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- Trip Outline
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From the ancient streets of Ephesus and the storied halls of Istanbul’s Topkapı Palace, to poignant World War I battlefields, our week-long Turkey tours bring this country’s fascinating past to life. Starting with a city break in Istanbul, we’ll then sweep southwards to Gallipoli and eastwards along the Turkish Riviera, touring Greek theatres, Roman baths and ancient stadia as we go. It's not all about history, though. Our holidays give you the chance to really experience Turkey, too - sip proper Turkish coffee, enjoy lunch with locals, and learn to prepare traditional dishes. Get ready for a true taste of Turkey.
Day 1 - Istanbul
Join your tour group at the hotel.
Kent Hotel, Istanbul (4-star)
Day 2 - Istanbul
A full-day city tour introduces us to the sights and sounds of Istanbul. We’ll travel back thousands of years as we visit Sultanahmet Meydanı, once the sporting and social heart of Constantinople and admire the vast Blue Mosque. Next is the Sunken Cistern, an atmospheric underground reservoir built in the 6th century and held up by more than 300 columns. We’ll finish off our day in the colourful Grand Bazaar. With almost 4,000 shops hawking antiques, carpets, jewellery and more, it’s the biggest souk and the oldest covered market in the world.
Kent Hotel, Istanbul (4-star)
Today includes…
Excursions & visits:Â Istanbul city tour, including Hippodrome of Constantinople, Blue Mosque, the Sunken Cistern and Grand Bazaar (all day)
Day 3 - Istanbul
This morning, we’ll pay a visit to Süleymaniye Mosque, considered to be the most beautiful imperial mosque in the city. One of the mosque’s outbuildings is home to a display of 14th and 15th-century books, manuscripts and orders of the sultans. Although it’s not open to the public, we’ll have private access to view the collection. Next, we’ll make our way to Misir Carsisi, the Egyptian Spice Bazaar, where spices, herbs and all sorts of dried teas have been sold since the 17th century, and where many locals still shop today. We’ll have time to wander through the warren of stalls, perhaps picking up some fragrant cardamom or saffron to take home. Later, we’ll tour the UNESCO-listed Topkapı Palace Museum. Once home to Ottoman sultans, it’s now filled with treasures including fine art, jewel-encrusted swords, Chinese porcelain, scrolls of delicate calligraphy, and the exquisite Spoonmaker's Diamond. The complex is as much an attraction as the exhibits though, with peaceful gardens, opulent décor and tales of courtiers and concubines. The afternoon is free for you to explore Istanbul at your own pace. If you like, join our relaxing optional Bosphorus cruise.
Kent Hotel, Istanbul (4-star)
Today includes…
Excursions & visits: Istanbul tour, including Süleymaniye Mosque, the Egyptian Spice Bazaar, and Topkapı Palace Museum (morning)
Day 4 - Gallipoli - Canakkale
A five-hour drive alongside the Sea of Marmara will bring us to the Gallipoli peninsula. This area is steeped in history, so our guide will talk us through the importance of the Dardanelles strait and the part it played during the First World War as we go. Arriving at Gallipoli, we’ll tour the battlefields, scene of the aborted Allied invasion of 1915, visiting Cape Helles, Suvla Bay and Anzac Cove. We'll then cross the strait to Canakkale.
DoubleTree by Hilton Canakkale (4-star)
Today includes…
Excursions & visits:Â Tour of Gallipoli battlefields (afternoon)
It's a long but rewarding drive of around six hours today. It takes us to the World Heritage Site of Troy to uncover 4,000 years of history as you stroll around this ancient archaeological site, immortalised in Homer’s epic, ‘The Iliad’. For lunch, we’ll head to the nearby village of Bergama. Splitting into smaller groups, we’ll visit local houses, chatting with our hosts as we enjoy a delicious home-cooked meal. We’ll continue to the Greco-Roman city of Pergamon, admiring its acropolis, temples and 10,000-seat theatre. From here, we drive south to Kusadasi, where the following day is free to relax after a busy day.
Ilayda Avantgarde Hotel, Kusadasi (4-star)
Today includes…
Excursions & visits:Â Visit to Troy (morning)
Bergama village lunch experience (afternoon)
Visit to Pergamon (afternoon)
Day 7 - Ephesus - Pamukkale
Ephesus is first on our agenda today. The remains of this ancient Greek city are remarkably well preserved and protected by UNESCO. We’ll see the famous façade of the Celsus Library, mosaicked pedestrian walkways and roads scored with ruts from chariot wheels. We’ll also stop at the House of the Virgin Mary, just outside Ephesus, where Mary was believed to have spent her final years. Lunch will be a picnic in the sunny gardens of a cooperative in nearby Selcuk. Get involved with the cooking if you like, or simply sit back and enjoy your surroundings. While we’re here, you’ll have the chance to see how traditional carpets are hand-woven. After lunch, we’ll continue to our hotel in Pamukkale.
Adempira Termal & Spa Hotel, Pamukkale (4-star)
Today includes…
Excursions & visits:Â Visit to Ephesus & House of the Virgin Mary (morning)
Picnic in Selcuk with cooking and carpet weaving demonstration (afternoon)
Day 8 - Pamukkale - Antalya
An early morning optional excursion will show you this spectacular landscape from above, as you board a hot air balloon for a sunrise flight. Later this morning, explore Pamukkale-Hieropolis, a spa and wellness resort popular with the Romans. See the necropolis and 2nd-century theatre, and photograph the dream-like white travertine terraces, filled with pools of mineral-rich water. We’ll continue to Antalya, a historic port city where we’ll conclude our tour.
Best Western Plus Khan Hotel, Antalya (4-star)
Today includes…
Excursions & visits:Â Visit to Pamukkale-Hieropolis (morning)
Day 9 - Antalya
Say goodbye to your tour group for your onward travel.
Antalya
16 meals
8 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 6 dinners
Accommodation
8 nights in hotels
10 excursions & visits
Istanbul city tour (including Hippodrome of Constantinople, Blue Mosque, the Sunken Cistern, and Grand Bazaar)
An authentic coffee tasting
Istanbul tour (including Süleymaniye Mosque, Egyptian Spice Bazaar, and Topkapı Palace Museum)
Tour manager
Portable audio
Headset system on excursions
Porterage
Services included
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Istanbul city tour (including Hippodrome of Constantinople, Blue Mosque, the Sunken Cistern, and Grand Bazaar)
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An authentic coffee tasting
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Istanbul tour (including Süleymaniye Mosque, Egyptian Spice Bazaar, and Topkapı Palace Museum)
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Tour of Gallipoli battlefields
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Bergama village lunch experience and picnic in Selcuk with cooking and carpet weaving demonstration
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Visits to Troy, Pergamon, Ephesus & House of the Virgin Mary and Pamukkale-Hieropolis
FlightsÂ
Visa
Please note: When booking tours, most tours have a set departure date. For more information on these dates, please submit a query to our agent requesting these departure dates. The frequency of most tours are 2 to 3 times per month. Â
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