Wonders of Turkey

(10 reviews)

From:

CAD $3,600 Was CAD $4,000

11 Days

Best Rate: Guarantee

Trip Type: Group Tour

Activity Level: Easy

Fall in love with Turkey on this 11-day guided tour. See Ephesus, an ancient city founded in the 10th century BC, home to an amphitheater that once sat 24,000 people.

Book Now

Share Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 06 Nov 2025

This trip has alternate itineraries available.
Please select your preferred option to see itinerary and pricing.

Experience Overview

Fall in love with Turkey on this 11-day guided tour. See Ephesus, an ancient city founded in the 10th century BC, home to an amphitheater that once sat 24,000 people. Drive through the Maeander River Valley to an organic farm, where you can walk the lush lands, then feast on fresh produce during a mouth-watering lunch. See the turquoise travertine pools in Pamukkale where ancient Romans used to soak — then dip into the spa at your hotel to indulge in its Turkish baths. Take a tour of a traditional cave house in Cappadocia with the local who lives there, then dine as you watch whirling dervishes dance nearby. In Ankara, visit the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the final resting place of the country’s first president. Travel to Istanbul, where you’ll see the infamous Blue Mosque before bargaining at the eclectic Grand Bazaar, which boasts more than 4,000 shops.

Highlights

Dining Summary

7 Dinner (D)
10 Breakfast (B)
1 Lunch (L)

Choice Highlights

Choose between two carefully selected activities

Istanbul: An immersive digital experience through the iconic structure's rich past, showcasing its transformation from a Byzantine cathedral to an Ottoman mosque and now a museum, with captivating exhibits and architectural wonders.
Istanbul: Journey through time with a visit to Hagia Sophia, take a unique glimpse into the complex layers of Istanbul's rich cultural and religious heritage.

Additional Included Highlights

Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.

Authentic Dining

Istanbul: Begin your travels savoring traditional flavors over dinner at a local restaurant.
Izmir: Head to a local organic farm where you will be treated to a Farm-to-Table lunch. Enjoy the breathtaking views during your meal made from seasonal crops grown on site.
Cappadocia: Watch a spectacular Sema performance of Whirling Dervishes and discover the flavors of Cappadocia as you indulge in a regional dinner of colorful dishes.
Istanbul: Toast the culmination of your travels during dinner at a local restaurant.

Insight Choice

Istanbul: An immersive digital experience through the iconic structure's rich past, showcasing its transformation from a Byzantine cathedral to an Ottoman mosque and now a museum, with captivating exhibits and architectural wonders.
Istanbul: Journey through time with a visit to Hagia Sophia, take a unique glimpse into the complex layers of Istanbul's rich cultural and religious heritage.

Insight Experiences

Cappadocia: Join a Cappadocian local, who has lived in the city for decades and take a tour of their cave house to learn more about their unique way of life.

Make Travel Matter

Ayvalik: Visit the Copmadam workshop, where one-of-a-kind items are made from recycled packaging, creating employment opportunities for local women. This experience advances United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality.

Top Rated Highlights

Gallipoli: Pay your respects at Anzac Cove and Lone Pine Cemetery.
Troy: Visit this ancient sight fabled to have been destroyed over love and view the huge reconstructed Trojan Horse.
Ephesus: Visit the Archaeological museum housing many of the artifacts from Ephesus.
Ephesus: Discover one of the world's finest ancient sites. Led by your Local Expert, walk the Arcadian Way, see the Library of Celsus and Amphitheater and visit the Palace of Knossos.
Pamukkale: See the cascading Cotton Castle of milky white travertine pools and the ancient ruin of Hierapolis.
Konya: Visit a well preserved Seljuk Caravanserai.
Saratli: Visit Saratli Underground City known for its fine arts architecture.
Göreme: With your Local Expert, explore the underground cities, rock-cut churches, fairy-tale chimneys and the Pasabag Valley.
Learn about the ancient art of pottery making in Avanos.
Ankara: Discover the mysterious Hittite civilization and visit the Mausoleum of Atatürk.
Istanbul: Visit the Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome. With your Local Expert, gain insight into the lives of the Ottoman Sultans during a visit to the fabulous Topkapi Palace. Then stroll through the Grand Bazaar.
Istanbul: Enjoy a relaxing cruise on the Bosphorus in Istanbul, where you'll pass Ottoman palaces, old mansions and fortresses.

Well-being

Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.

View Larger Map

Trip Details

Product Code: 35200

Tour Type: Group Tour

Accommodation: Deluxe

Transport: Private

Guide Language: English

Travel Styles: Family, 55+, Luxury

Tour Operator: Insight Vacations (CA)

Supplier Code: 180.992A

Starts: Istanbul, Turkey

Finishes: Istanbul, Turkey

Duration: 11 days

Departures: Not Guaranteed

Physical Rating: Easy

Includes

Price

Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $3,600 ($327 /day)

Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Istanbul

Welcome to Turkey. Your journey begins in vibrant Istanbul, the only city in the world that spans two continents: Europe and Asia, where a representative will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to the hotel. Relax and settle in before joining your Travel Director and fellow travelers for dinner.

