Treasures of Turkey - The Ultimate Luxury Small-Group Tour with Insider Experiences & Incredible Inclusions

In a unique journey of surprise and discovery, uncover one of the most captivating destinations in the world: Turkey. Happily poised between Asia and Europe, Turkey is an entrancing mix of cultures, historical and modern-day attractions, and one of the world’s most delectable cuisines. Let history unfold in front of your eyes through the splendour of Istanbul, Cappadocia, Bodrum, Pamukkale and beyond; while savouring authentic local produce served up with a healthy dose of famous Turkish hospitality.

What We Love….

With itineraries personally designed, tried and tested by our in-house travel experts, you can expect the very best from every Tour Created by LE.

“One of my all time favourite travel experiences would have to be the hot air balloon flight over Cappadocia” says Sonia Pilovska, Head of Tours at Luxury Escapes. “There’s something wonderfully terrifying about floating in a basket suspended from a balloon over a magical valley filled with fairy chimneys. The whole experience made even more beautiful by the sun rising in the background and hundreds of other hot air balloons dotting the sky around you. Id seen so many photos of this throughout my years working in travel - so when I got to be part of this very scene it more than lived up to all expectations. The champagne to toast the safe landing was great - and the breakfast in the gardens back at The Argos afterwards was the perfect way to end an incredible morning.”

What You’ll Love…

The Accommodation – World-renowned Shangri-La splendour and boutique luxury awaits

The award-winning Shangri-La Bosphorus is nestled on Istanbul’s Bosphorus Strait, boasting breathtaking views across the blue waters. In true Shangri-La style, classic elegance abounds with glittering chandeliers, plush fabrics and marble accents throughout. Five-star service and facilities await you, from the blissful CHI, The Spa with its luxurious private spa suites and hammams to Chinese fine dining at Shang Palace.

Once a monastery, the award-winning Argos in Cappadoccia offers a luxury stay like no other. This world-class boutique hotel, high above the village of Uçhisar, has been carefully built from its surrounding stunning terrain: ancient ruins, caves and underground tunnels. Sleep under beautifully arched stone ceilings and relax in unique and cosy spots at seven different mansions. The hotel has a winery attached, providing an endless flow of top-shelf local and foreign beverages to accompany the superb menu at its award-winning Seki restaurant.

Nestled on a hilltop overlooking the Aegean Sea is The Marmara Bodrum, a spectacularly located boutique hotel with a swimming pool offering sweeping vistas across the white buildings and the glittering blue waters of the coastline. Wake each morning to breakfasts of warm homemade bread accompanied by orange jam crafted using hand-picked fruits from the gardens.

The Food & Wine – Sample the flavours of Turkey, from street food to fine dining

Foodies will be in their element with a host of hand-selected gourmet experiences showcasing the best of Turkey’s exotic cuisine.

Enjoy an exquisite dinner at Mükellef, one of Istanbul’s finest dining experiences spearheaded by celebrity chef Arda Türkmen. Housed in a simple yet elegant space boasting impressive views over the glistening waters of the Bosphorus and beyond to the Golden Horn and Galata Tower, Mükellef tops the list of fine-dining restaurants in the city, showcasing a menu of traditional mezes inspired by the Turkish meyhane culture with a contemporary twist - all crafted with the freshest, locally sourced produce.

Learn how to craft Turkish cuisine with a hands-on, farm-to-table cooking class using fine local produce, during which you will create delicious traditional meze dishes which you will enjoy followed by a drop of local raki, an anise-flavoured spirit native to Turkey.

Spend a memorable afternoon wine tasting in the biggest underground wine cellar in Turkey, SEKI, located in the heart of Cappadoccia, which once lay undiscovered for tens of thousands of years. Encounter some of the finest wines in the Anatolian region, learn about the wine-making process and sample local drops selected by an expert paired with irresistible cheeses.

The Scenery – From the dreamy spires of Cappadocia to the glittering waters of the Mediterranean Sea

From Mediterranean beach resorts to verdant olive groves, ancient rock formations and soaring mountains, when it comes to scenery, Turkey has it all.

Marvel at the landscape of the Cappadocia region with its tall volcanic spires, high plateaus and deep valleys gloriously bathed in light. The region is famous for its dreamlike vistas of hot air balloons filling the skies, and you will have the opportunity to float above the landscape yourself on an unforgettable included balloon flight.

