys of Cappadocia. From here you will be driven to Avanos, the famous pottery town, to have lunch. After lunch depart from Avanos to see the beautiful examples of Byzantine art in the churches of Goreme Open Air Museum. Then you will be driven to Uchisar Castle, the highest point of the region, where we have a fabulous panoramic view over Cappadocia. Conclude with a visit to the Pidgeon Valley.
Accommodation: Gamirasu Cave (4*) Gamirasu Cave (4*) is an exquisitely restored 30 room, troglodyte cave house opened in 1999, in Ayvali Village near Urgup in the heart of Cappadocia, Turkey. The hotel is located in a restored thousand-year-old Byzantine monastic retreat which offers modern conveniences without distracting from the spiritual feeling of the area which, has been known to be inhabited for more than five thousand years. Gamirasu cave Hotel is featured in major international travel guides as one of the best cave hotels of Cappadocia. It is often mentioned as a romantic escape for honeymooners in wedding magazines.
Cappadocia cave dwellings
Day 5: Cappadocia
Enjoy a full day tour in Capadoccia and visit the Ortahisar, a natural citadel carved in rocks. Then visit the subterrenean city of Kaymakli or Derinkuyu, established in the 7th century by Christians fleeing persecution, in which a visitor is able to descend several levels underground. You will be driven to Cavusin Valley to see the troglodyte dwellings where people lived until mid 20th century. After lunch a visit to the Red valley, finally a visit to a Wine House, Cappadocia is famous for its fertile vineyards due to the mineral-laden volcanic soil of the area.
Accommodation: Gamirasu Cave (4*) 
Bodrum
The Marmara Bodrum Hotel
Day 6: Cappadocia - Bodrum
Airport transfer with your private car and driver.
Enjoy your domestic flight from Kayseri to Bodrum with a stopover in Istanbul. The flight duration is approximately 4 hours.
Enjoy an airport transfer with your private car and driver.
Accommodation: Marmara Bodrum (5*) The Marmara Bodrum (5*) is located over Bodrum, on the main road that leads to the town. 96 spacious and comfortable standard rooms come with balcony or terrace and comfortable seating indoors and out. The Marmara Bodrum hotel boasts full amenities. The Tuti restaurant delights with panoramic views of the hotel setting as well as with its new trend Turkish cuisine. There are two swimming pools, one outdoor and a semi-olympic swimming pool as well as a gym, various tennis courts and squash. For guest's rest and well-being, the hotel also disposes of a Turkish steam bath, a Jacuzzi, and a sauna with views of Bodum. The spa provides a wide assortment of treatments for body detoxification, relaxation of the mind and skin revitalisation.
Mausoleum at Halicarnassus (Ruins)
Day 7: Bodrum
Enjoy a private tour of Bodrum and visit the Castle of St. Peter, a beautiful castle built by the Knights of St. John. A look at the remains of the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, then proceed to see one of the windmills, a symbol of the region. En route visit the ancient amphitheatre. (Karia Princess and Underwater museum's entrance fees at the castle are not included in the tour price and need to be paid on the spot).
Accommodation: Marmara Bodrum (5*) 
Izmir
KEY Hotel
Day 8: Bodrum - Izmir
Enjoy a full day tour with your private car and guide. Drive to Selcuk, to visit the world-famous Antique City of Ephesus, including the Arcadian Way, the Antique Theater, the Roman Baths, and the Celcus Library. Your day ends with a drop off at your Izmir Hotel.
Accommodation: KEY Hotel (4*) The KEY Hotel offers 34 elegantly appointed rooms with state of the art technology; 31 guest rooms, 1 Executive Suite, 1 Deluxe Suite and 1 Grand Suite. Overlooking Kordon, the promenade by the bay of the city, the hotel has a prime location with 21 of its rooms either with direct or partial views of the sea. The KEY Restaurant and Bar showcase international cuisine with an Aegean flair in a contemporary setting. The hotel also offers Fitness Room for their guests.
The Asclepion of Pergamum
Day 9: Izmir
Enjoy a full day tour with your own private car to Pergamum. You'll visit the Sanctuary of Asclepius, and the Pergamum Acropolis where you can find the Altar of Zeus (said to be "the place where Satan has his throne"). Other spectacular relics are the Trojan Temple, and the world's steepest ancient theater. After the drive back to Izmir you will be transfered back to your hotel.
Accommodation: KEY Hotel (4*) Day 10: Izmir - Istanbul
Airport transfer with your private car and driver.