Accommodation: Radisson Blu Sisli, Istanbul
Meals: Dinner

Day 2: Gallipoli, Anzac Cove and Troy

Marvel at breathtaking coastal views as you make your way along the shores of the Sea of Marmara to historic Gallipoli. Located in the southern part of East Thrace, it was here that for nine months during the Great War, Anzac troops fought in an in an attempt to gain control of the Dardanelles Strait. Learn more about these events as you visit Anzac Cove and Lone Pine Cemetery. Later, join your group as you head from Eceabat across the sea to Çanakkale before arriving in the historic city of Troy, the focal point of the Trojan War and the backdrop to one of history’s most famous love stories, that of Paris and Helen of Troy, the face that launched 1000 ships. A replica of the mighty Trojan horse, which helped the Greeks capture the city in 1200 B.C., can be seen beside the city’s walls.

Accommodation: DoubleTree by Hilton Canakkale
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3: Izmir

Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at Copmadam, a women's co-op turning recycled materials into unique items, and addressing women's employment issues. After some time exploring, continue your journey to Izmir, where you will stop for a Farm-to-Table lunch at Nif Bağları, a family-owned wine producer. Explore the four acres of crop fields, nestled amidst picturesque surroundings before continuing your journey to the coastal resort of Izmir.

Accommodation: Swissotel Büyük Efes, Izmir
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Ephesus - Izmir

Start your morning with a trip to the nearby town of Selçuk. Home to the House of the Virgin Mary and the Temple of Artemis, you’ll begin with an educational visit to the Archaeological Museum. Once here, delve into the area’s history as you explore the museum’s exhibits, many of which have been retrieved from the nearby Ephesus excavation site. Later, explore the famous site itself. Walk through the colonnaded Arcadian Way, see the Library of Celsus and the huge Amphitheater, before visiting the House of the Virgin Mary, situated above the Ephesus ruins.

Accommodation: Swissotel Büyük Efes, Izmir
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5: The Pools of Pamukkale Relaxed Start

Head to Pamukkale, famous for its mineral-rich thermal waters and chalk-white limestone terraces, explore the area with your Travel Director. See the ruins of the ancient Roman spa city of Hierapolis, founded in 190 B.C. You’ll see the city’s well-preserved theater and its turquoise travertine pools. Later, head back to your hotel, the esteemed Doğa Thermal Health & Spa. Take full advantage of its indoor and outdoor thermal pools, steam room and its Turkish bath complex.

Accommodation: Doğa Thermal Health & Spa, Pamukkale
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6: The Underground City and Cappadocia

Today your journey takes you to Urgup, a historic town in the heart of Cappadocia. Visit the 13th-century Sultanhani Caravanserai before exploring the underground city of Saratli. You will recognize this famous area from the striking golden, volcanic landscapes that surround it.

Accommodation: DoubleTree by Hilton Avanos, Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7: The Cappadocia Experience

Move on to Göreme, a striking town in the Cappadocia region of Turkey. Explore its rock-hewn churches decorated with ancient wall paintings before moving on to the Pasabag Valley. Located on the road to Zelve, you’ll find otherworldly earth pillars here, ‘fairy chimneys’ and troglodyte dwellings. Later, join a Cappadocian local who has lived in the city for decades and take a tour of their cave house. You’ll learn more about their unique way of living, local traditions and family life. Complementing the day’s events, this evening you'll witness a performance of the Whirling Dervishes before dining at a local restaurant.

Accommodation: DoubleTree by Hilton Avanos, Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8: Ankara

One for art lovers, this morning, you’ll learn about the art of pottery making in Avanos. A town based in Cappadocia, it is famous for its earthenware pottery. Continue your journey to Ankara, where you’ll visit the Hittite Museum and the Mausoleum of Atatürk, Turkey's greatest modern leader and the first President of the Republic of Turkey. Perhaps relax in the spa and wellness center at your hotel this evening.

Accommodation: Ankara HiltonSA
Meals: Breakfast

Day 9: To Istanbul

It’s time to head to Istanbul. A glorious fusion of East and West, this popular city offers something for everyone, with history, culture, modernity, delicious cuisine and of course, the friendliest of faces. Enjoy the excitement of bargaining in the bustling Grand Bazaar. Your evening is at leisure.

