West Anatolia

Day 1: Istanbul Arrival Day -Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Turkish Night Party

Welcome to Istanbul, the unique city that is located on two continents , Europe and Asia. During its history of more than 2.000 years, it has been the capital of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires.

On arrival in Istanbul, you will be welcomed by your representative and transfer to your hotel by a airconditioned – de luxe coach.

Check – in time is 1 pm. Early ceheck-in is upon to availibility.

At 8 pm. you’ll be picked up for Bosphorus Dinner Cruise and Turkish Night Show with Belly Dancer ( Dinner and Local Drinks are free ) Sail up the Bosphorus, the waterway between Europe and Asia, passing under the suspension bridges and viewing Ottoman summer palaces, waterside mansions and modern villas which line the European and Asian coasts.

Tour Program:

• Welcome cocktail on deck
• D.J. music
• Katibim (A traditional Turkish melody musical performance)
• Asuk Masuk (Asuk Masuk is an imitation play of dwarfs which belongs to the Taseli district of Silifke and is performed by 2 male dancers)
• Belly Dancer
• Henna Ceremony
• Turna Folk Team
• Turkish Romany Dance

Dinner and Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 2: Istanbul – Half Day Istanbul Classics Tour

Early Morning, after breakfast we will begin to explore to Ottoman relics in the old city by a walking tour.

Topkapi Imperial Palace – Topkapı Sarayi : (Closed on Tuesdays & replaced with Archeological Museum)

Started to build in 1460 and finished in 1478 for Sultan Mehmet – the conqueror of Istanbul. Topkapi Palace was the primary residence of Ottoman Sultans. The palace was transformed into a museum in 1924 and was declared as a World Heritage by UNESCO in 1985.

(Harem Section is not included in the itinerary because it subjects to additional time and fee so please check with your tour guide if you would like to spend time over there on your own.)

Grand Bazaar – Kapali Carsi (1461) : (Closed on Sundays & replaced with Spice Bazaar)

In addition to its historical importance, it’s a bazaar that will tempt even the no shoppers with its rich collection of precious handmade carpets, jewelry, leather and souvenirs. You have chance to visit 2 parts;

Indoor Part:This part of the bazaar is covered section which is dating back to1461. It is very nice place to see the Ottoman oriental bazaar where you could find some small souvenirs.

Outdoor Part: This section of the bazaar are surrounded with export houses (free V.A.T and free shipment chance) subsidized by Turkish Government where local and foreign visitors who are looking for real Turkish handicrafts-leather-jewelry which are being sold with certificate and authenticity. You will enjoy your safe bazaar trip in this hassle free part. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 3: Istanbul / Canakkale- Full Day North Gallipoli

Luxury Bus Travel : Istanbul → Canakkale

Early morning after breakfast you will be transferred from Istanbul to Canakkale by a luxury coach. Travel takes approximately 4 hours. ( with 1 hour Ferry travel ) . At noon you’ll arrive in Eceabat and take lunch at a local rstaurant after the lunch the Fully Guided Gallipoli Tour will begin.

You will visit the peninsula that The Gallipoli Campaign took place from 25 April 1915 to 9 January 1916, during the First World War. A joint British Empire and French operation was mounted to capture the Ottoman capital of Istanbul, and secure a sea route to Russia. The attempt failed, with heavy casualties on both sides.

In Turkey, the campaign is known as the Canakkale Savaslari, after the province of Canakkale. In the United Kingdom, it is called the Dardanelles Campaign or Gallipoli. In France it is called Les Dardanelles. In Australia, New Zealand and Newfoundland, it is known as the Gallipoli Campaign or simply as Gallipoli. It is also known as the Battle of Gallipoli.

After the tour transferred your hotel in Canakkale. Dinner and Overnight.

