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Plan your next girl’s holiday and travel along the age-old trading routes that linked East and West revealing all the Highlights of Turkey on this women’s only tour. Do some haggling of your own in Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar, fall asleep amidst the fairy-tale landscapes of Cappadocia and walk in the footsteps of the ancient Greeks in Ephesus.
Plan your next girl’s holiday and travel along the age-old trading routes that linked East and West revealing all the Highlights of Turkey on this women’s only tour. Do some haggling of your own in Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar, fall asleep amidst the fairy-tale landscapes of Cappadocia and walk in the footsteps of the ancient Greeks in Ephesus.
Meet at the crossroads of East and West – the effervescent capital of Istanbul launches your journey of discovery through centuries of turmoil and triumph. Spend the day exploring after being transferred to your hotel. Later, you’ll meet your Travel Director and travel companions for a memorable Welcome Reception.
Delve into the treasures of the Ottoman Empire, strolling through the exquisite Topkapi Palace with its spellbinding views of the Bosphorus. We explore Hagia Sophia, once one of the greatest churches in all of Christendom, before following in the footsteps of the faithful for a visit to the Blue Mosque – its six minarets and beautiful blue Iznik tiles are a sight to behold. Dive Into Culture as you haggle for souvenirs at Istanbul's Grand Bazaar, one of the largest covered markets in the world with 60 streets and over 5,000 shops. Later, we visit the Byzantine Hippodrome to see where thundering chariots once raced to victory. The rest of the day is yours to explore the city.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Day 3
Journey to Gallipoli and Çanakkale
We remember the heroism of the many thousands of men who fought bravely at Gallipoli. We'll see Lone Pine Cemetery and the battlefields that today still hold special significance for the Turkish, Australian and New Zealand nations. Spend a quiet moment commemorating the lives lost at Anzac Cove and Chunuk Bair, where some of the fiercest fighting took place during World War I. This evening we stay in Çanakkale where tonight we’ll dine in our hotel.
Visit a land of Trojan legends, an ancient city immortalised by Homer in the stories of King Priamus, Hector, Paris and the beautiful Helen. We admire the archaeological excavations at Troy revealing nine separate periods of settlement and the symbolic replica wooden Trojan horse commemorating the epic war machine constructed by the Greeks to end a lengthy siege. We continue to the ancient kingdom of Pergamon to visit the Asclepion Medical Centre whose staff of entwined snakes remains a symbol of modern medicine today. This afternoon, we Connect With Locals over lunch in the village of Demircidere at a Be My Guest experience. We travel to the broad boulevards of seaside Izmir later, and dine in our hotel this evening.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Mövenpick
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast, Be My Guest, Dinner
Day 5
Admire the Ruins of Ephesus and on to Pamukkale
Journey into antiquity and explore the ruins of the ancient Greek city of Ephesus admiring the well-preserved façade of the Library of Celsus and its famous Temple of Artemis. We visit the House of the Virgin Mary, the Temple of Hadrian guarded by Medusa's head, and the Great Theatre, built by the Romans in the 2nd-century and still in use today. Relax and enjoy the blissful thermal pools at your hotel in Pamukkale.
This morning we enjoy a leisurely visit to the ancient ruins of the Holy City of Hierapolis, imagining ancient patrons seeking revival and rest within their limestone-laden thermal springs. Our last stop today is Konya where tonight we dine in our hotel.
Visit the Mevlana Museum and Mausoleum in Konya, a former dervish lodge of the Mevlevi order, which reveals the origins of Sufism. Continuing your journey to Cappadocia, you'll see a 13th-century caravanserai then Dive Into Culture to learn about the art of pottery making in Avanos. Later, consider joining an Optional Experience to watch the Whirling Dervishes then enjoy a Regional Meal at a local restaurant. Tonight, you’ll enjoy an overnight stay at one of Trafalgar’s Stays With Stories set alongside the ancient Ortahisar rock castle. Many of the rooms are hewn from the surrounding rock and boast views of Cappadocia’s fairy-tale landscapes.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Dilek Kaya
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Optional Experience
Performance of Whirling Dervishes Followed by Dinner at a Local Restaurant
The 'dance' of the Whirling Dervishes is called Sema. It is part of Turkish custom, history, beliefs and culture and represents a man's spiritual journey, and will be a highlight of your trip to Turkey. Once the ceremony is over, we will head to a nearby local restaurant where you will have the chance of savoring varieties of real Turkish food, special for Cappadocia region. (*) Performance of Whirling Dervishes is NOT a show but instead it is a mystic ceremony.
Adult Price: $45.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 8
A Day to Explore Spectacular Göreme
The whimsical landscapes of Cappadocia take centre stage today as you embark on a full-day excursion that will see you visit the Göreme Open-Air Museum, the Paşabağı and Kizil Vadi valleys and underground city of Saratli on the ancient Silk Road. You’ll learn about the intricate heritage and art of carpet weaving during a visit to a Turkish carpet emporium before joining your fellow travellers for an included dinner this evening.
Take a short flight this morning to Istanbul, where the rest of the day is yours to explore the city your way. Enjoy a sensory explosion at the vibrant Spice Market, take a stroll through the historic Sultanahmet or find a quiet rooftop café and admire Istanbul’s iconic skyline. You could choose instead to join an optional cruise and sail the waters of the Bosphorus which separate Asia and Europe. Tonight, join your Travel Director and fellow companions for a Farewell Dinner.
