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 (Cotton Castle).
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Gallipoli: The World War I battle for control of the Dardanelles (Hellespont) strait was fought mainly on Turkey’s Gallipoli peninsula with appalling casualties. Around 100,000 were killed and 400,000 wounded during the nine-month campaign (1915-1916) between the Ottoman Empire and the Allied powers (British Empire and France). Today, the Gallipoli battlefields are silent, preserved as a national historic park strewn with marble and bronze monuments, among the most emotionally touching places in Turkey.
Troy: due to its strategic location between European and Asian continents connecting the Aegean and the Black Sea trade routes, Troy has become an important commercial center and the settlement for thousands of years and has grabbed so many attacks by different nations trying to capture the city making great destruction so many times.
Pergamon: the city had great strategic value since it overlooked the Caicus River Valley (Bakırçay) which provided access from Pergamon to the Aegean coast. Pergamon reached the height of its influence during the Hellenistic period, becoming the capital of the Attalid kings. During the Roman period, the city was the first capital of the Asian province, but it eventually lost this status to a local rival, Ephesus. Pergamon is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
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 Asil Efendi 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 started. Continue to Beach Cemetery, Lone Pine and Chunuck Bair. After the tour drive to your hotel for check in and enjoy your dinner.
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 Troy tour, 3-hour drive to Pergamon. First, we stop for a lunch break in a local restaurant and after the lunch depart for a tour of the magnificent acropolis of Pergamon. Its impressive temples and library made it a renowned cultural and political center at that time. Pergamon is famous for its jewelry, stones and silver so, on the way, we will visit a jewelry center. Later we arrive in 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 paints. Sirince Village also has a fantastic reputation for making some of the best wines in Turkey - especially fruit wines. We will visit the vineyards and learn how to make fruit wine with Turkish wine makers. In the evening you will be tested about your knowledge of making fruit wine. 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. Afterward 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 – ISTANBUL DEPARTURE (70 min by flight, not included)
Today after breakfast depart for Denizli Airport for your domestic flight (not included) to Istanbul 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.
