Rajah Travel Corporation

Gold Seal Protection

• Gold Seal Protection

Transfer Airport

• ARR Chargeable Transfer Istanbul SAW Apt to Hotel

• ARR Chargeable Transfer Istanbul IST Apt to Hotel

• Arrival Transfer Istanbul IST Airport to Hotel

• DEP Chargeable Transfer Hotel to Istanbul SAW Apt

• DEP Chargeable Transfer Hotel to Istanbul IST Apt

• Departure Transfer Hotel to Istanbul IST Airport

Dining Summary

• 9 Dinner (D)
• 14 Breakfast (B)
• 1 Lunch (L)

Choice Highlights

• Choose between two carefully selected activities
• Istanbul: An immersive digital experience through the iconic structure's rich past, showcasing its transformation from a Byzantine cathedral to an Ottoman mosque and now a museum, with captivating exhibits and architectural wonders.
• Istanbul: Journey through time with a visit to Hagia Sophia, take a unique glimpse into the complex layers of Istanbul's rich cultural and religious heritage.

Authentic Dining

• Istanbul: Begin your travels savouring traditional flavours over dinner at a local restaurant.
• Cappadocia: Watch a spectacular Sema performance of Whirling Dervishes and discover the flavours of Cappadocia as you indulge in a regional dinner of colourful dishes. 
• Istanbul: Toast the culmination of your travels during dinner at a local restaurant.

Insight Choice

• Istanbul: An immersive digital experience through the iconic structure's rich past, showcasing its transformation from a Byzantine cathedral to an Ottoman mosque and now a museum, with captivating exhibits and architectural wonders.
• Istanbul: Journey through time with a visit to Hagia Sophia, take a unique glimpse into the complex layers of Istanbul's rich cultural and religious heritage.

Insight Experiences

Cappadocia: Join a Cappadocian local, who has lived in the city for decades and take a tour of their cave house to learn more about their unique way of life.

Make Travel Matter

Uchisar: Enjoy the unique flavours of Anatolia at Uchisar Kadineli Restaurant, where every dish is homemade with love. This remarkable establishment provides employment for more than 65 women from the village. The restaurant is owned by women and focuses on empowering women through employment. Some employed as administrators, some as teachers, some as cooks and some as waiters. Here they are taught how to sow clothes by using modern technology, how to knit, how to cook, how to make various kinds of artifacts, and how to merchandise their products and convert it to money for their families. This experience advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality.

Top Rated Highlights

• Istanbul: Enjoy a relaxing cruise on the Bosphorus in Istanbul, where you'll pass Ottoman palaces, old mansions and fortresses.
• Bursa: On your orientation with your Travel Director visit the town’s mosques, bazaars and famous Silk Market.
• Cumalikizik: Visit the over 700 year-old village to get glimpse into what Ottoman villages away from the capital looked like.
• Ankara: Discover the mysterious Hittite civilisation and visit the Mausoleum of Atatürk.
• Ankara: On your orientation with your Travel Director of the capital of modern Turkey discover its Roman and Byzantine heritage, visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations and the Mausoleum of Atatürk.
• : Visit the narrow passages and interconnecting rooms of this Stone Age underground city dug out from the hills and built to block invaders and defend against attacks.
• Göreme: With your Local Expert, explore the underground cities, rock-cut churches, fairy-tale chimneys and the Pasabag Valley.
• : Learn about the ancient art of pottery making in Avanos.
• Konya: Visit a well preserved Seljuk Caravanserai.
• Konya: Accompanied by your Local Expert, visit the beautiful Mevlana Tekke Museum for insight into the mystic Whirling Dervishes. See the Karatay Medrese and Ince Minaret.
• Aspendos: Visit the world's best preserved Roman Theatre in Aspendos.
• Antalya: Visit the historic Old Town and wander through its charming narrow streets, discovering souvenir markets and sweeping sea views.
• Pamukkale: See the cascading Cotton Castle of milky white travertine pools and the ancient ruin of Hierapolis.
• Corinth: Visit the open-air museum Aphrodisias dedicated to goddess Aphrodite, see the ancient city and statues that have survived preserving most of their originality.
• Ephesus: Discover one of the world's finest ancient sites. Led by your Local Expert, walk the Arcadian Way, see the Library of Celsus and Amphitheatre and visit the House of the Virgin Mary.
• Troy: Visit this ancient sight fabled to have been destroyed over love and view the huge reconstructed Trojan Horse.
• Troy: On your orientation with your Travel Director hear about the nearly 4000 year-old settlement, see the wooden Trojan Horse and hear about myths and legends connected to this archaeological site.
• Gallipoli: Pay your respects at Anzac Cove and Lone Pine Cemetery.
• Istanbul: Visit the Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome. With your Local Expert, gain insight into the lives of the Ottoman Sultans during a visit to the fabulous Topkapi Palace. Then stroll through the Grand Bazaar. 

