Turkish Delight
with Solo Connections
- Private single room in quality accommodation
- 18 breakfasts, 2 lunches & 18 dinners
- Sightseeing tours and transfers by private vehicle
- Flights included^
Experience the Solo Connections difference when you join us in incredible Turkey! Solo Connections tours are fully hosted, unique small group tours designed specifically for solo travellers over 50. Our tour includes comfortable quality accommodation in Turkey with your own private room, most meals and tailor-made sightseeing.
This 20-night tour to Turkey offers a captivating blend of ancient history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant culture. From the bustling streets of Istanbul, where the iconic Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque stand, to the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia with its unique rock formations, paying tribute to the fallen at ANZAC Cove and exploring the ruins of Ephesus, Turkey is full of unforgettable experiences. Turkish cuisine, with its rich flavors and fresh ingredients, adds to the country’s allure, making Turkey a truly magical destination.
Highlights:
- Blue Mosque & Hagia Sophia Church
- Bosphorus Cruise
- Spice Bazaar
- ANZAC Cove
- Kusadasi
- Ephesus
- Sirince Village Cooking Class
- Bodrum
- Hierapolis Pamukkale
- Konya
- Cappadocia
- Ankara
Inclusions:
- Economy class airfares including taxes with Emirates Airlines* – Limited Business Class Upgrades available upon request.
- Domestic Economy class airfare with Turkish Airlines including taxes*
- Private single rooms in quality accommodation
- Meals as per itinerary – 18 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 18 Dinners
- Sightseeing tours and airport transfers by private A/C vehicle as per itinerary
- Tour Host– travels with group from/to Brisbane
- Local English speaking escort guide and driver
- Tipping (Guides, Drivers, Meals)
- Complimentary Photo Book^
^Passengers wishing to be a part of the photos taken for, and to receive, the complimentary photo book must sign a media release form
Exclusions:
- Any flights, transfers, meals, sightseeing, tipping or gratuities other than mentioned above
- Items of a personal nature i.e. laundry, drinks, phone calls, etc
- Travel Insurance
- Required Turkey E-Visa
Day 1 & 2: Depart Australia – Arrive Istanbul, Turkey (via Dubai)
Today our Brisbane passengers will meet with our Tour Host at Brisbane International Airport for the flight to Dubai and ongoing to Istanbul. Interstate passengers will meet the group in Dubai. When we arrive at Istanbul International airport, our local guide and driver will be waiting to transfer us to our hotel to check in. This evening we meet for a Welcome Dinner.
Accommodation: Elite World Taksim or similar (4 nights)
Meals: Dinner (Day 2)
Day 3: Istanbul
We venture to Piere Loti for a photo opportunity and a morning coffee before our sightseeing tour which will include visits to Suleymaniye Mosque, Golden Horn, and the Old City, where the practitioners of three distinct religions lived together harmoniously in one single neighbourhood.
Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 4: Istanbul
This morning, we will visit the famous Topkapi Palace and the nearby Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia Church turned Mosque, turned Museum, and turned Mosque again. Have some free time in the afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 5: Istanbul
Today we are changing continents by travelling from Europe to Asia as we cross the Bosphorus Bridge and drive to Camlica Hill for a scenic Bosphorus photo opportunity. We take a Bosphorus cruise, disembarking for lunch at a local restaurant, before visiting the Egyptian Spice Bazaar.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 6: Istanbul – ANZAC Cove – Canakkale
After checking out, we visit Gallipoli, ANZAC Cove, the landing site, Ceremonial Platform and Lone Pine as well as many trenches. We’ll hear some legendary stories, reflect and remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice here. We continue on to Canakkale and go straight to dinner before checking in for the night.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Accommodation: Kolon Hotel or similar (1 night)
Day 7: Canakkale – Bergama – Kusadasi
We depart early to Pergamon, one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. We then continue to Bergama to the Asclepion and Acropol, a famous healing centre, where methods of treatment included blood transfusions, music therapy and meditation. We arrive in Kusadasi this afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Accommodation: Korumar Hotel or similar (3 nights)
Day 8: Ephesus
Enjoy an entire day at Ephesus, one of the Ancient Wonders of the World! We’ll spend plenty of time walking the ancient roads, exploring the temples, gymnasiums and the amphitheatre, in which the riot of ‘Acts 19’ took place. We will also visit the famous Library of Celcus and view the remains of the Temple of Artemis, as well as the Basilica of St. John the Evangelist.
Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 9: Sirince Village
Today we visit Sirince village and see 200 years old Greco-Turkish houses and enjoy a traditional cooking class. Turkish cuisine, like its cultural mosaic, is very colorful and contains countless different tastes. After tasting the food which you prepare, Turkish tea or coffee will be served before we return back to hotel.
Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 10: Kusadasi – Miletus – Bodrum
Today we will drive to Miletus, where Paul met with the Ephesian elders and made his farewell address. The size and the magnificence of the Theatre is striking, originally standing right on the port and it accommodates 15000 spectators. After touring we will drive Bodrum.
Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Accommodation: Hillstone Bodrum or similar (2 nights)
Day 11: Bodrum
We will have a short drive to get on board to our Gulet in Bodrum Marina. Enjoy two swimming breaks at Tavsan and Green Bay, before lunch is served on the boat. After lunch will continure sailing and stop at Karaada, Yildirim, and Goktasi bays. Our final stop will be Camel Beach and then the boat will take us back to our pier.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 12: Bodrum – Pamukkale
Today we depart for Pamukkale, a beautiful and spectacular natural site, unique in the world with its fairy-like, dazzling white cascade. We visit the Roman city of Hierapolis with its Apollo-Temple competing with Delphi, the monumental Nympheum, a 4th century Basilica and the Theatre. We then visit the best preserved Necropolis before being transferred to our hotel.
Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Accommodation: Doga Thermal Hotel or similar (1 night)
Day 13: Pamukkale – Konya
We have travel day today as we drive to Konya. Upon arrival we will visit Mevlâna Museum before checking into our hotel.
Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Accommodation: Bayir Diamond or similar (1 night)
Day 14: Konya – Cappadocia
We have early departure for Cappadocia today. En route, visit the 13th century Caravanserai of Sultanhan. The caravanserai provided to the traders, both foreign and native, with heated rooms, food, medical attention, equipment repair and many other common conveniences. We continue to Nevsehir in Cappadocia where we will arrive in the evening.
Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Accommodation: Nujelm or similar (2 nights)
Day 15: Cappadocia
Today we can enjoy a full day at leisure* to explore the area. You could begin the day very early on an hot air balloon ride that takes you soaring over the magnificent Cappadocian landscape or take a full day visit to the Goreme Open Air Museum to see the best examples of Byzantine art in Cappadocia or perhaps visit the Ozkonak Underground city. Your tour host and local guide will be able to assist with any arrangements that you may need. *all activities today are at passengers own expense
Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 16: Cappadocia – Ankara
We depart today to the Turkish capital of Ankara. Upon arrival see the Mausoloeum of Kemal Ataturk, founder of the modern Turkish Republic and visit Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.
Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Accommodation: CP Ankara or similar (1 night)
Day 17: Ankara – Istanbul
Departing from the hotel this morning we travel to Ankara airport and catch a flight to İstanbul. Upon arrival we transfer to the hotel and spend the remainder of the day at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Accommodation: Elite World Taksim or similar (3 nights)
Day 18: Istanbul
The day is yours to explore the local boutiques or taste the culture through Turkish favorites before coming together again for dinner
Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 19: Istanbul
This morning we visit the Grand Bazaar. It’s a marvelous place with 60 streets and over 4000 shops where you will be enchanted by the colourful atmosphere. For our final evening together we meet and enjoy a Farewell Dinner.
Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 20 & 21: Depart Istanbul – Arrive Australia via Dubai
After checking out of our hotel we are transferred to Istanbul international airport for our flights home.
Meals: Breakfast (Day 20)
| Travel dates | Price per person, sole use* |
|---|---|
| 12 May - 01 June 2025 | From $15,125 |
*Price is per person in a Sole Use Room departing Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne or Perth travelling on a group Economy class airfare with Emirates Airlines. Tour is subject to availability and requires minimum number of passengers to depart. Please enquire for current availability and pricing with your RAC travel consultant.
*Price is per person Sole Use and subject to availability. Price is correct as at 20 January 2025. Tour requires minimum number of passengers to depart. Prices may fluctuate if surcharges, fees, taxes or currencies change. Solo Connections is constantly striving to improve our itineraries and inclusions. If such improvements can be made, or unforeseen circumstances beyond our control make changes necessary, we reserve the right at any time to vary itineraries and to substitute inclusions of equal value. Beverages, additional meals, hotel mini bars, laundry, phone calls, any items of personal nature not included. Further booking conditions apply, please check all prices, availability and other information with your travel agent at time of or before booking. Package cancellation fees apply. Further Solo Connections T&Cs apply, please check with your RAC travel consultant.
General RAC Travel terms and conditions apply.
