Istanbul, Ephesus & Troy with Beach Extension

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Istanbul, Ephesus & Troy with Beach Extension

Istanbul, Ephesus & Troy

Explore one of the world’s most exciting cities, and uncover the treasures of ancient Turkey on a truly fascinating tour. Soak up the colour and excitement of one of the world’s most exciting cities – the former Imperial capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires – and step back in time as you wander through some of its finest classical sites. Make the most of an opportunity to visit the remarkable natural phenomenon of Pamukkale on an optional tour, and enjoy the sun-kissed warmth and welcome of Aegean shores as you spend five nights at a luxury five-star beachfront resort in Ozdere.

Holiday Highlights

Five nights at a five-star resort to enjoy Ozdere
Discover colourful Istanbul, straddling two continents
See the Blue Mosque and the famed Topkapi Palace
Journey south via poignant ANZAC Cove
Step back in time in ancient Troy and Pergamon
Be amazed by the ruins of Ephesus
Discover wonderful Pamukkale on an optional excursion

What's Included

12 nights’ bed and breakfast accommodation at hotels in Istanbul (3 nights) Canakkale (1), Kudasi (3) and Ozdere (5 - all-inclusive)
Return flights from the UK to Istanbul (returning from Izmir via Istanbul)
Coach travel and transfers throughout
Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager

Itinerary

Day 1

Fly to Istanbul, meet your tour manager and transfer to your hotel for a three-night stay. Depending on your time of arrival, acquaint yourself with your surroundings. Enjoy your first evening in an extraordinary city that bridges the divide between Europe and Asia, marked by the narrow strait of the Bosphorus, and that brims with reminders of its illustrious past.

Day 2

Enjoy today’s first fascinating included tour, introducing the city that was once Byzantium, then Constantinople. Explore the sights of the Historic Peninsula, including the extraordinary Topkapi Palace and its priceless treasures, the Blue Mosque with its minarets and cobalt tiles, and the great Byzantine church of Aya Sofya, once the world’s largest enclosed space. Your tour includes entry to the Topkapi, with its outer courtyard and gateways into its labyrinthine inner quarters. You’ll also take in the colourful Spice Bazaar, with its heaped displays of aromatic powders and trays of Turkish delight. Later, why not cross the Golden Horn for a glimpse of modern Istanbul and, time permitting, to enjoy the sweeping views of the Bosphorus Strait? This evening, there’s the chance to enjoy a traditional fish dinner in the popular Kumkapi district, its colourful restaurants teeming with visitors and locals alike.

Day 3

Another unforgettable day sees you return to the Historic Peninsula to explore the contrasting wonders of the remarkable Blue Mosque and monumental Aya Sofya. Your day will include a guided stroll through the ancient Roman Hippodrome and a visit to the world’s largest covered bazaar, the vast Kapali Carsi. The rest of the afternoon is free. Why not take an optional cruise along the Bosphorus River? Later, make the most of your last evening in this fascinating, glorious city, perhaps dining al fresco.

Day 4

Leaving Istanbul, this morning, you’ll travel by coach around the Sea of Marmara, then inland and south onto the stunningly beautiful, Gallipoli Peninsula. Here, in 1915, the Allied forces suffered catastrophic losses, including some 10,000 members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps – the famous ANZACs – at the hands of the defenders of the Ottoman Empire led by legendary Turkish leader and founder of modern Turkey, Atatürk. The beauty of ANZAC Cove and its surroundings is a marked contrast to the sobering memorials and cemeteries. Later this afternoon, you’ll cross the narrow strait of the Dardanelles and head to sea-front Canakkale.

Day 5

Enjoy a first day amid the wonders of classical Greece, as you explore the nearby ruins of Troy, guarded by a replica giant wooden horse recalling the tale of the first Trojan War. You’ll also visit the ruins of Pergamon, which include an acropolis, temples, a two-storey Library, the Altar of Zeus and a spectacular, 10,000-seat theatre. After a fascinating day, you’ll arrive in Kusadasi, this evening. Begin your stay with dinner on the shores of the Aegean Sea.

Day 6

Spend today at leisure enjoying the many facilities of the resort, strolling along the harbour promenade, discovering the medieval Kale district or visiting tiny Pigeon Island. Alternatively, join our optional excursion to Pamukkale. Here white calcium deposits, some 100 metres high, shape a slow-moving, ever-changing cascade, with hundreds of terraces and pools filled by an ancient mineral-laden spring. Ruins of a once great city surround the thermal baths, including a Temple of Apollo and restored Roman theatre. En route to Pammukale, you’ll stop at the "red water" springs of Karahayit, famed for their curative powers. And afterwards, there’s a chance to enjoy the pleasures of a spa ande an included lunch on afternoon visit to the luxurious Pam Thermal Hotel, a five-star establishment that takes its 35°C waters from the spring below.

Day 7

Your final included excursion takes in ruined Ephesus, one of the most important Roman and Byzantine cities, and witness – in the 1st Century AD – to the preaching of Saint Paul. The ruins - which include churches, bath-houses, fountains and temples, gymnasia, the great Roman Amphitheatre, the facade of the fabled Library of Celsus and the colonnade of the Arcadian Way - serve to reflect this greatness in breath-taking fashion. You’ll return to Kusadasi this evening to enjoy a last dinner at the hotel.

Days 8

Enjoy a five-night stay at luxury five-star resort in Ozdere, as you really get to know this beautiful part of the world. Stroll along the seafront promenade. Visit the harbour, which is lined with some great fish restaurants, and explore a number of small, nearby historic sites. Alternatively, simply stretch out on the nearby beach, explore the local area and relax after your unforgettable tour of this colourful corner of the world.

Day 13

Today you’ll transfer to the airport to begin your journey home.

Hotel transfer times

The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 45 minutes upon arrival, and one hour on the return.

Pre-April 2022 departures

Please note, on all departures before April 2022 you will stay at the Sentido Marina Suites, Kusadasi, for three nights instead of the Paloma Stuies, Ozdere, for five nights.

Passports and visas

British Citizens require a visa for entry into Turkey. We recommend obtaining an e-Visa online prior to travel to avoid queues upon arrival in Turkey. The cost is 20 US dollars. Please visit www.evisa.gov.tr for more details. Alternatively a visa can currently be obtained upon arrival for a fee of £20, but we do not recommend this route as queue times can be very lengthy and may affect your onward journey. Please also check if this facility is still available before you travel as it may be withdrawn at anytime. For full details please visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/turkey/entry-requirements.

Combining hotel transfers

We sometimes need to combine transfers to and from your hotel. We always try to keep any wait to a minimum, but you may be asked to wait at the airport for up to an hour, while other incoming flights arrive, before the transfer to your hotel. Similarly, we may need to transfer you back to the airport up to three hours before your flight home departs.

Special requirements

If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.

Disabled access

The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Itinerary changes

Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.

Foreign Office Travel Advice

Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.

Flight details

The return flights are indirect. You will be required to change aircraft en-route, where there will be a short wait for your next flight. Your luggage will be thru-checked to your final destination.

Holiday provided by

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Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Days 8

Day 13

Hotel transfer times

Pre-April 2022 departures

Passports and visas

Combining hotel transfers

Special requirements

Disabled access

Itinerary changes

Foreign Office Travel Advice

Flight details

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