Project Description

Discover the contrasts of Turkey and experience its delicious cuisine and captivating culture on this one-week highlights trip that travels down the west coast. Explore the former capital city of Istanbul, which straddles the border between Europe and Asia, the world-renowned ancient Greco-Roman sites of Ephesus and Troy. Also walk among the unique white travertine terraces of Pamukkale and in the haunting World War I battlefields of Gallipoli. Tour ends in Antalya after visiting Perge and Aspendos Theaters.

  • Topkapi Palace
  • Blue Mosque
  • Grand Bazaar
  • Troy
  • Pergamum
  • Pegasus
  • Pamukkale
  • Perge

Day 1 : Istanbul
Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Welcome briefing. Overnight at hotel in old city.

Day 2 : Istanbul
Full day tour : Our journey begins in Istanbul, the only city in the world situated on two continents. Byzantium, Constantinople, Istanbul – its three names span more than 2600 years, nearly 1600 of them as the capital of two of the greatest empires the world has known, Byzantine and Ottoman. We visit the Topkapi Palace including treasury section, st. Sophia, The Blue Mosque and Hippodrome, where chariot races and the Byzantine riots took place and free time in Grand bazaar with its 3.500 shops.Optional: Dinner with belly dancing entertainment.

Day 3 : Gallipoli – Dardanelles – Canakkale
Following breakfast we will leave for Gallipoli Peninsula. Visit Anzac Cove, Lone Pine Australian Memorial and Cemetery, the original tunnels and trenches at Johnston Jolly (Turkish and Allied), The Nek Cemetery, Chunuk-Bair New Zealand Memorial and Cemetery and Kabatepe War Museum. After Gallipoli cross the Dardanalles and Canakkale for overnight.

Day 4 : Troy – Pergamum
After breakfast drive to Troya and the site of King Priam’s Treasures. Archaeological excavations have revealed nine separate periods of settlement including ruins of city walls, house foundations, a temple and a theatre. After Troy we will drive to Pergamum, is once great centre of culture, survives as one of Turkey’s finest archaeological sites. In the Acropolis, above the modern town, are the remains of the celebrated library, a steep and impressive theatre, the temples of Trijan and Dionysus, the monumental altar of Zeus, the sanctuary of Demeter, a gymnasium laid out on the terrace and Agora. Overnight hotel.

Day 5 : Ephesus & St. Mary’s House
In the morning we visit Ephese was an important port city until with passing of time and erosion. The city, whose wealth and patronage supported its splendid architectural program, was dedicated to the goddess Artemis. The ruins also include a theatre, gymnasium, agora and baths, as well as the Library of Celsus. We also visit house of Mary (meryem ana evi), we know that St. John spent the last years of his life in Epheus and wrote his Gospel here. Jesus left his mother with John, therefore, it is believed that Mother Mary came to Epheus and lived here until the end of her life. Overnight hotel.

Day 6 : Pamukkale
In the morning we will drive to Pamukkale that known ancient Hierapolis. We visit Pamukkale travertines that the formations look almost unreal. The rich calcium content of the mineral water from the nearby thermal springs. In other words, the lime residue, after the carbon gas evaporates, create the visual miracles, the travertines and the pools on the top of each other. We may walk on the travertine with barefoot. Overnight hotel.

Day 7 : Pamukkale – Perge – Antalya
In the morning drive to Antalya. On the way we stop to visit the ancient city of Perge. Arrive to Antalya principal holiday resort of Turkey at the Mediterranean sea , is an attractive city with shady palm-lined boulevards. Kaleici where we will stay is narrow, winding streets and old wooded houses abut the ancient city walls. We visit Yivli minaret (fluted minaret) located in centre of Antalya,, is minaret of Alaadin mosque converted from a church in 7230 by Seljuk Sultan alaadin Keykubat. Rising like a monument is symbol of Antalya. Overnight hotel.

Day 8 : Aspendos Theatre – Antalya
Visit Aspendos theatre ,the ruins of this city are Roman, with the exception of the bridge over the river Eurymedon which dates from the Selçuk period Afternoon is a free day with choices of Optional tours of Phaselis ,a coastal ancient cith or a lazy yacht cruise along turquise cost of the Mediterranen. Overnight at hotel

Day 9 : Home
After breakfast transfer to Antalya airport, fly home.