A wonderful introduction to Turkey, this 8 day tour takes in many of the ancient sites. From the thriving city of Istanbul with a full day tour included, you will move on to explore the WWi battlefields of Gallipoli and the ancient historical sites of Troy, Pergamum, Ephesus and Pamukkale.
Arrival location:
TR Istanbul Gallipoli Troy Pergamum Ephesus
Departure Location:
TR Istanbul Gallipoli Troy Pergamum Ephesus
Included in your experience:
- All accommodation in 4 and 5 star hotels as stated in the itinerary
- All transport and transfers
- 24-hour airport arrival & departure transfer service
- Services of a local tour leader throughout
- Entrance fees to various sites
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Tipping kitty
Not included in your experience:
- International Flights
- Visa fees
- Travel Insurance (compulsory)
- Meals not indicated in the itinerary
- Drinks, snacks, tips and other personal expenses (e.g. laundry)
- Tips for guide & driver
- Any other items not mentioned above
DAY 1 Arrive in Istanbul. Transfer to hotelUpon arrival our staff will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in Istanbul for the start of your trip.
OVERNIGHTIstanbul - 4 star hotel
DAY 2 Istanbul. Old city tourOur trip begins this morning with a full day tour of Istanbul. Lying across two continents this historically important city played an integral role in the development of both the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. We visit the 17th century Blue Mosque, the Aya Sofya museum and explore the former residence of the Ottoman Sultans at Topkapi Palace before ending at the famous Hippodrome.
OVERNIGHTIstanbul - 4 star hotel
MEALSBreakfast, Dinner
DAY 3 Gallipoli battlefields and memorials tourWe depart Istanbul this morning for the drive to Gallopoli where we will receive a fully guided tour of this World War I battlefield site. Although home to some of the fiercest fighting during the War today the site is full of poignant memorials set against a subdued wooded landscape. Our tour will include the Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair memorials, ANZAC Cove, Johnston Jolly as well as The Nek and Gallipoli Museum. There will also be chance to see the original trenches and tunnels used during the war before we head to our hotel in Canakkale.
OVERNIGHTCanakkale - 4 star hotel
MEALSBreakfast, Dinner
DAY 4 Tour of Troy and the Acropolis of PergamumThis morning we make the short drive to the ancient city of Troy. Lying undiscoverd until midway through the 19th Century the excavations here brought the legend of the Trojan horse and the poems of Homer back to life. We then continue our drive south to the acropolis of Pergamum. A former kingdom we enjoy a full tour of the site including the Temple of Trajan and the famous library which is believed to have rivalled the library of Alexandria and helped shape Pergamum into a renowned cultural and political centre.
OVERNIGHTKusadasi - 4 star hotel
MEALSBreakfast, Dinner
DAY 5 Kusadasi. Ephesus Roman ruins tourAfter breakfast we drive to the Roman site of Ephesus. The city at one time housed 250,000 people and is regarded as one of the best preserved ancient cities in the Mediterranean. We visit the Temple of Artemis, and explore the ancient marble streets of this ruined Roman city. This afternoon we visit the fruit wine growing village of Sirince and learn about the history of carpet weaving in Turkey.
OVERNIGHTKusadasi - 4 star hotel
MEALSBreakfast, Dinner
DAY 6 Drive to Pamukkale and HieropolisWe travel east this morning to Pamukkale, site of the well known white calcium terraces known as Travertines. Pamukkale translates as ‘cotton castles’ and the naturally occuring geology here has created cloud like formations unlike anywhere else. We then head to the ancient city of Hierapolis to enjoy a dip in the hot thermal pools lodged amongst ancient columns left by the Romans who used the pools for their therapeutic powers.
OVERNIGHTPamukkale - 5 star hotel
MEALSBreakfast, Dinner
DAY 7 Pamukkale. Drive to Istanbul via BursaHeading off in the direction of Istanbul we drive through the rural Turkish countryside this morning on the way to the ancient city of Bursa. The former capital of the Ottoman Turks, we will visit the ornately decorated Green Mosque and explore the bustling streets of the Silk Bazaar before returning to Istanbul this afternoon.
OVERNIGHTIstanbul - 4 star hotel
MEALSBreakfast
DAY 8 Istanbul. Free time. Transfer to airportYour time is free today for some last minute sightseeing and shopping in Istanbul before we transfer you to the airport for your flight home.
OVERNIGHTN/A
MEALSBreakfast