Discover the beauty of Turkey from another perspective as you take to the waters of the Mediterranean Sea off the shore of Bodrum in a traditional wooden gulet boat. Soak up the sights from coastal villages to lush hillsides as you make your way to Kara Ada, famed for its mineral springs, stopping to snorkel and swim along the way.

Visit Pamukkale (the ‘cotton castle’) and the ancient Roman ruins of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Hierapolis. Marvel at the famous limestone terraces filled with mineral rich waters and step back in the time at the Necropolis, the main Street and Gates, the thermal Baths, the devil’s hole and Ancient Theatre.

The History – Step back in time to the age of Byzantine Empires and Roman Emperors

Turkey’s compelling history dates back thousands of years. Immerse yourself in an ancient world as you journey from bustling cities to once-forgotten archaeological treasures.

Walk in the footsteps of Turkey’s great emperors on a tour of Istanbul together with a local guide, discovering wonders such as the ancient and exquisite Hagia Sophia, the Hippodrome where Byzantine Emperors would have once watched chariot races and the Grand Bazaar – one of the biggest and oldest markets in the world, which dates back earlier than the 15th century.

Stroll the streets where Mark Antony and Cleopatra once walked in Ephesus, a dream destination for lovers of history and one of the finest Greek-Roman archaeological sites in the world. Explore the amphitheatre, the Temple of Artemis (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World), the baths, the Library of Celsius and more.

Your Package Includes:

• 11 nights of luxury accommodation including four nights at Shangri-La Bosphorus, two nights at The Marmara Bodrum, two nights at Nisanyan Hotel, two nights at Argos Hotel and one night at Doga Thermal Health & Spa
• Daily breakfast and a selection of gourmet experiences, including an exquisite celebrity chef-created dinner, a tasting trail through Istanbul’s vibrant streets, a farm-to-table traditional Turkish hands-on cooking experience, a seafood lunch on board a traditional gulet, dinner with a local Turkish family and more
• Domestic flights from Istanbul to Bodrum, Izmir to Kayseri, and Cappadocia to Istanbul
• Sunrise hot-air balloon flight over the spectacular Cappadocian landscape
• Private cruise along the beautiful Bodrum peninsula in a traditional gulet including a sumptuous lunch prepared on board
• All airport transfers and private air-conditioned transport throughout
• The services of an expert local, English-speaking guide and entrance fees to all sightseeing listed
• Insider experiences

Extend Your Time in Turkey with Legendary Troy and Historic Gallipoli

Make the most of your time in Turkey by extending your tour and visiting the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city of Troy, one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world, as well as the Gallipoli Peninsula, the scene of one of the most significant battles in Australia and New Zealand’s war history.

Tour Extension Includes:

• Two nights of luxury accommodation at the Parion Hotel and Shangri-La Bosphorus
• Daily breakfast and a lunch
• A drive through the Dracian Peninsula, and a ferry crossing of the Dardanelles
• A tour of Troy and a visit to the Gallipoli Peninsula

The tour (and extended tour) starts and ends in Istanbul. Please arrive any time on Day 1 of the tour and leave anytime after breakfast on the last day of your tour.

Private return airport transfers are included in your tour on the first and last day , only, to and from Istanbul Airport (IST). Transfers to and from SAW airport will incur a surcharge.

Getting to Istanbul is easy. Regular flights are available with Qatar, Qantas, Etihad Airways and Emirates, departing most Australian capital cities with one or more stopovers and an approximate flight time of 20 hours.

You MUST complete your booking form within 48 hours of booking. Following its completion, our Tours Concierge will be in touch to assist with any additional arrangements you may wish to make, including assistance with international flights, with no booking fee to you.

A visa may be required to the destination you are visiting. It is each traveller’s responsibility to ensure they are holding a current visa. Please take the time to visit our preferred vendor’s website Visa Direct to assist you with any visa application requirements and processes. If you require any supporting documentation when applying for your visa please let us know and we would be more than happy to assist. Click  here to visit the website.

Day 1: Arrive Istanbul

Arrive into Istanbul airport (IST) where you will be met by our local representative and transferred to your hotel, the magical Shangri-La Bosphorus. Glittering water views of the Bosphorus Strait from the hotel and set in the financial and entertainment district of Besiktas, this is a prelude to the days to come.

