Turkey Tours & Holidays
Small Group Tours & Tailor-Made Holidays
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Overview
Turkey has multiple identities, poised on two continents between East and West. Although in some respects Western, Turkey retains its contradictions: mosques co-exist with churches, and Roman remnants crumble alongside ancient Hittite sites. It's a vast country and a great place to travel, not least because of the people, whose reputation for friendliness and hospitality is richly deserved.
Turkey's rich history has left an indelible mark and is abounds with historic sites and archaeological ...
Turkey has multiple identities, poised on two continents between East and West. Although in some respects Western, Turkey retains its contradictions: mosques co-exist with churches, and Roman remnants crumble alongside ancient Hittite sites. It's a vast country and a great place to travel, not least because of the people, whose reputation for friendliness and hospitality is richly deserved.
Turkey's rich history has left an indelible mark and is abounds with historic sites and archaeological wonders set in a varied and beautiful landscape. The Mediterranean coastline is punctuated with well-preserved Greco-Roman cities such as Pergamom and Ephesus, while the austere and rugged Anatolian plateau has cave churches hidden away in the improbable fairytale landscape of Cappadocia. Istanbul, still very much the pulse of the nation, has even more to offer, with Roman aqueducts, Byzantine churches and Ottoman mosques and palaces.
Start your journey
Group tours
Travel to Turkey with like-minded people on one of our small group tours (usually max size 12), featuring knowledgeable local guides and an expert tour leader.
Turkey: From The Black Sea to The Golden Horn
Travel from the shores of the Black Sea along the Silk Road via the UNESCO Great Mosque of Divriği and the volcanic landscapes of Cappadocia towards Ankara and finally Istanbul, a city truly like no other.
North-East Turkey: Walking In the Kaçkar Mountains
Visit haunting Armenian ruins, the iconic cliff-hanging Sumela Monastery, experience traditional Turkish hospitality and food, and hike amidst the spectacular scenery of the Kaçkar Mountains.
Turkey: World Nomad Games
Take in Cappadocia, the Soganli Valley, the tombs of Mevlana, Atatürk and King Midas and spend 2 days enjoying archery, horse games and more at the World Nomad Games.
The Great Silk Road Adventure: Xi'an to Istanbul
Travel the full length of the Silk Road from Xian to Istanbul on this once-in-a-lifetime trip, taking in iconic sights like Xi’an’s Terracotta Army, Samarkand’s Registan Square and Istanbul’s Blue Mosque.HIGHLIGHTS OF TURKEY
BEST EXPERIENCES
Discover Cappadocia in a hot air balloon
Explore the Göreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the underground city of Kaymakli, the Uchisar Fortress, and the impressive fairy chimneys, known as 'Love Valley'.
Explore Turkey's northeast
Home to the spectacular mountains, clifftop monasteries, age-old traditions and a bloody past, this fascinating region offers a unique escape from the more popular western Turkey.
Get lost in Istanbul's Grand Bazaar
Experience the extensive Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, a shopper's mecca since just after the mid-15th century. As one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, it includes 61 covered streets and over 4,000 shops, so make sure to leave plenty of time to explore!
Follow the Silk Road
Learn about the trades and traditions that took place along this vital stretch of the ancient Silk Route, rich in Ottaman architecture, spectacular scenery, culinary delights and much, much more.
Meet the craftsmen of Avanos
The red clay of the Red River of Avanos provides the raw material for pottery, which has been produced in this area for centuries. Enjoy visiting some of the family-run pottery businesses for which the town is famous.Discover more
WHEN TO GO
Ankara
Istanbul
Erzurum
INSPIRATION
USEFUL INFORMATION
Health and Vaccinations
There are no mandatory immunisations for travellers to Turkey though you should be up-to-date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and may consider boosters for Diphtheria and Hepatitis A. Please note we are not medical professionals and so we highly recommend you seek advice from your local GP or travel centre as to the correct immunisations and preventative treatments.
Currency
In Turkey the official unit of currency is the Turkish Lira.
To check out the latest exchange rate for the places that you are visiting you can go to www.oanda.com.
Cultural Sensitivity
On our tours you will frequently interact with local people, each with their own distinct customs and traditions. We therefore ask you to be considerate and to treat them with respect. Your tour-leaders and guides will always be able to advise you accordingly.
In the churches and cathedrals women should cover their heads with a scarf or hat, while men should take their hats off. If you tour visits rural and traditional areas, everyone should wear conservative clothing which cover their shoulders and legs.
Language & Religion
Turkish is the national language of Turkey, spoken by about 75% of the population. The remaining 25% is mainly comprised of Kurdish speakers and other local languages or dialects. The national language of Turkish is spoken by over 83 million people worldwide.
Turkey is a secular state with no official state religion although roughly 97% of the population are Muslim. The predominant religion of Turkey is Sunni Muslim, but in south-eastern Turkey there are several Assyrian Orthodox churches.
Time
Turkey is 2 hours ahead of GMT.
A useful website to check the time zone differences is www.worldtimezone.com.
Food and drink
Turkish food is more than the ubiquitous kebab. Some specialties include pide, or Turkish pizza – flat bread with various toppings – kofte (meatballs), dolma (peppers or vine leaves stuffed with rice). Fish and seafood are also good and include freshly grilled sardines and mackerel. Another great option is the mezes – an extensive array of cold appetizers – as well as grilled kebabs and fish.