Enchanting Aegean: Istanbul, Gallipoli, Ephesus, Cappadocia
- Duration
- 8 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 2,653
FIRST-CLASS | PRIVATE-GUIDED: Explore the western shores and Aegean coasts of Türkiye! Discover timeless charm and cultural wonder in Istanbul, learn about past wars and pay respects at the battlefields of Gallipoli, explore ancient cities in Troy, Pergamon and Ephesus, and visit the magical landscape of Cappadocia.
This 8-day Turkish vacation takes you to Istanbul, Gallipoli, Ephesus, and Cappadocia. It features first-class accommodations and private tours.
Your journey begins in the Turkish capital, Istanbul, the city formerly known as “Constantinople” and the only national capital to straddle two continents. Get settled in this great world city before exploring on a full-day private tour the following day. Start at Topkapi Palace, home to the former Ottoman Sultans, before swinging by Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Hippodrome. You’ll cap off your tour with a trip to the Grand Bazaar, the world’s largest and oldest outdoor market. From Istanbul, drive the road along the coast to Gallipoli, the site of the infamous battle between Turkish and Australian and New Zealander troops from World War I. Pay your respects at ANZAC Cove and Lone Pine Cemetery before crossing the Dardanelles to tour the site of one of the bloodiest battles in world history.
Overnight in Canakkale and visit the ruins of Troy the next day, where the massive Trojan Horse stands as a reminder to Homer’s epics and the stories of the Trojan War. Continue to Pergamum, which was the capital of the Attalid Dynasty in the second century BC. You’ll see the great monuments of the ancient Greek world, including the masterpiece of Pergamon Altar, before you tour the ancient medical centre of Asclepion and connect to your hotel in Izmir or Kusadasi. The next day, explore the ancient city of Ephesus, home to some of the best archeological sites in the world and one of the centres of early Christianity. Trace the steps of St. Paul, visit St. Mary’s Cottage, and explore old ruins from Greek and Roman times.
Connect onward to the fairy tale land of Cappadocia, where you’ll explore the beautiful trekking landscape of Rose Valley and see its famous rock-cut churches. Swing by the ancient Greek village of Cavusin and Ortahisar Castle before reaching the underground city of Kaymakli, where early Christians lived underground in fear of persecution from the authorities. Swing back to your hotel by way of Pigeon Valley, where locals are renowned for their vineyards. The next morning, enjoy a hot air balloon ride over the magical landscape if the weather permits. Then head into the Devrent Valley to explore the area of fairy chimneys, steps, and caps that makes Cappadocia seem like something out of a fairytale. Continue through Monk’s Valley and reach Avanos, renowned for its red-clay pottery from the Hittite period, before reaching the Goreme Open Air Museum to visit the churches, chapels, and monasteries carved into the rock. After a final night in Cappadocia, you’ll connect to Kayseri or Nevsehir Airport to continue to your next destination or head back home.
- Duration
- 8 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 2,653
Itinerary View Trip Map
Arrive Istanbul
Upon arrival at the Istanbul airport, meet a representative and transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Istanbul.
Duration | 2 Nights |
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Istanbul
Today enjoy a full day tour of the Istanbul starting with Topkapi Palace. This palace served as the main residence for Ottoman Sultans between the 16th and 19th centuries. It has a superb position overlooking the Bosphorus. You also visit the magnificent Hagia Sophia or St Sophia's Basilica (closed on Mondays), built by Constantine the Great and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century. It is one of the world's greatest architectural marvels. In the afternoon, visit the fascinating and impressive Blue Mosque, famous for its six minarets, its beautiful blue Iznik tiles, unique architecture and marble latticework. Then visit the Byzantine Hippodrome, the centre of Byzantine life for 1000 years, where chariot races and competitive athletic events took place. See the underground cistern basilica or Nakkas cistern before finally ending the day with a visit to the Grand Bazaar (closed on Sundays), the world’s biggest and the oldest shopping venue.
Meal Plan | Breakfast |
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Istanbul - Canakkale
In the morning, drive to Gallipoli and visit Anzac Cove, Lone Pine Cemetery, The Nek, 57th Regiment, chunuk bair. Later, you will cross the Dardanelles. Gallipoli is a peninsula located between the Aegean Sea and the Dardanelles, known as the site of one of the bloodiest battles in history. Today, the battlefields are a preserved as a national historic park.
