Travelpack

Highlights: Istanbul - Gallipoli - Canakkale - Pergamon - Izmir - Ephesus - Pamukkale - Antalya

Other departures: Manchester - £2359, Birmingham - £2355, Edinburgh - £2345

Hotels:
Istanbul - Grand Hotel Gulsoy or similar 4*
Canakakle - Parion Hotel or similar 5*
Izmir - Ramada Plaza Izmir or similar 5*
Pamukkale - Spa Hotel Colossae Thermal or similar 5*
Antalya - The Marmara Antalya 5*

Unique Moments & Activities:
- Turkish Blue Eyed Bead
- Turkish coffee from Sark Kahvesi
- Baklava from the masters Unchanging taste in Karakoy Gulluoglu Baklavicisi
- Turkish Delight at Ali Muhiddin Haci Bekir’s shop
- A short ride of Phaeton/Fayton (typical horse carriage of Izmir)
- Stop at the Sirince Artemis Wine House for the wine tasting.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Istanbul
Following our arrival in Istanbul we are met at the airport and transferred to our hotel where we will have our overnight stay.

Meals: No Meals

Day 2: Istanbul
Welcome Gift, Nazar Boncuk ( Turkish Blue Eyed Bead ) Nazar Boncugu is a glass bead that protects the holder from evil eye. It is pretty common in Turkey. Have a look around and you might discover countless Nazar Boncuks dangling from cars, from rear-view windows, backpacks, on necklaces and bracelets, pinned to the sweaters of babies and small children, and hanging above doors in restaurants, hotels, stores, and apartments.

We set off on a full day of sightseeing in Istanbul. We will start off with a visit to the renowned Sultanahmet Mosque, known popularly as The Blue Mosque, an incredibly beautiful mosque known for its blue Iznik (Nicaea) tiles are unique for the fact that it has six minarets. We continue on to the Hippodrome, once the vast arena that functioned as the heart of sporting (chariots races and athletics) events and political activities of the old city. From here we go to the nearby Hagia Sophia, the Church of Divine Wisdom. Ranking as one of the greatest marvels of world architecture, this awe-inspiring building was constucted as a basilica in the 6th century by Byzantine Emperor Justinian. From here short walk to the Underground Cistern, the largest of the many underground cisterns built during the Byzantine Empire to supply the city with water. This cistern is especially fascinating because the Byzantine builders recycled many stone structures—capital heads and columns- that had been used in earlier temples. Now an upside down Medusa stares out at us from her watery home.

We continue our tour with a visit to the Topkapi Palace. This visit to the imperial palace of the Ottoman Sultans will include tours of the imperial treasury, the Chinese porcelain section, the calligraphy section and many more. We will also visit the jewelry collection segment of the palace. The tour will end with a visit to the Grand Bazaar, the vast and legendary covered market that is the biggest souk in the world with nearly 4000 shops of antiques, jewelry and carpets. Overnight stay at our hotel in Istanbul.

Unique Moments:
During the visit of the Grand Bazaar we will be experiencing Turkish coffee from Sark Kahvesi, historical coffee roasters located in the Grand Bazaar. Each variety has been prepared with a blend of traditional knowledge, experience and an abiding “Love of Coffee”

Meals: Breakfast

Day 3: Istanbul
This morning we will visit the renowned Dolmabahce Palace, was built between the years 1843 and 1856 by the armenian architects the Balyans. The design contains eclectic elements from the Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassic styles blended with traditional Ottoman architecture to create a new synthesis.  It is the largest Palace in Turkey, its monoblock building occupies 45.000 m2. Later on we will go to Cruise on the Bosphorus with a regular boat. We’ll cruise up Istanbul’s winding straits and relax and admire the shoreline of beautiful mosques, lavish palaces, and decadent yalis. We’ll see Dolmabahçe Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, Ottoman summer mansions, the Ortaköy Mosque, the defensive Rumeli Fortress, and the Bosphorus Bridge, one of the world’s largest suspension bridges, all while passing fishing boats, yachts, huge cargo ships, and tankers. Remainder of the afternoon at your own leisure. Overnight at our hotel in Istanbul

