🛏 People per room: 2
✅ Max Guest: 35
🚌 Transportation: Airplane, Bus
🕐 Duration: 9 Days
📍 Depart from: USA (multi-location)
💬 Live guide: English / Vietnamese
✝️ Spiritual Guidance
⛪ Daily Mass
About this Journey

A journey through Turkey is a journey between continents, cultures, and centuries of history.

From the vibrant streets of Istanbul, where Europe and Asia meet across the Bosphorus, to the ancient ruins, white terraces of Pamukkale, and dreamlike valleys of Cappadocia, this trip brings travelers into a land filled with color, beauty, and wonder.

In one unforgettable trip, you will walk through cities shaped by empires, discover landscapes unlike anywhere else, and experience the rich culture, history, and hospitality that make Turkey so unique.

This is more than a vacation. It is a journey for travelers who want something different, meaningful, and truly unforgettable.

9 Days Itinerary
D1
Day 1: Aug 19: SFO/LAX/MIA/IAH – IST

Every unforgettable journey begins with one decision.

Meet at the airport, complete check-in, and fly to Istanbul — the legendary land of East and West. Overnight on board.

D2
Day 2: Aug 20: Istanbul: City of Two Continents 

A gentle beginning to a beautiful journey.

Arrive in Istanbul in the afternoon. After immigration, enjoy dinner, check in, and rest after the long flight. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.

D3
Day 3: Aug 21: Istanbul – Bursa 

Experience the meeting point of two continents. Cruise the Bosphorus, linking Asia and Europe, then visit the Spice Bazaar. Continue to Bursa, the first Ottoman capital, and see Ulu Cami (Grand Mosque), a 14th-century landmark. Stop by Koza Han, a Silk Road resting place, before continuing to Ephesus. Dinner and overnight in Ephesus.

D4
Day 4: Aug 22: Ephesus: House of the Virgin Mary 

Step into one of the world’s most beautiful ancient cities.

Depart for Ephesus, once a great Roman city. Visit the House of the Virgin Mary, the Great Theater, the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, and the Marble Road. In the evening, enjoy Turkey’s famous leather fashion show. Dinner and overnight in Ephesus.

D5
Day 5: Aug 23: Pamukkale: Natural Wonder

A white paradise, soft as a dream.

Travel to Pamukkale, the “Cotton Castle,” where mineral-rich thermal waters create glowing white terraces. Guests may stroll or soak their feet in warm water as the pools sparkle under the sun.

Explore Hierapolis, an ancient Roman city with a theatre, Necropolis, temples, and marble streets. This UNESCO-listed wonder leaves a lasting impression. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale.

D6
Day 6: Aug 24: Cappadocia: Fairy-Tale Land

A storybook world right before your eyes.

Depart for Cappadocia, where volcanic rock formations create a magical landscape. Stop at Sultan Han Caravanserai, a 13th-century Silk Road inn. Continue into a natural open-air masterpiece, with optional hot-air balloon ride (own expense), Özkonak Underground City, handmade Turkish carpets, Uçhisar, Love Valley, and Pigeon Valley. Optional Turkish Night Show (own expense). Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.

D7
Day 7: Aug 25: Ankara: Heart of Turkey

From dreamlike landscapes to a modern capital.

Travel to Ankara. Stop at Salt Lake (Tuz Gölü), then visit the Atatürk Mausoleum, resting place of Turkey’s founder, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Dinner and overnight in Ankara.

D8
Day 8: Aug 26: Istanbul: Heritage Discovery

Discover the icons of an empire.

Return to Istanbul. Visit Topkapı Palace, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, and Hagia Sophia. Enjoy free time at the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.

D9
Day 9: Aug 27: Istanbul – USA 

Carry home memories that stay with you.

After breakfast, check out. Enjoy free time for shopping and sightseeing before departing for the USA. Carnival looks forward to welcoming you on future journeys.

The journey ends, but it opens new ways to see the world — and memories that last long after you return home.