Overnight in Canakkale Hotel.
Meal Plan | Breakfast and Dinner |
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Duration | 1 Night |
Canakkale - Kusadasi or Izmir
In the morning, visit Troy, home of the "Trojan Horse" and "Helen of Troy" before departing for Pergamum. During the Hellenistic period, the city of Pergamum became the capital of the Kingdom under the Attalid dynasty in 281-133 BC, who transformed it into one of the major cultural centres of the Greek world. Many remains of its impressive monuments can still be seen and especially the outstanding masterpiece of the Pergamon Altar. Tour the ancient Medical center Asclepion and later drive to Izmir or Kusadasi.
Overnight in Kusadasi or Izmir.
Meal Plan | Breakfast |
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Duration | 1 Night |
Kusadasi or Izmir - Kayseri or Nevsehir
Spend the morning discovering the famous ruins of Ephesus and St. Mary's Cottage. Ephesus is one of the world's richest and most rewarding archaeological sites with impressive ruins dating from the Classical Greek, Hellenistic, Roman and early Byzantine periods. Among the highlights of our tour of Ephesus will be the antique theatre, the famed Library of Celsus, the brothel, the vast Basilica of St. John, the Mosque of Isabey, the Temple of Artemis (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World) and a group of recently excavated early Byzantine mansions that feature incredibly well-preserved floor mosaics and frescoes. In the late afternoon, transfer to the Izmir airport to take a flight to Kayseri / Nevsehir.
Overnight in Cappadocia.
Meal Plan | Breakfast |
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Duration | 3 Nights |
Kayseri - Cappadocia
Today you will visit the Rose Valley, one of the most beautiful trekking valleys in Cappadocia. Explore the famous rock- cut churches by hiking through the valley. Visit Cavusin, an old Greek village, known for its Christian houses and churches. After lunch, see the Ortahisar Castle, similar to Uchisar Castle in style, where storage caves can also be found. Then, visit the Kaymakli Underground City where early Christians lived in fear and faith. On the way back, visit the panoramic Pigeon Valley where pigeons contributed to the lives of locals with their manure to fertilize the vineyards. You may also like to taste Cappadocia wine in a local winery.
Meal Plan | Breakfast |
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Cappadocia
This morning, there is a possibility to do an early morning Hot Air Balloon Tour (subject to weather conditions). Then, from your hotel, visit the Devrent Valley for a guided walk through amazing valley known for its Fairy Chimneys and Pasabagi or Monk's Valley, with multiple stems and caps, peculiar to this area. After visiting Pasabagi, drive to Avanos which is known for the pottery, a craft dating back to the Hittite period. The red clay which is worked by local craftsmen comes from the residue in the Kizilirmak river, the longest river of Turkey. Next, visit the Goreme Open Air Museum to see the churches, chapels and monasteries carved into the Fairy Chimneys from the 10th to the 13th centuries with frescospainted on the walls.
Meal Plan | Breakfast |
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Depart Cappadocia to Kayseri or Nevsehir Airport
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to the Kayseri or Nevsehir Airport.
Meal Plan | Breakfast |
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Other Information
DEPARTURES:
Daily
PRICE INCLUDES:
- Private arrival and departure airport transfers
- Private transportation by minivan with private tour guide
- 2 night first class accommodations in Istanbul
- 1 night first class accommodations in Canakkale
- 1 night first class accommodations in Izmir
- 3 nights first class accommodation in Cappadocia
- All entrance fees to sites mentioned in itinerary
- Flight from Izmir to Kayseri or Nevsehir (Day 1)
- Breakfast daily (excuding Day 1) and 1 dinner
PRICE EXCLUDES:
- Return flight between Cappadocia to Istanbul on Day 8. Available upon request.
- Travel insurance
- International airfare and airfare taxes
- Visa fees if applicable
- Meals and beverages not mentioned
- Gratuities
- Items of a personal nature
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
Prices are "from" per person based on twin/double share accommodation and for travel in low season. Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply. Limited seat/spaces and all pricing is subject to change and availability. Rates for single or triple travellers are available on request - please inquire.
22 May 2023