Grand Tour of Turkiye
(11
Days)
All Excursions Included
Departure & Return Date/s
-
21 Aug - 31 Aug 2026
-
04 Sep - 14 Sep 2026
Visiting
-
Taksim -
Istanbul
-
Princess Island
-
Bursa
-
Ephesus
-
Sirinci
-
Kusadasi
-
Pamukkale
-
Konya
-
Cappadocia
Excursions
-
Spice Market, Balat & Bosphorus Boat (Adult:
Incl
/ Child:
Incl)
-
Istanbul Byzantian & Ottoman Relics Tour (Adult:
Incl
/ Child:
Incl)
-
Princess Islands (Adult:
Incl
/ Child:
Incl)
-
Bursa (Adult:
Incl
/ Child:
Incl)
-
Sirinci & Kusadasi (Adult:
Incl
/ Child:
Incl)
-
Ephesus (Adult:
Incl
/ Child:
Incl)
-
Pamukkale (Adult:
Incl
/ Child:
Incl)
-
Konya (Adult:
Incl
/ Child:
Incl)
-
Cappadocia (Adult:
Incl
/ Child:
Incl)
What's Included
-
Turkish Airline flights to Istanbul and return from Kayseri via Istanbul to Malta incl. 8kg hand luggage & 23kg checked-in luggage
-
3 nights in 4-star Taksim Gonen Hotel in Istanbul or similar
-
1 night in 5-star Euro Park Hotel in Bursa or similar
-
2 nights in 5-star Seven For Life Hotel in Kusadasi or similar
-
1 night in 5-star Pam Thermal hotel in Pamukkale or similar
-
2 nights in 5-star Bayir Diamond Hotel in Antalya or similar
-
2 nights in 5-star Perissa Hotel in Cappadocia or similar
-
Meals as indicated on the programme
-
Return airport transfers
-
All excursions as per programme
-
Princess Island Ferry & Bosphorus Boat
-
Airport taxes & service charge
-
Services of a Tour Leader
-
Professional English-Speaking guide during sightseeing
-
Insolvency fund
What's Not Included Prices might vary slightly due to currency exchange
-
Hagia Sofia €30 per person
-
Hot Air Balloon ride including transfers- upon request
Notes
Note: This is a coach tour, includes walking (not recommended for young children, wheelchair users or slow walkers). Furthermore some days may involve longer travel times, especially days 5, 8 & 9.
* Hot Air Balloon excursion is not covered by insurance.
Photos
Itinerary
We meet at the airport at 8.10am for our Turkish Airlines flight taking us to Istanbul departing at 10.40am. On arrival at 2.05pm, we are transferred to our hotel in Istanbul for check-in. Afterwards, we will start by visiting the famous Spice Market. Then, we’ll enjoy a scenic boat tour along the Bosphorus, followed by a stroll through the historic Balat district. Balat, a UNESCO-listed district, is one of Istanbul’s most culturally rich yet still lesser-known neighborhoods. Its colorful Ottoman houses, cobblestone streets, local craftsmen, and livelyhop everyday scenes create a charming, village-like atmosphere and offer an authentic glimpse into the real Istanbul.
After breakfast, we will start the Byzantian and the Ottoman Relics Tour, beginning from the Sultanahmet district, the heart of old Istanbul, at Saint Sophia. Built by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century AD, this church is one of the marvels of world architecture. We then see the Blue Mosque, which owes its name to the exquisite tiles adorning its interior. Dating from the 17th century, it is the only imperial mosque with six minarets, and the Hippodrome. After lunch (extra), we will visit the Basilica Cistern, the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath Istanbul. We will also visit Hagia Sofia (extra), originally built as a Christian Orthodox church, and was transformed into a mosque by the Ottomans. The last stop is at the Grand Bazaar, the commercial heart of the old city with its 4,000 shops full of treasures, including carpets and kilims, silks, jewelry, ceramics, icons, and leather goods. We have time to wander around the Grand Bazaar and do some shopping.
