✓ Small, intimate group experience – no more than 16 people
✓ Return international airfares with Etihad Airways
✓ Internal flight between Istanbul and Samsun
✓ Return airport transfers
✓ 19 nights in 4 to 5-star accommodation
✓ Overnight onboard the Eastern Express scenic train
✓ Most meals included, with daily breakfasts, 9 lunches and 13 dinners
✓ Fully escorted tour with an English-speaking guide throughout
✓ Incredible sightseeing with entry fees included
✓ Comfortable, dedicated private transportation throughout
✓ 24/7 customer service and your own Dedicated Support Agent
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Hoşgeldiniz! Welcome to Istanbul. This vast metropolis is home to a beguiling mix of different cultures and traditions, a blend of east and west influences. The only city in the world that straddles two continents, Istanbul is busy, vibrant and fascinating.
Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted at the airport and head straight to your hotel.
Tonight you’ll join your guide and the rest of your group for your first Inspiring Taste, enjoying traditional Turkish fare in a local meyhane. It’s not just about the wonderful food, it’s an authentic way to socialise in Istanbul like the locals.
Please note: Some flights may depart the day before.
Check in: Passengers will be arriving at various times throughout the day from as early as 6am through to late evening. If arriving prior to standard check-in time, which is generally 3pm local time, you are welcome to leave your luggage with hotel reception and explore your surroundings until check-in becomes available, as there are generally no scheduled activities on Day 1 of the itinerary. The hotel may grant early check-in, however this is strictly subject to availability and at the hotel’s discretion.
This morning we’ll see the main sights of Istanbul, most of which are central to Sultanahmet Square, previously the famous Hippodrome of Constantinople. We’ll take an orientation walk around this historic area. Once upon a time it was home to gladiator games, official ceremonies, celebrations and protests. It’s been in use since Roman times and was used as a square by the Ottomans, too. Construction during the 16th and 17th centuries damaged it and by the mid-18th century it was abandoned. You’ll enjoy Turkish tea.
We’ll visit the Blue Mosque, also known as the Sultan Ahmet Camii (or Sultan Ahmed Mosque), one of the most majestic Ottoman mosques in Turkey. It’s a striking display of classical Turkish architecture. Built between 1609 and 1616, it was designed as an imperial show of strength to complement the imposing Hagia Sophia across the square. It owes its name to more than 20,000 handmade ceramic Iznik tiles that decorate the interior, with many different tulip, rose, carnation and lily designs. It’s still used as a place for daily prayer and worship.
You’ll visit the Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya) Museum, one of Istanbul’s most impressive sights, famous for its massive dome and other daring engineering feats. Now a museum, it was previously a church for more than a thousand years and later a mosque.
The next stop is Topkapı Palace, political centre of the Ottoman Empire, another must-see. It was built by Mehmed the Conqueror in the 15th century. It’s a dazzling palace – the whole complex is an eye-popping display of Islamic art, from the opulent courtyards to the battemented walls and towers. It’s home to several holy relics, like Islamic calligraphy manuscripts and Muhammad’s cloak and sword. You can find spectacular views over the Bosphorus from the Fourth Courtyard.
The last stop is the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world. It takes up a whole city quarter. With over 4,000 shops, it’s a tourist favourite and a great place to practise your haggling skills.
This morning we’ll cruise along the Bosphorus Strait, the waterway that separates Europe and Asia. It’s a marvellous way to admire the city’s iconic skyline. Spot grand palaces, like the Ottoman delight Dolmabahçe Palace, Selimiye Barracks and the Mecidiye Mosque, a striking waterside landmark.
Later in the afternoon, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight to Samsun on the northern coast. When you arrive, you’ll be taken to your hotel.
Enjoy a local dinner with your tour group.
You’ll have the choice between 2 of 6 bonus sightseeing experiences to enhance your journey. You may choose to include 2 optional Inspiring Sights throughout your tour, free as part of your package.
Samsun is renowned as the place that inspired the Turkish War of Independence, thanks to the visit from Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, in 1919. Here you’ll find a replica of the SS Bandirma, the ship Ataturk travelled on from Istanbul to Samsun. It’s said that in that time, the waters of the Black Sea were so high and the trip was a challenge in itself. There are wax figures of Ataturk and his followers on this museum ship, along with other historical items.
