Welcome to Turkey!

Your adventure begins the moment you arrive! Upon landing, enjoy a seamless transfer from the airport to your hotel, where you can check in, unwind, and settle into the vibrant atmosphere of Istanbul—a city where history, culture, and modernity beautifully converge.

Take this time to:
✔ Relax and recharge after your journey.
✔ Explore your surroundings with a short walk through the bustling streets of Istanbul.
✔ Enjoy a traditional Turkish tea or coffee at a nearby café.
✔ Prepare for the incredible experiences ahead as you embark on your unforgettable journey through Turkey.

🌙 Overnight in Istanbul

Istanbul Old City Tour: A Journey Through History & Culture
Today, immerse yourself in the timeless wonders of Istanbul with a guided Old City Tour. After a morning pickup from your hotel, you’ll explore the historical heart of the city, where the legacy of Byzantine and Ottoman empires comes to life.

🏛️ Tour Highlights:
🕌 Blue Mosque
✔ Marvel at the stunning domes and six minarets of this architectural masterpiece.
✔ Admire the exquisite blue İznik tiles, which give the mosque its name.
✔ Explore the ancient obelisks in the nearby Hippodrome, remnants of two distinct historical eras.
(Note: On Fridays, entry is limited due to prayer times.)

✨ Hagia Sophia
✔ Stand in awe of this magnificent structure, once a church, then a mosque, and now a symbol of Istanbul’s rich past.
✔ Witness the blend of Byzantine and Ottoman artistry, including grand mosaics, massive domes, and towering minarets.
✔ Learn about the centuries of history and cultural transformation that make this one of the world’s most treasured landmarks.

🏰 Topkapi Palace (Closed on Tuesdays)
✔ Step into the opulent world of the Ottoman sultans, exploring their luxurious palace rooms and stunning courtyards.
✔ Visit the Imperial Treasury, which houses priceless artifacts, including the famous Topkapi Dagger and Spoonmaker’s Diamond.
✔ Walk through the Harem, the private quarters of the palace, offering a glimpse into the lives of Ottoman royalty.

🛍️ Grand Bazaar (Closed on Sundays)
✔ Wander through one of the world’s largest and oldest covered markets, dating back over 500 years.
✔ Shop for authentic Turkish goods, including handmade carpets, ceramics, jewelry, spices, and souvenirs.
✔ Experience the lively bargaining culture that makes shopping here a unique and thrilling experience.

💡 Our Recommendation:
After your guided tour, enjoy your free time exploring at your own pace. We highly recommend visiting the Spice Bazaar, a feast for the senses filled with:
✔ Vibrant spices, Turkish teas, and dried fruits.
✔ Traditional Turkish delights and sweets that make for perfect souvenirs.
✔ A fascinating atmosphere, offering a glimpse into Istanbul’s trading history.
(The Spice Bazaar is not included in the tour package, but it’s just a short walk away, and you’ll have ample time to explore on your own.)

📍 Important Notes:
✔ Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays (alternative shopping areas can be recommended).
✔ Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays (alternative sites may be offered on these days).
✔ The Blue Mosque has limited entry on Fridays due to prayer times.

🚐 Pickup Information:
We provide complimentary pick-up services from hotels in Sultanahmet, Sirkeci, Laleli, Aksaray, and Taksim. If your accommodation is outside these areas, additional charges may apply. Please contact our team for details.

🌙 Overnight in Istanbul
Would you like recommendations for an optional evening activity, such as a Bosphorus Dinner Cruise or a Whirling Dervish show? 😊

Sights Visited

Gallipoli Tour: A Journey Through History & Remembrance
Today, embark on a poignant and unforgettable journey to the historic Gallipoli Peninsula, a place of deep reflection and historical significance.

🌅 Early Morning Departure
✔ Depart early in the morning for a scenic drive to Eceabat, traveling through the serene Turkish countryside.
✔ Enjoy a delicious lunch upon arrival, taking in the peaceful landscape before delving into Gallipoli’s rich history.

🏛️ Highlights of the Visit:

📜 Gallipoli Museum
✔ Gain a deeper understanding of the Gallipoli Campaign and the key events that shaped this historic battle.
✔ View artifacts, personal belongings, and letters from the soldiers who fought in these trenches.
✔ Learn about the strategies and sacrifices made by both the ANZAC and Ottoman forces.

⚔️ Battlefields & Monuments
✔ Walk through the preserved trenches, some left untouched since World War I, offering an authentic glimpse into the soldiers’ experiences.
✔ Visit key battle sites and memorials, including:

ANZAC Cove, where Australian and New Zealand troops landed in April 1915.
Lone Pine Cemetery, the final resting place of many brave soldiers.
Chunuk Bair, a significant high ground captured by the ANZAC forces.
Turkish Memorials, honoring the Ottoman soldiers who defended their homeland.

🌿 Reflections on History
✔ Take a moment to reflect on the bravery and sacrifices made during this fierce campaign.
✔ Understand the camaraderie and resilience displayed by soldiers on both sides, many of whom forged lifelong bonds despite the conflict.
✔ Experience the serene beauty of Gallipoli today, a place now known for its peaceful landscapes and symbolic unity.

🌙 Evening: Overnight in the Gallipoli Region
After a day of historical exploration and reflection, check into your accommodation in the Gallipoli region, where you can unwind and prepare for the next leg of your journey.

🛏️ Overnight in the Gallipoli Region

Sights Visited

Troy & Pergamon Tour: A Journey Through Myth & History
Today, embark on an extraordinary journey through two of Turkey’s most legendary ancient cities, Troy and Pergamon. With an early morning pick-up from your hotel, you’ll travel through centuries of history, mythology, and remarkable archaeological wonders.

