Welcome to Turkey!

Your adventure begins with a seamless transfer service from Kusadası Harbour, Izmir Airport, or local bus stations directly to your hotel for check-in.

Take the rest of the day to relax and settle in, preparing for the incredible journey ahead. You may choose to explore Selcuk or Kusadasi, enjoying their charming streets, local markets, and coastal atmosphere.

🌙 Overnight in the Ephesus region (Selcuk or Kusadasi).

🌄 Morning – Discover Ancient Ephesus
Today, you will be picked up from your accommodation and embark on a journey through one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world – Ephesus.

🏛️ Highlights of the Ephesus Tour:

• Ephesus Ancient City – Walk through the grand ruins of this once-thriving metropolis, which was the second-largest city of the ancient world, home to over 200,000 people more than 3,000 years ago. Explore:

  • 🏛️ The Library of Celsus, an architectural masterpiece.
  • 🎭 The Great Theatre, which could seat up to 25,000 spectators.
  • 🏛️ The Temple of Hadrian and the Marble Street, lined with ancient columns.

• House of the Virgin Mary – A place of great spiritual significance, believed to be where the Virgin Mary spent her final years. This site is a revered pilgrimage destination for many Christians.
• The Temple of Artemis – Once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, this grand temple stood as a monumental tribute to the goddess Artemis. While only ruins remain today, its historical significance endures.

🍽️ Lunch Break – Enjoy a delicious meal at a local restaurant before having some free time to explore or relax.

🚌 Evening – Overnight Bus to Gallipoli
After an incredible day exploring the wonders of Ephesus, you will board an overnight bus bound for the Gallipoli region, preparing for the next chapter of your journey.

🌙 Overnight: Overnight bus to the Gallipoli region.

🚌 Early Morning Arrival & Check-in
After your overnight journey, you will arrive in Gallipoli, where you will check into your accommodation and have some time to rest and freshen up.

🍽️ Lunch & Tour Preparation
Before your guided tour, enjoy a delicious lunch, preparing for a day of historical exploration and reflection.

🎖️ Fully Guided Tour of the Gallipoli Peninsula
Your guide will take you on an immersive journey through one of the most significant battle sites of World War I, sharing stories of bravery, sacrifice, and camaraderie.

🏛️ Highlights of the Gallipoli Tour:

• ANZAC Cove – The landing site of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) on April 25, 1915.
• Lone Pine Cemetery & Memorial – Honoring Australian soldiers who fought bravely in the trenches.
• Chunuk Bair – The New Zealand memorial site, marking an important victory for ANZAC troops.
• 57th Turkish Infantry Regiment Memorial – Commemorating the Turkish soldiers who defended Gallipoli.
• Original Trenches & Tunnels – Walk through some of the remaining trenches, where soldiers fought in harsh conditions.
• Gallipoli Museum – View historical war artifacts, personal belongings, and letters still being discovered in the region.

⚔️ A Time for Reflection
This tour is not just about war—it’s about remembrance, reconciliation, and understanding. You will learn about the unexpected friendships that formed between soldiers on opposing sides, emphasizing the humanity beyond the battlefield.

🌙 Overnight: Gallipoli region

🍽️ Morning – Breakfast & Pickup
After enjoying breakfast, you will be picked up from your accommodation for another memorable day in Gallipoli, beginning with a unique snorkeling experience.

🤿 Snorkeling Over the Sunken WWI Warcraft (April – October Only)

• Travel to ANZAC Cove, where you will have the opportunity to snorkel over the sunken ‘Milo WWI Craft’.
• This historic vessel was deliberately sunk by the Allies during the Gallipoli campaign to create a breakwater, aiding in troop landings.
• Swim in pristine waters while witnessing an underwater relic of World War I history. (Please note: Snorkeling is only available during the warmer months from April to October.)

🏛️ Midday – Fully Guided Tour of Ancient Troy
After your snorkeling experience, you will head to the ancient city of Troy, one of the most legendary archaeological sites in the world.

📜 Highlights of the Troy Tour:

• Explore the ruins of the ancient city, which dates back over 5,000 years.
• Learn about the Trojan War, immortalized in Homer’s Iliad, and the famous Trojan Horse legend.
• Walk through Troy’s ancient city walls, theaters, and temples, uncovering layers of civilizations that once thrived here.
• Visit a replica of the legendary Trojan Horse, offering a glimpse into the myth and history of this iconic structure.

🚍 Evening – Travel to Istanbul
After a day filled with history and adventure, you will depart for Istanbul, arriving in the evening.