Day 6–9 expand on click

Stop
Selected day
Route
Taste of the Journeys
Iskender Kebab Bursa
Turkey, Bursa
Iskender Kebab Bursa
skender Kebab consists of thinly sliced grilled döner lamb or beef laid over pieces of warm pide bread. The dish is generously topped with hot tomato sauce, melted sheep's butter, and served with a side of thick yogurt.
Traditional Turkish Breakfast Kahvalti table
Turkey, Istanbul
Traditional Turkish Breakfast Kahvalti table
Kahvaltı is a traditional Turkish breakfast spread. It features a rich variety of small plates including multiple cheeses, olives, fresh tomatoes and cucumbers, clotted cream (kaymak) with honeycomb, eggs cooked with spices, simit bread, and endless cups of hot Turkish tea.
Pide
Turkey, Istanbul
Pide
Pide is a boat-shaped Turkish flatbread baked in a hot stone oven and filled with ingredients such as cheese, minced meat, sucuk, egg, or vegetables. It is served hot, often brushed with butter, and offers a warm, comforting taste of everyday Turkish cuisine. Pide is widely recognized as a popular Turkish dish, often served with different savory.
Lahmacun
Turkey, Istanbul
Lahmacun
Lahmacun is a thin and crispy Turkish flatbread topped with seasoned minced meat, tomatoes, peppers, onions, and herbs. Often called “Turkish pizza,” it is usually served with fresh parsley, lemon, and vegetables, then rolled up and eaten by hand as a flavorful street-food favorite. Lahmacun is commonly described as a crispy flatbread topped with meat, thinner than pizza and traditionally without cheese.
Turkish Delight
Turkey, Istanbul, Lokum
Turkish Delight
Turkish Delight is a soft, chewy Turkish sweet made from sugar and starch, often flavored with rosewater, lemon, orange, or mastic and sometimes filled with pistachios, hazelnuts, or walnuts. It is commonly enjoyed with Turkish coffee or tea and makes a beautiful souvenir from Turkey. GoTürkiye describes lokum and baklava as two of the most well-known sweets associated with Turkish cuisine.
Turkish Manti Kayseri dumplings
Turkey, Kayseri
Turkish Manti Kayseri dumplings
Mantı is a dish of tiny, handmade dumplings stuffed with seasoned minced beef or lamb. They are boiled and then topped with a cold garlic yogurt sauce, drizzled with warm melted butter and chili flakes, and sprinkled with dried mint.
Gaziantep Baklava green pistachio
Turkey, Gaziantep
Gaziantep Baklava green pistachio
Baklava is a world-famous sweet pastry made of dozens of paper-thin layers of filo dough. It is filled with finely crushed green pistachios, baked until golden and crispy, and drenched in a sweet sugar syrup.
Testi Kebabi Cappadocia pottery kebab
Turkey, Cappadocia
Testi Kebabi Cappadocia pottery kebab
Testi Kebabı is a unique pottery kebab where meat and vegetables are sealed inside a clay pot and slow-cooked over fire. The waiter cracks the clay pot open right at your table to serve the steaming, flavorful stew.
What's Included / Not Included
Included
Round-trip airfare from SFO/MIA/ORD. For other gateways, please contact our office.
Transportation and sightseeing listed in the itinerary.
7 nights at 4-star hotels, double occupancy.
2 meals per day.
Vietnamese and English-speaking tour guide throughout the trip.
Carnival gift.
Not Included
Travel insurance.
Tips: $12 USD / day / person.
Single room supplement: $800 USD/person.
Business class airfare supplement, if applicable.
Fuel surcharge increase at ticketing, if applicable.
Optional visits, personal expenses, excess baggage, phone calls, and laundry.
Visa for Green Card holders. Please contact our office for guidance.
Cancellation Policy

Upon registration, a deposit per person is required to issue airline tickets, reserve hotels, and arrange transportation.

The remaining balance is due 60 days before departure.

150+ days before$100 hold fee only
120+ days before25% of total
60–119 days before50% of total
31–59 days before75% of total
30 days or less100% — no refund
Booking Policies & Special Guests

Guests over 75 years of age or more than 4 months pregnant — please contact our office before registering.

Credit card payments incur a 3% processing fee.

All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing.

Guests absent at departure are considered to have cancelled with no refund.

Tour price does not apply to personal visit or commercial travel purposes.

Tour price does not apply to personal visit or commercial travel purposes.

The tour price is based on a minimum group size of 35 adult guests or more. If the number of guests is lower, a surcharge may apply.

The company is not responsible for missed sightseeing/visiting points in the following cases:

Attractions or visiting sites are closed without prior notice.

Traffic delays occur.

Guests stay at a location longer than the scheduled visiting time.

The company is not responsible for missed flights if guests are not present at the airport according to the airline’s required time, or due to the guests’ personal reasons.

Depending on actual conditions, the order of sightseeing points in the itinerary may be changed, but all original sightseeing points will still be included.

In objective circumstances such as terrorism, natural disasters, visa processing timelines from the Consulate, or schedule changes by public transportation providers such as airlines or trains, the travel company reserves the right to adjust the itinerary for the convenience and safety of guests, and shall be exempt from liability for any resulting damages or losses.

Upon receiving the electronic ticket (E-ticket), guests are kindly requested to carefully check all information on the ticket. If any error is found, please contact Carnival immediately for timely assistance and correction.

Guests may complete online check-in starting 24 hours before the tour departure date to save time and make the process more convenient.

For guests with disabilities or special health or personal needs:

A family member should accompany and assist them throughout the trip.

Guests should bring a doctor’s certificate when completing procedures with the airline to request suitable seating arrangements as needed.

Please notify CARNIVAL US of any special circumstances so we can provide the best possible support.

If guests wish to select preferred seats, such as front-row seats, window seats, or aisle seats, please note that the airline may apply additional charges for these services.

Guests aged 75 or older are required to:

Provide a doctor’s certificate confirming they are fit to travel internationally.

Complete a health commitment form with the company.

Be accompanied by a family member under 60 years old who is in good health.

