Basix
18 to 35s
Real Turkey
15 days • 4.8
5
Excellent
64 reviews
15 days
Start
Istanbul, Turkey
Finish
Istanbul, Turkey
Trip Code
ERYOC
Min Age
18
Trip Size
1 - 16
Physical Rating
Meals
12 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
Transport
Ferry, Local bus, Private Bus, Boat, Overnight Bus
Accommodation
Hotel (11 nights), Multi-share guesthouse (2 nights), Overnight Bus (1 night)
From £1,216(15 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
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, head into a home of a local family, where you’ll be treated to a traditional home-cooked Turkish meal.
Wander ancient sites with a local leader – thought all the best Roman ruins were in Italy? Think again! Turkey is home to one of the best-preserved classics of Ephesus.
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.
Is this trip right for you?
You’ll get a taste of local life on this trip, with most travel done on public buses. This minimises our carbon footprint and gives you a real chance to interact with the local community. Most Turkish buses have wi-fi, in-seat entertainment and serve refreshments.
Lots of time allocated for optional activities means freedom and flexibility, but it does require a level of independence. Only are few meals are included, so mostly you'll find your own (with plenty of suggestions from your leader of course). This trip puts it in your hands with tonnes of free time. Maybe budget a little extra cash for activities that aren’t included.
The cobblestone streets, narrow steps and tiny bridges of Turkey are very romantic. They’re also another good reason to pack light and leave the wheeled suitcase at home. You'll have to carry your own luggage on and off the buses, so make sure it doesn’t exceed our weight and size recommendations. You can find specifics under ‘Packing’ in the ‘Essential Trip Information’ section.
Summer temperatures can be very high in Turkey (over 40°C), which can make things uncomfortable. It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat, and drink plenty of water. You’ll need walking shoes and a daypack to explore some of historical sites.The weather can be hot in July and August, but keep in mind that this is the best time to enjoy the clear water of the Mediterranean. It can also get cool in these destinations, particularly from October to April, so don't forget to pack extra layers if travelling at this time.
Itinerary
Coastal cruising to city schmoozing – see it all, Turkish style
Want to see the real Turkey with a small group of likeminded travellers? On this 15-day adventure, you'll discover the cultural melting pot of the landscape that 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, making strong connections along the way. 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!
Inclusions
Meals
12 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
Transport
Ferry, Local bus, Private Bus, Boat, Overnight Bus
Accommodation
Hotel (11 nights), Multi-share guesthouse (2 nights), Overnight Bus (1 night)
Included 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
Optional activities
Istanbul - Blue Mosque Visit - Free
Istanbul - Bosphorus Boat Cruise (Public Boat) - TRY200
Istanbul - Whirling Dervish show - TRY1500
Istanbul - Turkish Hamam (inc. massage) - EUR100
Istanbul - Galata Tower - EUR30
Istanbul - Hagia Sophia - EUR25
Istanbul - Archaeology Museum - EUR15
Istanbul - Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts - EUR17
Troy - Guided visit - EUR27
Selcuk - Basilica of St John - EUR6
Selcuk - Meryemana (Mary's House) - EUR15
Ephesus - Terrace Houses entry - EUR15
Pamukkale - Hierapolis Museum - Free
Antalya - Mermerli Beach Kaleici - TRY250
Antalya - Antalya Museum - EUR15
Antalya - Aspendos Ancient City - EUR15
Cappadocia - Hamam Turkish Bath - EUR60
Cappadocia - Hot Air Balloon Regular Flight - EUR200
Cappadocia - Hot Air Balloon Deluxe Flight - EUR230
Goreme - Whirling dervish performance - EUR30
Goreme - Open Air Museum - EUR20
Goreme - Bike Riding - EUR230
Dates and availability
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Important notes
1. A single supplement is bookable if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip and is subject to availability. The single supplement excludes Day 3 & 4 (multi-share Guesthouse) and Day 13 (Overnight Bus).
2. Some accommodation on this tour is is multi shared. Multishare typically includes triple and quad rooms with shared bathroom facilities instead of ensuite. You may be required to share with group members of same gender. People travelling together may occasionally be separated due to rooming configurations.
Reviews (64)
5 stars
53
4 stars
7
3 stars
4
Christina
Apr 27, 2025
Real Turkey gives you a great glimpse of all that Turkey has to offer. I had no expectations of this trip and I’ve come back home in awe! Definitely worth doing a trip to experience the differences between all of the provinces. Cotton castle, Ephesus and sailing the Mediterranean with homemade lunch are definite highlights. Let’s not forget the hot air balloons in Cappadocia too! But the best part is sharing this experience with a knowledgeable guide (thanks Ilter!) and like minded people, in a country that is kind and hospitable. The people I was with definitely made the trip all the more worth while.
Shane
Nov 03, 2024
The trip was a great way to see different parts of Turkey and get a sense of all the amazing parts the country has to offer. Our tour guide Emre was really friendly and engaging with the group. He provided us with a lot of information and knowledge about the different areas and led the group well. The itinerary allowed us to see and learn a lot about the different cities and areas that we visited
Catriona
Oct 13, 2024
Fantastic trip with packed itinerary! Tour leader was super knowledgeable and organised the group very well. I would highly recommend this tour for travellers looking to see the best of Turkey, covering many places and sites. Travellers should be comfortable with public transport (mainly excellent buses but can take longer than internal flights or private transport) and basic accommodation throughout. Overall, a fantastic trip, great tour leader (shoutout Can!) and a fun group.
Jamin
Oct 09, 2024
The 10 day trip provides a great introduction to Turkey with a good mix of historical sites and monuments and beach days and lounging by the pool. This trip does miss out on Cappadocia (although a tighter itinerary could have fit that in to a 10 or 11 day trip). This trip is also a great way to meet like-minded travellers.
Emma
Oct 02, 2024
Highly recommend! 15 days was the perfect amount of time to see lots of different sides of Turkiye. The hot air balloon over Cappadocia and sailing in the Mediterranean were once in a lifetime experiences!
Mitchell
Sep 26, 2024
So much fun!
Madhuvanthi
Sep 08, 2024
Beykan (our guide) was funny, knowledgeable, and street-smart. It was a stress free and enjoyable trip because he was always on top of the logistics. We learnt a lot about the food, culture, and history of Turkey from him so I’m really glad that he was our guide.
Ali
Aug 22, 2024
This tour is THE BEST! Yes the accommodation is simple, and there is lots of travel. But if you want to see the real Turkey, this is the trip for you. Highly recommend packing light and using a backpack. Hopefully you have Mehmet as your guide- he is the best! Turkey is beautiful- the food, the people, the landscape is everything. Cheers!
Oliver
Aug 17, 2024
Fast paced trip but lists of fun. Provides a good overview of turkey. Mete was the best guide!!
Ashley
Jul 13, 2024
Amazing sites! The trip is travel heavy to get to the various places but very worth it. Everyone on my trip except one couple was also travelling solo and I met some great friends.
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