Spectacular Turkey, Private Tour
- 9 Days
- From : Istanbul
- To : Antalya
- 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.
A comprehensive nine-days package offering an insight into much of Turkey’s historical and cultural highlights. This tour includes the battlegrounds of WW1, mystical Istanbul, one of the Seven Churches of St John at Pergamum, as well as the natural wonder of Pamukkale.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Istanbul: Visit Hagia Sophia, the Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome and the Grand Bazaar
Gallipoli: Pay homage to the tens of thousands of men who perished in one of World War I’s bloodiest campaigns
Troy: Journey back in time to the ancient Greece of Homer’s Odyssey at this historic site
Pergamon: Explore the ruins of what was one of the great cities of antiquity
Ephesus: Discover the ruins of this once vast city, including the Temple of Artemis, the Roman baths, the Library of Celsus and the House of the Virgin Mary
Pamukkale: Bathe in the calcium terraces of Pamukkale and enjoy some of the most beautiful vistas anywhere in the world
Antalya: A Mediterranean city whith mountains, beaches and shopping malls and beautiful views on the Mediterranean Coast.
What’s included?
TOUR GUIDE:
- Operated with fully escorted by English or Spanish speaking tour guide on private basis
ACCOMMODATION:
- 8 nights’ accommodation
MEALS:
- 8 breakfasts
- 6 lunches: on day 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8.
TRANSPORT
- During transfers and tour based on newer air-conditioned vehicles.
- Inbound/Outbound transfers from and to the airport on private basis.
ENTRANCE FEES AND ACTIVITIES:
- Admission fees to sites as per programme: Topkapi Palace, Sultanahmet Imperial Mosque, St. Sophia, the ancient Hippodrome with the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine, the Grand Covered Bazaar, visit the WW1 battle fields in Gallipoli, visit Gabatepe Museum, Ariburnu Cemetery and Anzac Cove, Beach Cemetery, Shrapnel Valley and Plugges Plateau, see Troyan Horse, Acropolis of Pergamum, Celsus Library, House of the Virgin Mary, calcium terraces of Pamukkale or Cotton Castle, ancient city of Hierapolis, ancient city of Hierapolis visit the old marina, Clock Tower, Hadrian’s Gate, Broken Minaret, Hidirlik Tower in Atanlya.
OTHER:
- All applicable government taxes and fees. Any increases in VAT and other fees will be reflected to the per person prices.
- Meet & greet on day 1.
Exclusions
- International and domestic flights
- Drinks/beverages
- Lunches
- Dinners
- Porterage
- Tips
- Optional excursions and activities
Please note
- Please take note that St Sophia Museum is closed on Mondays, Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays, The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays.
- An age limit of 7+ to participate in the hot-air balloon ride
- 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 = Ramada Hotel & Suites Golden Horn 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 = Pam Thermal Hotel or similar 5*
Day 7-8 Antalya:
- Superior Hotel Category = Best Western Khan Hotel or similar 4*
Cancellation policy
- Once ordered, this tour cannot be cancelled or refund or amended at any circumstances.
Day 1 : ARRIVAL ISTANBUL
Arrive at Istanbul airport where a representative will meet and greet you before you are transferred to your hotel for check-in. Enjoy the afternoon at relaxing in the hotel or exploring the surroundings at leisure.
Overnight in Istanbul
Day 2 : ISTANBUL
After breakfast, pick up from the hotel at indicated time to begin a tour the old city or 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, enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed. Next it is Sultanahmet Imperial Mosque- across from St. Sophia built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet, also known as the Blue Mosque because of its’ magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles. Hippodrome – the ancient Hippodrome, scene of chariot races, with the three monuments: the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. After lunch, we will then take you to 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: the goldsmiths street, the carpet sellers, Turkish arts and crafts, such as hand painted ceramic plates, hand – honed copperware, brassware and trays, water ewers, onyx – ware and meerschaum pipes. After the tour, transfer back to your hotel. (Please Note: St. Sophia Museum is closed on Mondays, Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays and The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays.)
Overnight in Istanbul. Breakfast and lunch included.
Day 3 : ISTANBUL – GALLIPOLI – CANAKKALE (260 kms –4 hrs)
After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Gallipoli to visit the WW1 battle fields arriving Gallipoli around 12:00 and we have a lunch break, relax a little bit and then depart for the battle fields. 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 battle fields visiting Ariburnu Cemetery and Anzac Cove where the war battle started; then Beach Cemetery, Shrapnel Valley and Plugges Plateau. After the tour we drive to Canakkale, a sea port on the Dardanelles.
Overnight in Canakkale. Breakfast and lunch included.
Day 4 : CANAKKALE – TROY – PERGAMON – KUSADASI (472 kms – 7 hrs)
Wake up to breakfast in the hotel before drive 30 minutes to the site of Troy and visit the famous archaeological and mythological site, home of the Trojan Horse and the legend of Helen of Troy. After Troy we set off on a 3-hour drive to Pergamum, a rich and powerful city during ancient Greek times, arriving around 13:00 and have lunch. The tour begins 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. This will be followed by a short visit to a local jewellery centre and then the tour continues to the coastal resort of Kusadasi on Turkey’s Aegean coast, arriving around 18:00.
Overnight in Kusadasi. Breakfast and lunch included.
Day 5 : KUSADASI – EPHESUS (20 kms – 30 min)
Recharge your batteries with breakfast at the hotel and then Depart the hotel for fully guided tour of Ephesus, one of the best preserved ancient sites in the world. This once thriving metropolis had as many as 250,000 inhabitants and 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. It is said that Mary spent her last years and has been sanctified by the Roman Catholic Church. A lunch break is given around 13:00. After lunch we will visit a carpet weaving centre to watch the ancient practise of carpet-weaving and 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 fruit wine with the local wine makers. 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.
Overnight in Kusadasi. Breakfast and lunch included.
Day 6 : KUSADASI – PAMUKKALE (200 Km – 3 Hrs)
After breakfast at the hotel, hit the road and drive to Pamukkale. On arrival around 12.00, we will check into the hotel and have a lunch break until 13.30 approx. Afterwards we shall visit the calcium terraces of Pamukkale or Cotton Castle 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. We will also visit the ancient city of Hierapolis which sits above the travertines and was popular with the Romans for the healing powers of its natural spring water.
Overnight in Pamukkale. Breakfast and lunch included
Day 7 : PAMUKKALE – ANTALYA (245 Km – 3.5 Hrs)
After breakfast we depart for Antalya on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast. A coffee break is given en route, arriving in Antalya early afternoon. Check into hotel and rest of day is free time.
Overnight in Antalya. Breakfast included.
Day 8 : ANTALYA
After breakfast, we drive to Antalya’s old quarter known as Kaleici and visit the old marina, Clock Tower, Hadrian’s Gate, Broken Minaret, Hidirlik Tower. Kaleici was once a sprawling modern Roman town, then later inhabited by the Byzantines, Seljuks and finally the Ottomans. Hadrian’s Gate is a triumphal arch which was built in the name of the Roman Emperor Hadrian. The Broken Minaret of the Korkut Mosque was built originally as a Roman temple in the 2nd century AD. Hidirlik Tower is a landmark tower of tawny stone. After lunch the tour moves on to the Lower Duden Waterfalls , which is where all the streams from the Taurus Mountains find their way into the Mediterranean Sea by pouring over Antalya’s cliffs in a spectacular display. The rest of day is free time.
Overnight in Antalya. Breakfast and lunch included.
Day 9 : DEPARTURE ANTALYA
Check out from the hotel and transfer to Antalya Airport from where you can continue your travel arrangements.
Breakfast included.