Today we’ll take an orientation walk in the city centre. Samsun is a historically significant city, where Turkish independence was rallied and ignited after World War I. The very first roots of the Republic of Turkey lie here, and you’ll find museums and statues attesting to this. Samsun’s history is long and rich – according to ancient myths the delta east of Samsun was the land of the Amazons. Today, it’s an important Black Sea port and its harbour is one of the largest and oldest in the country.
Enjoy a home-cooked lunch in a local house.
We’ll then visit Sahinkaya Canyon, located on the Altınkaya Dam Lake in the Vezirköprü district. You’ll enjoy an amazing 1.5km boat ride through Turkey’s second-largest canyon via Kızılırmak (Red River) as you admire the beautiful rock formations.
It’s about a five hour trip to Trabzon, in the north-east part of Turkey near the Georgian border.
On arrival, we’ll visit the St Sophia Museum, formerly a Greek Orthodox church, converted into a mosque in 1584. One of a few dozen Byzantine sites still in the area, it dates back to the 13th century when Trabzon was the capital of the Empire of Trebizond. It’s just two miles west of the medieval town limit’s, near the seashore. The museum is heralded as one of the finest examples of Byzantine architecture.
Enjoy a local lunch, then we’ll continue to the Ataturk Pavilion, also known as Ataturk house. This stately former home was originally the summer home of a wealthy Greek banker in the early 19th century. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, regarded as the founder of Turkey, stayed here on his second visit to Trabzon. The government decided to gift him the house and now it’s used as a museum. At the entrance to the pavilion, the full speech made by Ataturk on his first arrival to Trabzon is displayed.
Our last stop is the Fatih Mosque, originally built in Byzantine times and serving as an important church until the Ottoman conquest of the city in 1461, when it was converted into a mosque. It’s home to beautiful samples of the Ottoman writing arts. Ancient mosaics – 1,600 years old – were discovered on the floors of this historic mosque in 2017.
Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant this evening with the rest of your group.
After breakfast, we’ll head for the 4th-century Greek Orthodox Sumela Monastery, one of the oldest and most historic monasteries in the Christian world. Located high up on the steep cliffs above the surrounding forest in Trabzon, this incredible feat of architecture changed hands many times over the course of its existence, until it was finally abandoned in 1923. The road to get there is about 45km from Trabzon and climbs steadily. Keep an eye out as you approach – the structure appears almost glued to the mountainside, rather precariously, at an altitude of 1200 metres above sea level.
You’ll reach the entrance by climbing a long, narrow stairway where there is a large aqueduct at the top with many arches, which has mostly been restored. The walk up is worth it for the views alone – but the stunning frescoes within the main chapel are impressive too!
After lunch, the rest of the day is at your leisure.
You’ll have the choice between 2 of 6 bonus sightseeing experiences to enhance your journey. You may choose to include 2 optional Inspiring Sights throughout your tour, free as part of your package.
In days gone by, Trabzon was located on the historical Silk Road, a network of trade routes connecting and east and west. It’s no surprise to find a charming, historical inn like Alacahan in Bakırcılar Çarşıs. Dating back to the 18th century, this three-storey building with a courtyard is a fine example of stone workmanship.
You’ll have the choice between 2 of 6 bonus sightseeing experiences to enhance your journey. You may choose to include 2 optional Inspiring Sights throughout your tour, free as part of your package.
In Trabzon’s old city, you’ll find coppersmiths still toiling away at this age-old trade. The market streets still ring with their clanking sounds, as artisans form traditional copper, bronze and brass utensils and decorative items. The trade is over 500 years old and items include gleaming cauldrons, buckets, milk pitchers and cookware.
We’ll visit Lake Uzungol (Long Lake) today. This picturesque lake was formed by a landslide. In a valley between high-rising mountains, the lake and village at first appear inaccessible. The surrounding mountain forest and fog give this beautiful area an ethereal feel.
Enjoy a local dinner with your group.
We’ll journey for about six and a half hours today to reach Kars, in eastern Turkey.
We’ll start with an orientation walk in the city centre. Then we’ll visit the citadel, the Castle of Kars, sitting atop a rocky hill overlooking the city with lovely panoramic views. It’s been through a lot of destruction, rebuilding and restoration over the years since originally being built in 1153. It’s said that it took 100,000 soldiers and workers to rebuild it in 1579. The surrounding walls were built out of basalt masonry.
