Timeless Türkiye

Highlights of the Türkiye Tour include:

  • Immersing yourself in Istanbul’s layered history, from the ancient Hippodrome and Hagia Sophia to the Blue Mosque
  • Wandering through the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar and learning the stories behind these centuries-old markets
  • Supporting women-led initiatives, including visits to a cooperative and artisans shop
  • Sleeping in a traditional cave hotel in Cappadocia
  • Sharing a home-cooked meal with a local family
  • Optional sunrise hot air ballooning over Cappadocia
  • Visiting impeccably preserved Roman sites like Aspendos, Perge, Aphrodisias and the legendary city of Ephesus

$5,990

9 days / Nights

$800 deposit secures your spot!

SOLD OUTJOIN THE WAITLIST!

Final payment due by August 1, 2026

Cancellation fees apply. Please read our Booking Terms and Conditions before registering. If paying via PayPal, click on the ‘Click here to register’ button. You can sign in as a guest and do not need a PayPal account.

* SORRY – THIS TOUR IS SOLD OUT!

If you would like to be put on the waiting list in case of a cancellation OR would like to be alerted about future tours to Türkiye, please contact us!

Türkiye Tour Itinerary: October 7 – 18, 2026

Our adventure starts in Istanbul on October 7, 2026. If you’d like to arrive early, we can arrange additional hotel nights prior to the tour.

Day 1 – Istanbul
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Meals: N/A

Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport, you’ll be met by a guide and driver and taken to our hotel in the city. Since people will be arriving at different times, no meals are included on this day.

Overnight at Lokalist Istanbul Taksim or similar in Istanbul.

Day 2 – Istanbul
Thursday, October 8, 2026
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, we’ll begin our adventure by exploring Istanbul’s highlights. We’ll visit the Hippodrome (Sultanahmet Square), once home to chariot races and social events, as well as Hagia Sophia, built in the 6th century as the great cathedral of Constantinople. We’ll also visit the iconic Blue Mosque, built in the early 1600s and considered one of the most iconic monuments of Ottoman architecture.

Lunch will be at a traditional restaurant. Afterward, we’ll head to the Grand Bazaar–one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world–and then the Spice Bazaar–where we’ll learn about its history and maybe even pick up some souvenirs!

In the late afternoon, we’ll head back to the hotel and then have a welcome dinner!

Overnight at Lokalist Istanbul Taksim or similar in Istanbul.

Day 3 – Istanbul
Friday, October 9, 2026
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, we’ll continue exploring Istanbul, starting with Topkapi Palace, the former administrative center of the Ottoman Empire. Next, we’ll stroll Istiklal Street, the city’s vibrant pedestrian heart.

We’ll then visit the Simurg Women’s Cooperative, which supports women-led co-ops around the country and supports economic empowerment by encouraging entrepreneurship.

After lunch, we’ll take a private cruise on the Bosphorous. This strait connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara and splits the city between Europe and Asia.

Dinner is on your own. You can eat at a local restaurant or enjoy it at the hotel.

Overnight at Lokalist Istanbul Taksim or similar in Istanbul.

Day 4 – Istanbul – Cappadocia
Saturday, October 10, 2026

Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, we’ll head to the airport to take a morning flight to Kayseri, the historical capital of Cappadocia. We’ll be traveling during lunchtime today, so we’ll make do with some light snacks along the way.

Once we arrive in Kayseri, we’ll begin by exploring the Özkonak Underground City, a multi-level complex famous for its hot oil traps above the entrances (yikes!).

In the late afternoon, we’ll go to our cave hotel to check in and relax.

Dinner is on your own. You can eat at a local restaurant or enjoy it at the hotel.

Overnight at Kale Konak Cave Hotel or similar in Cappadocia.

