TurkeyAbsolute Turkey
Arrive at any time. There are no activities planned until our evening welcome meeting. After the meeting, opt to join your CEO and fellow travellers for dinner. Get the most out of your time in Istanbul by pre-booking the following activity to experience before your tour starts: Istanbul Walking Tour and Bosphorus Cruise. If you do, we recommend booking accommodation for an extra night pre-tour. And don’t worry if you can’t decide now. This activity is available for pre-booking any time before your tour starts, while any of the optional activities listed can be booked independently upon arrival in Istanbul.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Optional Activities - Day 1Show
Accommodation
Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.
Golden Horn Sirkeci Istanbul
Enjoy an orientation walk around Istanbul before moving on to the city of Bolu.
Istanbul Orientation Walk
Enjoy an orientation walk of Istanbul. Each walk varies, allowing your CEO to show off their favourite spots around the city. Pass by city highlights such as the Topkapi Palace, the Hagia Sophia (also known as the Aya Sofya), and the Blue Mosque. Walks may also include the atmospheric Spice Bazaar or breathtaking Grand Bazaar.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Soylu Hotel Bolu
Visit the Mausoleum of Atatürk, the father of the Modern Turkish Republic, en route to Cappadocia region. Transfer to the region of Cappadocia for 2.5 days of exploring. There will be plenty of time to tour the area by bike, visit neighbouring villages, trek regional valleys or try a hot air balloon ride. During one of the evenings, travel to a nearby village and enjoy dinner with a local family.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Visit to the Mausoleum of Atatürk
Visit a mausoleum commemorating the founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. The Mausoleum of Atatürk is located in Turkey's capital of Ankara and has become one of the sprawling city's must-see locations.
Your Local Living Moment: Dinner with Local Family
Enjoy seasonal homemade dishes, and talk with friendly hosts about life in rural Cappadocia.
Accommodation
Goreme Inn Hotel
Enjoy an included visit to the Göreme Open Air Museum before free time to explore this unique region. Outdoor enthusiast? Hire a bike to get around on two wheels or join your CEO on an optional trekking tour through one of the beautiful valleys of the region. If you want to go further afield, take a local bus to explore nearby villages.
Göreme Open Air Museum Guided Tour
Be inspired by the natural beauty of the historic Göreme Open Air Museum, a complex of medieval painted cave churches carved out by Orthodox monks. Tour the more than 10 caves on site, and enjoy the color and vibrancy of many of the churches that are up to 1,000 years old.
Free Time
Free time to explore the region any way you like.
Optional Activities - Day 4Show
Accommodation
Goreme Inn Hotel
Enjoy an included visit to the Göreme Open Air Museum before free time to explore this unique region. Outdoor enthusiast? Hire a bike to get around on two wheels or join your CEO on an optional trekking tour through one of the beautiful valleys of the region. If you want to go further afield, take a local bus to explore nearby villages.
Göreme Open Air Museum Guided Tour
Be inspired by the natural beauty of the historic Göreme Open Air Museum, a complex of medieval painted cave churches carved out by Orthodox monks. Tour the more than 10 caves on site, and enjoy the color and vibrancy of many of the churches that are up to 1,000 years old.
Free Time
Free time to explore the region any way you like.
