ISTANBUL:

The only city in the world to span two continents, Istanbul is a bustling, cosmopolitan place, officially founded by Emperor Constantine in AD 326 on the back of a much older village. It remained capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires right up until 1923, its illustrious past leaving a rich legacy of mosques, churches, museums and magnificent palaces, coupled with bustling bazaars and a vibrant street life. Istanbul is made up of three distinct cities. The old city of Istanbul is decorated with parks and gardens. Amongst hundreds of fascinating sights, the main attractions include Topkapi, the sumptuous palace of the Ottoman sultans overlooking the Sea of Marmara and the Bosphorus; the delicately decorated Blue Mosque, the only mosque in the world with six minarets; the vast dome of Aya Sophia, built in 536 as a Byzantine cathedral, later a mosque and now a museum and underground, the Yerebatan Sarayi, a vast Byzantine cistern supported by 336 Corinthian columns. Nearby, the commercial heart of the city, the Grand Bazaar, is still a captivating sight for shoppers and window-shoppers alike, while further along the narrow inlet of the Golden Horn, the Kariye Camii has some of the finest Byzantine mosaics to survive today.
Across the Golden Horn, 'modern' Istanbul, Beyoglu, dates back to the foreign cantonments of the 13th century. This is where you find the restaurants, hotels, and modern shops, while the truly modern areas around Taksim are home to cultural centres, exhibition halls and office blocks.
The shores of both old and new cities lie along the northern, European bank of the Bosphorous, the narrow strait that divides Europe from Asia. Two massive suspension bridges now span these overcrowded waters, in which tour boats, ferries, supertankers and fishing vessels vie for space in the overcrowded waters. From all of them you see the Istanbul skyline, one of the most dramatic in the world. Tours up the Bosphorous include several notable buildings, including the Sultans' 19th-century Dolmabahçe Palace. On the far, Asian shores lie Uskudar (Scutari), where Florence Nightingale nursed the sick during the Crimean War; the charming Ottoman summer palace of Beylerbeyi; and a whole series of delightful villages full of fish restaurants and fine old mansions, built by the 19th-century aristocracy. Looming at each other across the water are several Byzantine and Ottoman castles, including Anadoluhisar and Rumelihisar.

» Itinerary

Day 1: Istanbul

Airport transfers: Upon your arrival in Istanbul, you are meet with a friendly 'merhaba' (hello) and escorted to your hotel. You have the day free to begin exploring Turkey's cultural capital or to relax at your leisure. Learn more about the adventure ahead of you at an orientation meeting at 7pm.

Day 2: Istanbul

Old Istanbul. Full day guided sightseeing in Old Istanbul. Discovery of Sultanahmet, Blue Mosque, St. Sophia, Hippodrome, Topkapi Palace and Grand Bazaar. Overnight Istanbul.
Departure from Istanbul to Canakkale
Distances: Istanbul-Canakkale (183 miles) Driving time 5 Hours (Non-stop).

TROIA / GALLIPOLI:

West of Istanbul, the provinces of Thrace and Marmara embrace the Sea of Marmara, while the towns of Gelibolu and Çanakkale mark the entrance to the Dardanelles, the narrow straits leading through to the Mediterranean. This was the site of the infamous Gallipoli landings during World War I, which led to the deaths of nearly 250,000 British, Turkish and Anzac troops and shot Turkish General Mustafa Kemal (later known as Ataturk) to fame.

Day 3: Istanbul /Troia & Gallipoli / Kusadasi

Early departure for Istanbul.. Drive to Gallipoli battlefields the Dardanelles

continue on to visit Troy. The legendary town in the lliad of Homeros, visit the Temple of Athena. End the tour drive to Ephesus. Overnight hotel.

Distances: Canakkale - Kusadasi (249 miles 6 hours).

EPHESUS:

The remains of the Hellenistic and Roman city of Ephesus (modern Selçuk), rumoured to have been founded in the 13th century BC, lies at the foot of Mount Pion. Carefully restored and now one of the most spectacular ancient cities in the world. Top sights within the huge archaeological area include the Grand Theatre where St. Paul preached to the Ephesians, the second-century Temple of Serapi, the elegant façades of the Temple of Hadrian and the Library of Celsus. The site of Meryemana ýs reputed to be the house of the Virgin Mary.

Day 4:  Ephesus

Full day guided tour to the antique city of Ephesus, the Virgin Mary house, the St. John Church and the Temple of Artemis, which is one of the seven wonders of the antique world. Overnight in hotel Kusadasi. After breakfast you'll have free time to enjoy Kusadasi or additional day tours in Kusadasi’s vicnity.

Distances:   Kusadasi - Istanbul (340 miles 8 hours).

Day 5:  Istanbul

Guided Bosphorus cruise with Dolmabahçe Palace. Visit to the exotic and aromatic Egyptian spice market, cross over to Asia to Camlica Hill for a view of Istanbul. During the cruise, view of Ottoman seaside mansions, marble palaces and small fishing villages. Overnight in hotel.

Day 6: Istanbul

Free time or shopping.

Day 7:

Departure

Meeting point: 

Tour departs from centrally located Istanbul hotels. Please include the details of your hotel at the time of booking. You MUST call the supplier at least 24 hours prior to tour commencement to reconfirm all tour and departure details. If the supplier does not pickup from your hotel, they will advise you of the meeting point when you call. The contact details will be listed on your voucher.

Terms & Conditions
Transportation is provided by mini-buses or buses according to the number of passengers travelling. All tours are escorted by professional bi- or multi-lingual tour and/or driver guides. Depending on the number of passengers booked for a particular departure, tours and/or languages may be combined to operate the tours. Visits, stops and other tour components may be deleted, added and/or substituted from the tour without notice. Meals, or other expenses of personal nature are not included (unless published for a particular tour in Turkey Team Tours brochure).

Responsibility:
Turkey Team Travel as an agent for all issued tickets or vouchers and all arrangements for transportation, conveyance or hotel accommodation assumes no liability or responsibility for (1) any injuries, loss, damage, accidents (2) delay, irregularities or inconvenience by any defect in a vehicle (3) traffic conditions, access to sites, additional costs or other conditions beyond its control. Turkey Team Travel reserves the right to cancel or change any tours, schedules, or rates and to cancel or substitute routes and stops on any tour without prior notice & to substitute equipment as needed.

Important:
Passengers with special needs, medical conditions or passengers with disabilities must advise Turkey Team Travel when making their reservation. Some tours are operated by bus and are not able to accommodate special needs or medical equipment.