Program
Monday - Day 1 - Istanbul to Canakkale (L/D)
Early in the morning we will drive west, skirting the northern shore of the beautiful Sea of Marmara, heading towards the Aegean Sea.
Sites you’ll see today:
*Gallipoli (Gelibolu) and the Dardanelles --After our lunch, we willl devote our afternoon to visiting Gallipoli, where fierce World War I fighting took place between Allied forces and the Turkish Army. At ANZAC (Australia and New Zealand Armed Corps) Cove, thousands lost their lives on one fateful dawn morning. We'll also visit other famous WWI battlesites and cemetaries in this area, including Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair. From here, we'll board a ferry and cross the Dardanelles Strait. World War I history buffs will know that the Dardanelles Strait was a strategic crossing point for the Allied armies to cross from Europe into Asia Minor.
Over a 9-month campaign, more than half a million soldiers lost their lives in the struggle to control this strait and the nearby Gallipoli peninsula. Still today, many villagers in this quiet and peaceful region speak of seeing ghosts wandering the cemeteries and hearing the sounds of battle.
*Canakkale will be our final destination for today and where we will spend our evening. After dinner, you might want to stroll the harbor wall; here, locals buy sunflower seeds and take evening strolls with their families to watch the sunset. When they reach the end of the promenade, they turn around, perhaps buy ice cream and walk again. Why not join them?
Overnight in Canakkale - Hotel Akol
Tuesday - Day 2 - Canakkale to Assos (B/L/D)
After breakfast, we continue our scenic drive along the Aegean, stopping for photo opportunities and perhaps to indulge the taste buds at one of the many farmer road side stands that sell olives, figs, pistachios, and other seasonal fruits. We then will head east towards Troy.
*Troy (Truva) is the ancient site written about by Homer in the classic Iliad. It dates back to approximately 3,000 BC and has been the site of nine different cities through the thousands of years it has been in existence. Upon entering Troy, a large wooden Trojan horse full-scale reproduction will dominate your view. You'll definitely want to climb up and get your picture taken! There is also a small museum on-site to help you get oriented.
After Troy, we'll head for Assos and Behramkale and explore these amazing sites, having lunch at the ancient harbor to enjoy lunch. We will then check into our hotel. Afterwards, we'll drive to the village of Babakale to see the castle and take pictures.
Babakale is the mostt western endpoint of Asia. After visiting this site, we will return to our hotel in Assos.
Overnight in Assos
Wednesday - Day 3 - Assos to Kusadasi ( via Pergamum ) (B/L/D)
After breakfast, it's back on the road!
*Pergamum is one of the seven Churches of Revelation. At the time, Christians traveled along the Asian Minor caravan routes and because of this, it was one of the largest cities of the area. It was rivaled only by Ephesus in terms of its wealth, temples, and beauty. The ancient acropolis dominates the view from all around. Most memorable to you will probably be the ancient theatre. Carved straight out of the high hillside, it is one of the steepest ancient theatres in the world--and the view is unforgettable.
Then, we will be on our way to Kusadasi, where we will check into the hotel. Overnight in Kusadasi
Thursday - Day 4 Kusadasi (B/L/D)
*Ephesus is the best-preserved classical cities from ancient times, and was inhabited by Greeks, Macedonians, Romans and Turks. St. Paul lived here circa 60 AD, when it was at its most populated at 250,000. During your visit, you’ll walk its stony boulevards, stand in the grand theatre, marvel at the beauty of the Celsus Library, the agora, as well as the baths, giving you the unique chance to get up-close-and-personal with history by literally being able to walk into it.
*The House of The Virgin Mary, (Turkish: Meryemana Evi), high on a hill overlooking the town of Selcuk, is where it is believed that St. Mary came to live with St. John the Baptist in the later years of her life. Masses are held here on Sundays.
Overnight in Kusadasi
Friday - Day 5 Kusadasi to Pamukkale (B/L/D)
After breakfast, we will depart for Pamukkale and will visit Afrodisias on the way.
* Aphrodisias is a wonderful site to explore, in particular, the enormous 30,000-seat (some are even individually-labeled!) stadium. As you sit and gaze upon the field you can almost hear the roar of the crowd as they watched chariot races or gladiator fights.
You can also visit the Tetrapylon, the Bishop’s Palace, and the city baths. In the afternoon, you will reach your spa hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Overnight in Pamukkale
Saturday - Day 6 Pamukkale to Bodrum (B/D)
After breakfast, we will depart from Kusadasi to Pamukkale; upon arrival we will continue on the guided tour of Pamukkale and Hierapolis. Our drive will take us through a rich agricultural area, teeming with cotton fields and fruit orchards.
* Pamukkale ("cotton castle" in Turkish) is the result of limestone formations created over thousands of years. Warm, calcium-rich mineral water from nearby thermal hot springs flowed over these cliffs and, as these waters cooled, they deposited the calcium that we see today.
* Hierapolis is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was founded as an ancient healing care center in 190 BC, taking advantage of the mineral waters. It was one of the most important intellectual, artistic, religious and commercial centers of the Roman Empire. Over time, the city hosted large numbers of both Jewish and Christian residents.
After the tour we will take you to Bodrum, where you will check into the hotel. Overnight in Bodrum
Sunday - Day 7 - Bodrum (B)
After breakfast, you will have a free day to relax or to explore Bodrum's famous beaches on your own Overnight n Bodrum
Monday - Day 8 - trip to Kos Island (B)
After breakfast you will go on a day trip to Greece's Kos Island, and, in the evening, return to Bodrum
Overnight in Bodrum
Tuesday - Day 9 Bodrum to Istanbul (B)
Gule, Gule! It's time to go home. We will transfer you to the airport and wish you well, asking that you keep Turkey in your heart. We hope that our paths cross again!
If you have extended your time with an additional add-on trip, we will be confirming this with you today. To see additional trip options, see below or go to the top of this page and click "trip add-ons".
Prices are starting from 985 Euros per person in a double, contact us to get a price quote for your dates
Price includes
* All hotels (each of them individually chosen)
* All land transfers with comfortable vehicles
* All of the meals mentioned in the itinerary ( B-breakfast, L-lunch & D-dinner )
* Professional, English-speaking tour guides
* Domestic flight tickets from Bodrum to Istanbul
* Admissions to Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Gallipoli Museum, Troy, Assos, Pergamum, Ephesus and Pamukkale
* All taxes and service charges
Excludes
* International flight tickets to Istanbul
* Drinks with meals
* Hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia (15% discount if booked with this tour )
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