{"product_id":"turkish-odyssey-15-day-classical-turkey","title":"Turkish Odyssey: 15-Day Classical Turkey in Depth","description":"\u003ch2\u003eOverview\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFifteen days is what Turkey actually needs. This is our flagship circuit - the one that takes you from the domes and bazaars of Istanbul down the Aegean past Troy, Pergamon and Ephesus, inland across the travertine terraces of Pamukkale, over the Anatolian plateau to the whirling dervish city of Konya, and into the fairy-chimney valleys of Cappadocia, before closing through Ankara and the Ottoman timber town of Safranbolu. Seven UNESCO World Heritage sites, three civilisations deep, and enough unhurried time in each place to actually remember it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;\"\u003e\n  \u003ctbody\u003e\n      \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\" style=\"padding:6px 16px 6px 0;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003eDuration\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:6px 0;\"\u003e15 days \/ 14 nights\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\" style=\"padding:6px 16px 6px 0;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003eStart \/ End\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:6px 0;\"\u003eIstanbul → Istanbul\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\" style=\"padding:6px 16px 6px 0;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003eGroup size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:6px 0;\"\u003eMaximum 20 travellers, minimum 2\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\" style=\"padding:6px 16px 6px 0;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003eActivity level\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:6px 0;\"\u003eModerate - several sites involve uneven ground and stairs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\" style=\"padding:6px 16px 6px 0;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003eMeals\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:6px 0;\"\u003e14 breakfasts, 7 dinners\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\" style=\"padding:6px 16px 6px 0;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003eGuiding\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:6px 0;\"\u003eLicensed local guide, English (other languages on request)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\" style=\"padding:6px 16px 6px 0;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003eDepartures\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:6px 0;\"\u003eGuaranteed departures March–November; private dates year-round\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eTour highlights\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eThree full days in Istanbul: Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and a Bosphorus cruise between two continents\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eThe Gallipoli peninsula and the excavated citadel of Troy\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003ePergamon's vertiginous Hellenistic theatre and the Asklepion healing centre\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eA half-day at Ephesus - the Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre and the terrace houses\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eThe white travertine terraces and Roman pools of Pamukkale-Hierapolis\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eKonya's Mevlana Museum, resting place of Rumi\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eThree nights in Cappadocia with an optional sunrise balloon flight\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eGoreme's rock-cut churches and the underground city of Derinkuyu\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eSafranbolu, a perfectly preserved Ottoman caravan town\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eDay-by-day itinerary\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDay 1 - Arrive Istanbul.\u003c\/strong\u003e Airport welcome and private transfer to your hotel in Sultanahmet. Evening orientation walk with your guide and a welcome dinner of Ottoman mezze.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eOvernight: Istanbul\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDay 2 - Istanbul - the Imperial City.\u003c\/strong\u003e Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome and Topkapi Palace with the Treasury and Harem. Afternoon at the Grand Bazaar.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eOvernight: Istanbul\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDay 3 - Istanbul - Two Continents.\u003c\/strong\u003e Spice Bazaar, then a Bosphorus cruise past Ottoman palaces and waterfront mansions. Afternoon free or optional Asian-side food walk.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eOvernight: Istanbul\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDay 4 - Istanbul → Gallipoli → Canakkale.\u003c\/strong\u003e Drive west along the Sea of Marmara to the Gallipoli battlefields - ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair - with a specialist battlefield briefing.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eOvernight: Canakkale\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDay 5 - Troy → Pergamon.\u003c\/strong\u003e Morning at Troy, walking nine layers of city built one atop the other. Continue to Bergama for the acropolis and its theatre cut into the hillside.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eOvernight: Izmir\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDay 6 - Ephesus \u0026amp; the House of the Virgin Mary.\u003c\/strong\u003e A full morning at Ephesus, then the House of the Virgin Mary and the Basilica of St John at Selcuk. Afternoon at leisure by the Aegean.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eOvernight: Kusadasi\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDay 7 - Kusadasi → Pamukkale.\u003c\/strong\u003e Inland to Hierapolis and the calcium terraces of Pamukkale. Free time to bathe in the thermal antique pool among fallen Roman columns.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eOvernight: Pamukkale\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDay 8 - Pamukkale → Konya.\u003c\/strong\u003e Cross the lake district to Konya. Visit the Mevlana Museum and the 13th-century Karatay Medrese.