The evening is at your leisure – so you may arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome letter advising you of meeting times for the following day.

Accommodation: Shangri-La Bosphorus

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Day 2: Istanbul

History is on the agenda today as you journey in the footsteps of the city’s great emperors with a local guide. Sultanahmet (the Old City, formerly Constantinople) has such a wealth of historic sights, shopping precincts and great eateries that you might never want to leave. Among its most magnificent is the Hagia Sophia (“holy wisdom”), whose jaw-dropping construction and structural splendour is said to have changed the history of architecture.

Enter the Hippodrome, a rectangular arena alongside the Sultanahmet Park and scene of many a chariot race enjoyed by the Byzantine Emperors. Inspect the decorative statues and obelisks that remain to this day in the now-treelined land.

After lunch, head for the Basilica Cistern, whose subterranean structure was designed to store up to 80,000 cubic metres of water delivered via aqueducts from a reservoir near the Black Sea to service the Great Palace.

Pick up a trinket or two at the colourful Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, boasting more than 3000 stalls of handcrafted jewellery, textiles and books (may take place on day 3).

This evening you enjoy a welcome dinner at one of Istanbul’s most celebrated restaurants, Mükellef - one of city’s finest dining experiences spearheaded by local celebrity chef Arda Turkmen.

Accommodation: Shangri-La Bosphorus

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

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Day 3: Istanbul

Today is at leisure to do as little or as much as you please. Choose to spend the day in the opulent surrounds of your luxury hotel, go shopping, sample local delicacies or continue to relive the heydays of the Ottoman Empire with a visit to the colourful Topkapi Palace, gleaming with opulent pavilions. Your local guide is on hand with suggestions on what to see or do.

This evening, enjoy a tasting trail of Middle Eastern delicacies as you join your guide on an escorted foodie tour through Istanbul’s colourful streets.

Accommodation: Shangri-La Bosphorus

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

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Day 4: Istanbul – Bodrum

This morning you will be transferred to the airport in time for your flight to Bodrum. On arrival, you will be transferred to The Marmara Bodrum Hotel, offering sweeping vistas across white buildings and the glittering blue waters of the Aegean Sea. After a chance to freshen up, enjoy a guided walk through the city’s streets. Once a sleepy fishing village, your guide will show you the Bodrum of today with its superb beaches, amazing eateries and fantastic shopping.

This evening is at leisure to further explore on your own. Why not sample some of the local seafood at one of the many seaside restaurants or simply retire back to your luxury hotel.

Accommodation: The Marmara Bodrum

Meals: Breakfast

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Day 5: Bodrum

Bring out the seafarer in you as you prep for a day of sailing the beautiful peninsula in a traditional gulet. Marvel at the sun-soaked coastline, brushed in verdant hillsides and replete with outlying coves, resort towns and coastal villages, as you relax on deck. Snorkel and swim at pristine stops throughout and hop off at Kara Ada for a quick drink or snack. The popular destination for yachts is also famous for its healing mineral springs. Enjoy lunch on board and a relaxing afternoon before returning to your hotel for an evening at leisure.

Accommodation: The Marmara Bodrum

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

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Day 6: Bodrum – Pamukkale

Today we enjoy a drive through lush valleys to Pamukkale, the Cotton Fortress, with its white lime cascades formed by hot mineral springs. Here you will visit the Hieropolis with its magnificently preserved Necropolis, the main street and gates, the thermal baths, the Devil’s Hole and finish the visit by watching the sunset from atop the masterpiece ancient theater.

Spend this evening at leisure and enjoy a swim in your hotel’s thermal pool.

Accommodation: Doga Thermal Health & Spa

Meals: Breakfast

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Day 7: Pamukkale - Selçuk

After breakfast we drive approximately three hours to Selçuk, a quaint town at the gateway to the ancient city of Ephesus.

After an opportunity to freshen up, this afternoon enjoy a guided visit to the ruins of the 6th century Basilica of St. John, which stands over the supposed burial site of John the Apostle. Following this, stop at the impressive Isabey Mosque. Constructed in the 14th century, this is one of the oldest and most incredible works of architectural art in existence from Anatolian beyliks. Later, take a tour of the Ephesus Museum, home to hundreds of artefacts from the nearby Ephesus excavation site.