After lunch, you’ll see Kumbet Mosque, a former Armenian Apostolic church. It was built in the mid-10th century, then converted into a mosque in 1579. In the 19th and early 20th century it was a Russian Orthodox church, later an Armenian cathedral, then in 1993 was again converted into a mosque.
Enjoy a local dinner with your group.
You’ll have the choice between 2 of 6 bonus sightseeing experiences to enhance your journey. You may choose to include 2 optional Inspiring Sights throughout your tour, free as part of your package.
In the village famous for its Gruyere cheese, you’ll find this cheese museum in a former dairy farm. Unlike its Swiss counterpart, Boğatepe Gruyere is made without the inoculation of bacterial cultures. The region also produces Kasseri and Chechil. Here you can learn about the traditional methods in cheese production, honed over the last 140 years. Of course, there will be a chance to try!
We’ll visit the once-great metropolis of Ani today, now an empty, crumbling site. These ruins are on the eastern border of Turkey, across the Akhurian River from Armenia.
More than 1,600 years ago Ani was on several trade routes, and grew to become a walled city of more than 100,000 residents by the 11th century. At this time, under Armenian rule, it was known as the ‘City of 1000 Churches’ due to the extraordinary number of places of worship. At least 40 churches, chapels and mausoleums have been discovered to date. Home to an array of kingdoms and empires over the centuries, it was eventually abandoned by the 1700s.
After lunch, we’ll continue onto Lake Cildir, near the Ardahan city centre. It covers an area of 25 square kilometres and the deepest spot of the lake is 22 metres.
After an early breakfast, you’ll be taken to the train station for your overnight train to Ankara.
Tonight you’ll experience your Inspiring Stay aboard the Eastern Express, an overnight passenger train that delivers an unforgettable scenic experience. It’s about 1,310 km from Kars to Ankara, with seven stops along the way.
Upon arrival in the morning, we’ll head for Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder and first President of the Turkish Republic. It’s a profoundly important site. The monument is surrounded by the vast Peace Park, which has 50,000 decorative trees. There are also several statues and reliefs that show the history of the Turkish War of Independence, the Republic and the life of Ataturk.
This grand feat of architecture is a great example of the Second National Architectural Movement, a Turkish architectural style. The monument block is composed of travertine and marble from various corners of the country. The Hall of Honour is especially stunning, composed of cream-coloured marble from Çanakkale, red marble from Hatay, and black marble from Adana.
We’ll then visit the Jewellery Bazaar.
We’ll then set off for Cappadocia, about a four hour journey. On the way, we’ll enjoy dinner in a local restaurant. Depending on arrival time, you may like to enjoy an optional wine and sunset tour.
Cappadocia is famous for its unique landforms; deep valleys, swirling volcanic-rock landscapes, fairy chimneys that change colour with the sunset. It’s an enchanting, peculiar land. It’s also known for its labyrinthine underground cities.
It’s no wonder this area is renowned for its magical hot air balloon flights – Early birds have the option of taking to the sky over the surreal Cappadocian landscape. The scene at sunrise is sure to take your breath away. Please note, this activity can only be booked locally. Please speak to your trip leader on day one to organise this.
You may choose to include 2 optional Inspiring Sights throughout your tour, free as part of your package.
You’ll get an up-close view of some of the region’s famous rock formations and hike through the beautiful Red Valley to visit some small local vineyards. Turkey’s wine production dates back some 4,000 years – you’ll learn about it and taste plenty of samples, checking out some small local vineyards. Head to a local market to pick up a fresh picnic and watch the sunset over the valley while sipping a local drop. Divine.
First up today we’ll visit Kaymakli, widest of the 36 underground cities in Cappadocia. These underground cities first started in the Bronze Age Hittite era. Built under the hill known as the Citadel of Kaymakli, it was opened to visitors in 1964. The villagers have built their houses around nearly one hundred tunnels of the underground cities. Parts of the tunnels are still used by residents as cellars, storage areas and stables. Kaymakli has low, narrow and sloping passages and extends for eight levels, four of which are opened to the public. The spaces are organised around ventilation shafts.
