Adventure tour of Istanbul, Gallipoli, Troy, Pergamum, Ephesus, Pamukkale & Bursa
Highlights
Istanbul old and new, Gallipoli battlefields, Troy, Pergamum, Ephesus, Pamukkale Calcium Traver- tines, Hieropolis Roman site
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Istanbul. Transfer to hotel
Upon arrival our staff will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in Istanbul for the start of your trip.
| OVERNIGHT: Istanbul - 4 star hotel
Day 2: Istanbul. Old city tour
Our 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.
| OVERNIGHT: Istanbul - 4 star hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3: Gallipoli battlefields and memorials tour
We 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.
| OVERNIGHT: Canakkale - 4 star hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4: Tour of Troy and Behramkale Village. Drive to Kusadasi.
Leaving Canakkale, our journey begins at the ancient city of Troy. Here, we will explore this renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site and visit the award-winning Troy Museum.
We then travel to the historic village of Behramkale. This picturesque settlement, characterised by its traditional stone houses and narrow winding streets, offers an authentic insight into Turkish village life. You will have ample time to wander through the village, admire the stunning coastal scenery, and perhaps sample a traditional Turkish tea or coffee at a local café. The day concludes as we head south towards our final destination, Kusadası.
| OVERNIGHT: Kusadasi - 4 star hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5: Kusadasi. Ephesus Roman ruins tour
After 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.
| OVERNIGHT: Kusadasi - 4 star hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6: Drive to Pamukkale and Hieropolis
We 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.
| OVERNIGHT: Pamukkale - 5 star hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7: Fly from Denizli to Istanbul
Today we'll head to the nearby airport in Denizli for your short flight back to Istanbul. Upon arrival you'll be transferred to your hotel where the remainder of the day will be free.
| OVERNIGHT: Istanbul - 4 star hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast
Day 8: Istanbul. Free time. Transfer to airport
Your time is free today for some last minute sightseeing and shopping in Istanbul before we transfer you to the airport for your flight home.
| OVERNIGHT: N/A
| MEALS: Breakfast
included with
- All accommodation in 4 and 5 star hotels as stated in the itinerary
- All transport and transfers
- 24-hour airport arrival & departure transfer service
- Denizli to Istanbul Domestic Flight and Transfers
- Services of a local tour leader throughout
- Entrance fees to various sites
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Tipping kitty
excluded by
- 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
Detailed Description
Day 1: Arrive in Istanbul. Transfer to hotel
Upon arrival our staff will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in Istanbul for the start of your trip.
| OVERNIGHT: Istanbul - 4 star hotel
Day 2: Istanbul. Old city tour
Our 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.
| OVERNIGHT: Istanbul - 4 star hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3: Gallipoli battlefields and memorials tour
We 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.
| OVERNIGHT: Canakkale - 4 star hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4: Tour of Troy and Behramkale Village. Drive to Kusadasi.
Leaving Canakkale, our journey begins at the ancient city of Troy. Here, we will explore this renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site and visit the award-winning Troy Museum.
We then travel to the historic village of Behramkale. This picturesque settlement, characterised by its traditional stone houses and narrow winding streets, offers an authentic insight into Turkish village life. You will have ample time to wander through the village, admire the stunning coastal scenery, and perhaps sample a traditional Turkish tea or coffee at a local café. The day concludes as we head south towards our final destination, Kusadası.
| OVERNIGHT: Kusadasi - 4 star hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5: Kusadasi. Ephesus Roman ruins tour
After 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.
| OVERNIGHT: Kusadasi - 4 star hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6: Drive to Pamukkale and Hieropolis
We 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.
| OVERNIGHT: Pamukkale - 5 star hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7: Fly from Denizli to Istanbul
Today we'll head to the nearby airport in Denizli for your short flight back to Istanbul. Upon arrival you'll be transferred to your hotel where the remainder of the day will be free.
| OVERNIGHT: Istanbul - 4 star hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast
Day 8: Istanbul. Free time. Transfer to airport
Your time is free today for some last minute sightseeing and shopping in Istanbul before we transfer you to the airport for your flight home.
| OVERNIGHT: N/A
| MEALS: Breakfast
