Turkey (or Turkiye, as we’re supposed to spell it) should be on your radar. It has very quickly become a major cruise ship destination in the Eastern Mediterranean, and it is a country full of a wide variety of attractions to suit all tastes. Here are a few ideas:
Istanbul
ISTANBUL stands at the intersection of Europe and Asia, the intersection of Islam and Christianity, and the intersection of the ancient and the modern. It is huge – over 15 million people, and is full of historical sites, mosques, palaces, great food, and cosmopolitan hotels — all along a beautiful waterfront. Here’s some other points of consideration when visiting Istanbul:
- AIRPORT: If you’re flying to/from Istanbul, you’ll use the world’s largest airport, and Turkish Airlines flies to more countries than any other airline. Although the airport is huge, it is well thought-out, comfortable, and with plenty of shops and services.
- CRUISE PORT: The Turks are very clearly building for the future. The cruise ship port here is big and modern, and very central to the sites you want to see in Istanbul.
- This place has been a crossroads for centuries… so there’s tons to see here. It’s worth a day or two pre or post cruise.
- Hagia Sofia, the Sultan’s Palace, the Blue Mosque, historical ruins, modern hotels, Bazaars, parks and public space, Michelin starred restaurants… it’s all in Istanbul.
Other Points of Interest in Turkiye
- CAPPADOCIA — This place is a parade of UNESCO sites. If you’ve seen a photo of dozens of hot air balloons floating effortlessly over the desert – it’s probably Cappadocia. You can also stay in a cave-hotel here (far more glamorous than it sounds). Here’s our video blog from there: https://youtu.be/m6L12POlFqU
- KUSADASI (for Ephesus) — This is the most important GREEK ruin site in the region even though it is now in Turkiye. The site itself gets the most buzz, but most people miss the museum in Kusadasi…it’s really impressive.
- PAMUKKALE is a natural hot spring area that has been operating as a spa since the 2nd century (so there… Canyon Ranch). The snow-white limestone has been formed from the calcium rich hot springs that run through the area, and give the water a bright blue color.
- HIEROPOLIS – this ancient city gets very few visitors compared to Ephesus, and is where the Apostle Phillip spent the last few years of his life.
- ANTALYA – Imagine the clear waters and pristine beaches you imagine when you think of Greece… but with fewer people.
- SKIING – OK… we really don’t get requests for this, but who knew there are ski resorts in Turkiye?
If you’re doing an Eastern Mediterranean cruise that includes Greece, there’s a reasonable chance you’ll start or finish in Istanbul. Don’t miss the opportunity to check Turkiye out.
Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED:
Check out our VIDEO BLOG where Kim & Bob talk about Istanbul and Turkey, their experiences there, and why it should be on your radar: https://youtu.be/PZQOiko2TqM
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Today’s Travel Opportunities
REGENT Eastern MEDITERRANEAN
CROATIA, GREECE & TURKIYE: Istanbul to Trieste departing October 13 for 9-nights
- Visit Istanbul, Ephesus, Mykonos, Olympia, Corfu, Kotor, Split, Zadar, Trieste.
- Fares from $5895
CROATIA, GREECE & TURKIYE: Istanbul to Trieste departing May 5, 2026 for 12-nights
- Visit Istanbul, Dikili, Ephesus, Mykonos, Athens, Gythion, Argostoli, Corfu, Kotor, Dubrovnik, Trieste
- Fares From $9399
GREECE, EGYPT & TURKIYE: Istanbul to Athens departing June 3, 2026 for 10-nights
- Visit Istanbul, Bozcaada, Ephesus, Alexandria (overnight), Cyprus, Rhodes, Santorini, Athens.
- Fares from $9399
RIVER & RAIL Combinations with UNIWORLD
There aren’t any river cruises in Turkey, but UNIWORLD has some pre/post river cruise RAIL trips with extensions to Istanbul. RAIL trips are much like river cruises, in that you get to see a lot of different things, but only unpack once.
