ITINERARY: (8 DAYS)

ISTANBUL KUSADASI EPHESUS PAMUKKALE PERGAMON 
CANAKKALE TROY GALLIPOLI  ISTANBUL
 

This is a tailored tour that focuses on the highlights and Biblical sites of Istanbul and Aegean Turkey This tour is a combination of daily group tour arrangements including entry fees and most meals. You may stay in the hotel category of your choice. Budget and Moderate Options include overnight bus – First Class and Deluxe Options include Izmir airport transfer but flight is extra.

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

DAY 2 ISTANBUL - SULTANAHMET

8:10 – 8:45 Departure from your hotel. Today we will visit the Saint Sophia (Haghia Sofia) which was built by the emperor Justinian in the 6th century A.D and stands over much older remains of a church. See beautiful mosaics of biblical scenes and the Byzantine emperors and empresses. We continue to the Blue Mosque, which was built in the 17th century and is the only imperial mosque with 6 minarets. We continue to the Blue Mosque

Hippodrome, a stadium and meeting place in Byzantine times, the Serpent Pillar from Delphi and the Egyptian Obelisk, with the Fountain of Wilhelm. We will also visit the Caferaga Medresesi which was a school designed by the famous architect Sinan in 1560 and is now used for workshops in traditional Ottoman arts. We will have lunch and continue with the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum originally built as the Palace of Ibrahim Pasha in 1524 with fine examples of Islamic Calligraphy, tiles and carpets. Then we will explore the Topkapi Palace. It was the home of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th-19th century A.D. We see the Imperial Treasury with the famous Spoonmaker Diamond. Also the Baghdad Kiosk, the Armory with its collection of Ottoman weapons and a fine collection of ceramics. (Harem section is optional and due an extra entry fee). The tour ends in the Grand Bazaar, which has over 4000 shops full of treasures Return to your hotel around 17:30. This tour may be done completely as a walking tour. *Note that on Sunday the Grand Bazaar is closed, on Monday the Turkish and Islamic Art Museum and St Sophia are closed and on Tuesday the Topkapi Palace is closed. Overnight in Istanbul. B.L.

DAY 3
ISTANBUL - KUSADASI
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. 

DAY 5 PAMUKKALE

8.45 Departure. We will drive through the Meander Valley and arrive in Pamukkale, which has been a thermal spa center since before the Roman era. We visit the ancient city of Hierapolis, which is said to have been founded by King Eumenes II of Pergamon. We visit the great Roman baths, the Temple of Apollo, the well-preserved theater and the fascinating Necropolis. St. Phillip is associated with Hierapolis. We will also visit the calcium terraces and pools for which Pamukkale is named "Cotton Castle". You may have a chance to bathe in a thermal pool strewn with marble columns. (extra). Return to and overnight in Kusadasi. B.L. (D) Pamukkale

DAY 6
PERGAMON - CANAKKALE
8:00 Departure. We will visit the Pergamon Acropolis, where the ruins of the Zeus Altar "Throne of Satan" can still be seen today. Pergamon was a center of Roman authority and a place of persecution for Christians who denied imperial worship. The acropolis is situated high above the plain and has a unique panoramic view. The very narrow and steep theater on the hillside could seat up to 10,000 people. Parchment paper was first produced in Pergamon. We will visit the remains of the Great Library, which rivaled the one of Alexandria in Egypt, the palaces of the kings, and the Temple of Trajan. We will pass the Red Hall (View), which was a temple to Serapis and later a church. Visit the Asclepion, which was known as the first place of medical science. Galen, who originated from Pergamon and became the most famous doctor of his time, treated his patients here. Transfer to the bus station, and upon arrival in Canakkale walk to your hotel and overnight in Canakkale. B.L.

DAY 7
CANAKKALE - TROY - GALLIPOLI - ISTANBUL
7.45 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 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 8
DEPARTURE
Transfer to airport (optional) for departure. B.

TOUR PRICE: PLEASE INQUIRE WITH THE TOUR CODE

ISTANBUL AND AEGEAN TOUR WITH GALLIPOLI AND TROY (CODE: CA08)