Optional Activities - Day 5Show
Explore one of the many underground cities in the region. Visit Konya before spending the night in a local Turkish village. Enjoy the Mevlana Museum and learn about Mevlana Rumi, a 13th-century Persian poet. Experience a homestay as the guest of a local family. Depart Cappadocia and head to an underground city to explore. Have a quick lunch before journeying to the region of Konya. Travel about 1 hour to a local village for a cozy homestay. On the way, visit Catalhoyuk, a uniquely well-preserved Neolithic site. Upon arrival in the village, learn about local life and visit a community park and cooperative supported and developed by G Adventures before enjoying a home-cooked dinner tonight.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Underground City Visit
Visit one of the underground cities (there are approximately 30 in the region) that were famously used as hiding places for Christians escaping the persecution of the Roman Empire between the fifth and tenth centuries. See how people transferred their surface lives to this underground world – there are cellars, rooms for food storage, kitchens, churches, stables, wine and oil presses, and shafts for ventilation.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Mevlana Museum Visit
Visit the Mevlana Museum and mausoleum of Mevlana Rumi, a Persian Sufi mystic. Learn more about the mystic Islamic sect known as the Whirling Dervishes.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Catalhoyuk Visit
Explore this interesting Neolithic proto-city settlement – there are no streets, and houses are closely clustered with rooftop access for travel. Witness the cultural evolution from the first settlers in 7500 BC to the remnants of the urban centre we see today.
Your Local Living Moment: Turkish Village Homestay
Take the opportunity to learn about local Turkish life on this village homestay. Join the group in a community experience; bathroom facilities and sleeping arrangements (in the living room) are shared.
Accommodation
Konya Village Stay
Wander the lovely seaside town of Antalya. Arrive at Antalya around lunchtime. With a free afternoon, wander the charming cobbled hillside streets of the district of Kaleici, a great place to stop and have a drink with amazing views of the marina below. For a break from the hustle and bustle, opt to relax with a traditional Turkish hammam scrub, head for the greenery and teashops at one of Antalya's beautiful parks or catch some sun at a nearby beach.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free Time
Spend free time exploring the city of Antalya. Take advantage of its parks and beaches or duck into a museum or two.
Optional Activities - Day 7Show
Accommodation
Gurtas Hotel Antalya
Spend the afternoon onboard a boat in the Mediterranean Sea and enjoy a freshly prepared dinner before disembarking the boat and driving to our hotel for the evening. Drive to the beautiful coastal village of Demre for lunch. After, board our boat for an afternoon on the Mediterranean Sea. The boat trip includes sailing around Kekova Island, with plenty of time to enjoy the sunshine and scenery, as well as a gorgeous view of Simena Castle from the water.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Afternoon Boat Trip
Come aboard for an afternoon trip off the gorgeous coast of Turkey (dinner is included and cold drinks can be purchased). Sit back, relax, and enjoy the crystal clear waters Turkey is famous for.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Kekova Hotel Kas
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel then explore as you see fit on a free day at the beautiful coastal town of Kaş.
Free Time
Spend some time exploring the cafés lining the cobblestoned streets of Kaş.
Accommodation
Kekova Hotel Kas
This afternoon, enjoy a guided walk of Pamukkale and the ancient city of Hierapolis. Leave the beautiful sea behind and head to Pamukkale, passing through fruit orchards on the way. Visit the famous white cliffs of Pamukkale and the ancient site of Hierapolis.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the comfort of a private vehicle with comfort stops along the way.
Hierapolis and Pamukkale Visit
Tour the white cliffs of Pamukkale to learn about this World Heritage-listed site and natural wonder. Made up of 17 hot water springs, the cliffs are formed when the calcium carbonate hardens with time. Explore the ancient site of Hierapolis built on top of the white "castle." See the large, ancient baths within the city (thought to be evidence that the hot springs of Pamukkale were used as a spa since second century BC).
Optional Activities - Day 10Show
Accommodation
Anya Resort Hotel Pamukkale
Enjoy free time this afternoon. Optional visits to St John's Basilica and the Mosque of Isa Bey as well as the nearby picturesque village of Şirince. Transfer to Selcuk this morning then enjoy a free afternoon. Opt to pre-book a traditional Selcuk cooking class, walk to the remains of St John's Basilica, visit the Mosque of Isa Bey or wander the streets of this vibrant Turkish town. Or catch a local “dolmus” bus to the picturesque village of Şirince (8 km) to sample some local wine or shop for crafts. For dedicated sunseekers, the beach at Pamucaki is also within reach.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the comfort of a private vehicle.