🌅 Morning: Explore the Legendary City of Troy
Step into the world of myth and history as you visit Troy, the legendary city of the Trojan War, immortalized in Homer’s Iliad.

🏛️ Highlights of Troy:
✔ The Iconic Trojan Horse – See a replica of the legendary wooden horse, symbolizing the famous Greek deception that led to the city’s fall.
✔ The Sacrificial Altars – Discover sites once used in ancient rituals and offerings to the gods.
✔ The Ancient City Walls – Walk along the 3,700-year-old fortifications, providing a glimpse into Troy’s military defenses.
✔ The Bouleuterion (Senate Building) & Odeon (Concert Hall) – Explore the political and cultural heart of the ancient city.
✔ The Multi-Layered City – Witness archaeological layers from Troy I to Troy IX, showcasing its continuous habitation for over 4,000 years.

After delving into the legendary past of Troy, enjoy a delicious lunch before continuing your journey to Pergamon, one of the greatest cities of the Hellenistic period.

🏛️ Afternoon: Discover the Ancient City of Pergamon
Once a powerful cultural and political hub, Pergamon was known for its extraordinary architectural achievements and intellectual legacy.

🌄 Highlights of Pergamon:
✔ The Acropolis – Perched high on a hill, offering breathtaking panoramic views over the valley below.
✔ The Library of Pergamon – Once home to 200,000 scrolls, rivaling the famous Library of Alexandria.
✔ The Temple of Athena & Temple of Trajan – Magnificent monuments of Hellenistic and Roman influence.
✔ The Gymnasium & Lower Agora – Explore the remains of bustling commercial and educational centers from antiquity.
✔ The Hellenistic Theater – One of the steepest ancient theaters in the world, seating 10,000 spectators with a dramatic backdrop of the countryside.
✔ The Temple of Dionysus – A stunning temple dedicated to the god of wine, revelry, and theatre.

🌙 Evening: Arrival in Ephesus
After a full day of exploring these magnificent ancient sites, continue your journey to Ephesus (Selcuk or Kusadasi).
✔ Check into your hotel, unwind, and reflect on the incredible history you’ve experienced.
✔ Enjoy a free evening to explore the town, dine at a local restaurant, or relax before your next day’s adventure.

🛏️ Overnight in the Ephesus Region (Selcuk or Kusadasi).

Sights Visited

Ancient City of Ephesus: A Journey Through Time
Today, step back in time and explore Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world. Once a thriving coastal metropolis, Ephesus was a hub of trade, culture, and religion, attracting scholars, merchants, and worshippers from across the ancient world. Though now miles from the sea, the city’s remarkable ruins still stand, offering a fascinating glimpse into its glorious past.

🏛️ Highlights of Ephesus:
✔ Walk the ancient marble streets, lined with the ruins of homes, public baths, and even brothels, revealing intriguing details of daily life in Roman times.
✔ Stand before the Library of Celsus, an architectural masterpiece that once housed thousands of scrolls and served as a center for learning and philosophy. Although only its grand facade remains, it still captures the elegance and prestige of its original form.

✔ Visit the Great Theatre, a magnificent amphitheater seating 25,000 people, where gladiator battles, performances, and public gatherings once took place.
✔ Explore the Temple of Hadrian, adorned with intricate carvings and inscriptions, dedicated to the Roman Emperor Hadrian.
✔ Discover the Terrace Houses (Optional Visit) – The luxurious homes of Ephesus’ elite, featuring stunning mosaics, frescoes, and intricate architecture.

✝️ Religious & Iconic Sites:
🏡 House of the Virgin Mary
✔ Visit this sacred pilgrimage site, believed to be where the Virgin Mary spent her final years.
✔ Experience the peaceful ambiance of this holy retreat, visited by popes and Christian pilgrims from around the world.
✔ Drink from the sacred spring, which is believed to have healing properties.

🏛️ Temple of Artemis – One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
✔ See the remains of the once-magnificent Temple of Artemis, which stood as one of the most impressive structures in antiquity.
✔ Learn about its historical significance as a center of worship and architectural marvel.
✔ Though only a few columns remain today, the site still evokes the grandeur of what was once one of the world’s largest temples.

🌙 Evening: Return & Overnight in the Ephesus Region
After a day of exploring this incredible ancient city, return to your accommodation in Selcuk or Kusadasi to relax and reflect on the wonders of the past.

🛏️ Overnight in the Ephesus Region (Selcuk or Kusadasiı).

Sights Visited

Transfer from Pamukkale to Fethiye: A Coastal Escape Awaits
After exploring the natural wonder of Pamukkale and the ancient ruins of Hierapolis, continue your journey to the stunning harbor town of Fethiye, where the Aegean meets the Mediterranean.

🚍 Scenic Transfer to Fethiye
✔ Depart from Pamukkale, traveling through picturesque landscapes of rolling hills, lush valleys, and quaint villages.
✔ Enjoy a comfortable ride as you make your way to one of Turkey’s most breathtaking coastal towns.
✔ Arrive in Fethiye in the evening and check into your accommodation, where you can unwind and settle in.

🌊 Evening at Leisure in Fethiye
Though this marks the end of your guided tour, Fethiye offers a wealth of opportunities for exploration and relaxation.

✔ Wander through the charming old town, filled with boutique shops, quaint cafés, and lively bars.
✔ Take a relaxing stroll along the scenic harbor, where boats gently sway under the soft glow of streetlights.
✔ Savor fresh seafood or traditional Turkish mezes at a waterfront restaurant.
✔ Relax and soak in the coastal atmosphere, preparing for new adventures ahead—perhaps a Blue Cruise along the Turquoise Coast or a visit to nearby Oludeniz and the famous Blue Lagoon.

🛏️ Overnight in Fethiye

Sights Visited