Treasures of Anatolia – Turkey in 11 Days - 70% OFF

Who This Holiday Is Perfect For

• Travellers looking to experience Turkey’s classic highlights in one trip – Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale and the western archaeological sites.

• Culturally curious guests who enjoy structured sightseeing by day with sociable dinners and free time in the evenings.

• Those comfortable with an active touring pace including several coach days and light–moderate walking at historic sites.

Trip Highlights

• Explore the Süleymaniye Mosque, one of Istanbul’s grandest hilltop mosques, and enjoy free time to roam the city.

• Cruise along the Bosphorus, passing palaces and waterfront mansions between Europe and Asia, and visit the colourful Spice Bazaar.

• Discover Ankara, the modern capital, and visit Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Atatürk, founder of the Turkish Republic.

• Spend two nights amidst Cappadocia’s otherworldly landscapes with a full-day tour of Göreme Open-Air Museum and the famous fairy chimneys.

• Walk among the gleaming white terraces of Pamukkale’s Cotton Castle and the ruins of ancient Hierapolis.

• Visit the house of the Virgin Mary and wander the remarkably preserved streets of Ephesus.

• Explore Pergamon and its Asclepion then continue to legendary Troy before staying in the Dardanelles city of Çanakkale.

• Visit Bursa, the first Ottoman capital, including Ulu Cami Mosque, the Silk Bazaar and the Green Tomb.

Itinerary At A Glance

• Day 1: Fly UK/Ireland to Istanbul. Transfer to hotel.

• Day 2: Istanbul – visit Süleymaniye Mosque; free time or optional full-day city tour.

• Day 3: Istanbul – Bosphorus cruise & Spice Bazaar; free time; optional Anatolian side tour or Bosphorus dinner cruise.

• Day 4: Drive Istanbul–Ankara via Bolu mountains. City tour and visit to Atatürk Mausoleum.

• Day 5: Ankara–Cappadocia via Salt Lake; craft visits and first views of the valleys.

• Day 6: Full-day Cappadocia highlights tour; optional hot-air balloon, underground city and Turkish night.

• Day 7: Cappadocia–Pamukkale; visit Hierapolis & Cotton Castle.

• Day 8: Pamukkale–Ephesus – Kusadasi/Izmir; House of the Virgin Mary, Ephesus, and leather workshop.

• Day 9: Izmir/Kusadasi–Pergamon – Troy – Çanakkale.

• Day 10: Çanakkale–Bursa – Istanbul; Bursa city tour.

• Day 11: Istanbul–UK/Ireland.

Detailed Itinerary

Istanbul – Mosques, bazaars and the Bosphorus
Arrive in Istanbul and transfer to your Superior-category hotel. Depending on your flight, you may have time to begin exploring independently. The following morning, visit the magnificent Süleymaniye Mosque, designed by the master architect Sinan and set high on the city’s third hill with sweeping views. You can then either return with the group transfer or stay in the city centre to wander at leisure, or add a full-day optional tour taking in Topkapı Palace, Hagia Sophia exterior, the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque exterior and the Grand Bazaar with lunch.

On your second full day, visit the atmospheric Spice Bazaar before boarding a shared Bosphorus cruise. Glide between Europe and Asia, passing palaces, fortress walls and wooden yali mansions lining the shores. After disembarking you are free to continue exploring independently, with options to add a half-day tour of the Asian (Anatolian) side – including Beylerbeyi Palace and Çamlıca Hill – and/or an evening Bosphorus dinner cruise with traditional music and dance.

Ankara – Capital of modern Turkey
Travel overland to Ankara via the forested Bolu mountains. On arrival in the capital, enjoy a panoramic tour and visit Anıtkabir, the hilltop mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the modern Turkish Republic. Dinner and overnight in Ankara.

Cappadocia – Fairy chimneys and cave churches
Continue southeast towards Cappadocia, pausing en route at the shimmering Salt Lake, one of Turkey’s largest. On arrival you’ll visit a ceramics workshop and a precious-stone atelier to see how local artisans work these traditional crafts (timings may vary by departure). The rest of the day is yours to absorb the surreal volcanic landscape, or join a Jeep safari and sunset tour through the valleys.

A full day is dedicated to exploring Cappadocia: visit the Göreme Open-Air Museum, with its rock-cut churches and frescoes, and continue to the valleys of Avcilar, Paşabağı and Güvercinlik to see the famous fairy chimneys up close. A carpet workshop visit rounds off the day. Optional experiences include an iconic sunrise hot-air balloon flight, a visit to the underground city of Kaymaklı and an entertaining Turkish night with folk dances and unlimited drinks. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.

Pamukkale – Hierapolis & the Cotton Castle
Drive west across Anatolia to Pamukkale. Here you’ll tour the ancient city of Hierapolis, with its theatre and necropolis, before walking among the cascading white travertine terraces and turquoise pools of the Cotton Castle – formed by mineral-rich hot springs over thousands of years. There’s time to enjoy the viewpoints and capture photographs before visiting a local textile outlet and heading to your hotel for dinner.