We’ll then visit the magnificent Ihlara Valley, near the two volcanoes of Mount Hasan and Mount Melendiz. This vast canyon, with a depth of about 100 metres, was formed by the Melendiz River thousands of years ago. It begins at Ihlara village and makes 26 bends along 14km, ending at Selime Monastery in Selime village. Around 80,000 people once lived in Ihlara Valley and it’s believed the valley housed more than 4000 dwellings and cave churches decorated with frescoes.
We’ll enjoy a local lunch and continue to Avanos, the village of pottery. The reddish-brown clay harvested from the river is used for to make elaborate handmade ceramics. Visit a local pottery shop and experience how it is made – mostly with patience! Then we’ll visit a carpet store to see local ladies weaving the carpet.
Tonight you’ll experience another Inspiring Taste, a home-cooked dinner in a local house. A truly memorable experience.
You’ll have the choice between 2 of 6 bonus sightseeing experiences to enhance your journey. You may choose to include 2 optional Inspiring Sights throughout your tour, free as part of your package.
Enjoy some pampering and experience a Turkish bath. The Turkish bath, also known as hamam, is one of the ancient world’s most widely exported customs and a not to be missed experience when in Turkey.
This morning, it’s a three hour trip to Konya. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch and in the afternoon we’ll head to the lodge for the Whirling Dervish Ritual.
The Mevlevi Sema Ceremony is a Sufi ceremony that symbolises stages on the path to accessing God. It contains religious elements and themes with detailed rules and characteristics.The ceremony consists of the noble eulogy to the Prophet Mohammed, flute solo, prelude, the Circling of Veled and four segments (selam), which contain different Sufi meanings.
The ceremony is performed with traditional Mevlevi music, beginning with the Noble Eulogy (naat-ı şerif), which is the score composed by Itri and has been played since the late 17th century. Hymns written by composers such as Pir Adil Çelebi are sung by a trained chorus, which is accompanied by instruments such as the ney (flute), kettledrum and oud. The works of Rumi written in Persian are the basic source of the compositions.
Enjoy dinner with the rest of your tour group.
We’ll visit Mevlana Museum and Karatay Madrasah this morning.
An icon of Konya and the city’s biggest attraction, Mevlana Museum houses the mausoleum of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi, a 13th-century Persian Sufi mystic. It was also the tekke (dervish lodge) of the Mevlevi order – better known as the whirling dervishes. Mevlana Rumi is revered as a philosopher, poet and religious leader and this is a site of pilgrimage for many.
Previously a religious school, now a museum, Karatay Madrasa can be considered the pinnacle of Seljuk architectural small space design. You’ll notice its great dome and elaborate decorations like mosaics of glazed tiles, with Sufi mysticism and symbolism.
Then we’ll head to Antalya, about four hours away on the Mediterranean coast. Upon arrival, the rest of the day is free for you to explore this charming seaside city. A popular resort destination, it’s not all white sand beaches and turquoise waters – the town has a rich history, flourishing in Roman times and changing hands several times before a relatively stable 500 years under Ottoman rule. Head to the Antalya Museum to learn more, with 13 exhibition halls and an open-air gallery.
Wandering the Old Town is a delight, boasting many ancient structures and gorgeous relics from the Ottoman empire. Don’t miss Kale Kapisi, the main square with the old stone clock tower.
We’ll visit the Manavgat waterfalls today, located near the village of Manavgat. One of the best known waterfalls in Turkey, the small cascade on Manavgat Creek is not very high but the current is very powerful. The river rushes over the rocks and the streams are full of trout.
We’ll visit the ancient city of Aspendos, regarded as the most important city in the ancient Pamphylia region. About 60 metres above sea level, it sits on a flat-topped hill. There are many surviving monuments, including the nymphaeum (fountain shrine), basilica and aqueduct.
The great amphitheatre is a grand, stunningly well-preserved architectural remnant of the Roman Empire. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it still hosts performances and festivals today, like the annual Aspendos Opera and Ballet festival.
Then we’ll head to Pamukkale, part of the UNESCO-listed larger ancient city of Hierapolis. It’s a trip of about three and a half hours. Nicknamed the ‘cotton castle’, Pamukkale’s famous white travertines and blue mineral pools make for an enchanting sight. The calcite-laden waters from the hot springs overlooking the plain have created a magical landscape, with petrified waterfalls and a series of step-like terraced basins with a dazzling white coating.