This evening we enjoy dinner at a local restaurant in Sirince village before we return to the hotel.

Accommodation: Nisanyan Hotel

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

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Day 8: Ephesus

History and film buffs will love this day among the ruins of Ephesus, arguably the greatest Greco-Roman site in the world. More than a century of excavation has unearthed the city’s rich classical history, including the imposing Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Tour around the amphitheatre, and marvel at the gymnasium, baths and beautifully restored Library of Celsius. One of the most famous couples of the historic world, Mark Antony and Cleopatra, once strolled the marble streets here. Afterwards we head to a local restaurant to enjoy the local speciality of gözleme.

This evening discover the secrets to Turkish meze in an sumptuous cooking class. This local farm-to-table cooking experience will provide you with recipes to well-known Turkish bites. After the class, enjoy the dishes with a drop of the local raki.

Accommodation: Nisanyan Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

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Day 9: Selçuk – Cappadocia

This morning we drive to Izmir for our included flight to Kayseri. On arrival we are transferred to our hotel – the beautiful Argos, located in the heart of Cappadocia on the site of an ancient monastery in Old Uçhisar Village.

This afternoon we sample some of the region’s best wines in the biggest underground wine cellar in Turkey! Here you will try local wines and cheeses with a wine expert.

This evening is at leisure.

Accommodation: Argos

Meals: Breakfast and Tasting

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Day 10: Cappadocia

Rise and shine early for an unforgettable hot air balloon ride over the other-worldly Cappadocian landscape. Soar high over valleys, orchards and vineyards that act like virtual kaleidoscopes bathed in the changing glow of the sunrise.

After breakfast back at the hotel, head to Derinkuyu Underground City, which dips seven levels beneath the ground. Next stop is a UNESCO heritage site: the Goreme Open-Air Museum to view the incredible houses, churches and monasteries carved out of the soft cliff face. The Christian sanctuaries contain many examples of Byzantine art, cave chapels and colourful biblical frescoes from the 10th to 12th centuries. Then take a short walk through “Love Valley”, famous for its phallic rock formations.

A special dinner awaits this evening. Your guide will take you to dine with a local family in their own home. It’s the ultimate blend of authentic flavours, homespun hospitality and spectacular landscape to end the day.

Accommodation: Argos

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

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Day 11: Cappadocia – Istanbul

This morning is at leisure for you to enjoy a leisurely breakfast with the views of the valley around you. In the afternoon fly to Istanbul where on arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel.

This evening, your tour leader will take you to one of the best local taverns in town, set against the cool blue backdrop of the twinkling Bosphorus Strait, to enjoy your final dinner as a group.

Accommodation: Shangri-La Bosphorus

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

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Day 12: Depart Istanbul

Today you will be transferred to Istanbul Airport (IST) in time for your departure flight.

Meals: Breakfast

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TOUR EXTENSION – TROY AND GALLIPOLI

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Day 12: Istanbul - Troy

Drive through the Dracian Peninsula, cross the Dardanelles by ferry and continue to Troy. This is the site that has inspired countless movies, poems and works of Greek literature (Homer’s Iliad) to tell the story of the famous Trojan War in Greek mythology, sparked off when the Achaeans waged a bitter war against Troy to reclaim the beautiful Helen taken by Paris of Troy from her husband Menelaus, king of Sparta.

Continue to your hotel for an evening of leisure.

Accommodation: Parion Hotel

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

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Day 13: Gallipoli

Experience battlefields and historic World War I memorial sites as we drive west towards Gallipoli. Now protected as a Turkish National Park, this historic landscape features memorials, 40 allied war cemeteries and 20 Turkish cemeteries across 335sqkm. With an expert guide, visit the sites on the Gallipoli Peninsula where soldiers from Australia, New Zealand and Turkey lost their lives during the WWI campaign, plus hear rare tales about the troops at sites including Lone Pine, Ari Burnu Cemetery and the Nek.

Accommodation: Shangri La Bosphorus

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

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Day 14: Depart Istanbul

Today you will be transferred to Istanbul Airport (IST) in time for your departure flight.

Meals: Breakfast