No stay would be complete without this unforgettable cruise along the Bosphorus, the winding strait separating Europe and Asia. Along the shores you’ll see a beautiful mixture of modern hotels, ancient wooden villas, marble palaces, fortresses and small fishing villages, as you relax on board.
Adult Price: $45.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 10
Farewell Istanbul
We say a fond farewell to Turkey and newfound friends as we prepare to depart to the airport for our flight home. Find out more about your free airport transfer at trafalgar.com/freetransfers.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
All optional experiences for this trip
Book with your travel director when you travel
Available on day 7
Performance of Whirling Dervishes Followed by Dinner at a Local Restaurant
The 'dance' of the Whirling Dervishes is called Sema. It is part of Turkish custom, history, beliefs and culture and represents a man's spiritual journey, and will be a highlight of your trip to Turkey. Once the ceremony is over, we will head to a nearby local restaurant where you will have the chance of savoring varieties of real Turkish food, special for Cappadocia region. (*) Performance of Whirling Dervishes is NOT a show but instead it is a mystic ceremony.
Adult Price: $45.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 9
Traditional Bosphorus Cruise
No stay would be complete without this unforgettable cruise along the Bosphorus, the winding strait separating Europe and Asia. Along the shores you’ll see a beautiful mixture of modern hotels, ancient wooden villas, marble palaces, fortresses and small fishing villages, as you relax on board.
Adult Price: $45.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
All Optional Experiences
The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Notepad Icon You must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to travel
About this trip
About this trip
What's included
Trip Summary Accomodation Icon
9 nights
Accommodation
Trip Summary Meals Icon
17 Meals
1 Welcome Reception, 9 Breakfasts, 5 Dinners, 1 Be My Guest, 1 Farewell Dinner
Trip Summary Transport Icon
On-trip Transport
All transport shown
The Trafalgar difference
Connect with Locals
Meet the most liberated women in Turkey in the village of Demircidere, where you’ll learn how to bake traditional bread and taste the local wine at our Be My Guest lunch.
Stays with Stories
Located alongside the ancient Ortahisar rock castle, many of the rooms at Dilek Kaya Hotel are hewn out of the surrounding rock.
Dive into Culture
Learn about the art of pottery making in Avanos.
Dive into Culture
Haggle for souvenirs at Istanbul's Grand Bazaar one of the largest covered markets in the world with 60 streets and over 5,000 shops.
Sightseeing highlights
Experience Ti Filled Icon
Explore Istanbul with a Local Specialist
Experience Ti Filled Icon
Visit the Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Byzantine Hippodrome and Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Anzac Cove and the poignant War Cemeteries at Gallipoli, the Asclepion Medical Centre at Pergamon, the ancient city of Ephesus, the Virgin Mary's House at Ephesus, the Cotton Castle springs at Pamukkale, the ruins of the Roman health spa at Hierapolis, the Göreme Open-Air Museum and the underground city of Saratli
Special Rate Solo Rooming: Departures 15 July, 29 July and 14 October 2022 will include 20 – 100% discount on our standard single supplement.
Unless otherwise stated, trip prices are per person, land only, based on double occupancy and reflect applicable discount. Discounts are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice.
Trip prices are correct at the time of the products going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking. All trip information is correct at time of trips going live, however are subject to change - please confirm all details at time of booking.
Twin-share option not available for trips to South America, Costa Rica, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, South Africa, Kenya & Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia or for any holiday & cruise combination, or in Asia and Eastern Mediterranean except Highlights of Turkey (without cruise) & Best of Turkey. It's also not available on Small Group trips. Guided Vacations included in this restriction are Newfoundland and Labrador (DNLA). Does not apply to trips operated by Inspiring Journeys & our Mini-stays.
For trips that are part of our Guaranteed Room Share, please note that there is a no smoking policy in all shared rooms. Solo travel is not accepted on guided Family Experiences holidays unless travelling as part of a family group.
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Your selected departure date will feature some seasonal itinerary changes to what is displayed. Click 'VIEW ITINERARY' below to see full details.
Active Trip Details
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What is an Active Trip? This is an "Active" lifestyle itinerary, with walks and hikes most days. Hikes will range from easy/moderate to strenuous. No technical climbing skills are required but a reasonable level of fitness is required to make the trip more enjoyable. Understanding that not all people want to hike at the same pace or even on the same trail we will, where possible, host map orientation and then let everyone disperse to enjoy the trails best suited to them.
What to Pack Guests should bring lightweight hiking shoes or boots, broad brimmed sun hats, sunglasses, layered clothing, reusable water bottle(s), a hiking day pack and hiking poles (optional)
Weather & Altitude While the itinerary is laid out below, we are at the mercy of the weather and so reserve the right to adjust the program as necessary. Please keep in mind that the higher elevations and possible variations in weather and temperature can increase the perceived level of difficulty of our activities. Elevation ranges up to 9,000 feet for Utah’s Mighty Five and up to 11,000 feet for California High Country Adventure.
Everyone reacts differently to altitude and so if you do have any health issues you should check with your doctor that this trip is suitable for you.
