Fantastic Aegean, Private Tour
- 7 Days
- From : Istanbul
- To : Pamukkale
- Tour or Private
- Guide : English
- Minimum age : - 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 famous Pamukkale natural phenomenon on this memorable seven-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 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 beautiful Istanbul.
Canakkale: An important town and seaport of the country, it is also a significant historical site, hosting the WW1 battlefields at Gallipoli.
Pamukkale: Visit one of Turkey’s top attractions and catch a glimpse of the white travertines formed by calcified minerals running down a hillside.
Hierapolis: Stroll the beautiful alleys of an ancient Greek holy city boasting a well-preserved Roman theatre with a wealth of classical monuments.
What’s included?
TOUR GUIDE:
- Fully escorted by English speaking tour guide on private basis
ACCOMMODATION:
- Six nights accommodation in 4-5* hotels
MEALS:
- Daily breakfasts
- 4 lunches (on day 2-6)
ENTRANCE FEES AND ACTIVITIES:
- All entrance fees and activities mentioned in the itinerary: old city in Istanbul, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Grand Covered Bazaar, visit to Gallipoli, Beach Cemetery, Shrapnel Valley and Plugges Plateau, Troy, fully guide tour of Ephesus, visit the calcium terraces of Pamukkale and Hieropolis
TRANSPORT
- Arrival airport transfers as per 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, other than specified in itinerary
- 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 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*
Day 6 Pamukkale:
- Superior Hotel Category = Spa Hotel Colossae Thermal 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. The rest of the day is yours to wander around the beautifully arranged streets and explore Istanbul 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 of 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 enshrining 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. If you want to end the day in a special way, choose between the 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)
Enjoy a tasty breakfast and head towards the site of Troy. Visit the famous archaeological and mythological site, home of the Trojan Horse and the legend of Helen of Troy. Then, enjoy a three-hour drive to Pergamum, a rich and powerful city during ancient Greek times, arriving just in time for lunch. The tour begins with the magnificent acropolis of Pergamum. Wander around its impressive temples and library that made it a renowned cultural and political centre at the time. The city was also famous for its jewellery, precious stones, and silver so the historic encounter will be followed by a short visit to a local jewellery centre. Then, continue 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 your 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 how the city once looked, 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 Meryamana or House of the Virgin Mary which is in a hilltop location a short distance from Ephesus. According to the stories, Mary spent her last years here and was sanctified by the Roman Catholic Church. Indulge in a delicious lunch and then visit a carpet weaving centre to watch the ancient practice of carpet-weaving. Afterwards, explore 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 products such as homemade jams, souvenirs, wine, and textiles. Famous for its fruit wines, we will visit the vineyards and learn how to make fruit wine 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 good factory rates. In the evening completely unwind while enjoying an optional Turkish bath.
Overnight in Kusadasi. Lunch included.
Day 6 : KUSADASI – PAMUKKALE (190 km – 3 Hrs)
After a tasty breakfast, we depart for Pamukkale. On arrival around, check into the hotel and relax while enjoying a luscious lunch. Afterwards, visit the spellbinding calcium terraces of Pamukkale and walk around this natural phenomenon which has been formed by calcium deposits in the water trickling down the hillside and solidifying into white travertines. Then, wander around the charming ancient city of Hierapolis which sits above the travertines. The beautiful city was popular among the Romans for the healing powers of its natural spring water. And if you feel adventurous choose one of the optional activities available. You can enjoy a memorable hot-air balloon ride or have fun paragliding in Pamukkale.
Overnight in Pamukkale. Lunch included.
Day 7 : DEPART PAMUKKALE
Start your last day of the tour with a tasty breakfast. Then, check out of the hotel and enjoy your transfer to Denizli Airport to continue with your travel arrangements.
Breakfast included.