We’ll visit the ancient Roman spa city of Hierapolis this morning. We’ll see the ruins of the baths, temples and the Antique Pool with its submerged Roman columns, the result of an earthquake in the seventh century.
Then it’s a three-hour journey to the beach town of Kusadasi, on the western Aegean coast. Upon arrival, enjoy dinner in a local fish restaurant.
You’ll visit Ephesus today, Europe’s most complete ancient city.
Built during 10th century BC during the Classical Greek era, this great city began to flourish under Roman control in 129 BC. It’s estimated that in its heyday, the city’s population was between 33,000 and 56,000 people.
The centrepiece of this prosperous city, the marble Temple of Artemis, was once the biggest temple on earth and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It’s a shadow of its former glory – after being completely rebuilt three times, it was eventually destroyed during a raid by an East Germanic tribe in 401 AD.
The last stop is the House of Virgin Mary, a Catholic shrine located on the top of the Bulbul mountain. It’s a serene, tranquil place and there is a wishing wall outside the shrine.
It’s about a five and a half hour journey to Canakkale today, via the legendary ancient city of Troy (Troia in Greek).
This UNESCO World Heritage Site has to be one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world, with 4,000 years of history. You’ll delve into the fascinating ruins, place of myth and legend. The city was founded and devastated several times in its history. The siege of Troy by Spartan and Achaean warriors in the 13th or 12th century BC was immortalised in Homer’s ancient Greek epic poem, The Iliad. Of course, there’s a huge wooden horse at the entrance.
Upon arrival in Canakkale, the rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore this historic city.
After breakfast, we’ll visit Gallipoli. See the beach and cemeteries of Anzac Cove, where the Allied forces landed on 25 April, 1915. Then you’ll head up the hill to the poignant memorials of Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair. It’s truly a sombre experience to look down upon the rough hills and gullies that became the graveyard for so many thousands of young men from both sides. You’ll tour the former battlefields and find remnants of trenches used by the Turkish soldiers.
Late in the afternoon, we’ll head to Istanbul, about four hours away.
Enjoy one last delicious breakfast this morning, before your Turkish adventure comes to an end. Later you will be transferred to the airport to board your flight home.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this extraordinary adventure.
Check out: Passengers will be departing at various times throughout the day. Standard hotel check-out times will apply no matter what time your flight is scheduled to depart. Check-out time is generally anywhere from 10am-12pm. You are welcome to leave your luggage at hotel reception and spend your final moments of free time exploring the area or alternatively please speak with hotel staff if you would like to extend your check-out time. Please note this service is subject to availability and will likely come at an additional cost. Your tour guide (or hotel staff) will confirm the time of your airport transfer with you directly.
Arrive home today after your amazing adventure, we hope you have been Inspired!
Inspiring Stays
Inspiring Sights
To enhance your journey, we're offering guests 2 bonus sightseeing experiences out of a choice of 6 options (further details listed under 'Optional Tours')
Inspiring Tastes
For further information on your rail journey from Kars to Ankara, please click HERE.
Deposit & Payments
Booking Process
Airfare Information
Premium Economy or Business Class upgrades
Please specify this as a 'Special Request' when completing your booking and you will be quoted for the additional fare. In the event your selection is unavailable, or that you are dissatisfied with the quote, you will be provided with a full refund.
Land Only discount
A reduction of $1,400 per person applies if you wish to arrange your own airfares. To purchase a land-only fare, please select this option in the booking process under 'Departure City'.
Please note, if you are not arriving or departing as per the group itinerary, airport transfers are also no longer included. If you would like us to arrange this service for you, please refer to the ‘Extra services’ section for pricing.
Abu Dhabi stopover package
You may wish to stop over in Abu Dhabi before or after your tour.
Includes:
3 nights in a Deluxe Room at Jumeirah at Etihad Towers (or similar)
Breakfast daily
Return private airport transfers
Cost - $799 per person Twin Share ($1,598 for Single Share)
Resort Fee not included - approximately AED $10 (AUD $4.00) per night payable locally.