Day 4: Canakkale / Kusadasi – Troy Tour

After the breakfast you’ll check out from your hotel and begin the full day tour to discover the ancient city of Troy, learn about its importance in Greek mythology like the main battlefield in the Trojan War. Take a tour by walking, explore around the archaeological site of Troy. Hear all amazing history and breath taking story about the famous Trojan Horse . Look inside, take photos and then ready to leave.

Luxury Bus Travel : Troy → Kusadasi ( travel takes approx. 5 hours )

After the tour we’ll transfer you to Intercity Bus Station to take a luxury, air conditioned regular bus to travel our next stop, Kusadasi.

Special Remark : Intercity bus travel will be performed by de-luxe, air conditioned regular buses. Therefore please be aware of your personal belongings especially during the breaks. There’ll be several eating and bathroom breaks during the travel. Please keep your belongings by your side. Please be aware of and don’t miss the departure time of bus from break points. Dinner and Overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 5: Kusadasi – Free Day

Today, after breakfast, you have leisure time to explore Kusadasi Market and famous beaches of Kusadasi by your own. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 6: Kusadasi – Full Day Ephesus & Virgin Mary Tour

Kusadasi is one of Turkey’s largest and most cosmopolitan resorts and a stopping off point for the big cruise-liners. It is a good all round resort, offering great beaches, excellent shopping and some serious nightlife. Kusadasi literally means ‘Bird Island’ and takes its name from the tiny islet known as Guvercin Adasi or Pigeon Island, which is attached to the mainland by a causeway and boasts a 14th century Genoese fort.

After breakfast depart for the sightseeing of Ephesus, the cradle of early Christianity. Visit the House of Virgin Mary, where she spent her last days. Proceed to visit Ephesus, and see the spectacular ruins from the period of St. Paul, some of which are recently excavated. After lunch, visit the Archaeological Museum, Temple of Diana (one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.) Dinner and Overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 7: Priene – Miletos & Didyma Tour

The tour covers 3 magnificent cities of ancient times, close to each other. After breakfast, Pick-up from your hotel in Kusadasi. After driving 30 minutes, we will reach to Priene ancient city. Despite of it’s small size, Priene was a very important city in ancient times because on it’s territory stood the Panionium, the central meeting-place and sanctuary of the Ionian Confederacy. The theatre, the Temple of Athena, the agora, the Bouleterion and the temenos of Zeus Olympus will be the steps of this visit.

Miletus was the principal port and the richest imperium at the Aegean coast. Thales of Miletus believed that there was a fundamental unity beneath the apparent disorder and complexity of nature and he postulated that water was the basic material for all things. The theatre of Miletus is the most impressive one of the town’s surviving monuments. There is also the council-chamber, marketplace, temples, baths and Islamic monument; Ilyas Bey Mosque to be visited.

After lunch, we will visit the Didyma Apollon Temple. Didyma was an ancient Ionian city, now the modern Didim of Turkey. The town formed just outside of the sanctuary containing a temple and oracle of Apollo, the Didymaion. Didyma was a neighbour of Miletus. To approach it, visitors would follow the sacred way to Didyma. Both Herodotus and Pausanias dated the origins of the oracle at Didyma before the Ionian colonization of this coast. After the tour return back to your hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 8: Pamukkale – Full Day Pamukkale & Hierapolis Tour

After breakfast, Check-out from your hotel and our staff will transfer you to Pamukkale ( Cotton village ) for a full day tour.
Visit the Pamukkale cotton fortress, which rises above the fertile Menderes Valley. Visit the hot mineral waters which burst from the earth and cascade over steep cliffs forming pools, channels and stalactites. The therapeutic waters here were known for ages. Continue to the anvient City of Hierapolis with the Theatre, Apollo Temple and magnificent Necropolis, the graveyard.

After lunch at local restaurant visit to Aphrodisias an ancient city dedicated to the goddess of love, Aphrodite and famous for the sculpture school. Dinner and Overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 9: Izmir – Transfer to Izmir Airport, End of the Service

After breakfast transfer to the airport to catch the flight back to your country. We hope your tour was a memorable one and we look forward to seeing you in the future.