Introduction

The amazing country of Turkey is one of the most popular destinations on Earth this year.

There are good reasons for this. The European flavour makes it relatively easy for beginning travelers to adjust to the culture while the Asian influences offer a measure of mystery and a sense of the exotic. The food is wonderful and safe. The people are friendly. The archaeological, historical and cultural sites are easily accessible and interesting.

Leaving the familiar world behind and spending a few weeks in a place like Turkey is a rejuvenating and rewarding experience. Unique cultures, diverse religions, historic sites, local music, unfamiliar surroundings and interesting people will make you feel more alive. Add comfortable accommodation, good travelling companions, delicious food and a photograph around every corner and you’ve created the trip of a lifetime!

This philosophy guides the design of our Private Journeys and the results are truly remarkable.

Travel with us as part of our small group as we wander through hidden villages, exciting cities, busy markets, ancient seacoasts, historic and cultural sites, archaeological wonders and more; all in comfort and safety. We visit with local people and experience their lifestyles. We sample traditional foods. We share stories at happy hour. We watch the sun set over the Mediterranean. We do many things you've never even thought of.

On each of our journeys one or more of our experienced tour leaders rides along with the group to offer advice, to smooth any bumps in the road and to make sure your experience is the best it can possibly be.

Let us share some of our favourite and very special places in Turkey with you. Come in and talk to us or call us soon. We expect that this journey will be enormously popular and may fill up quickly.

Our Journey

This 16-day journey follows a counter-clockwise route through Western Turkey from Istanbul around the coast of the Mediterranean and inland to Cappadocia before returning to Istanbul for our final few days of sightseeing.

We spend our first three nights in Istanbul where we take time to adjust to the new time zone and to appreciate the fascinating and beautiful sites of this international city. Then we cross into Asia and travel south through Western Turkey exploring ancient sites, enjoying beautiful hotels and exciting restaurants and soaking up the history and culture of this magnificent land. We stop at historical and archaeological sites including ancient Troy, Pegamum and Ephesus. We stay in the towns of Yesilyurt, Kusadasi and Bodrum where we take time to enjoy some Turkish food and wine, Mediterranean sunshine and local culture. We then continue eastward visiting Antalya before flying to Cappadocia where we spend three days exploring the underground cities, cavernous churches and enchanting rock terrain of this beautiful area, seeing a performance of the famous whirling dervishes and floating silently over the stunning scenery in our own hot air balloon. Finally we return to Istanbul for two days of sightseeing, shopping or relaxing before heading home or on to Amman to join our Private Journey through Jordan. 

To see all details of this trip, please click on the links at the top of the page on the left. Please be sure to read the common questions.

For assistance or information on any items shown on our website or any other aspects of this particular journey, please call us. We can be reached at 613-789-1900 in Ottawa or Toll-free at 888-765-7662. Alternately, you can click here to send us e-mail.

If you have already decided to join us please complete the Booking Form and send it to us as soon as possible. You can access the Booking Form by clicking on the "how to book" link at the top of the page. Booking forms are processed in the order which they are received in our office.

As always, our Private Journeys are each limited to a maximum of 16 guests. First come, first served.