Day 5 – Cappadocia
Sunday, October 11, 2026
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch


Today, you have the option to take a hot air balloon ride at sunrise (additional cost, approx. $300, paid directly to the hot air balloon company). Drift over Cappadocia’s breathtaking scenery of valleys and rock formations before returning to the hotel for breakfast (and coffee!!).

After breakfast with the group, we’ll visit the Göreme Open-Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its painted monastic caves.

We’ll then have lunch at a local restaurant before returning to the hotel for some downtime (after an early morning for those going on the hot air balloon ride).

In the late afternoon, we’ll visit a local rug-weaving cooperative, where skilled women create beautiful Turkish carpets. We’ll learn about the traditional motifs and cultural significance of the designs.

Dinner is on your own. You can eat at a local restaurant or enjoy it at the hotel.

Overnight at Kale Konak Cave Hotel or similar in Cappadocia.

Day 6 – Cappadocia
Monday, October 12, 2026

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, we’ll explore Love Valley, where we’ll walk among its iconic fairy chimney formations and marvel at the unique landscape.

After our hike, we’ll take part in a hands-on cooking class at the home of a local family.


We’ll have a chance to interact with these lovely folks and also learn how to make some Turkish dishes. And, of course, we’ll eat lunch here too!

Before returning to the hotel, we’ll go to a traditional pottery workshop to see artisans at work. We’ll also have time to shop, if you like. 🙂

There will be time for a short rest before we go out for a very special performance of the Whirling Dervishes! We’ll watch as these Sufi practitioners go into a meditative dance to achieve spiritual ecstasy and closeness to God.

Because the performance lands right at dinner time (6:00 pm), you can have dinner (on your own) either before or after the show.

Overnight at Kale Konak Cave Hotel or similar in Cappadocia.

Day 7 – Cappadocia – Antalya
Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, we’ll enjoy a scenic drive through the majestic Taurus Mountains to Antalya, the gateway to Türkiye’s Turquoise Coast. Along the way, we’ll stop in Konya to visit the Mevlevi Order, known for its Whirling Dervishes, with a stop at the Mevlâna Museum, dedicated to the Sufi mystic and poet Rumi.

We’ll have lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to Antalya, once a quaint fishing village, now a vibrant coastal city.

Dinner is on your own. You can eat at a local restaurant or enjoy it at the hotel.

Overnight at Alp Paşa Hotel or similar in Antalya.

Day 8 – Antalya
Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch


After breakfast, we’ll explore Kaleiçi, Antalya’s historic old town, starting with landmarks like Hadrian’s Gate (built around 130 AD) and the Clock Tower (dating back to “only” 1901).

After touring the city and enjoying lunch at a local restaurant, we’ll meet members of the Antalya Businesswomen’s Association to learn about their work as entrepreneurs and how they support the community.

In the afternoon we’ll return to Antalya where you’ll have some time to explore cafés, galleries or the marina near the hotel. This is also an excellent place for silver shopping! For those not interested in shopping, you may return to the hotel for some downtime.

Dinner is on your own. You can eat at a local restaurant or enjoy it at the hotel.


Overnight at Alp Paşa Hotel or similar in Antalya.

Day 9 – Antalya
Thursday, October 15, 2026

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, we’ll visit Perge, famous for its well-preserved Roman and Hellenistic ruins. We’ll then explore Düden Waterfalls, where the same river creates two contrasting falls: one tranquil, the other plunging dramatically into the Mediterranean Sea.

We’ll have lunch at a local restaurant before returning to the hotel for some free time to explore boutiques, artisan shops, seaside viewpoints and cafés.

Dinner is on your own. You can eat at a local restaurant or enjoy it at the hotel.

Overnight at Alp Paşa Hotel or similar in Antalya.

Day 10 – Antalya – Pamukkale
Friday, October 16, 2026

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, we’ll drive toward Denizli, stopping at Aphrodisias for lunch at a local restaurant and then explore the ancient city. This area is known for its well-preserved Greco-Roman ruins and remarkable marble sculptures.
After lunch, we’ll visit a Denizli linen and towel showroom in one of Turkey’s leading home-textile regions. Denizli (known in the U.S. as D-ZEE) is internationally recognized for premium cotton textiles and provides linens for hotels around the world.