Meals: Breakfast

Day 4: Istanbul / Gallipoli / Canakkale (310 km – Approximately driving time 3 hours and 45 minutes)
After breakfast we begin our drive to Gallipoli, a pleasant drive that takes us through the European (Thracian) lands of Turkey. Walk on the beach at ANZAC Cove, visit the Lone Pine Cemetery and see the Turkish Memorial. We also visit the moving ANZAC Museum before crossing the Dardanelles by ferry to Canakkale where we will check into our hotel. Enjoy our buffet dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 5: Canakkale / Pergamon / Izmir ( 320 km – Approximately driving time 4 hours)
After breakfast we visit the ancient Troy where we will see its legendary walls and the replica of the wooden Trojan Horse. From here we begin our drive towards the Aegean and Izmir. Along the way we will stop at the hauntingly beautiful Pergamon, including visits to the Acropol and Asklepion. Late afternoon we continue our drive to Izmir. Once we are in Izmir - the Pearl of the Aegean Sea - we will have a short sightseeing tour of the city. We will dine and spend the night at our hotel in Izmir.

Unique Moments:
Tonight you will enjoy a short ride of Phaeton/Fayton (typical horse carriage of Izmir ) tour in Izmir along the famous shore promenade called Kordonboyu.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 6: Izmir / Ephesus / Pamukkale (265 km – Approximately driving time 3 hours and 30 minutes)
After breakfast drive to Ephesus, famous for its Temple of Artemis - one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Its cult to Artemis and its Hellen civilization with Heraclites the “Skotinos” philosopher of “Panta Rei”. During the years of the Roman Empire, the Greek port of Ephesus became the greatest city in Asia Minor. Upon Arrival at Ephesus follow your guide to enter this ancient site through the Magnesian Gateand discover innumerable monuments including the Forum, the Odeon, the Library of Celsus, the Thermal Baths of Scolastika and the Great Theatre built in the Hellenistic period, which is still noted for its remarkable acoustics, and is where St Paul preached. We will also visit Virgin Mary’s House. We will continue to SIRINCE. A paved road of 8 km leads to this attractive village set in the hills above Ephesus, surrounded by an idyllic landscape of vineyards and peach orchards. Sirince retains its traditional architecture almost wholly intact, thanks to landmark rules which have been implemented since the 1980s. Most houses in the village date from the 19th century. After visit to village, stop at the Sirince Artemis Wine House for the wine tasting. Late afternoon we continue to Pamukkale, "the Cotton Castle" with its snow-white terraces formed by thermal waters cascading down the hillside. We will dine and spend the night at our hotel in Pamukkale.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 7: Pamukkale / Antalya (315 km – Approximately driving time 4 hours fifty munites)
After enjoying our visit to this site of natural beauty we go the the adjacent ruins of antique Hierapolis with its famous Necropolis, Basilica, theatre and plutonium. We then continue to Antalya. Upon your arrival in Antalya, we will visit Perge, which is one of the most impressive remains of antiquity. It was an important city in Pamphylia (today’s Mediterranean region). Perge is famous for its agora and its theater seating 10,000 people. Legend holds that Perge was founded after the Trojan War by Greek settlers. Perge developed from a Hellenistic hilltop settlement into a Roman City. The town had one of the oldest Christian communities in Asia Minor. Paul and his companions visited Perge on their first missionary journey, it was here that John left Paul and Barnabas and returned to Jerusalem. Last, we will visit to Aspendos (Belkis) is one of Pamphylia’s most ancient cities that was founded by the Greeks around 1184 BC. Aspendos is famous for it’s incredibly well preserved theater built in the 2nd Century AD with a capacity to seat 15,000 people. It is still used today for classical performances and festivals; the theater's galleries, stage decorations and acoustics all testify to its fabulous architectural design and construction. At the end of our visits, you will transfer to our hotel in Antalya.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 7 - 8: Antalya
Days at leisure. Overnights at Antalya hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 9: Antalya - Departure
After breakfast we will transfer you to Antalya airport for your flight back home.

Meals: No Meals

Offer Includes

Meal Plans