Turkey (Türkiye) Tours & Holidays
Small Group Tours & Tailor-Made Holidays
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Overview
On a small group tour of Turkey, see the must-see sights, and discover roads less travelled, such as a walking tour through the Kaçkar Mountains stopping to explore the ancient ruins of Ani, and marvelling at the architectural wonder of the iconic 4th century Sumela Monastery.
The turkey tours we offer take you beyond the picture-perfect landscapes. You'll enjoy hot air balloon rides in Cappadocia. ...
On a small group tour of Turkey, see the must-see sights, and discover roads less travelled, such as a walking tour through the Kaçkar Mountains stopping to explore the ancient ruins of Ani, and marvelling at the architectural wonder of the iconic 4th century Sumela Monastery.
The turkey tours we offer take you beyond the picture-perfect landscapes. You'll enjoy hot air balloon rides in Cappadocia. You'll explore the vibrant bazaars of Istanbul. You'll immerse yourself in the Aegean Sea.
Whether you're travelling solo, with friends or with your family, you're likely to make friends while on one of our small group tours to Turkey. People who travel with us seek a country's hidden gems, with authentic and fun adventure, so whether you're travelling alone, with friends or with your family, you'll most likely make friends along the way.
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.
Whether you're drawn to Turkey for its history, beaches, or culture, our tours never disappoint. History-lovers can roam ancient ruins, while sun worshipers can't get enough of the endless horizons. Foodies can't get enough of meze, and culture vultures will marvel at the mosques.
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 tour guides and an expert tour leader.
HIGHLIGHTS OF TURKEY (TÜRKIYE)
BEST EXPERIENCES
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
LGBTQIA+ Guidance
When planning to travel as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, there may be additional things you wish to consider doing, such as:
- Speaking to one of our travel experts for information about travelling in your chosen destination and local attitudes towards members of the LGBTQIA+ community
- Checking the Human Dignity Trust map which highlights regions and countries which are potentially dangerous to LGBTQIA+ people, or Equaldex, which tracks the progress of LGBTQIA+ rights around the world.
- Checking the ‘Local laws and customs’ section of your country's official foreign travel advice page
- Looking for any updates for your desired destination on the Human Rights Watch LGBTQIA+ rights page
- Buying a recommended guidebook, as many include an LGBTQIA+ section and advice for LGBTQIA+ travellers
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.
Travelling Solo In Turkey
All of our small group tours are designed to cater for solo travellers: the number of solo travellers will vary from tour to tour, but usually over half will be travelling alone. Get all of the excitement of discovering new places combined with the security of travelling with an organised group, with like minded people.