Ephesus & the Aegean Coast – Ephesus, Virgin Mary & Izmir/Kuşadası
Travel towards the coast to visit the House of the Virgin Mary, an important pilgrimage site believed to be where Mary spent her last years. Continue to Ephesus, one of the best-preserved classical cities in the Mediterranean, to see the Library of Celsus, the theatre and temples of Hadrian and Trajan. After a stop at a leather workshop, continue to your hotel in either Kuşadası or Izmir (depending on season and final allocation) for dinner and overnight.

Pergamon, Troy & Çanakkale – Legends and healing
Head north to Pergamon, once a major cultural and medical centre. Visit the Asclepion, the ancient world’s most prestigious healing sanctuary and a forerunner of modern hospitals. Continue to the archaeological site of Troy, where layers of ruins recall the legendary city immortalised in Homer’s Iliad. After exploring the excavations, drive on to Çanakkale on the Dardanelles Strait for dinner and overnight.

Bursa & return to Istanbul – Ottoman heritage
Travel to Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire, known as “Green Bursa” for its gardens and forests. Visit the impressive Ulu Cami (Great Mosque), the historic Koza Han Silk Bazaar and the Green Tomb of Sultan Mehmed I. Later, cross the Gulf of İzmit either by ferry or over the Osmangazi Bridge (depending on operations) and continue by road back to Istanbul for your final night.

On your final day, enjoy breakfast (subject to flight time) before transferring to the airport for your homeward flight to the UK/Ireland.

Accommodation – Superior Category

This itinerary uses a selection of Superior-category hotels (typically 4★) chosen for comfort and good touring locations, plus one consistent brand at the start and end in Istanbul. Example properties include:

• Istanbul – La Quinta by Wyndham Istanbul Güneşli or similar

• Ankara – Radisson Blu Ankara or similar

• Cappadocia – Ramada by Wyndham Cappadocia or similar

• Pamukkale – Richmond Pamukkale Thermal or similar

• Izmir/Kuşadası – Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Izmir or similar

• Çanakkale – Yurdakul Hotel or similar

All stays are in standard double/twin rooms with private bathrooms and daily breakfast; several dinners are included as detailed below. Exact hotels will be confirmed on your Boullies Travel itinerary.

Included Experiences

Your holiday price already includes the following key experiences:

• Visit to Süleymaniye Mosque (with one-way transfer).

• Bosphorus cruise & Spice Bazaar visit (with one-way transfer and boat ticket).

• Ankara panoramic tour & Atatürk Mausoleum.

• Scenic stop at Salt Lake en route to Cappadocia.

• Full-day Cappadocia highlights tour (Göreme, valleys, artisan workshop).

• Hierapolis & Pamukkale Cotton Castle visit.

• Ephesus & House of the Virgin Mary guided visit.

• Pergamon & Troy highlights tour.

• Bursa city tour (Ulu Cami, Silk Bazaar, Green Tomb).

Plus:

• 10 nights’ hotel accommodation (Superior category).

• 10 breakfasts and 6 dinners.

• All transfers and touring in air-conditioned vehicles.

• English-speaking guide throughout.

• International flights UK/Ireland–Istanbul–UK/Ireland.

Optional Upgrades & Excursions

To personalise the trip to your interests, you can add:

• Full-day Istanbul city tour (Topkapı Palace, Blue Mosque exterior, Hagia Sophia exterior, Grand Bazaar, lunch).

• Anatolian-side Istanbul excursion with lunch (Beylerbeyi Palace, Çamlıca Hill, Üsküdar).

• Bosphorus dinner show cruise with entertainment and drinks.

• Cappadocia hot-air balloon flight at sunrise.

• Jeep safari & sunset tour in Cappadocia.

• Turkish Night folklore show with unlimited drinks.

• Kaymaklı Underground City visit.

• Multi-excursion Istanbul and Cappadocia packages offering better value when pre-booked together.

Your Boullies Travel consultant will guide you through these options and build a tailored programme to match your pace and budget.

Travel Dates & Guide Price

• Duration: 11 days / 10 nights in destination.

• Sample departure: 6 November 2026 from London Gatwick (other dates and UK/Ireland airports available on request).

• Guide price from: £699 per person (approximately £1,398 per couple) based on two adults sharing a double room, including international flights, accommodation, transfers, touring and listed inclusions.

Checked luggage supplements, business-class upgrades, extra nights and room upgrades can be added on request.

Important Information

• Tour pace: This is an active itinerary with several early starts and longer coach days (total distance around 2,400 km) to ensure you see as much as possible.

• Fitness level: Light to active – expect some walking on uneven terrain and steps at historic sites.

• Local payments: Mandatory tip pool of approx. $45 per person for 2026 departures, plus a small tourism tax (approx. $15 per person) payable locally; your guide will organise this.

• Visas & entry: UK passport holders do not currently require a visa for short stays but must meet passport validity rules; always check current FCDO advice before travel.

Boullies Travel will confirm up-to-date visa, health and entry requirements at quotation stage and again before you travel.

Why Book With Boullies Travel

We take care of every detail – flights, timings, hotel allocations, airport transfers, excursion choices and all the little moments in between – so you can simply enjoy Turkey’s history, landscapes and hospitality. You’ll have a named contact before and after travel, and support while you are away if you need it.

Boullies Travel
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Ready To Plan Your Treasures of Anatolia Journey?

Get in touch with Boullies Travel to check live prices, alternative dates and regional departures, or to tweak this itinerary for a slower pace or extra nights in Istanbul or Cappadocia.