Turkey 12-Day Panorama Tour

Take a luxury flight to Turkey’s largest city – Istanbul, enjoying fine food and beverages onboard. (Includes round-trip flights from Toronto International Airport)

Upon arrival, proceed to take a sightseeing cruise (GoGo exclusive VIP private boat, free for all guests), cruising along the Bosphorus Strait that spans Europe and Asia, enjoying stunning views on both continents. Dinner is served at a local restaurant featuring seafood.

Accommodation: 5-star Wyndham Grand Hotel Europe or equivalent

After breakfast at the hotel, visit the Dolmabahçe Palace. After lunch, drive to the beautiful mountain town of Safranbolu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town has preserved its Ottoman-era architecture, with few modern buildings, and residents maintain a simple, traditional lifestyle. Admire the finely crafted houses that reflect the deep imprint of history.

Visit Hidirlik Hill for panoramic views of Safranbolu and take photos with the UNESCO World Heritage landmark. Then enjoy a leisurely stroll through the winding streets and alleys of the town, encountering meditating elders smoking water pipes, cheerful Turkish mothers, traditional pastry shop owners, shy smiling children, and cats basking in the warm sun, all of which make you fall in love with this mountain town.

Accommodation: Hilton Garden Inn or equivalent

After breakfast at the hotel, visit the Atatürk Mausoleum in Ankara, the capital of Turkey. Afterwards, travel to another world-class Turkish attraction, a unique rock landscape formed over time by erosion, lava, and volcanic ash.

Accommodation: 2 nights at the luxurious Yunak Cave Hotel or equivalent (optional hot air balloon rides can be arranged for the mornings of both days, weather permitting)

After breakfast at the hotel, visit the famous Göreme Rock Churches, now an open-air museum. After lunch, explore the Ten-Kilometer Gallery, featuring rock formations of various shapes and poetic beauty. Next, visit the Fairy Chimneys, where erosion of volcanic ash has created pyramid-shaped, conical, and cap-topped columnar rocks.

Then visit the Carpet Village, where all carpets are handmade, preserving ancient Silk Road techniques from Chinese merchants for silk production and the intricate weaving skills of Persian traders.

Dinner is specially arranged at a cave nightclub, featuring belly dancing and traditional folk performances.

Accommodation: Luxurious cave hotel Yunak Cave Hotel or equivalent (optional hot air balloon rides can be arranged for the mornings of both days, weather permitting)

After breakfast at the hotel, visit the underground city built by early Christians, featuring well-designed facilities including storage rooms, wine cellars, churches, ventilation shafts, and escape routes for defense.

Then travel to Tuz Salt Lake, a vast expanse that stretches as far as the eye can see. After rain, it creates a stunning mirror-like reflection.

Drive to Konya.

Accommodation: 5-star Bayir Diamond Hotel or equivalent

After breakfast at the hotel, drive to visit Turkey’s most famous natural wonder – Pamukkale. Named for its unique white terrain resembling cotton, its thermal waters maintain a temperature of 36–38°C year-round. During the Roman Empire, many European nobles traveled long distances here for healing. The layered white calcium terraces against the blue sky create a photographer’s paradise.

Guaranteed stay of over 3 hours. Guests can enjoy the flowing thermal waters or visit the famous Cleopatra Pool to experience the ancient Roman baths. In the evening, relax in the hotel’s thermal pool. Please bring a swim cap for hygiene purposes.

Dinner and accommodation: 5-star Colossae Thermal & Spa Hotel or equivalent

After breakfast at the hotel, travel to the Aegean seaside resort of Kusadasi. Visit the most famous Roman city on the Mediterranean – Ephesus. Admire exquisite stone carvings, the open-air Great Theatre, one of the three largest libraries of the ancient world, the Marble Road, Hadrian’s Temple, the ancient brothel, and luxurious Roman toilets.

After lunch, pass by the ruins of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The region is famous for Turkish lamb leather, also known as silk leather, with exquisite craftsmanship; a visit to the renowned leather center is a must.

Visit the House of the Virgin Mary, now a Catholic pilgrimage site.

Accommodation: Luxury 5-star Charisma Deluxe on the Aegean coast or equivalent

After breakfast at the hotel, visit the ancient city of Pergamon from the Roman-Greek period (including sightseeing cart ride). This city was once the capital of an empire and is located atop a mountain, leaving behind numerous historical structures, the most famous being the world’s steepest theater.

After lunch, travel to the famous ancient city associated with the Greek myth of the Trojan Horse, exploring the legendary large wooden horse and ruins from different periods.

Accommodation: 5-star Kolin Hotel or equivalent

After breakfast, travel to Turkey’s largest city, Istanbul. Lunch will be at a renowned city restaurant. Optional visit to the Dolmabahçe Palace, a luxurious palace decorated with 35 tons of gold and 40 tons of silver, filled with priceless paintings, intricately handmade silk carpets, exquisite mahogany and teakwood floors, elegant crystal staircases, a 4.5-ton grand crystal chandelier, 285 rooms, 46 halls, 6 Turkish baths, and 68 toilets. It was the residence of the last six sultans and a testament to the glory of the Ottoman Empire.

Visit the Basilica Cistern, a mysterious and magnificent underground water palace, a photographer’s paradise (complimentary for all guests).

Accommodation: 5-star Wyndham Grand Hotel Europe or equivalent

After breakfast at the hotel, visit the ancient Hippodrome. The square features three monuments from different eras: the over 3,000-year-old Egyptian Obelisk, the Serpent Column commemorating the defeat of the Persians, and the 10th-century Roman Emperor Monument.

Visit the Blue Mosque, built by order of Sultan Ahmed. Explore the architectural masterpiece of Byzantine art – Hagia Sophia, which houses numerous priceless golden mosaics.

Visit one of the world’s largest covered bazaars, the Grand Bazaar, with over 3,000 shops offering a wide variety of handcrafted and traditional souvenirs.

Dinner and accommodation: 5-star Wyndham Grand Hotel Europe or equivalent

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for your flight back to Toronto.