Embark on a weeklong journey through Turkey starting in Istanbul with its bazaars and mosques, pay your respects at Gallipoli and see Roman ruins in Pergamum. Witness the beautiful Aegean Coast with an optional tour to Ephesus and dip your toes in Pamukkale's beautiful cascading mineral pools.
Included
Itinerary
Istanbul
Istanbul. We'll start the day with an exciting tour of Istanbul's old city. We'll make a number of stops on our trip, starting with a visit to the stunning Blue Mosque famed for it’s blue Iznik tiles and unique 6 minarets, we'll continue to the ruinous Hippodrome – now a small park of sorts and once scene of chariot races and political activities in Byzantine times, we'll also discover the exterior of Hagia Sophia - constructed as a Basilica in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian, Topkapi Palace and the Underground Cistern – an ancient underground water tank - replete with carved and fluted Corinthian columns and a puzzling head of Medusa. Visitors walk on walkways suspended above the shallow water. It’s very cool and peaceful.
Overnight: Istanbul | Breakfast
Gallipoli
Istanbul – Gallipoli. Early this morning, we travel to the WW1 battlefields of Gallipoli. Here, we’ll embark upon a guided tour of the region, once the site of fierce fighting and today almost hauntingly beautiful, with its wooded landscape dotted with understated memorials to the war dead. Our guided tour of the region will take in sights such as ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine Australian War Memorial and cemetery, Chunuk Blair New Zealand War Memorial and cemetery, the Nek, Johnston’s Jolly and the many fortified trenches still clearly visible amongst the scrub after all these years.
Crossing the Dardenelles by ferry (offering panoramic views of the entire Gallipoli Peninsular) we proceed to our hotel for a little rest and relaxation.
Overnight: Canakkale | Breakfast
Troy & Kusadasi
Gallipoli – Kusadasi. Heading south, we enjoy a guided tour of Homer’s Troy, famed for the Trojan wooden horse and fabled Helen. Continuing to ancient Pergamum - the cultural and political capital of its time, before continuing onto coastal Kusadasi. Make the most of the hotel facilities this evening.
Overnight: Kusadasi | Breakfast
Kusadasi
Kusadasi. Enjoy a day at leisure relaxing in the coastal beach resort town of Kusadasi or opt to join a shared excursion to the legendary Roman ruins of Ephesus. Positively the best-preserved classical city in the eastern Mediterranean, and among the best places in the world to get a feel for what Roman life must have been like. (Booked and paid locally, see trip notes for more information) Tonight, you may wish to consider heading out for dinner. Downtown Kusadasi is the place to go with a varied choice of restaurants, pubs and cafes.
Overnight: Kusadasi | Breakfast
Pamukkale
Kusadasi - Pamukkale. Today, after breakfast, we drive to Pamukkale visiting the region’s famed calcium rich terraced pools. Known locally as the Cotton Castles, they are a natural phenomena and gift of Mother Nature.
Pamukkale was formed when warm, calcium rich mineral water cascaded over the cliff edge, cooling and depositing in the process. The calcium built natural shelves and pools on the cliffs, known as travertines. Today, some of the pools are closed. However, areas of the travertines can be walked upon, albeit in bare feet. We can however opt to enjoy a unique and very pleasant dip in the warm waters at the Pamukkale Thermal, with its submerged fragments of fluted marble columns in the centre of the ruined spa town of Hierapolis, which was a was a cure centre founded around 190 BC by the Romans. This evening we have some free time to relax and unwind.
Overnight: Pamukkale | Breakfast
Istanbul
This morning we make our way to Denizli airport for our flight to Istanbul. On arrival to Istanbul Airport we bid farewell to our group and representative and catch our onward flights.
Please Note: If travelling prior to 27 October 2024, your internal flight is currently arriving at the new Istanbul airport at approx. 08:50am. Please ensure you book an international flight departing Istanbul after 1pm, allowing for flight delays. If you are departing via Sabiha airport you will need to make arrangements between airports and we recommend booking flights after 2:30pm
If travelling between 28 October 2024 - 21 March 2025, your internal flight is scheduled to arrive at the new Istanbul Airport at approx. 12:25pm. Please ensure you book an international flight departing Istanbul after 5pm, allowing for flight delays. If you are departing via Sabiha airport you will need to make arrangements between airports and we recommend booking flights after 6:30pm Alternatively, you could choose to extend your stay by purchasing an additional night's hotel accommodation.
Prices & Dates
All departure dates are guaranteed to operate when there are 2 persons booked on the tour. 'Twin/Double' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to solo travellers and anyone wanting the privacy of their own room.
Extra Prices
Hotels
The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.
Grand Hotel Halic, Istanbul
Conveniently located in the central Beyoglu district of Istanbul, the modern Grand Hotel Halic is within walking distance of popular sites such as Taksim Square and the Galata Tower. Guest rooms are well-appointed with a seating area and modern amenities including complimentary Wi-Fi and satellite TV. Delicious Turkish mezes can be enjoyed at the Adali Restaurant on the top floor, with fabulous views across the famous Golden Horn of Istanbul, while Raki aniseed spirit can be sampled in the bar with billiards, while listening to live music. The hotel also benefits from an indoor swimming pool and spa, with a traditional hammam, dry sauna and massage facilities. Public transportation is within easy reach of the hotel with the Tunel Tram Stop on bustling Istiklal Street just 5 minutes’ walk away and Beyoglu Funicular Station 100 yards away.
Villa Lycus Hotel, Pamukkale
The Villa Lycus is a low rise, modern hotel with thermal spa facilities. The rooms are a good size and simply furnished., with a balcony overlooking the garden. The has a restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining, which serves a menu of regional and international dishes.
At a Glance
Tour Add-ons
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