Istanbul, Troy & Ephesus

Day 1: UK/Istanbul
Situated in the heart of Istanbul, your hotel for the next three nights is ideally located for you to explore the city. Make sure you enjoy some delicious local dishes in one of its many restaurants.

Day 2: Istanbul
Sitting half in Asia and half in Europe, Istanbul is an intriguing blend of east and west. You will peel back the city’s layers of history as you explore it in the company of your knowledgeable Tour Manager. You will start your visit at the cultural heart of the Old City, Sultanahmet Square. Surrounding the square you’ll visit some of Istanbul’s most iconic sights – the ancient Hippodrome, built for horse and chariot racing; the stunning Blue Mosque, with its precious iznik tiles and view the imposing Hagia Sophia – a church for a full millennium and a mosque for more than 500 years. Then discover the Roman underground cistern, a marvel of engineering that supplied the Topkapi Palace with water and locals with fresh fish.

You will stop for lunch at a typical Turkish restaurant before continuing your tour of this vast city. You’ll visit the Monastery of Chora, where breathtaking Byzantine mosaics and frescos line the interior and with its crystal chandalier Eyup Sultan Mosque. There will also be time for some bartering in the bustle of the awe-inspiring Grand Bazaar.

Day 3: Istanbul
You will have the freedom to explore Istanbul’s wonders on your own today – although your Tour Manager will be on hand to recommend the best authentic experiences. You may choose to walk along the pedestrian Istiklal Avenue in Taksim, which houses exquisite boutiques, music stores, book stores, art galleries, theatres, cafés and restaurants, or perhaps explore the famous Cicek Pasaji (Flower Passage), which dates back to 1876. Alternatively, join your Tour Manager on our optional excursion.

Topkapi Palace, Golden Horn & Bosphorus Cruise
As you wander around the wonderful Topkapi Palace, a vast former residence of the Ottoman sultans, you will be amazed by the grandeur they enjoyed. The Treasury and Harem are particularly worth exploring. You’ll then follow the city walls along the Golden Horn you gain more insight into life in Istanbul. For a taste of traditional Turkey, you can enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. You will surround yourself with fragrant scents at the Egyptian Spice Bazaar before boarding a ferry for the zigzag journey along the Bosphorous. One minute you will be in Europe, the next in Asia, as you pass a blend of old wooden houses, fishing villages and marble palaces.

Day 4: Gallipoli
You will leave Istanbul and begin your journey along the Gallipoli Peninsula, site of an abortive Allied assault on Turkish forces in 1915. You will stop to pay your respects at the memorials to fallen soldiers, a moving tribute to the many thousands of men, including countless Australian, New Zealand and British troops, who lost their lives. Crossing the Dardanelles, your journey today comes to an end in Canakkale, where you stay overnight and enjoy an included dinner.

Day 5: Troy
Turkey has an incredibly rich history that still remains unknown to many. As you journey south along the beautiful Aegean coast, you’ll visit one of the most iconic sites in ancient history – Troy. Famed as the setting of the Trojan war, a succession of ancient settlements have been uncovered and the site remains under excavation. For a taste of true Turkey, sample a cup of traditional Turkish coffee in the village of Yesilyurt. At the village café, you will be able to see traditional gozleme folded pastries being made, and then sample some with a cup of coffee. Ayvalik is your destination for tonight’s overnight stay.

Day 6: Pergamon
The ancient city of Pergamon boasts many spectacular sights. You will see the Acropolis, atop an imposing rock bluff and the setting for a spectacular theatre, the famous library and the huge altar of Zeus. The remains of the Asclepion, one of the ancient world’s most renowned healing centres, are equally impressive. Your hotel for the next two nights is in the well-known resort of Kusadasi, close to the ancient city of Ephesus.

Day 7: Ephesus
Founded by the Greeks before the 10th century BC and colonised by the Romans, Ephesus offers an astonishingly well-preserved glimpse into ancient life. You will see the Great Theatre, the Marble Street and the exquisite façade of the Library of Celsus. You will also visit the Basilica of St. John and the Temple of Artemis. Sirince village, your destination this afternoon, is full of life, its narrow streets lined with local women selling handicrafts of all kinds. Relax with a glass of the delicious local wines in a café – your Tour Manager will be able to recommend a tipple – as you reflect on the sights you have seen.

Day 8: Izmir/UK
You will leave Turkey for your flight home.

Please note
This holiday includes walking in areas of rough ground, gradients and steps.

Accommodation throughout is in hotels of a comfortable standard, typical of the hotels you will stay in are:

4-star Maywood Hotel in Istanbul
This hotel is situated in the heart of Istanbul. Facilities include a breakfast room and bar. Guest rooms feature en suite facilities, air-conditioning, TV, telephone, hairdryer and mini-bar.

4-star Tusan Hotel in Canakkale
This hotel overlooks the Dardanelles and boasts its own private beach, a restaurant, bar and outdoor swimming pool. Well-equipped guest rooms have en suite facilities, air-conditioning, TV, hairdryer, balcony and mini-bar.

4-star Grand Hotel Temizel in Ayvalik
Facilities include a Turkish bath, sauna and an outdoor swimming pool. Guest rooms have en suite facilities, TV, air-conditioning, mini-bar and hairdryer.

5-star Vista Hill Hotel in Ephesus
The hotel has boasts a choice of restaurants and bars and excellent leisure facilities, including an outdoor swimming pool. Guest rooms have en suite facilities, TV, telephone, hairdryer and mini-bar.

Please note: Outdoor swimming pools are typically open between May and September, but this is dependent on weather conditions.

Hotels will be confirmed in your final documentation.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Included excursions and visits

Traditional Turkish village
Istanbul tour (full day)
Gallipoli tour
Troy tour
Pergamon tour
Ephesus, Temple of Artemis and Sirince village (full day)
Turkish coffee-making demonstration

Optional excursions

Topkapi Palace, Spice Bazaar and Bosphorus Cruise (full day)

Your holiday includes

Scheduled flights
Overseas transfers and other transportation
7 nights’ accommodation with breakfast, plus 1 lunch and 4 dinners
The services of a Travelsphere Tour Manager
Hotel porterage (one bag per person)
All airport taxes and security charges
UK Airline Passenger Duty
All state and local taxes

With 50 years’ experience in arranging escorted tours to exciting destinations across the globe, Travelsphere have built an excellent reputation founded on quality and value.

By choosing a Travelsphere escorted holiday you can travel with confidence, knowing that every aspect of your holiday has been carefully planned and arranged from start to finish. Further to this they are ATOL bonded and members of ABTA.

Travelsphere’s thorough planning of travel arrangements, itineraries and accommodation combined with the unique insight of their knowledgeable Tour Managers and Local Guides will enable you to experience the culture, traditions and hidden away places less accessible to other travellers.

Our Opinion
“Travelsphere are one of the biggest names in the Escorted Tour market. Finely tuned over the last 50 years their tours have been tried, tested and refined by thousands of customers.”