Turkish Escape

Istanbul, Turkey

$1,199.00/ Per Person

Description

Embark on an escape to Turkey to discover a country of captivating culture across its transcontinental peninsula. Spanning the borders of Asia and Europe, this fascinating country of culture and color is calling with an 8-day Turkish Escape for the ages! Your adventure begins in Istanbul, a city of great diversity and a combination of tree-lined boulevards, cafés and cosmopolitan restaurants set against a backdrop where little has changed for centuries. During its 3,000 years of turbulent history, it has been home to the Greeks, Romans, Crusaders, Ottomans, and the Turks themselves- all leaving their marks. Highlights of your sightseeing are inside visits to the 6th century Hagia Sophia, the largest ever church and for over a thousand years the largest covered space on earth and to the amazing Topkapi Palace which was the seat of government for one of the greatest Empires of the Medieval age.

Pay tribute to the fallen war heroes at the Anzac cemetery and visit 3 of the most famous ancient sites in the country: Troy, Pergamon and Ephesus. Each very different and distinctive. Troy, the oldest, dating from 3,000BC and made up to 9 separate cities all built over each other; Pergamon an impregnable defensive site with amazing views in all directions which flourished as one of the ancient world’s greatest centers of healing; and Ephesus, the greatest city in the Eastern Mediterranean during Roman times which boasts an extraordinary number of superbly preserved monuments.

Cross from Europe to Asia on board a scenic ferry journey across the Dardanelles Strait and get ready to taste the superb Turkish cuisine, an interesting blend of Mediterranean specialties and flavors.

This is the perfect vacation if you are looking for a genuine and unique blend of diverse cultures, centuries of history and atmosphere, the mysterious East with the familiar West.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive In Istanbul, Turkey

Welcome to Istanbul!

At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at the hotel.

Day 2 - Istanbul
East meets West

Discover Istanbul with a captivating, guided sightseeing tour. Visit the Roman Hippodrome and hear about the events held there. Marvel at the six minarets of the Blue Mosque, and the intricate decoration and blue hues of its interior. Stand below the breathtaking dome of the Hagia Sophia, visit Topkapi Palace to see how the Sultan’s lived, and discover a shopper’s paradise with a visit to the Grand Bazaar, the largest covered market in the world, spread over 60 streets and location of over 4000 shops! Enjoy a traditional Turkish coffee experience at a historical coffee roaster.

  • Breakfast

Tour highlight

CULTURE & TRADITIONS Founded by the Greeks as Byzantium more than 2,500 years ago and ultimately called Istanbul after the Ottoman conquest in the 15th century, the city on the Bosporus remains one of the most exciting places in the world. Its strategic location as a gateway between Orient and Occident, the Islamic and the Christian worlds, and the Black Sea and the Mediterranean predestined it for a turbulent yet exciting history.

Day 3 - Istanbul - Gallipoli - Troy Area
Bravery on the Beach

This morning, drive to the Gallipoli peninsula and visit the WWI battlefields, the Anzac Cemetery, the Lone Pine Memorial, and Chunuk Bair Memorial sites before crossing the Dardanelles by ferry. Later, enjoy a fascinating guided visit to the archaeological site, dating back over 4000 years. See the symbolic wooden Trojan Horse that commemorates the Trojan War, it was supposedly the winning tactic.

  • Breakfast

  • Dinner

Tour highlight

HISTORY & HERITAGE Visit the moving and inspirational sites, where Allied troops, mainly Australians and New Zealanders, suffered heavy casualties in a disastrous campaign. Pay tribute to the heroes of those tragic months of 1915 at the Anzac Cemetery and the Lone Pine Memorial.

Day 4 - Troy Area - Pergamum - Kusadasi
The Sacred Way

This morning drive to Pergamum for a guided visit of the Asklepion, a healing temple and shrine to the Greek God of medicine. Continue your journey and arrive in Ephesus to visit the Archaeological Museum for an introduction to the city and its people.

  • Breakfast

  • Dinner

Tour highlight

HEALING THE BODY &THE SOUL Nestled between hills, the Asklepion retains a sense of serenity and history. Here, the sick sought healing as they approached the temple via the Sacred Way, a pathway to healing based on the patient’s dreams and through theatrical presentations—healing practiced as a sacred art to heal both body and soul.

Day 5 - Kusadasi - Ephesus - Pamukalle

Ancient Civilization Preserved

Start your day at the incredible archaeological site of Ephesus and be captivated by stories as you follow your Local Guide on a fascinating walking tour through the ancient ruins, including St. John's Basilica, believed to be the burial site of the apostle John. Later, arrive at the ancient city of Hierapolis for a visit, founded as a thermal resort around 190 BC, and said to have been visited by Cleopatra. See the main attractions and take time to marvel at the stunning backdrop of Pamukkale with its travertine terraces and thermal water pools.

  • Breakfast

  • Dinner

Tour highlight

HISTORIC SPOTS Ephesus was one of the most famous cities of the ancient Mediterranean. It was the second biggest city of the Roman Empire and today it is one of the largest Roman archaeological sites in the eastern Mediterranean.

Day 6 - Pamukkale - Bursa
In the Shadow of Mount Olympus

This morning, drive to Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. Your sightseeing tour features a visit to the Great Mosque (Ulu Cai), an architectural masterpiece famous for its twenty domes supported by twelve pillars. Plus, visit the historical, covered bazaar and silk market followed by a Kestane Sekeri tasting. Enjoy free time this evening to explore more.

  • Breakfast

Tour highlight

THE SILK ROAD Wander through the long winding bazaar in Bursa, Turkey’s centuries-old city center, taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of the buzzing marketplace. Treat your taste buds to one of the city’s famous sweets, the Kestane Sekeri, and find the perfect gift for yourself or a friend, a piece of authentic Bursa-made silk

Day 7 - Bursa - Iznik - Istanbul

Ancient Walls & Ecumenical Council

Drive to Iznik, a significant town located on the banks of Lake Iznik and famous for its vibrantly colored tiles and pottery. Your guided sightseeing tour includes a visit to the Great Mosque (St. Sophia’s Church) and the Archaeological Museum. After some free time, continue to Istanbul and join your travel companions this evening for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

  • Breakfast

  • Dinner

Tour highlight

CERAMIC BEYOND TIMES Iznik is a completely "open-air museum" with its rare ancient history and uniqueness. It is also the birthplace of the world famous Iznik tiles – a treasured art form dating back to the Ottoman Empire.

Make the Most of Your Free Time

While we include select excursions and must-see sights on your trip, you may wish to explore other options to enhance your free time. Below is a selection of excursions that may be available for purchase on your tour.

Day 8 - Istanbul

Safe travels until we meet again!

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

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