Great highlights tour of Turkey - Istanbul, Cappadocia and Ephesus
Turkey | Dec 26 - Jan 5, 2024

Elizabeth
Elizabeth C.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Jan 06, 2024

We had a fantastic 10 day trip to Turkey seeing the highlights in Istanbul, Cappadocia and Ephesus/Sirince. We loved our guide in Istanbul, Volkan, and the sights were amazing; Hagia Sofia, the Blue Mosque, the Cistern, and the Bosphorous cruise. The hotel in Old Town was excellent! Cappadocia lived up to the hype with the amazing hot air balloon ride, cave frescoes, and exploring the valleys. Staying in a cave hotel was a unique experience! Our guide Hattice was excellent with our son! Ephesus was amazing and we enjoyed exploring the town of Sirince. The boutique hotel on the hillside over Sirince was so traditional and the restaurant was amazing. We enjoyed the cooking class we did with the chef!

Hotel Reviews
Hagia Sofia Mansions Istanbul, Curio Collection by Hilton
Fatih Istanbul

Absolutely beautiful, great location, fantastic breakfast

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Nisanyan Houses
Selçuk

Very unique boutique hotel obviously built with love and run by excellent staff. The terrace house was beautiful, and the tower house 3 room was fine, a little small for 3 people. There was a lot of work being done around the property given that it was the off season. Restaurant was amazing and the cooking class was a lot of fun! The hotel is not meant for people who don't like cobblestones or stairs.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kale Konak Hotel

Such a unique experience, staff did an excellent job mitigating some cleanliness concerns in one of the rooms, rooms are dark but that is to be expected, hotel facilities are very nice (Turkish bath, terrace). Some minor flaws, nail in the wood on the bed sticking out, dogs were somewhat agressive coming in late at night, dirt from the cave ceiling falling down).

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cleanliness issues caused by the cave environment
Activity Reviews
Eminönü Heritage Tour: Explore the Historical Bazaars and Ottoman Architectural Sites of Istanbul
Eminönü Heritage Tour: Explore the Historical Bazaars and Ottoman Architectural Sites of Istanbul
İstanbul

A must do in Istanbul.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Whirling Dervish Ceremony at Saruhan Caravansarai
Whirling Dervish Ceremony at Saruhan Caravansarai
Turkey

Very authentic

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Hattice was wonderful to keep Connor during the experience.
Transport
Avanos: Discovering the Ceramic Tradition and Light hiking in the Love Valley
Avanos: Discovering the Ceramic Tradition and Light hiking in the Love Valley
Cappadocia

We enjoyed the Ceramics experience; amazing work and it was fun that Connor got to try it. We did not do the hiking in the Love Valley due to timing and physical constraints.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Discover Byzantine + Ottoman Istanbul
Discover Byzantine + Ottoman Istanbul
İstanbul

Excellent overview of Istanbul and you hit the high points of the Old Town!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Volkan was an excellent guide!
Transport
Istanbul Archaeological Museum Tour
Istanbul Archaeological Museum Tour
İstanbul

Surprisingly good for kids.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hot Air Balloon Tour at Sunrise
Hot Air Balloon Tour at Sunrise
Cappadocia

Flawless - must do

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sightseeing Around Uçhisar and Discovering the Cappadocian Valleys
Sightseeing Around Uçhisar and Discovering the Cappadocian Valleys
Cappadocia

Beautiful

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Explore Sinasos: The Pearl of the East
Explore Sinasos: The Pearl of the East
Cappadocia

I didn't really find this worthwhile. We only visited the church and it didn't seem particularly special.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kaymaklı Underground City
Kaymaklı Underground City
Cappadocia

Amazing

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Boat Tour on the Bosphorus
Private Boat Tour on the Bosphorus
İstanbul

Very interesting experience and the boat was great!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Discovering the Ihlara Valley and Light Hiking Along the Melendiz River
Discovering the Ihlara Valley and Light Hiking Along the Melendiz River
Cappadocia

Beautiful and great speed for my in-laws. The stop for pancakes along the river was fun.

Quality of Experience
O
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Food Tour in Istanbul
Food Tour in Istanbul
İstanbul

Would recommend doing this earlier in the trip.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Explore the Ancient City of Ephesus
Explore the Ancient City of Ephesus
Turkey

Can't miss.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visiting Göreme Open Air Museum (UNESCO World Heritage)
Visiting Göreme Open Air Museum (UNESCO World Heritage)
Cappadocia

Amazing - recommend including visiting the Dark Church in the price

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Wine Pairing Dinner at Revithia Cappadocia
Wine Pairing Dinner at Revithia Cappadocia
Cappadocia

Very nice, only snafu was over who was paying for it, but it was worked out.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit to Ephesus Archaeological Museum + House of Virgin Mary
Visit to Ephesus Archaeological Museum + House of Virgin Mary
Turkey
Quality of Experience
O
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Berat Ornek
Berat
Berat Ornek
Local specialist in Turkey | Replied on Jan 06, 2024

Dear Elizabeth,
Thank you for this detailed review!
We are very happy to hear you had a positive experience in our beautiful country. Thank you very much for choosing us and for taking the time to write this review - much appreciated. We'll sure take into account all the valuable feedback you provided.
It was also so nice to meet you and your family in person!
All best regards on behalf of Trail Travel team,
Berat