Highlights:
-Visit Istanbul; where Asia meets Europe and was capital for several different empires.
-Explore Gallipoli, home to one of the most dramatic battles in history
-Pergamum; Where John wrote his letter
-Walk on the ancient roads of greco-roman city of Ephesus and see the Holy Mary house.
-Visit Pamukkale and swim in Pools of Heaven on Earth.
Overview:
Explore western Turkey with 6 Days customized package with a local tour guide in a small group tour. Visit highlights of Istanbul such as Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar, and cruising on the Bosphorus.
Explore Gallipoli, home to one of the most dramatic battles in history and home of the Trojan Horse. Visit Pergamum; Where John wrote his letter, Pergamum had been a capital city for almost four hundred years. Walk on the ancient roads of best-preserved greko-city with House of Holy Mary nearby. Swim in Pamukkale's healing thermal springs.
Upon arrival at Istanbul / SAW Airport, you will be greeted and drives to your hotel. Check-in. Overnight in Istanbul.
According to your tour pick-up time, meet with your guide and start your full-day tour. Explore Hagia Sophia; was the largest building on earth barring the Egyptian Pyramids or the Great Wall of China. It was the religious center of the city during the Byzantine period. Next; Topkapı Palace; As well as being the imperial residence of the Sultan, the palace was also the seat of government for the ottoman empire. It housed the ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years. Continue to with Hippodrome; Built by the Roman Emperor Septimus Severus in 203AD, during the Roman period hippodrome was the civil center for the people of the city where once 100,000 spectators could be held. Next, Blue Mosque; Built by the Ottoman Sultan Ahmet I in the year 1616, Blue mosque today is one of the most famous landmarks of the old city with its famous six minarets and magnificent dome. Next, Grand Bazaar; With 18 entrances and more than 4000 shops it is one of the greatest bazaars in the World. Overnight in Istanbul
Day 3 Gallipoli Tour
(06:00 – 16:30)
According to your pick-up time from your hotel in Istanbul, meet your guide and depart for the Gallipoli Peninsula by comfortable air-conditioned vehicle. Upon arrival in Eceabat, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before starting the fully guided Gallipoli Battlefield Tour.
Today you will visit the historic ANZAC battlefields, including Brighton Beach, ANZAC Cove where the ANZAC troops landed on April 25, 1915, and Beach Cemetery. Continue to Ariburnu Cemetery and the ANZAC Commemorative Site where annual memorial ceremonies are held.
The tour continues with visits to the Respect to Mehmetçik Statue, Lone Pine Australian Memorial, and Johnston’s Jolly where preserved Turkish and Allied trenches can be seen. You will also visit the Turkish 57th Infantry Regiment Cemetery, The Nek and Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial, one of the most strategic points of the Gallipoli Campaign.
At the end of the tour, transfer to your hotel in Çanakkale. Check in and overnight in Çanakkale.
(BreakfastBox-Lunch)
Day 4 Troy & Pergamon Tour
(08:15 – 20:30)
After breakfast at the hotel, check out and meet your guide for the Troy and Pergamon Tour. The first stop is the ancient city of Troy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for the legendary Trojan War.
During the visit you will see the symbolic Trojan Horse, the Sacrificial Altars, the 3700-year-old city walls, the Houses of Troy I dating back to 3000–2500 BC, the Bouleuterion (Senate Building) and the Odeon. You will also explore the archaeological layers from Troy I to Troy IX which reveal the long history of the city.
After the Troy tour drive to Bergama for lunch before continuing to Pergamon, one of the most important cultural centers of the ancient world. Visit the Acropolis including the Library of Pergamon, Temple of Athena, Temple of Trajan and the site of the famous Altar of Zeus. You will also see the terraced Gymnasium, Lower Agora, the impressive Hellenistic Theater and the Temple of Dionysus.
At the end of the tour depart for Selçuk and Kuşadası. Arrival in Kuşadası around 20:30.
(Breakfast – Lunch)
Day 5 Ancient Ephesus,House of Virgin Mary, The Temple of Artemis Tour
(09:00-16:00)
According to your tour pick-up time meet with your guide and start your full-day tour. Visit The House of Virgin Mary; a church was built from the 6C AD to the top of the foundations of a house from 1C AD and it is declared by the church to be the final house where Mary spent her last days. Continue with the Ancient Ephesus; The best-preserved classical city in Eastern Mediterranean. Ephesus was the second-largest city on the planet after Rome with more than 250,000 citizens. It is also home to one of the Seven wonders of the ancient world, Temple of Artemis. Ephesus is also so well preserved that, walking on the ancient streets among the beautiful monuments such as the third largest library of the ancient world or the largest roman theatre on the Asia continent, gives you the feeling of a time traveler.
Next; Temple of Artemis or Artemision was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Its ancient cult dedicated to Artemis was very famous in antiquity and made Ephesus a much-visited pilgrimage place. Overnight in Kusadasi
(Breakfast-Lunch)
Day 6 Pamukkale Tour / End of our servıce
(08:00-20:00)
Upon breakfast at the hotel check out, According to your tour pick-up time, meet with your guide and start your full-day tour. Visit Pamukkale; Pools of Heaven on Earth… Pamukkale has always been a very popular settlement where hot springs were believed to have healing powers so it is considered to be the earliest spa on earth where in history people travelled long distances in order to find a cure. The unique terraces were formed by running warm spring water at a temperature of 35 C, containing calcium bicarbonate. Today Pamukkale is declared as a worlds heritage site by UNESCO. Visit; ancient city of Hierapolis which has the biggest Necropolis with 1200 gravestones in Anatolia. Also, The Sacred Pool is one of the highlights of the site. Theır shallow thermal waters ripple over a wonderful scattering of ancient roman ruins that lie beneath. At the end of the tour drive you to Denizli Airport or any hotel located ın Pamukkale (dependıng to your request). End of our service.
(Breakfast-Lunch)