Turkey Highlights

Reiseverlauf 2026

1. Tag 1

   Istanbul

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   Hos geldin! Welcome to Turkey. Your adventure begins in Istanbul – the continent-straddling metropolis that the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans have all once called home – with a welcome meeting at 1 pm. After you’ve met your local leader and group, you’ll head out for a guided tour of the Old City. Visit the ancient hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar and the Suleymaniye Cami. This evening, maybe join your fellow travellers for dinner and dig into an authentic Turkish kebab.
   It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you're going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
2. Tag 2

   Canakkale

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   After breakfast, hit the road to Canakkale – a port city on the southern shore of the Dardanelles. On the way, you’ll stop for a guided tour of Gallipoli to learn about the significant events that took place here during WWI. Your guide will take you to ANZAC Cove and major memorial sites like Brighton Beach and the ANZAC Commemorative Site. Make sure your camera is charged – the views of the Dardanelles Strait and the Gallipoli Peninsula here are gorgeous. This evening, you’ll spend the night in Canakkale with free time to grab dinner and recharge for tomorrow’s adventures.
   Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.
3. Tag 3

   Selcuk

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   This morning, drive to the ancient city of Troy. Explore the ruins with your leader, snap a photo with a replica Trojan Horse and learn about how this place has confounded historians and archaeologists for centuries. Then, continue to Selcuk which sits on the slopes of Ayasoluk Hill. Head out with your leader for an orientation walk, passing Isa Bey Mosque and the imposing Byzantine citadel of the Grand Fortress. Enjoy some free time afterwards.
   Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.
4. Tag 4

   Transit by Train

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   Heute Morgen fährst du mit einem privaten Minibus in die antike Stadt Ephesus - eine der am besten erhaltenen griechisch-römischen Städte der Welt. Ephesus war einst die Hauptstadt des römischen Kleinasiens und hat eine faszinierende Geschichte, die mit einem einheimischen Führer, der dich herumführt, wirklich lebendig wird. Für ihr Alter sind die Ruinen in einem unglaublichen Zustand, und es ist nicht schwer, sich vorzustellen, dass sie vor über 2000 Jahren in voller Pracht standen, mit fließendem Wasser, öffentlichen Toiletten, einem medizinischen Institut und römischen Bädern. Das Große Theater ist gut erhalten und beherbergt regelmäßig Konzerte, aber die Bibliothek des Celsus ist am beeindruckendsten. Danach kannst du zu Mittag essen und vielleicht den einheimischen Frauen bei der Herstellung von Gozleme zusehen. Heute Abend hast du etwas Freizeit, bevor du nach Izmir umsteigst, um den Nachtzug nach Konya zu nehmen.
   Die Reisezeit im Nachtzug beträgt etwa 13 Stunden. Im Nachtzug gibt es ein Zweibett-Schlafabteil mit einem Waschbecken und einem kleinen Kühlschrank. Frisches Bettzeug wird gestellt, aber du musst dein Bett selbst machen. In jedem Waggon gibt es westliche Toiletten, aber wir empfehlen, zusätzliches Toilettenpapier mitzubringen. Es gibt einen Imbisswagen mit einfachen Lebensmitteln wie Sandwiches, Toast oder Kaffee/Tee, aber vielleicht möchtest du im Voraus etwas zu essen kaufen. Es kann vorkommen, dass du mit dem Nachtzug nach Ankara (der Hauptstadt der Türkei) statt nach Konya fährst, da die Schlafwagen im Zug nach Konya sehr begrenzt sind. Wenn du morgen früh in Ankara ankommst, wirst du Anıtkabir besuchen, das Mausoleum von Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, dem Gründer und ersten Präsidenten der türkischen Republik. Diese kleine Änderung hat keinen Einfluss auf deine Reisezeit oder das gesamte Reiseerlebnis. Dein Reiseleiter wird dich bei der Gruppenbesprechung darüber informieren, ob du bei deiner Abreise den anderen Zug nehmen musst.
5. Tag 5

   Konya to Cappadocia

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   Wake up in Konya, a historic Turkish city closely linked with the whirling dervish sect of Islam developed by Rumi, a famous Sufi mystic in the 13th century. Visit the Mevlana Museum, maybe watching an optional whirling dervish dance, and stretch your legs in town before hitting the road to Cappadocia. Look out for the fairy chimneys, the hallmark of the region's otherworldly landscape, as you drive across the Anatolian plains and stop at an underground city used as a safe haven during wartimes. Arrive in the town of Urgup in the late afternoon in time for a sunset walk in the valley. Your accommodation tonight is a traditional cave style hotel that overlooks the valley.
   Your travel time will be approximately 3 hours.
6. Tag 6

   Cappadocia

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   This morning, take an optional hot air balloon flight over Cappadocia at sunrise. If you don’t fancy it, you’ll still have an amazing view of the skyline dotted with balloons from the ground. Later this morning, enjoy a scenic walk through the valleys with your leader, featuring fairy chimneys, deserted rock-cut homes and cave churches. In your free time today, maybe visit the UNESCO-listed Goreme Open Air Museum, a monastic complex composed of churches, rectories and dwellings cut into the cliff. This evening, you’ll be warmly welcomed into a local home where you'll share a special home-cooked dinner with the family.
   Hot air balloons in Cappadocia can only be booked directly with your trip leader locally. Please speak to your Turkish group leader early on your trip to secure a spot for this popular activity. Due to local regulations, sunrise hot air balloon excursion times vary, which may result in your excursion beginning just after sunrise. This is subject to the tour provider’s discretion and is not within our control. The price of the hot air balloon activity is indicative only as the prices may fluctuate between different seasons. Your tour leader will advise you of the correct rate when booking.
7. Tag 7

   Cappadocia to Istanbul

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   Say goodbye to Cappadocia and transfer to the airport for a flight back to Istanbul (expect to arrive between 1 pm and 4 pm). After checking in to your hotel, take an evening stroll to one of the city's trendiest neighbourhoods – a place where tool-selling tradesmen share space with cool cafes and galleries. For dinner, perhaps try a local street food favourite, balik ekmek (fish sandwich) and cleanse the palate with a baklava. Maybe check out a few bars with your group to say serefe (cheers) to your time in Turkey, or enjoy a farewell cay (Turkish tea) overlooking the Bosphorus.
8. Tag 8

   Istanbul

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   Your Turkey adventure comes to an end after breakfast, and there are no activities planned. However, if you'd like to spend more time in Istanbul, we’re happy to arrange additional accommodation (subject to availability).