Guests registering for the tour are kindly asked to carefully read the information regarding what is included and not included in the tour price, in order to avoid any misunderstanding or confusion about the services before registration.

Reviews
4.9
★★★★★
47 reviews · 96% recommend this tour
★★★★★

"The most profound experience of my life. Fr. Joseph's daily reflections brought each sacred site to life in a way I never imagined."

— Nguyen Thi Lan · Timeless Europe, Oct 2024
★★★★★

"Carnival took care of absolutely everything. Hotels, transport, Mass every single day. Already planning to come back with my whole family."

— Tran Van Minh · Timeless Europe, Oct 2023
Questions & Answers
When does the tour depart?+
The tour begins on August 19, 2026, with departures from the USA to Istanbul.
When does the tour return?+
The group returns to the USA on August 27, 2026.
What is the Turkey tour about?+
This journey invites guests to discover Turkey’s timeless beauty, from vibrant Istanbul and ancient Ephesus to the white terraces of Pamukkale and the dreamlike landscapes of Cappadocia.
How much is the tip?+
The required tip is $12 USD per person per day.
Does the tour visit both Europe and Asia?+
Yes. Istanbul is a unique city located between Europe and Asia, and guests will experience the beauty of this cultural crossroads during the tour.
Is this a guided tour?+
Yes. The tour includes Vietnamese and English-speaking tour guides throughout the journey.
Is this tour suitable for first-time visitors to Turkey?+
Yes. This tour is designed for guests who want to experience Turkey’s most iconic highlights in one journey, including Istanbul, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Cappadocia, and Ankara.
Can guests request a single room?+
Yes. Guests may request a single room, but a single room surcharge of $800 per guest applies.
Is travel insurance included?+
No. Travel insurance is not included, but guests are encouraged to purchase it for extra protection.
Do green card holders need a visa?+
Visa requirements may apply for green card holders. Guests should contact Carnival US for guidance before registering.
Do U.S. passport holders need a visa for Turkey?+
According to the U.S. State Department, tourist visas are not required for U.S. passport holders for stays under 90 days, but guests should always confirm requirements close to departure.
Should guests buy travel insurance?+
Yes. Travel insurance is strongly recommended to help protect guests in case of illness, trip interruption, baggage delay, lost luggage, flight delays, or other unexpected issues.
Can senior guests join this Turkey tour?+
Yes, senior guests may join if they are healthy enough for international travel and comfortable with walking. Guests with medical or mobility concerns should notify Carnival US before departure.
Do women need a scarf for mosque visits?+
It is recommended for women to bring a light scarf, because some mosques may require women to cover their hair when entering.
Can guests take photos inside mosques and religious sites?+
Guests should follow posted signs and the tour guide’s instructions. Photography may be allowed in some areas but restricted in others, especially during prayer times.
Is the hot-air balloon ride in Cappadocia guaranteed?+
No. The hot-air balloon ride is optional and depends heavily on weather and local flight approval. Even if guests reserve it, balloon flights may be canceled for safety reasons. Cappadocia is widely known for its hot-air balloon experience and fairy-tale landscapes
Is the hot-air balloon ride included in the tour price?+
No. The Cappadocia hot-air balloon ride is an optional activity at the guest’s own expense.
Is Turkish Night Show included?+
No. Turkish Night Show is optional and at the guest’s own expense.
Will there be shopping time?+
Yes. The itinerary includes places such as Spice Bazaar and Grand Bazaar, where guests may find spices, tea, sweets, scarves, lamps, ceramics, leather goods, and souvenirs.
What local foods should guests try in Turkey?+
Guests may try Turkish breakfast, döner kebab, İskender kebab, mantı, baklava, Turkish delight, Turkish tea, Turkish coffee, and testi kebabı in Cappadocia.
Is Turkish food spicy?+
Turkish food is flavorful but not always very spicy. Many dishes use grilled meats, yogurt, bread, rice, vegetables, herbs, and sauces. Guests who cannot eat spicy food should inform the guide or restaurant staff.
Can guests drink tap water in Turkey?+
Bottled water is recommended for travelers. Guests should carry water during sightseeing, especially on warmer days and walking-heavy days.( don't drink tap water)
What currency is used in Turkey?+
Turkey uses the Turkish lira. Guests may also bring U.S. dollars for exchange, but local purchases are usually made in Turkish lira.
Can guests use credit cards in Turkey?+
Credit cards are commonly accepted in hotels, larger restaurants, and many shops, but cash is useful for small purchases, tips, market stalls, restrooms, and personal snacks.
What should guests with health concerns do before traveling?+
Guests with health concerns do before traveling? Guests with health concerns should consult their doctor, bring enough medication, carry prescriptions if needed, and inform Carnival US of any special needs in advance.
Will the tour guide speak Vietnamese and English?+
Yes. The tour includes a Vietnamese and English-speaking tour guide throughout the trip.
Is this tour suitable for guests with limited mobility?+
Some sites may be challenging due to stairs, stone roads, uneven ground, slopes, and walking distances. Guests with limited mobility should contact Carnival US before registering to discuss suitability.
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