TURKEY to FRANCE: Istanbul to Paris for 15-days
- Board the train for 6-nights starting in Istanbul, and then travel through Turkey, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Austria and France. Transfer to your river boat, and spend one-week aboard sailing to Normandy, and back to Paris
- Departures in May, September or October 2026 from $24,098
ITALY to TURKEY: Milan to Istanbul 19-days
- 2-nights in Milan, then to Venice for 7-nights on the ship, then to Trieste to board the train, where you’ll travel through Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, and Bulgaria before entering Turkey, and finishing in Istanbul for 2-nights.
- 2025: Depart October 17 from $23,198
- 2026: May 3, August 23, or September 27 from $25,498
Here’s UNIWORLD’S webpage on RIVERS & RAIL:
https://pamperedcruiser.uniworld.com/us/cruise-and-rail
TURKIYE by LAND with COLLETTE
Treasures of TURKEY for 14-days
- Visit Istanbul 3 days, then on to Izmir for 2-nights (for Ephesus, Pamukkale, and the Cotton Castle), Dalyan on the Aegean coast for blue azure waters, birds, turtles, and colourful fish. Konya for path of ancient silk road trading route. Cappadocia for 3-nights to stay in a cave hotel, and do an optional balloon ride, fairy chimneys, and then back to Istanbul.
- 2025: Departures August to November from $4349
- 2026: Departures March to May from $4799
GREECE & TURKIYE: Footsteps of Paul the Apostle round-trip Athens for 11-days
- Start in Athens for 3-nights, then visit Ephesus, Crete, Kalambaka, Thessaloniki, and Kavala.
- 2025: Departures in August from $3999
- 2026: Departures March to May $3699
ACTIVE ADVENTURES with NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
You don’t have to be an elite athlete, but if you like to be active on vacation, here are some great options close to home:
OREGON & WASHINGTON: Columbia River from Portland to Clarkston for 6-days
- Visit Portland, The Dalles (for Multnomah Falls and fish hatchery), Columbia Gorge, Walla Walla, Palouse River. Traverse the locks by river boat right here at home!
- Go hiking, kayaking, ride on the zodiacs, visit museums and wineries
- Departures in March, April September or October from $4243
BRITISH COLUMBIA and the SAN JUAN ISLANDS for 8-days round-trip Seattle
- Visit Victoria BC, Desolation Sound for kayaking and hiking, Alert Bay for First Nations immersion, the Canadian Gulf Islands to visit quaint communities, Friday Harbor on for the Whale museum, and other islands in Puget Sound.
- This corner of the country is a well-kept secret. Visit remote islands to see the sea lions, eagles, humpback and orca whales. Go for a bike ride in Victoria; kayaking, zodiacs, and paddleboarding in remote bays.
- Departures in September and October from $5897
WHALE WATCHING in MAGDALENA BAY (Baja California) for 6-days round-trip Loreto
- Whale Watching in Magdalena Bay for 6 days Jan, Feb, Mar. RT Loreto Mexico
- See the Gray Whales, explore the sand dunes at Sand Dollar Beach, and visit the fishing village of Puerto Magdalena. Go kayaking, zodiacs, paddleboarding, hiking, and cycling.
- Departures January through March from $3155
In Case You Missed It:
How TRAVEL CHANGED ME: Hear Bob’s story of personal transformation from a trip nearly 40 years ago: https://pamperedcruiser.com/how-travel-changed-me/
HOW TO CHOOSE A RIVER CRUISE LINE: There’s tons of choices out there, and they’re all good. How do you choose the best match for you?
https://pamperedcruiser.com/how-do-you-choose-a-river-cruise-line/
Latest YOUTUBE Post:
VIKING – Why you should NEVER book direct. We love working with Viking, and we know them very well. Find out in this video the 3 reasons you SHOULDN’T book directly with Viking.
Recently booked a Viking Cruise?
Viking makes it really easy to book direct, either online, by phone, or on board. Our clients worry that if they book on-line, that they’re cutting us out, but if you let us know after you’ve booked, then we can still help you with your reservation (even if you booked ON BOARD).
We’ll check over your reservation to make sure you’re getting the best possible deal, and we will also add some onboard credits that are not available on direct bookings.
We can add at least $100 per person onboard credit to any direct Viking reservation made in the last 60 days.
There is never a situation where you’ll get a better deal by booking directly with Viking (or any other cruise line).
If you recently booked a Viking Cruise, please let us know as soon as possible.
If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sue Bradley
Sue Bradley