If you wish to book the Abu Dhabi Stopover Package before or after your tour, please select this under 'Upgrade Options' before completing your booking. You will then be invoiced for this in your final payment.
The $150pp extension supplement does not apply if selecting this option.
How to extend your stay
Some customers like to enhance their holiday by extending their stay pre- and/or post-tour. If you wish to do so, please follow these steps:
Please note, a supplement of $150 per person (plus any applicable fare and tax differences) applies to deviate from the standard itinerary. We will contact you via email with a quote and proposed flight itinerary, and then proceed with collecting the additional payment required to confirm your request.
You can enhance your holiday by arriving or departing before or after the tour, adding a stopover package en-route or booking a tour extension. On this tour you can choose from the following options:
Airport chauffeur
Take the hassle out of getting to the airport with private chauffeur transfers to and from your home airport. Your personal chauffeur will meet and greet you, attend to your luggage and drive you to your destination in a luxury vehicle.
Additional surcharges may apply depending on pick-up time, tolls and government levies.
Airport Chauffeur can be selected once you have finalised your tour purchase and paid your deposit. When completing your Passenger Booking Form, you will be asked if you would like to add this service, where any applicable cost will be added to your final balance.
Pre and post tour accommodation (deviating from group flights forfeits your group airport transfers)
Arrival and departure airport transfers
Your transfer may be shared with other Inspiring Vacations customers.
Please specify in the 'Special Request' field when making your purchase your preferred travel arrangements and if you would like our team to book additional nights' accommodation and/or airport transfers. The additional cost for these land arrangements will be added to your final payment invoice and are subject to availability.
Airport lounges
Escape busy airport terminals and relax at a cosy and catered lounge instead. Departure lounge access in Sydney $70 per person (up to 6 hours); Melbourne & Brisbane $55 per person (up to 3 hours).
Airport lounge passes can be selected once you have finalised your tour purchase and paid your deposit. When completing your Passenger Booking Form, you will be asked if you would like to add this service, where any applicable cost will be added to your final balance.
To enhance your journey, we're offering 2 free sightseeing experiences out of a choice of 6 options, listed below. Guests can also purchase any of the remaining 4 sightseeing experiences (prices are per person):
Optional tours can be selected once you have finalised your tour purchase and paid your deposit. When completing your Passenger Booking Form, you will be asked if you would like to add Optional Tours, where any applicable cost will be added to your final balance. If you choose not to select them at this time, you can choose to add them later by logging in to your Account online or speaking with your Dedicated Support Agent for assistance.
Please note that you must select your Optional Tours no later than 65 days before departure, after which you will be required to purchase them on tour. Please keep in mind that anything purchased on-tour is subject to availability and prices may vary as you will be paying in local currency. We appreciate your understanding.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
This particular tour is categorised as a “3”:
3 – Moderate Tour: A good level of fitness and mobility is required, as this tour includes a moderate level of physical activity and is considered a medium-fast paced tour. You should be able to walk up and down stairs, get on and off the coach and able to walk reasonable distances of approximately 2 kilometres per day or more with ease. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability. If you have any form of walking aids, other than a walking stick or hiking poles, then this tour is not suitable.
Tipping
A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. Tipping is not compulsory on your trip, but they can make a big difference to locals employed in the tourism industry. If you are happy with the services provided, a tip is an appropriate way to thank them. While it may not be customary to you, it is of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels and inspires excellent service.
Over the years we have found that many of our travellers find the need for tipping to be both tiresome and embarrassing, especially if they don’t have the correct small change. To overcome this, your leader might raise the idea of a group tipping kitty, whereby everybody contributes an equal amount and then your tour leader pays the tips as you go. The leader will keep a running record of all monies spent (except restaurant tips). The record can be checked at any time and any money remaining at the end of the tour returned to group members. This amount is usually €2-4 (AUD$3-6) per person per day. This kitty does not include tips for your leader and crew.
You may also consider tipping your tour leader for outstanding service throughout your trip. The amount is entirely a personal preference; however as a guideline of €2-4 (AUD$3-6) per person per day can be used. Of course, you are free to tip as you see fit, depending on your perception of service quality and the length of your trip.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences however any changes are beyond our control.
Single Supplement
Single supplement is $1,799 per person in addition to the twin share price.
Triple Share
Not available.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is required to protect yourself against the unexpected.