• Radisson Blu Sisli, Istanbul
• Mövenpick Bursa and Thermal Spa
• Ankara HiltonSA
• DoubleTree by Hilton Avanos, Cappadocia
• Novotel Konya
• Akra Antalya
• Doğa Thermal Health & Spa, Pamukkale
• KoruMar De Luxe, Kuşadası
• Kolin, Çanakkale

Welcome to Turkey. Your journey begins in vibrant Istanbul, the only city in the world that spans two continents: Europe and Asia, where a representative will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to the hotel. Relax and settle in before joining your Travel Director and fellow travellers for dinner.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Radisson Blu Sisli, Istanbul

In the morning, embark on a cruise along Bosphorus Strait, one of the world’s busiest waterways. Leisurely cruise past the quaint fishing villages that line its shores. Travel towards the old city and see the beautiful Ottoman palaces and fortresses along the waterfront. Later, leave Istanbul for Bursa, a large city in northwest Turkey that was the first major capital of the Ottoman Empire. Visit the Green Mosque, the Grand Mosque and the Mausoleum Complex. There will be time in the afternoon to explore the city’s bazaars, silk markets and historic monuments. This evening, venture to a local restaurant for a tasty meal.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Mövenpick Bursa and Thermal Spa

Begin your day in the charming village of Cumalıkızık, with its traditional wooden houses and narrow cobblestone streets. Later, head to Gordion, which was once the capital city of ancient Phrygia, as you make your way to Turkey’s modern capital, Ankara. Enjoy a relaxed evening at your hotel, the Hilton SA. Perhaps take a dip in its indoor pool or unwind in its jacuzzi or hammam.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Ankara HiltonSA

A day for history enthusiasts, explore Turkey’s bustling cultural capital, Ankara. Sightseeing includes visits to the Hittite Museum and the Mausoleum of Atatürk, Turkey's greatest modern leader and the first President of the Republic of Turkey. Later, head to Avanos in Cappadocia. Famed for its unique geological formation, Cappadocia is a scenic delight with golden hills and panoramic views. Visit the underground city of Özkonak, carved into soft volcanic rock.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: DoubleTree by Hilton Avanos, Cappadocia

With its striking golden, volcanic landscapes, underground city and otherworldly buildings, Cappadocia is anything but ordinary. At every turn you’ll be delighted with yet another geographical or architectural surprise. Today, travel to the striking town of Göreme and explore its rock-hewn churches decorated with ancient wall paintings. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at the Uçhisar Kadineli Restaurant and savour the regional flavours of Anatolia. This establishment provides employment for local women and supports their financial freedom. Next, continue on to the Paşabağ Valley, then meet a Cappadocian local who has lived in the city for decades and take a tour of their cave house. Explore this unique way of living and learn about local traditions and family life. This evening, witness a performance of Whirling Dervishes before dining at a local restaurant.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: DoubleTree by Hilton Avanos, Cappadocia

Start your day by learning more about traditional pottery-making in Avanos. It’s then time to take a journey along the famous Silk Road to visit a 13th-century caravanserai, a historic roadside inn where travellers would rest and recover after a day’s journey, most notably along the iconic road itself. Later, you’ll head to Turkey’s most religious city, Konya, the old capital of the Anatolian Seljuk Empire.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Novotel Konya

