Ancient & Modern Historical Highlights, Private tour
- 6 Days
- From : Istanbul
- To : Izmir
- Tour or Private
- Guide : English
- Minimum age : 10 Years Old
* This product requests separate payment. Promotion code or coupon from Ticket Here is not applicable.
See historical highlights in Istanbul, explore the famous Gallipoli battlegrounds, visit ancient cities, and enjoy a delightful encounter with the Turkish village life on this memorable six-day tour of some of Turkey’s most impressive sights. Stroll the beautifully arranged streets of Istanbul and visit the fascinating Topkapi Palace, used by the Ottoman Sultans, admire the famous Blue Mosque, a unique piece of architecture built for Sultan Ahmet I, and catch a glimpse of the magnificent ancient Hippodrome. Then, continue to Gallipoli to get closer to history and dig deep in mythology while visiting Troy. Enjoy this comprehensive tour around the important historical sites of western Turkey giving an insight into the country’s fascinating history.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Istanbul: Served as a capital city to the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, this Euro-Asian city never fails to enthral, with its beautiful buildings in the old city of Sultanahmet overlooking the Bosphorus strait which separates the city between Europe and Asia. You can find anything you might be looking for and more in Istanbul.
Gallipoli: Catch a glimpse of history while visiting the fascinating WW1 battlefields.
Ancient cities: Explore the mesmerising ancient cities of Troy, Pergamon, and Ephesus, visit their impressive temples and monument, while learning about fascinating legends.
Village life: Catch a glimpse of the village life while strolling delightful paths and indulging in delicious locally produced fruit wines.
What’s included?
TOUR GUIDE:
- Fully escorted by English speaking tour guide on private basis
ACCOMMODATION:
- Five nights accommodation in 4-5* hotels
MEALS:
- All meals as mentioned in programme
ENTRANCE FEES AND ACTIVITIES:
- All entrance fees and activities mentioned in the itinerary: fully guided day in Istanbul, tour of Gallipoli, Beach Cemetery, Shrapnel Valley, Plugges Plateau, Troy, Pergamum and fully guided tour in Ephesus, Meryemana and Sirince
TRANSPORT:
- Arrival airport transfers as pe itinerary
- Local airport transfers as per itinerary
- Modern air-conditioned vehicles.
OTHER:
- All applicable government taxes and fees
- Meet and greet on day 1.
Exclusions
- International and domestic flights, airport fees of any kind
- Meals not specified in the program
- Optional offered tours and events
- Beverages
- Porterage
- Tips
Please note
- Domestic flights are not included, so it is important to advise upon booking
- St Sophia Museum is closed on Mondays
- Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays
- Grand Covered Bazaar is closed on Sundays
- Please note that local conditions prevalent at the time of travel may result in modifications to the tour contents without prior notice.
What do I need to bring?
Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting religious or official buildings in Turkey. Shoes should be removed before entering a mosque or private house. Sun protection, sun glasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.
Accommodation options
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Day 1, 2 Istanbul:
- Superior Hotel Category = Dosso Dossi Old Town or similar 4*
Day 3 Canakkale:
- Superior Hotel Category = Troia Tusan Hotel or similar 4*
Day 4, 5 Kusadasi:
- Superior Hotel Category = Charisma Deluxe Hotel or similar 5*
Cancellation policy
- Once ordered, this tour cannot be cancelled or refund or amended at any circumstances.
Day 1 : ARRIVAL ISTANBUL
Arrive at Istanbul airport, meet our representative and enjoy a comfortable transfer to your hotel. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure, relaxing in the hotel or exploring the surroundings on your own.
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 2 : ISTANBUL
Begin your day with a delicious breakfast before you are picked up from the hotel to start a tour in the old city, known as Sultanahmet. The first stop is Topkapi Palace – the great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries housing an exquisite collection of crystal, silver, and Chinese porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury, miniatures and the Holy Mantle, as well as relics of the Prophet Mohammed. Next, see Sultanahmet Imperial Mosque located across from St. Sophia and built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet. It is also known as the Blue Mosque because of its’ magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles. Continue with visiting the ancient Hippodrome and admiring the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column, and the Column of Constantine. After a delectable lunch break, wander around the Grand Covered Bazaar. In this labyrinth of streets and passages, there are more than 4,000 shops with each trade having its own area, such as the goldsmiths street, the carpet sellers, Turkish arts and crafts, and many other surprises. You can end your day in Istanbul with an optional 1001 Nights Dinner Show.
Overnight in Istanbul. Lunch included.
Day 3 : ISTANBUL – GALLIPOLI– CANAKKALE (265 KM – 4 HRS)
After a delicious breakfast, we depart for Gallipoli to visit the WW1 battlefields. On arrival, we indulge in a tasty lunch, relax a little bit, and then depart for the battlefields. The nine-month campaign began in 1915 and was fought between the British Empire and the French against the Ottoman Empire for control of the Dardanelles Strait. First, we visit Gabatepe Museum and see artefacts from the terrible battles fought on this land during WW1. We then move on to the actual battlefields visiting Ariburnu Cemetery and Anzac Cove where the war battle started. Then, we catch a glimpse of the Beach Cemetery, Shrapnel Valley, and Plugges Plateau. After the tour, we travel a short distance to Canakkale, a seaport on the Dardanelles.
Overnight in Canakkale.
Day 4 : CANAKKALE –TROY – PERGAMON – KUSADASI (430 km – 6 Hrs)
After enjoying a tasty breakfast, we drive to the city of Troy and visit the famous archaeological and mythological site, home of the Trojan Horse and the legend of Helen of Troy. Afterwards, we set off on a three-hour drive to Pergamum, a rich and powerful city during ancient Greek times. After a delicious lunch in Pergamon, we begin the tour with the magnificent acropolis of Pergamum. Its impressive temples and library made it a renowned cultural and political centre at the time. The city was also famous for its jewellery, precious stones, and silver, so you will also enjoy a short visit to a local jewellery centre. The tour continues to the coastal resort of Kusadasi on Turkey’s Aegean coast.
Overnight in Kusadasi. Lunch included.
Day 5 : KUSADASI – EPHESUS – KUSADASI (40 km – 30 mins)
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and depart for a fully guided tour of Ephesus, one of the best preserved ancient sites in the world. This once thriving metropolis gives a real feel of the city’s past, as you walk down marble-paved streets and admire the remains of the Celsus Library, Hadrian’s Temple and the amphitheatre. We then move on to Meryem Ana or House of the Virgin Mary which is in a hilltop location a short distance from Ephesus. It is said that Mary spent her last years here and it has been sanctified by the Roman Catholic Church. After a delicious lunch, we will visit a carpet weaving centre to watch the ancient practice of carpet-weaving. Then, the tour moves on to Sirince, a pretty village which sits high up in the hills behind Selcuk and was once inhabited by Anatolian Greeks. The narrow, cobbled streets are packed with stalls selling local produce such as homemade jams, souvenirs, wine and textiles. Famous for its fruit wines, we will visit the vineyards and learn how to make the delicious liquor with the local winemakers. Before returning to Kusadasi, the final stop is at a leather production centre where you will have the opportunity to get a good factory rate. To completely relax, enjoy an optional Turkish bath in Kusadasi.
Overnight in Kusadasi. Lunch included.
Day 6 : KUSADASI – DEPART IZMIR (100 Km – 55 mins)
Begin your last day of the tour with a tasty breakfast. Then, check out of the hotel and enjoy your transfer to Izmir Airport, to continue with your travel arrangements.
Breakfast included.