SIGNATURE MOMENT

Exploring Istanbul’s historic neighbourhoods and grand sites.

SIGNATURE MOMENT

Marvelling at Lake Van’s spectacular scenery and its ancient, Urartian submerged castle.

SIGNATURE MOMENT

Admiring the towering “fairy chimneys” in Cappadocia

SIGNATURE MOMENT

Savouring fresh flavours of Turkish cuisine

SIGNATURE MOMENT

Spending a full day discovering the magnificent site of Ephesus

Turkey: President's Tour

Sep 28 - Oct 14, 2026

17 days | Turkey | Private Journeys

Turkey, the gateway to Asia and heart of the great Ottoman Empire, is home to some of the most spectacular archaeological sites in the Western world. Istanbul offers up Roman aqueducts, Byzantine churches, and great mosques lifting their minarets to the sky, but best of all, it delights visitors with the friendly, lively activity of its streets. The idyllic setting of pea-green Lake Van, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, is entrancing.

Here, discover magnificent castles and churches adorned with carvings and frescoes. You might be surprised by Ankara’s Western accents to go along with Anitkabir, the stately mausoleum. We also get to explore the wild lunar landscapes of Cappadocia, passing through the Ilhara Valley and admiring the decorated rock-cut churches. Our tour continues to Antalya and along Turkey's Turquoise Coast known for its beautiful beaches with turquoise waters, ancient ruins, and a mountainous landscape where the Aegean and Mediterranean seas meet. A fitting end to our journey are the splendid ruins at Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

This one-of-a-kind President’s Tour includes visits to well-known sites as well as less-visited areas. All the while, delight in fine cuisine and famed Turkish hospitality on this journey through some of the most iconic historic sites in the world.

Tour Cost (per person):

US$9375 per person includes taxes and gratuties

Group Size:

12 - 14 participants

What’s included: Airport transfers, accommodations, meals and activities as per the detailed itienraryr; ground transportation by private coach; entrance fees;  internal flights as per itinerary; private Bosphorus Cruise; roundtrip transportation by boat to Akdamar Island; private Gulet Cruise in Kusadasi; drinking water on coach; gratuities for guides, driver, and included meals; all taxes;  services of Worldwide Quest President Lewie Gonsalves; fully escorted by our English-speaking Local Guide 

" [Lewie Gonsaves] Excellent communicator. Wonderful person and interesting stories. Felt that if anything adverse happened we were in extremely competent hands." - Past traveller on North India President's Tour with Lewie

"Can't praise him [Lewie Gonsalves] highly enough. He added so much to my experience. Can't praise him highly enough. He added so much to my experience. I will happily go on any trip he leads anywhere!” – Past traveller on Himalayan Odyssey President’s Tour with Lewie

"I found Lewie very knowable and easy to approach with questions." - Past traveller on our Ganges River Cruise with Lewie

Sample Itinerary at a Glance

Day	Activity
1	Arrive Istanbul
2	Discover Ottoman architecture at the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace
3	Explore spice markets and cruise the Bosphorus
4	Fly to Van
5	Explore archeological excavations
6	Cruise Lake Van
7	Fly to Ankara
8	Drive to Cappadocia
9	Discover Goreme and the Zelve Valley
10	Kaymakli and Ihlara Gorge
11	Fly to Antalya, explore Hadrian’s Gate, the Hıdırlık Tower, and the Marina
12	Ancient wonders of Perge and Aspendos in Antalya
13	Coastal treasures of Olympous and Cirali in Antalya
14	Fly to Izmir, continue to Kusadasi
15	Visit Ephesus
16	Explore the Urla Wine Route
17	Drive to Izmir and fly home via Istanbul

Your Tour Leader

Lewie Gonsalves, our peripatetic president, has over 40 years’ experience researching and organizing trips throughout the world. As well as designing and leading our President’s Tours, Lewie is also chief designer of our Private Journey collection of tailored tours.