Enjoy first-class service and guided transportation through the historical and picturesque sites of Istanbul, battlefields of Gallipoli, the Trojan Horse of Troy, Pergamon offers one of the Seven Churches of St John from the Bible before reaching the ancient city of Ephesus, the white calcium hot pools of Pamukkale, beautiful views of the Mediterranean coast in Antalya.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Istanbul: a major city in Turkey that straddles Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait. Its Old City reflects the cultural influences of the many empires that once ruled here. In the Sultanahmet district, the open-air, Roman-era Hippodrome was for centuries the site of chariot races, and Egyptian obelisks also remain. The iconic Byzantine Hagia Sophia features a soaring 6th-century dome and rare Christian mosaics.
Sirince: a village of 600 inhabitants located about 8 kilometres east of the Ephesus ancient city. The area around the village has a history dating back to the Hellenistic period (323–31 BC). Today the village prospers through agriculture (olive oil, peaches, wine) and tourism. It is well protected, rare and attractive example of Ottoman Christian architecture.
Pamukkale: (Cotton Castle) is a town in western Turkey known for the mineral-rich thermal waters flowing down white travertine terraces on a nearby hillside. It neighbours Hierapolis, an ancient Roman spa city founded around 190 B.C. Ruins there include a well-preserved theater and a necropolis with sarcophagi that stretch for 2km. The Antique Pool is famous for its submerged Roman columns, the result of an earthquake.
Antalya: Before Antalya became one of Turkey’s top summer resort towns, it was the ancient city of Attalia, founded during the Hellenistic period, later becoming part of the Roman Empire. As such, Antalya’s old town is one of its most important sights harking back to its rich past.
Day 1: ARRIVAL ISTANBUL (45km – 50 min)
Upon arrival at the airport meet our representative and transfer to your hotel. Check in and spend the rest of the day at leisure exploring Istanbul.
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 2: ISTANBUL: CITY TOUR
After breakfast, start the Istanbul City Tour with the visit of the Hippodrome. Ancient Hippodrome was the scene of chariot races, with the three monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. Then, visit Sultanahmet Imperial Mosque. Across from Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, it was built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet, is known as the Blue Mosque because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue ‘’Iznik’’ tiles. Next, visit Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, previously known as the Church of Divine Wisdom, simply the best of its kind! Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque is the greatest surviving example of Byzantine Architecture. For 1000 years, it was once the largest church in the world, decorated with stunning 6th century golden mosaics. After lunch, the guide will take you to the Ali Pasazade with a unique atmosphere and reasonable prices for your shopping. Here you will find; exotic spices and herbs, traditional Turkish sweets and coffee, souvenirs and many other goods in souvenir shops and stores. After the tour transfer back to your hotel.
Optional Dinner Cruise on the Bosphorus Tour: Tonight between 19:30 to 23:30 you can join an optional entertaining dinner cruise program on the Bosphorus, where Europe and Asia are connected. You will spend an unforgettable night on the Bosphorus with dinner, unlimited local alcoholic and non-alcoholic & soft drinks, belly dance show, Turkish Folklore show, DJ Performance and great entertainment on Bosphorus Dinner Cruise. End of the entertainment at about midnight, transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 3: ISTANBUL – GALLIPOLI TOUR – CANAKKALE (350 km – 5 hrs)
Early in the morning, we depart for Gallipoli to visit the battlefields. On the way, we will have a short break in a restaurant area where you can have your breakfast and relax before we continue the journey. Upon arrival in Gallipoli enjoy your lunch break in a local restaurant and relax before departing for the battlefields. Visit Gabatepe Museum, then the fields with Ariburnu Cemetery and Anzac Cove, the places where the war had started. Continue to Beach Cemetery, Lone Pine and Chunuck Bair. After the tour drive to your hotel for check in and enjoy your dinner in the hotel.
Overnight in Canakkale.
Day 4: CANAKKALE – TROY – PERGAMON – KUSADASI (420 km – 6 hrs)
After breakfast check out and depart for Troy. Visit the famous archaeological and mythological site of Troy, home of the Trojan Horse and Helen of Troy. After the Troy tour, 3-hour drive to Pergamon. First, we stop for a lunch break in a local restaurant and after lunch depart for a tour of the magnificent Bergama Museum. It is an impressive Museum, and you may see many important relics from Ancient Pergamon. Pergamon is famous for its jewellery, stones and silver so on the way, we will visit a jewellery center. Later we arrive at Kusadasi for check in and dinner at the hotel.
Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 5: KUSADASI – EPHESUS – SIRINCE – KUSADASI (55 km – 1.5 hrs)
Today after breakfast we depart for a fully guided tour of Ephesus, one of the best preserved ancient sites in the world en-route, visiting the Temple of Artemis, Curetes street, famous Roman baths, Celsus Library and Grand theatre. After the lunch break we will visit a place which continues to perform one of the oldest arts of Turkey; a carpet weaving centre. Then, we will continue to the Turkish village Sirince with Anatolian Greeks construction style. The houses on the slope are all original with their white paint. Sirince Village also has a fantastic reputation for making some of the best wines in Turkey - especially fruit wines. There will be some free time to explore the area of the village. On the way we will visit one of the famous leather production centers of the region, where you will have the opportunity to get a good factory rate. On this guided tour, you will avoid the constant nagging and sometimes bullying that is well known in the markets of Turkey. Enabling you to enjoy the shopping experience whilst gaining the knowledge of the ancient craftsmen. Return to your hotel where your dinner will be served.
Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 6: KUSADASI – PAMUKKALE TOUR (190 km – 3 hrs)
After breakfast, we depart for Pamukkale. Upon arrival check in at the hotel and enjoy your lunch. Afterwards we shall visit the calcium terraces of Pamukkale (cotton castle) and the ruins of Hierapolis, then walk around this natural phenomenon and have the option of lying in the waters of the natural springs. Return to the hotel where your dinner will be served.
Optional Tandem Paragliding: Make your Pamukkale Tour unforgettable by participating in Pamukkale Tandem Paragliding experience. Enjoy a flight over the stunning and infamous White Mountain in Pamukkale and observe spectacular views over this unique area's attractions. Tandem Paragliding in Pamukkale is an ideal alternative experience for those who wish to feel some exciting moments. It can also be the perfect way to explore the attractions from above and appreciate the beauty of the natural scenery. This tour will end at approximately 17.30 and then you will be back at your hotel.
Overnight in Pamukkale.
Day 7: PAMUKKALE – ANTALYA (250 km – 3.5 hrs)
After breakfast, we depart for Antalya. On arrival check in at the hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Enjoy dinner served at the hotel.
Optional Hot Air Balloon Tour: we will pick you up from your hotel early in the morning for the take off at 05:30 am before sunrise. On the Balloon, you will witness the magnificent and unique view of nature by viewing the morning sunrise over the ancient city of Hierapolis and Cotton White Travertines which is listed as one of the best 7 wonders of the world and registered in the UNESCO heritage list. After the Hot Air Balloon excursion, we will celebrate our landing with a champagne ceremony and return to the hotel for a delicious breakfast (Please confirm with your guide the day before as the optional tour starts early in the morning).
Overnight in Antalya.
Day 8: ANTALYA OLD TOWN TOUR & WATERFALLS
Today after breakfast we will visit Antalya old City (Kaleiçi) Marina, Clock Tower, Hadrian's Gate, Broken Minaret and Hidirlik Tower. Kaleici is a small historic part of Antalyas modern city. In history it was once the sprawling modern Roman town, then the Byzantine Empire, then Seljuks, and finally the Ottoman Turkish town. The Hadrian's Gate also known as The Three Gates is a triumphal arch which was built in the name of the Roman emperor Hadrian. Antalya's broken wonder is the Broken Minaret of the Korkut Mosque, which itself was built originally as a Roman temple in the 2nd century AD, and thus did not have a minaret at all. Hidirlik Tower is a landmark tower of tawny stone in Antalya, Turkey, where Kaleiçi meets Karaalioglu Park. It is believed to be built in Hellenistic era on a square plan and later turned into circular tower in 2nd century AD and was either used as a fortification or a lighthouse in the past. We have lunch then depart for Duden waterfalls. All the streams of the region aim at finding their way into the Mediterranean and they pour down the slopes of the Taurus, sometimes overland sometimes underground and reaching their destination, result in lovely waterfalls, of which there are more than twenty. After the tour come back to hotel and rest of day free at leisure. Dinner will be served in the hotel.
Overnight in Antalya.
Day 9: ANTALYA – ISTANBUL DEPARTURE (70 min by flight, not included)
Depart for Antalya airport for your domestic flight to Istanbul (not included) and then back home. We hope your tour was a memorable one and we would like to see you in the future on one of our tours again.
Comfortable and warm clothing for the mountains and comfortable summer clothes & shoes. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat, and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.