We have partnered with nib to offer our customers competitive rates for their travel insurance. You can book comprehensive or budget cover simply by clicking HERE to arrange your policy.
Visa & Passport information
It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return.
Please note that you will be required to get visa for travel to TURKEY.
Please note the e-visa is limited to 90 days validity from the date of arrival and is only valid for 3 months from date of issue.
You must make sure that the same travel document that was used for applying online is used for entering into Turkey.
Visit https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/ to apply for an e-visa.
Information required:
Once approved, please ensure that you travel with the following documentation as they are required to present to customs upon arrival into the country:
Tour Documentation
Final documentation, including e-tickets and hotel details, will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.
Group Size
6-16 people.
Trip Style - Small Group Tour
These tours are our proudest creations. They have been crafted for Inspiring Vacations travellers exclusively, with personal and unique experiences in mind. You will travel with only a maximum of 20 other guests. Enjoy choice features such as hand-picked accommodation, a sampling of the region’s best culinary delights and a range of optional activities to choose from to best suit your travel style.
Children
Children must be 12 years old or over and share a room with parents at all times. Children are the same price as adults.
Tour Length
The total length of the tour in days includes time spent in flight and is subject to change depending on the flight schedule, please refer to the day by day itinerary for the time spent on land.
Refundable deposit within 28 days of purchase:
For cancellations made within 28 days of paying the deposit on any tour, your deposit can be refunded in full or can be transferred to a new booking should you decide to change to another package or destination. Please note this change of mind guarantee does not apply for bookings made within 90 days of departure, after which time our standard 48 hour cooling off period applies. After this time, your booking becomes non-refundable.
All cancellation or change requests must be advised in writing to our Customer Service Team at support@inspiringvacations.
Refund times will vary and the timeframe of which will be advised at the time of cancellation. Any refund of deposit will be issued back to the original form of payment.
Any bookings made prior to 13 March 2020 must abide by the original payment term conditions.
Transferrable second installment up until 90 days before scheduled departure:
Following the second installment payment and up until 90 days before your departure only, should you wish to postpone your travel or transfer to another package, we can provide you with a credit note of the current balance paid on your booking, to be used to rebook within 18 months of the credit being issued.
Any change request must be advised in writing to our Customer Service Team at support@inspiringvacations.
Any bookings made prior to 13 March 2020 must abide by the original payment term conditions.
Please refer to our full Terms and Conditions for more details
16 May 2023
Pack your bags and clear your palate; Turkey will satisfy your mind, soul and stomach. Turkey is Muslim...ish Although most citizens identify as Muslim, Turkey is fairly open-minded compared to Morocco or Egypt. It is officially a secular State and no Islamic norms are enforced. Alcohol and tobacco are readily availa...
14 Sep 2020
Partake in this age-old bathing ritual for a full Turkish immersion Few cultural experiences remain as close to its authentic roots the way a Turkish hamam does. Known as a Turkish steam bath, its origin dates back to when the Ottomans took Constantinople (now known as Istanbul) from the Romans in 1450, bringing with...
14 Sep 2020
From cave churches to grand mosques and subterranean cities, Turkey’s sights above and below ground will leave you with something to write home about A fascinating country that needs little introduction, Turkey’s charms are plentiful. From its rich history dating back to the 3rd millennium, 18 UNESCO heritage sites a...
14 Sep 2020
The city of Istanbul is not short on vantage points to admire its mesmerising beauty Istanbul, a city that pulls you in with its east-meets-west vibe, a skyline dotted with minarets and Byzantine church spires where chic rooftop bars lie close to the golden dome of the Hagia Sophia. Everywhere you turn there’s someth...
14 Sep 2020
Straddling two continents, Turkey is the perfect example of east meets west. But, when is the best time to go? Turkey's fusion of vibrant, age-old cultures, incredible architecture and natural wonders have been wowing travellers for ages. The grand city of Istanbul is like no other – with imposing mosques, palaces...
14 Sep 2020
With more than 40 different kebabs to sample and a vast array of natural ingredients, spices and flavours, it’s no wonder Turkish cuisine is among the best in the world With a culinary history that dates back to the Ottoman Empire, Turkish cuisine is not an easy one to summarise. With its endless variety of dishes –...
