ISTANBUL GALLIPOLI TROY AND EPHESUS TOUR (CODE: CA06)

ITINERARY: (6 DAYS)

ISTANBUL GALLIPOLI CANAKKALE TROY EPHESUS ISTANBUL
 

This is a tailored tour that focuses on some of the highlights of Istanbul and Aegean Turkey. It is a combination of daily group tour arrangements including entry fees and most meals. You may stay in the hotel category of your choice and may either fly or take an overnight bus to Izmir (Kusadasi) from Istanbul. The tour features Insight small group tours (max 10 pax) in Istanbul but elsewhere tour size may vary.

DAY 1
ARRIVAL
Arrival in Istanbul and transfer (optional) to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

DAY 2 ISTANBUL - SULTANAHMET

8:30-8:45 departure. Visit the St. (Haghia) Sophia, which was built by the Emperor Justinian. It was the largest building in the world for over 1000 years. See its intricate mosaics and huge central dome. Continue to the Topkapi Palace, which was used by the Ottoman Sultans from the 15th to 19th centuries. We will also see the impressive collection of priceless jewels, crystal, silver and porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and relics of the prophet Topkapi Palace

Mohammed. (Entrance to the Harem is extra).  After lunch we will see the Blue Mosque, built for Sultan Ahmet I, which is a unique piece of architecture with its six minarets and features 20,000 beautiful Iznik tiles. Visit the ancient Hippodrome with Obelisk of Theodosius, Snake Pillar and German Fountain of Wilhelm II. Walk through the back streets of Old Istanbul and visit the elegant little Sokullu Pasa mosque and the hidden underground Theodosian Cistern. See the Grand Covered Bazaar. This tour may be done all or partially as a walking tour. Overnight in Istanbul. B.L.

DAY 3
ISTANBUL - IZMIR - KUSADASI (OPTIONAL BOSPHORUS TOUR)
Today is at leisure until evening and transfer (optional) to bus station and overnight bus to Kusadasi. Or transfer (optional) to airport for flight to Izmir and transfer (included) to Kusadasi. Overnight in Kusadasi. B. (D)

DAY 4
EPHESUS - HOUSE OF VIRGIN MARY
9.00 - 9:30 Departure. We will visit the house where The Virgin Mary allegedly spent her last days. We then tour Ephesus, which was one of the largest and most interesting ancient cities of Asia Minor. The tour of Ephesus includes the Library of Celsius, Temple of Hadrian, the Agora, the marble paved Arcadian Road, the Brothel, the Roman Baths, and fantastic Greco-Roman theater where St. Paul preached. We then see the remains of the Temple of Artemis, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Transfer to the bus station, and upon late night arrival (approx. midnight) in Canakkale walk to your hotel and overnight in Canakkale B.L.

DAY 5 CANAKKALE - TROY - GALLIPOLI - ISTANBUL

8.00 - 8.30 depart from Canakkale to visit the legendary site of Troy, with its nine levels of civilization. Troy is the city of Helen and was famous in Homer's Iliad. We will proceed by ferry across the part of the Dardanelles known as "the Narrows"; the ferry pulls in at the small fishing village of Kilitbahir, which is known for its fort built by Mehmet the Conqueror. You will be given a full explanation of the famous WWI battle. We will visit: Kabatepe Museum, which contains relics from the campaign including House of Virgin Mary

original diary extracts and letters, Brighton Beach, the intended landing place. Beach Cemetery on the southern tip of Anzac Cove, the landing place of the first wave of Australian and New Zealand troops and home to up to 30,000 troops during the campaign, Lone Pine Australian Memorial, site of the successful attack and capture of Turkish trenches by the Australians during the August offensive, Johnston's Jolly where you will visit the original Allied and Turkish trenches and tunnels, The Nek, Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial, captured by the New Zealanders during the August offensive. Continue to Istanbul, late night arrival around 23.30. Overnight in Istanbul (taxi from bus station may be needed). B.L.

DAY 6
DEPARTURE
Transfer to airport (optional) for departure. B.

TOUR PRICE: (IN EUROS)

ISTANBUL GALLIPOLI TROY AND EPHESUS TOUR (CODE: CA06)