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eOvernight: Konya\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDay 9 - Konya → Cappadocia.\u003c\/strong\u003e Stop at the Sultanhani caravanserai on the old Silk Road, then descend into Cappadocia as the light goes gold.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eOvernight: Cappadocia\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDay 10 - Cappadocia - Goreme \u0026amp; the Valleys.\u003c\/strong\u003e Optional sunrise balloon flight. Goreme Open-Air Museum, Pasabag, Devrent and an Avanos pottery workshop.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eOvernight: Cappadocia\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDay 11 - Cappadocia - Underground \u0026amp; Ihlara.\u003c\/strong\u003e The multi-level underground city of Derinkuyu, a gentle walk in the Ihlara Valley, and Selime monastery.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eOvernight: Cappadocia\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDay 12 - Cappadocia → Ankara.\u003c\/strong\u003e Drive to the capital for the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations - the best Hittite collection anywhere - and Anitkabir.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eOvernight: Ankara\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDay 13 - Ankara → Safranbolu.\u003c\/strong\u003e North into the Black Sea hinterland to Safranbolu, a UNESCO-listed Ottoman town of timber houses and cobbled lanes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eOvernight: Safranbolu\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDay 14 - Safranbolu → Istanbul.\u003c\/strong\u003e Morning walking tour and the Kaymakamlar house museum, then return to Istanbul. Farewell dinner overlooking the Bosphorus.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eOvernight: Istanbul\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDay 15 - Depart Istanbul.\u003c\/strong\u003e Breakfast and private transfer to the airport in line with your flight.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eOvernight: -\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat's included\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eAll airport and intercity transfers in modern air-conditioned vehicles\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eAccommodation as listed, on a twin-share basis, with daily breakfast\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eProfessional English-speaking licensed guide throughout\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eAll entrance fees to the sites named in the itinerary\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eLocal taxes, service charges and portage at hotels\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e24\/7 on-tour support line and a Look Vacations tour manager\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat's not included\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eInternational flights to and from the start and end cities\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eTravel insurance (required - we can recommend providers)\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eVisas, passport fees and any border charges\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eLunches and dinners not specified in the itinerary\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eDrinks, laundry and items of a personal nature\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eOptional excursions and gratuities for guide and driver\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eAccommodation\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFour-star and selected five-star hotels throughout, chosen for location rather than brand: a boutique property inside Istanbul's old city walls, a sea-view hotel in Kusadasi, and a genuine cave hotel in Cappadocia. Full property names are confirmed at booking and are typically within a short walk of each town centre.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWho this tour is for\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTravellers who want the definitive first trip to Turkey and would rather do it once, properly, than rush it. It suits culturally curious couples, solo travellers and alumni groups. Expect around 3–5 km of walking on full site days, on uneven ancient paving.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGood to know\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the Cappadocia balloon flight included?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo - it is weather-dependent and priced separately, so we keep it optional. We book it for you at cost. Budget roughly EUR 220–280 per person.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow much internal travel is there?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTwo long driving days (Istanbul to Canakkale, Cappadocia to Ankara). All other transfers are under four hours, always with comfort stops.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan this run as a private departure?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. Any date, any group size from two. Private departures also let us adjust the pace or swap in a day of your choosing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eBook or ask a question\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrices are per person in twin-share accommodation, land only, and vary by departure date and group size. Tell us your preferred dates and we will confirm availability and a firm quote within one business day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCall \u003ca href=\"tel:+12027705061\"\u003e+1 202 770 5061\u003c\/a\u003e · email \u003ca href=\"mailto:usa@lookvacations.com\"\u003eusa@lookvacations.com\u003c\/a\u003e · or send an enquiry through the tour page.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Look Vacations","offers":[{"title":"Twin share (per person)","offer_id":52300415697213,"sku":"LV-TR-ODY-15-TWN","price":2690.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Single occupancy (per person)","offer_id":52300415729981,"sku":"LV-TR-ODY-15-SGL","price":3340.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1010\/9009\/9517\/files\/3840px-Ortak_C3_B6y_Mosque_from_the_Bosphorus.jpg?v=1785117841","url":"https:\/\/lookvacations.com\/products\/turkish-odyssey-15-day-classical-turkey","provider":"Look Vacations","version":"1.0","type":"link"}