9-Day Classical Turkey & Aegean Treasures Tour: Istanbul, Gallipoli, Troy, Pergamon, Pamukkale, Ephesus, Priene, Miletus & Didyma

Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport (IST) أو Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) at your scheduled time, you will be met by our representative at the international arrivals exit, holding a sign with our agency code for identification. Following a brief meet-and-greet, you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. You may choose to rest after your journey or explore the city independently. Overnight in Istanbul.

Alternatively, you can opt to join the Night Cruise on the Bosphorus with Dinner & Show at an additional cost. This experience offers a memorable evening on the Bosphorus, complete with entertainment and a delicious dinner.

After breakfast, around 8:30 AM, you will be picked up from your hotel to begin a full-day guided tour of Istanbul’s Byzantine and Ottoman treasures. The tour begins with a visit to the grand Hagia Sophia, a majestic structure that has served as a cathedral, a mosque, and now a museum, showcasing centuries of history from both Christian and Islamic cultures.

Next, you will visit the iconic Blue Mosque, renowned for its striking blue tiles and six towering minarets. This active place of worship is a hallmark of Ottoman architecture. From there, you’ll explore the Hippodrome, the center of Byzantine public life and the venue for chariot races and other grand events. Here, you’ll see notable monuments such as the Obelisk of Theodosius, Serpent Column, and German Fountain.

After visiting these historical landmarks, you’ll enjoy a lunch break at a local restaurant, where you can savor traditional Turkish cuisine. Following lunch, the tour continues with a visit to the magnificent Topkapi Palace, the lavish residence of Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years. Explore its vast courtyards, jewel-filled treasuries, and, optionally, the Harem, the private quarters of the sultan’s family.

The day concludes with a visit to the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world. With over 4,000 shops, it offers an exciting experience with its array of spices, carpets, jewelry, ceramics, and more. At the end of the tour, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel around 5:00 PM. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore Istanbul further or relax at your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

After breakfast at around 8:30 am, you will join the Half-day Morning Bosphorus Cruise. The tour will begin with a drive to the pier in Eminönü, where you’ll visit the historic Spice Market (Egyptian Bazaar). After a short exploration, you will board a shared boat for a cruise along the Bosphorus, the narrow strait that separates Europe and Asia, connecting the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara.

During the cruise, you’ll get spectacular views of Ottoman palaces such as Dolmabahçe Palace and Beylerbeyi Palace, the Bosphorus Bridge, ancient citadels, beautiful mansions, and the shorelines of both Europe and Asia.

After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel around 12:15 pm, where the rest of the day will be free for you to relax or explore on your own. Overnight in Istanbul.

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be picked up around 6:30 am for your departure to Eceabat. The drive takes approximately 5 hours. Upon arrival, lunch will be served before starting the tour.

At around 13:00, your fully guided Gallipoli Tour begins, visiting key sites that played significant roles during the Gallipoli campaign. These include Brighton Beach, Beach Cemetery, ANZAC Cove, Ariburnu Cemetery, the ANZAC Commemorative Site, and the Respect to Mehmetcik Statue. You will also visit the Lone Pine Australian Memorial, Johnston’s Jolly, where you can explore Turkish and Allied trenches and tunnels, the Turkish 57th Infantry Regiment Cemetery, The Nek, and the Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial.

After the tour ends around 4:30 pm, you will be transferred to your hotel in Çanakkale for check-in and overnight. Overnight in Canakkale.

After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel around 8:30 AM for a fully guided Troy and Pergamon Tour.

The tour begins with a visit to the Trojan Horse, followed by stops at the Sacrificial Altars and the 3,700-year-old city walls. You will explore the Houses of Troy I (3000 B.C. – 2500 B.C.), the Bouleuterion (Senate Building), and the Odeon (Concert Hall). The remains of various cities from تروي I through to Troy IX will also be part of the visit.

After concluding the Troy tour around 10:30 am, you will depart for Bergama. Upon arrival at 1:30 pm, lunch will be served before starting the fully guided Pergamon Acropolis tour.

In Pergamon, you will visit the ancient Pergamon Acropolis, Great Library, which once held 200,000 books, Temple of Athena, Temple of Trajan, and the famous Altar of Zeus, now located in Berlin. You will also see the Gymnasium situated on terraces, Lower Agora, Theater of Pergamon with a seating capacity of 10,000, and Temple of Dionysus.

After the tour ends around 5:30 PM, you will depart for Selçuk, arriving at 8:00 PM, and then continue to Kuşadası, arriving by 8:30 PM. Upon arrival, you will check in to your hotel. Overnight in Kuşadası.

After breakfast at around 7:30 AM, you will be picked up from your Kusadasi hotel and taken to the meeting point in Selcuk, where the full group will gather. Your Pamukkale tour will begin with an 8:30 AM departure from Selcuk, and the drive to Pamukkale will take approximately 3 hours. Along the way, there will be a 10-minute stop for a restroom break after 1.5 hours.

Upon arriving in باموكالي at around 11:45 AM, you will first enjoy lunch. After lunch, at approximately 1:00 PM, your guided tour of باموكالي and the Hierapolis area will commence, led by a professional licensed tour guide. In Pamukkale, you will witness the breathtaking Cotton Cliffs, a natural wonder formed by calcareous salt deposits.

You will also explore the ancient ruins of the City of Hierapolis, including its Cathedral, Theatre, and Roman Baths. At the end of the guided tour, you will have some free time to explore on your own. As an optional activity, you may choose to swim in the Pamukkale Antique Pools (at your own expense) during this free time. Your tour guide will provide details about the exact meeting point and time.

After the tour ends at around 4:00 PM, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Kusadasi, arriving around 7:30 PM. Overnight in Kusadasi.

After breakfast, around 8:30 AM, you will be picked up and met by your tour guide to begin your full-day tour of أفسس, the ancient Greek city that became an important cultural and commercial center of its time. Your visit includes key highlights such as the Temple of Hadrian, the Great Theater, and the Trajan Fountain.

After lunch, the tour continues with a visit to the House of the Virgin Mary, where it is believed she spent her last years. Next, you will visit the historic site of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, allowing you to see the remains of this once-magnificent structure. Then, explore the beautiful Isabey Mosque, a fine example of Seljuk architecture.

After the tour, around 4:00 PM, you will be transferred back to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore at your leisure. Overnight in Kusadasi.

After breakfast, you will check out from your hotel and be picked up at around 8:30 AM to begin an exciting journey through the ancient wonders of Ionia. Your first visit will be to Priene Ancient City, once one of the most spectacular of all the ancient Ionian cities, known for its impressive Temple of Athena and beautifully preserved city layout.

Next, continue to Miletus Ancient City, a major ancient port city that was once the home of great philosophers such as Thales. Here, you’ll admire its grand theatre, Byzantine fortress, and well-preserved Roman baths. The final stop will be Didyma, where you will explore the majestic Temple of Apollo, the largest Ionic temple in the ancient world, and see the famous cracked Head of Medusa, an iconic symbol of ancient mythology.

At the end of the tour, around 4:00 PM, you will be transferred to Izmir airport for your flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival, our representative will meet you and transfer you to your hotel for an overnight stay. Overnight in Istanbul.

After breakfast, you will check out from your hotel in Istanbul (hotel check-out is required before 12:00 noon). You will then be transferred to Istanbul International Airport according to your flight details. This marks the end of our tour and services.