Free Time
Your free time is just that — yours. Use the afternoon to explore the area any way you like.
Optional Activities - Day 11Show
Accommodation
Vinifera Ephesus Hotel
Explore Ephesus this morning then enjoy free time. Opt to visit one of the seven wonders of the world, Temple of Artemis. Visit the ruins of the ancient Roman town of Ephesus. After, head to town and enjoy some free time to explore. Opt to pre-book a traditional Selcuk cooking class, walk to the remains of St John's Basilica, visit the Mosque of Isa Bey or wander the streets of this vibrant Turkish town. Or catch a local “dolmus” bus to the picturesque village of Şirince (8 km) to sample some local wine or shop for crafts. For dedicated sunseekers, the beach at Pamucaki is also within reach.
Free Time
Your free time is just that — yours. Use the afternoon to explore the area any way you like.
Ephesus Visit
Tour the ruins of ancient Ephesus to get a feeling of what life must have been like during Roman times. Take in its massive, well-preserved theatre, which dominates the view down Harbour Street. See the two-story library, whose façade has been carefully reconstructed from all original pieces. Built in AD 125, it once held nearly 12,000 scrolls.
Accommodation
Vinifera Ephesus Hotel
Visit the ancient city of Troy en route to Çanakkale. Enjoy a carpet demonstration, Turkey's oldest art form, before visiting the G-supported Cöp(m)adam handicraft cooperation. Spend the rest of the afternoon at the world-famous city of Troy before continuing to the harbour town of Çanakkale, a busy port with a thriving student population.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the comfort of a private vehicle.
Carpet Demonstration
Enjoy an informative demonstration of one of the oldest art-forms in Turkish history. Gain a greater appreciation for the labour and workmanship involved in weaving rugs and carpets as you learn about the process.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the comfort of a private vehicle.
Your G for Good Moment: Çöp(m)adam Visit
Visit the G-supported çöp(m)adam handicraft cooperation. All products are made out of recycled goods and by making a purchase it will directly support the local women who work in the workshop and over time has contributed to over 500 women who have been part of the project.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Troy Visit
See historic Troy, made famous by Homer’s “Iliad,” (and more recently by Orlando Bloom and Brad Pitt). Tour the city that, for centuries, was regarded as just a myth, until its ruins were found in in the mid-19th century. Imagine what a great city this must have been, while taking a tour of the remains. Don't miss the chance to have a photo taken with the Trojan horse.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Bogaz Hotel Canakkale
Guided tour of Gallipoli, including ANZAC Cove, the war cemeteries, and Lone Pine. Make an early morning visit to Gallipoli, where thousands gave their lives during WWI in the battle of the same name. Take in the sights and learn the sombre story. Continue on to İstanbul for the opportunity to finish up your sightseeing or get in some last minute shopping.
Ferry
Once in the Gallipoli peninsula, transfer by bus to the Gallipoli battlefields (20 mins).
Gallipoli Battlefields Guided Tour
Visit this moving and beautiful site, a great complement to any trip to Turkey, even for those not familiar with the Battle of Gallipoli. Tour the grounds to see ANZAC Cove, the war cemeteries, and Lone Pine. Learn how the Turks fought off the numerically superior, but badly commanded, Allied forces who were forced to withdraw nine months later; this battle holds special significance for Australians and New Zealanders, as both nations lost many soldiers.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Optional Activities - Day 14Show
Accommodation
Golden Horn Sirkeci Istanbul
Depart at any time. Your tour might be finished, but the adventure’s far from over. Pre-book the following activity to experience after your tour ends: Istanbul Walking Tour and Bosphorus Cruise. If you do, we recommend booking accommodation for an extra night in Istanbul. And don’t worry if you can’t decide now. This activity is available for pre-booking any time before your tour starts, or it can be booked upon arrival in Istanbul.
Optional Activities - Day 15Show