After Breakfast, we will be transferred to Kabatas Pier, where we will take a ferry (included) to the charming Princess Islands, where we will spend the day away from the crowds of the city. We will enjoy breathtaking views of the old buildings along the Bosphorus and the historical peninsula of Istanbul during the 1.5 hours journey, arriving at Buyukada. From there together with a local guide, we will ride mini electric buses for a sightseeing tour around the island. Afterwards we will have free time to continue exploring the island or opt to have lunch or coffee (extra) before we return back to Istanbul by the same ferry.
After breakfast, check-out and start our road trip towards Bursa, the Old Ottoman capital city. On arrival, we will have lunch (extra) in a famous Kebab restaurant. We then start a historical visit at the Covered Bazaar, the old Silk Market, and visit the Green Mosque. We are then transferred to our hotel for dinner.
After breakfast, check-out and make our way to Kusadasi. Our first stop will be a visit to a factory outlet textile Burbery shop. On our arrival, we will have lunch (extra) and visit the Sirince village (an old Greek Village) where we taste the local fruit wine when we visit the winery. Then, we make our way to our hotel for dinner.
After breakfast, we will join our guide and visit Ephesus. Our first stop will be at the Virgin Mary’s House, where it is said that Mary was brought to Ephesus by the Apostle John after the Resurrection of Christ and lived out her days here. We then go on a walking tour and see the Odeon, The Fountain of Trajan, the stream baths of Scholastic, the temple of Hadrian and the impressive library of Ephesus. We then pass through the Arcadian Way, where Mark Anthony and Cleopatra once rode in procession. Lunch (extra),and then we will have time to visit the Carpet village. We return to our hotel for dinner.
After breakfast, our trip towards Pamukkale starts. Enroute, we will have time to stop for lunch (extra). As soon as we arrive in Pamukkale, we will walk to the natural warm water terraces which were formed by running warm water that contains calcium. The temperature of the water is about 35 degrees. The extraordinary effect is created when water from the hot springs loses carbon dioxide as it flows down the slopes, leaving deposits of limestone. The layers of white calcium carbonate, built up in steps on the plateau, gave the site the name Pamukkale (cotton castle). We are then transferred to our hotel for check-in, and we can enjoy a swim in the hot red thermal pools of the hotel (extra). Time for dinner.
Today, after breakfast, we check-out, and start our drive to Konya with a stop at Sulotan Hani Caravanserai. In Konya, we will have lunch (extra) and visit Mevlana Mauseleum. It is the mausoleum of Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, a Persian Sufi Mystic. It was also the dervish lodge (tekke) of the Mevlevi order, better known as the whirling dervishes. We go to our hotel in Konya in time for dinner.
After breakfast, we will begin our drive to Cappadocia. En route, we will stop to visit a Caravanserai, explore several valleys, and enjoy panoramic views from Ortahisar and Göreme. There will also be some free time for shopping, including an opportunity to browse for jewelry. Upon arrival in Cappadocia, we will check in at the hotel, followed by dinner and an overnight stay.
(Optional: Hot Air Balloon riding available early in the morning! A unique experience) After breakfast, we go on a full-day excursion to visit Cappadocia. Here, we can see the main Goreme Open Air Museum situated in the Goreme Valley, home of early Christian churches decorated with unique frescos. Afterwards we will proceed to Pasabaglari (Monk’s Valley) to see the world-famous fairy chimneys which have a unique shape. Time for lunch (extra) and visit Avanos, the well-known pottery and craft centre, where we will have some free time in the village. We return to our hotel in time for dinner.
After breakfast and we get transferred to the airport for our return Turkish Airlines flight departing at 1.15pm, via Istanbul and arriving in Malta at 6.30pm.
FAQ
We offer a variety of tours including city tours, cultural & historical tours, family-friendly, pilgrimages, nature-related tours, gourmet, sports & entertainment events and more.
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We recommend bringing comfortable clothing, suitable footwear for walking, a hat, sunscreen, a water bottle, and any personal medication needed. Specific details for each tour are provided in your booking confirmation.
Many of our tours are family-friendly and suitable for all ages. For more physically demanding tours, we provide clear guidelines on suitability and possible alternatives for seniors or families with young children.
What safety measures do you implement on your tours? A: Your safety is our priority. All our tours are accompanied by experienced guides trained in first aid. We regularly assess and update our safety protocols to adapt to local conditions.
Each tour participant will be given the contact details of the tour leader and local Britannia Tours office.
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