Enjoy a domestic flight from Izmir airport to Istanbul. The flight duration is approximately 1 hour.
Accommodation: Depart Depart from Istanbul airport - end of itinerary.
Accommodations
- Arena Hotel
Arena (4*) - Istanbul
Welcome to Arena Hotel (4*), located in the old city part of Istanbul called Sultanahmet, which is known as one of the biggest open air museums of the world. It is a 19th century Ottoman stone house carefully restored to its original design and decoration. It consists of 30 rooms including 4 suites. The owner was born here. She has restored and decorated it to give guests a glimpse into the Istanbul of yesteryear. It is within walking distance of the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, Agia Sofia, the Grand Bazaar and the wonderful Topkapi Palace.
- Gamirasu Cave
Gamirasu Cave (4*) - Cappadocia
Gamirasu Cave (4*) is an exquisitely restored 30 room, troglodyte cave house opened in 1999, in Ayvali Village near Urgup in the heart of Cappadocia, Turkey. The hotel is located in a restored thousand-year-old Byzantine monastic retreat which offers modern conveniences without distracting from the spiritual feeling of the area which, has been known to be inhabited for more than five thousand years. Gamirasu cave Hotel is featured in major international travel guides as one of the best cave hotels of Cappadocia. It is often mentioned as a romantic escape for honeymooners in wedding magazines.
- The Marmara Bodrum Hotel
Marmara Bodrum (5*) - Bodrum
The Marmara Bodrum (5*) is located over Bodrum, on the main road that leads to the town. 96 spacious and comfortable standard rooms come with balcony or terrace and comfortable seating indoors and out. The Marmara Bodrum hotel boasts full amenities. The Tuti restaurant delights with panoramic views of the hotel setting as well as with its new trend Turkish cuisine. There are two swimming pools, one outdoor and a semi-olympic swimming pool as well as a gym, various tennis courts and squash. For guest's rest and well-being, the hotel also disposes of a Turkish steam bath, a Jacuzzi, and a sauna with views of Bodum. The spa provides a wide assortment of treatments for body detoxification, relaxation of the mind and skin revitalisation.
- KEY Hotel
KEY Hotel (4*) - Izmir
The KEY Hotel offers 34 elegantly appointed rooms with state of the art technology; 31 guest rooms, 1 Executive Suite, 1 Deluxe Suite and 1 Grand Suite. Overlooking Kordon, the promenade by the bay of the city, the hotel has a prime location with 21 of its rooms either with direct or partial views of the sea. The KEY Restaurant and Bar showcase international cuisine with an Aegean flair in a contemporary setting. The hotel also offers Fitness Room for their guests.
Travel Info
Travel tips of Turkey
VISA/PASSPORT
A passport and visa are required for both US and Canadian citizens. Currently, holders of all types of passports, if they are traveling as tourists, can purchase a 90-day sticker visa at the port of entry for approximately USD$20 cash. Visas san also be obtained prior to arrival for approximately $75. Processing generally takes 3 working days. Travelers arriving by cruise ship for a day trip to Turkey do not require a visa if they are not staying on shore overnight.
Citizens of other countries may require a visa. Please ask your Sales Advisor. These requirements change often and therefore it is best that you check with the Embassy of Turkey for the most up to date visa information.
HEALTH
Health insurance is recommended. Medical facilities are good quality. We recommend that you see a health-care provider who specializes in Travel Medicine. The doctor or health-care provider will determine what vaccinations and medication you will need, depending on factors such as your health and immunization history, areas of the country you will be visiting, and planned activities. For more information on travel requirements, visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/turkey.aspx
COUNTRY INFO
Capital: Ankara.
Government: Republic since 1923.
Language: Turkish. Kurdish is also spoken by a minority in the southeast. French, German and English are widely spoken in major cities and tourist areas.
Religion: Muslim, mostly Sunni, with a very small Christian minority. Turkey is a secular state which guarantees complete freedom of worship to non-Muslims.
Time: GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz.
Telephone: Country code +90.
Mobile Telephone: Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. Coverage is mostly good, but can be patchy in some rural areas in eastern Turkey.
Internet: Internet cafes exist in main urban areas. Some restaurants and hotels have Wi-Fi Internet access.
What's Included:
- Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services
What's not Included:
- Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance
Trip Terms & Conditions
- Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $350). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure.
- Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of 30% of program price. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to loss of 100% of program price.
- Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
- Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
- Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
- Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.kensingtontours.com/terms-and-conditions
- Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.
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