Accommodation: Radisson Blu Sisli, Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast

Day 10: Istanbul & the Ottoman Empire

Take in the sites of Istanbul, visit the historic Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome, where Roman chariot races were held. Explore Hagia Sophia with Insight Choice. Choose between visiting Hagia Sophia History Digital Experience, offering an immersive journey through the landmarks marvels, or alternatively, visit Hagia Sophia, built in A.D. 537 and famous for its domed roof. Visit the Topkapi Palace, perched above the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn, the primary inlet of the waterway. Enjoy a relaxing cruise on the Bosphorus, where you will pass Ottoman palaces, old mansions and fortresses. In the evening, join your fellow travelers for dinner at a local restaurant.

Accommodation: Radisson Blu Sisli, Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 11: Farewell Istanbul

It’s time to say goodbye to your new friends, as your trip comes to an end. A transfer will take you to the airport for your onward flights, or for those extending their stay in Istanbul, speak to your Travel Director for tips and tricks on where to head.

Meals: Breakfast

Similar Tours

Tour Operator

Insight Vacations (CA)

Part of The Travel Company (TTC) family of brands, Insight Vacations began operations in 1978 and is based in Cypress, CA. Journeys are featured to destinations, such as the U.S. and Canada, Europe, Latin America, North Africa, Asia, the UK and Ireland. The company offers are a variety of tours under the classifications of Regional Journeys, Country Roads, Discovery Journeys, Easy Pace trips, and Special Interest tours. Insight is the ideal name for the tour operator, as the journeys provided by Insight Vacations allow travelers to gain further insight into whatever destination they wish to explore. For example, Discovery Journeys are the ideal choice for first-time visitors to Europe. Itineraries include Dine-at-Home or Farm-to-Table experiences so travelers can learn more about how locals live and dine. Regional Journeys allow trip-goers to see a specific location in Europe that they have always wanted to see – Poland, Switzerland, Italy, etc. The carefully planned trips enable customers to immerse themselves in one specific region or country and to become acquainted with its culture, traditions, and people. For anyone seeking travel off the beaten track, Insight Vacations offers Country Roads – trips that lead travelers off the well-tread tourist trail to explore hidden gems where visitors can savor the local produce with Farm-to-Table dining. Some trips are offered under the Easy Pace travel style – the ideal trip choice for trip-goers who wish to slow their pace during their vacation. During these tours, vacationers stay at least 3 nights at each destination, giving them some additional time to explore a place and enjoy it. Regardless of the travel style, many of the vacations offered by Insight Vacations begin with Relaxed Starts – giving travelers time to sleep in a little, spend more time at breakfast, or explore an area on their own. The tour company prides itself on providing business class tours that features luxury coaches with 40 seats. While most coach touring operators provide vehicles with 53 seats, Insight Vacations has re-configured its motor coaches to hold up to 40 guests. This gives passengers extra leg room while traveling and offers them more space and privacy.

In Business Since 1978

Book Now

Reviews

Anonymous - Traveled, June 2024

The service that Insight presented was faultless at all levels. Our guide and the bus driver Farhat both excelled in making our tour a most memorable experience. The itinerary was broad yet focussed. Our tour guide as she offers others to call her that) was BRILLIANT with her knowledge, passion and humour. She most certainly was the reason we all enjoyed the experience.

Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/13/2024

Anonymous - Traveled, November 2024

Our guide, Gigi, was the best! She was very knowledgeable about all the areas we visited, plus being friendly and funny. I had an accident on one of the sites we were at and she arranged a hospital visit and interpreter for us. Great overview of Turkey. Didn’t realize how large and the distances between each stop was.

Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/13/2024

Anonymous - Traveled, November 2024

The bus driver were excellent. Good overview, however much wasted time. Only one rushed day at Istanbul. Waste of time with Farm to Table half day (look around a generic farm, get bussed up a hill to eat mediocre food), and much too long at ANZAC memorial. Maybe look into other tours with flights within Turkey instead of long bus rides to different cities.

Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/13/2024

Anonymous - Traveled, November 2024

Your service was impeccable, both our driver and tour guide were top notch going over and beyond to take care of our every need especially when another in our group had an accident requiring medical attention at the hospital. Both were very professional and caring. Hotels were excellent but would have liked more free time to explore on our own in the evening with some direction if needed. It was a shame that Istanbul was only allocated 1.5 days when it felt like it should have had at least double that time. Felt like there was a lot of wasted time on this tour instead of maximizing the time we had for more sightseeing.

Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/13/2024

Hassiba - Traveled, October 2024

It was a great trip. My concern is that Insight allows people who are vulnerable and at high risks of falling attend these tours which are designed for fit people. It would be great if a smaller group of people with special needs travel together. I was anxious all the time thinking that vulnerable team member will die during our vacation. The driver and the tour guide were excellent. Accomodation was nice though some fell short of the 5 star standard. More days should have been allocated to Istanbul as there were so many things to do in so little time. Farm section needs to be removed. It took valuable time away from other amazing activities. My highlight was Cappadocia and Ephesus.