Arrive at Istanbul Airport and transfer to your hotel. You’ll have free time after check-in. If you arrive earlier in the day, you can explore the vicinity of the hotel and try Turkish coffee at a local cafe. Accommodation in Istanbul.
We start after breakfast in the morning. Our guide will meet you in the hotel lobby at 09:00 am. Today, we’ll discover Byzantine and Ottoman treasures. First, we’ll visit Hagia Sofia (Saint Sophia) which was built by the emperor Justinian in the 6th century AD as a church and was later converted into a mosque. You will see beautiful mosaics and frescos depicting Christian icons and the Byzantine Emperors.
Next, we’ll see the Hippodrome Square which was used as a meeting place and for chariot races during the Byzantine period, the Underground Cistern, the Egyptian Obelisk, and the German Fountain of Wilhelm ll. Afterward, we will visit the legendary Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque) famous for its blue Iznik tiles and unique six minarets.
We will have lunch in a local restaurant and visit the Topkapı Palace which was the residence of the Ottoman sultans, with its fabulous treasure chambers. We’ll then continue with the Grand Bazaar which has more than 3600 shops full of hidden treasures and authentic items.
Accommodation in Istanbul . (Breakfast – Lunch )
After breakfast, we’ll depart early for Bursa by vehicle (150 km, approx. 2 hrs). We’ll cross the Bosphorus Bridge to reach the Asian side of Istanbul and enjoy the stunning views on the way. Upon our arrival to Bursa, we’ll first visit the Great Mosque (Ulu Mosque), the Green Mosque, and have free shopping time at Koza Han Silk Market.
Afterward, we will have lunch in a local restaurant where you can sample the traditional Kebab particular to Bursa. Afterward, we’ll continue on our way to Kuşadası or Izmir (depending on the season and availability). Sightseeing in Izmir, Konak square - Kemeraltı bazaar. Dinner and overnight stay in Izmir or Kuşadası. ( Breakfast - Dinner )
Today after breakfast, we’ll have a sightseeing tour in Kuşadası and visit the Caravanserai and ancient castle on Pigeon Island. Afterward, we’ll head for the ancient Ephesus which is known as one of the 12 cities of Ionia. In this ancient city, we’ll see Harbour Street, Marble Street, Grand Theater with a capacity of 25,000, the Hercules Gate, the famous Celsus Library, Temple of Hadrian, the Ephesus Prytaneion, the State Agora, and Odeon.
After we tour the city, we will have lunch in a local restaurant and then, visit the Temple of Artemis, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Our next stop will be the House of the Virgin Mary, where the mother of Jesus Christ spent her last years. This place is visited by thousands of Christian pilgrims from all over the world every year.
At the end of the tour, we’ll make a stop at a leather fabric outlet and continue on our way to Pamukkale.
Arrival and overnight stay in a thermal hotel in Pamukkale. (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)
After breakfast, we will visit Pamukkale, which means cotton castle due to its famous white travertines. In Hierapolis, we’ll see ancient city ruins including the Gate of Domitian, the Arcadian Way, Grand Theatre, the Nymphaion, the Temple of Apollo, the Plutonium, and the Necropolis.
We will have free time to enjoy the thermal pools and the Ancient Cleopatra Pool (extra cost). We’ll finish the tour with a visit to the travertine terraces (white calcium pools) where you will have enough time to take pictures and have a relaxing walk on the shallow thermal waters.
Afterward, we’ll have a lunch break and continue towards Izmir via Salihli. On our way to Izmir, we’ll visit the ancient city of Sardis (Salihli), the capital of the ancient Lydian Kingdom, which minted the first coin here in the 7th century BC.
Upon our arrival to Izmir, we’ll have a sightseeing tour and visit the Kemeraltı Bazaar. You will have the opportunity to spend a nice evening in modern Izmir's Kordon area cafeterias.
End of the tour dinner and overnight stay in Izmir. (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)
Today, we will start the day with a short trip (approx. 90 km) to the legendary Pergamon, the capital of the Kingdom of Pergamon Kings in 282-133 BC. We will visit the Acropolis, which is the administrative center of the city, the Temple of Zeus, Dionysus, Athena, Demeter, and the famous Pergamon Library of 200,000 rolls. The Altar of Zeus, excavated during the Pergamon (Bergama) excavations, is now on display at the Pergamonmuseum in Berlin. The Great Theatre of Pergamon here is the world's steepest theater and it could entertain up to 10,000 spectators in ancient times. We will also visit the Gymnasium and the Red Basilica (St. John’s Church), which is one of the sites of the Seven Churches of Revelation.
After our visits, we’ll have lunch in a local restaurant and head to Çanakkale to visit the ancient city of Troia or Troy (190 km), the real-life location of the legendary Trojan War described in Homer's Iliad.
At the end of the tour, we’ll arrive at our hotel in Çanakkale. Dinner and overnight stay in Çanakkale. (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)
After breakfast, we will go for a sightseeing tour in the beautiful city of Çanakkale and depart for Istanbul (380 km). We will cross the Dardanelles Strait on a ferry first. Then we will stroll the World War 1 battlefields of Gallipoli including Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair Memorials, ANZAC Cove, The Nek, Johnston's Jolly, original trenches, and tunnels.
We have lunch on the road at a local restaurant. Arrival and overnight stay in Istanbul. (Breakfast)
Free day for shopping and exploration until your transfer time to Istanbul Airport. If your flight time is et the evening, you can join the Bosphorus Cruise ( extra payment ) or make shopping. Private Istanbul Airport transfer end of our tour. Hope to see you on another Turkey holiday. ( Breakfast )
Customized Tours
We can create a tour program on your request and offer an itinerary that suits your personal, educational, cultural, and budgetary requirements. Please contact us with your requests.
| People | Per person in Double |
Single Room | Extra Bed | Children Fee |
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| People | Per person in Double |
Single Room | Extra Bed | Children Fee |
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| People | Per person in Double |
Single Room | Extra Bed | Children Fee |
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| People | Per person in Double |
Single Room | Extra Bed | Children Fee |
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Cancellation Policy
- For cancellations made 30 days before the tour, 100% refund. ( Except for the % 15 Service Charge, Flight ticket, mandatory expenses, and Bank Commission,)
- For cancellations made 29 - 15 days before the tour, 50% refund. (Except for the Bank Commission, and mandatory expenses )
- For cancellations made 14 – 11 days before the tour, 30% refund.
- No refunds will be made on reservations made 10 days before the tour. %100 Penalty is applied.
Remarks
- Travel health insurance is mandatory.
- Sample hotels are confirmed on the date of booking in case of availability. Otherwise,
similar hotels are booked.
- In the event of bad weather, time scarcity, traffic jams, and similar situations, the Guide may make changes to the tour program.
- The locations given in the itinerary can be changed with other places if they are closed.
- During the tours, you will be walking approximately 2 km every day on uneven and
cobblestone surfaces, inclines, and steps.
- You must wear comfortable clothing, flat walking shoes, a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. in summer months and raincoats, warm clothes, winter walking shoes, umbrella, etc. in winter.
- The order of the sites visited may change to avoid crowds.
- You will need your passport at check-in for all domestic flights.
- Domestic flights are economy class. Luggage limit 15 Kg.
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