See the Karatay Medrese and Ince Minaret Medrese, and visit the Mevlana Museum before a scenic drive scenic drive through Taurus Mountains to Aspendos, an ancient city in Antalya. Known for having the best-preserved Roman theatre anywhere in the world, learn more as you explore it with your fellow travellers.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Akra Antalya

Visit Antalya's charming Old Town, with its souvenir markets and sweeping sea views. The rest of the day is free to relax and enjoy the leisure facilities at your hotel. Alternatively, explore Antalya at your own pace. Ask your Travel Director for recommendations on places to explore in the city, take a stroll around the harbour or perhaps take a boat trip off the coast.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Akra Antalya

Cross the soaring Taurus Mountains to see the remains of the ancient city of Hierapolis, a Roman spa city founded around 190 B.C. Next to the ruins, you can see the gleaming white travertine terraces of Pamukkale. Famous for its mineral-rich thermal waters and chalk-white limestone terraces, explore the area with your Travel Director. Later, return to your hotel, the esteemed Doğa Thermal Health & Spa. Take full advantage of its indoor and outdoor thermal pools, steam room and its Turkish bath complex.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Doğa Thermal Health & Spa, Pamukkale

Start your morning with a trip to the Temple of Aphrodite in Geyre, dedicated to the goddess of love, beauty and fertility. Based in the ruins of the ancient city of Aphrodisias, it was the focal point of the city in its heyday. You’ll see the towering, fourteen columns of the temple that have been re-erected. Arrive into the coastal resort of Kuşadası for an evening at leisure.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: KoruMar De Luxe, Kuşadası

This morning, visit the House of the Virgin Mary, a serene pilgrimage site on Mount Koressos, venerated by both Christians and Muslims. Continue to Ephesus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and once the Roman capital of Asia Minor. Walk the Arcadian Way, a grand processional route that once led to the harbour. Stand before the Library of Celsus, built to honour a Roman senator and store 12,000 scrolls, and step into the Great Theatre, where Saint Paul is believed to have addressed early Christians. At the Ephesus Archaeological Museum, view statues of Artemis, mosaics and household artefacts uncovered during excavations that began in 1863. Later, you may opt to join an Optional Experience in Kuşadası, tasting wines that showcase Anatolia’s 7,000-year winemaking tradition.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: KoruMar De Luxe, Kuşadası

In Homer’s city of Troy, the focal point of the Trojan War and the backdrop to one of history’s most famous love stories, that of Paris and Helen of Troy, the face that launched 1000 ships. A replica of the mighty Trojan Horse, which helped the Greeks capture the city in 1200 B.C., can be found beside the city’s walls. After some time exploring, continue your journey to Çanakkale, a gateway to the Gallipoli WWI battlefields.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Kolin, Çanakkale

This morning, cross the Dardanelles Strait by ferry to the Gallipoli Peninsula. Located in the southern part of East Thrace, this was the site where, for nine months during the Great War, ANZAC troops fought, in an attempt to gain control of the Dardanelles Strait. Learn more about these events as you visit Anzac Cove and pay your respects at the Lone Pine Cemetery. Later, return to Istanbul, where you’ll spend the next two nights.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Radisson Blu Sisli, Istanbul

Today, take in the sites of Istanbul. In the morning, visit the historic Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome, where Roman chariot races were held, before exploring Hagia Sophia your way with Insight Choice. Choose between visiting Hagia Sophia Digital Experience, offering an immersive journey through the landmarks marvels, or alternatively, visit Hagia Sophia built in A.D. 537, famous for its domed roof. Visit the Topkapi Palace, perched above the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn, the primary inlet of the waterway. Enjoy the excitement of bargaining in the bustling Grand Bazaar. In the evening, join your fellow travellers and toast to your trip over dinner at a local restaurant.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Radisson Blu Sisli, Istanbul

It’s time to say goodbye to your new friends, as your trip comes to an end. A transfer will take you to the airport for your onward flights, or for those extending their stay in Istanbul, speak to your Travel Director for tips and tricks on where to head.

Duration: 1 Day