In the afternoon, we’ll check into a thermal spa hotel, a perfect place for soaking, relaxing and enjoying the natural hot springs.

Dinner and overnight at Doga Thermal Hotel or similar in Pamukkale.

Day 11 – Pamukkale – Kuşadası
Saturday, October 17, 2026

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a leisurely breakfast, we’ll head to Pamukkale, a region famous for its dazzling white travertine terraces. We’ll then drive to Selçuk and visit the ancient city of Ephesus, where we’ll walk among its stunning ruins.

We’ll continue on to Kuşadası, where we’ll check into our hotel.
In the evening, we’ll gather for a farewell dinner at the hotel restaurant, which overlooks the Aegean Sea.

Overnight at LaVista Boutique Hotel or similar in Kuşadası.

Day 12 – Kuşadası – Home (or onward travels)
Sunday, October 18, 2026

Meals: Breakfast

Today is departure day! We won’t have a set time for breakfast, so you can enjoy it at your leisure, depending on your departure time.

If you would like to stay longer in Kuşadası or Istanbul, we can help arrange additional hotel nights in either place.

** Itinerary subject to change without notice.

Dates: August 26 – September 3, 2026

Number of Days: 9

Land costs: $7,360

Single supplement: $2,100

Secure your spot by registering with a deposit. As a boutique tour company, we really appreciate checks (mailing address below) as it helps cut down tremendously on bank fees. We ask that if you’re able, please pay the deposit or full amount by check, Venmo or wire transfer.

WanderTours
PO Box 16102
Seattle, WA 98116

For questions, please contact us:
info (at) wandertours (dot) com
206-317-1860

Note: Cancellation fees apply. Please read our Booking Terms and Conditions before registering. If paying via PayPal, click on the ‘Click here to register’ button. You can sign in as a guest and do not need a PayPal account.

Yes! We have payment plans!

Please let us know if you’d like to pay over time. We can invoice you regularly or guide you through setting up regular payments through your bank.

Inclusions

  • 11 nights accommodation in 4 star hotels
  • 23 meals
  • Airport transfers on tour dates or if additional nights are booked through WanderTours
  • Transportation throughout tour
  • Local driver and English-speaking female guide
  • Tips for driver and guide
  • Entry into all activities listed in itinerary
  • Welcome gift bag!

Exclusions

  • Flights to / from Türkiye
  • Some meals
  • Tips for hotel services and meals on your own
  • Visa (if required)
  • Travel insurance (recommended)
  • Purchases of a personal nature
Beth Whitman

Trip Leader: Beth WhitmanBeth is beyond excited to be escorting this inaugural women-only group to Iceland.

After visiting the country on her own adventure (including a 200+ mile run down the center of the island), she knew others would love to experience the beauty of this dramatic island.

Beth is the author of the Wanderlust and Lipstick guides including The Essential Guide for Women Traveling Solo and For Women Traveling to India. She is the publisher and founder of Wanderlust and Lipstick and WanderTours and the host of the She’s Bold podcast, which can be found through your favorite podcast provider. 

If you’re traveling on your own and are interested in sharing the cost of a shared room with another traveler in Buenos Aires, we’ll do our best to pair up travelers so as to avoid the single supplement. Priority is given to the first deposits received. If you’re interested in sharing, please send in your deposit as soon as possible in order to take advantage of this benefit. (Why a single supplement charge? See this FAQ page for an explanation.)

Looking to share a room? Check out this post to see what’s available.

We partner with Travel Insured International so that you have ability to purchase “cancel for any reason” insurance. We HIGHLY recommend travel insurance (no matter who your provider is) to protect your travel investment from any future issues.