🌙 Overnight: Istanbul

Today, you will embark on a guided exploration of Istanbul, uncovering its majestic landmarks, rich history, and vibrant bazaars.

🚐 Morning Pickup from Your Accommodation
Your day begins with a pickup from your hotel in one of Istanbul’s central areas, before heading off to visit some of the city’s most iconic attractions.

🏛️ Highlights of Your Istanbul Tour:

• 🕌 Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque) – One of Istanbul’s most famous landmarks, known for its stunning blue Iznik tiles, grand domes, and elegant minarets. (Please note: Access is limited on Fridays due to prayer times.)
• 🌟 Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) – A breathtaking architectural masterpiece that has served as a Byzantine church, an Ottoman mosque, and now a mosque again, showcasing a fusion of Christian and Islamic heritage.
• 🏰 Topkapi Palace – Explore the lavish residence of Ottoman Sultans, where you’ll see priceless treasures, exquisite palace rooms, and beautifully manicured gardens. (Closed on Tuesdays.)

🛍️ Shopping & Bazaar Experience:

• Grand Bazaar – Wander through the world’s largest and oldest covered market, home to thousands of stalls selling handmade carpets, ceramics, jewelry, textiles, and souvenirs. (Closed on Sundays.)
• Spice Bazaar – A feast for the senses, where you can experience the rich aromas of exotic spices, Turkish delight, and fragrant teas.

💡 Our Recommendation:
After your tour, if you’d like to continue exploring at your own pace, we highly recommend spending more time at the Spice Bazaar to fully soak in its colors, scents, and lively atmosphere. It’s the perfect place to pick up authentic Turkish flavors and gifts to take home.

📌 Important Notes:

• Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays.
• Blue Mosque has restricted access on Fridays due to prayers.
• Hagia Sophia
• Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays.
• Hotel Pickups: We provide pickups from central locations, including Sultanahmet, Sirkeci, Laleli, Aksaray, and Taksim. If your accommodation is outside these areas, additional charges may apply—please check with our team.

🌙 Overnight in Istanbul

Optional Tour: Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Turkish Night Show

Today, you will embark on a scenic Bosphorus cruise and a guided city tour, exploring the rich history, stunning palaces, and breathtaking viewpoints of Istanbul.

🚐 Morning Pickup & Dolmabahce Palace Tour
Your day begins with a visit to Dolmabahce Palace, an architectural masterpiece built between 1842 and 1853.

• This Neoclassical and Baroque Rococo-style palace served as the residence of the last six Ottoman Sultans.
• It was also the summer residence of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk until his passing in 1938.
• Marvel at its lavish interiors, crystal chandeliers, and ornate ceilings, symbolizing the grandeur of the Ottoman Empire.

(Note: Dolmabahce Palace is closed on Mondays, and tours on this day will begin at 11:30 AM instead.)

⛴️ Bosphorus Cruise – A Journey Through Time
After your palace visit, you will board a cruise along the Bosphorus Strait, sailing from the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara.

🌊 Sights Along the Cruise:

• 🏝️ Maiden’s Tower (Kız Kulesi) – A legendary tower on a small islet, once a lighthouse, radio station, hospital, and now a museum & restaurant.
• 🏰 Old Constantinople Walls – Built to protect the city for over 1,600 years, these walls were breached only twice in history.
• 🏛️ Kucuksu Palace – A small yet stunning hunting lodge built by Sultan Abdulmecid, where you’ll stop for one hour to explore its exquisite design.
• 🏨 Ciragan Palace – A magnificent Ottoman palace turned luxury hotel, partially destroyed by fire in 1910 and restored in the 1990s.
• 🕌 Ortakoy Mosque – A beautifully designed mosque with distinctive pink mosaics, located along the waterfront.
• 🌉 Bosphorus Bridge – One of the famous bridges connecting Europe and Asia, offering a spectacular view of Istanbul.
• 🏰 Beylerbeyi Palace – The summer retreat of the Ottoman Sultans, visible from the boat.
• 🏯 Rumeli Castle – Built in 1452 by Sultan Mehmed II, this mighty fortress played a crucial role in the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople.

🚎 Panoramic Bus Tour & Pierre Loti Hill Cable Car Ride
After the cruise, you will board a bus for a scenic drive through the old city, passing through the Sultanahmet district before heading to one of Istanbul’s most picturesque viewpoints.

🌄 Pierre Loti Hill – Named after French novelist Pierre Loti, this hill offers one of the most romantic panoramic views of the Golden Horn.
☕ Enjoy a cup of traditional Turkish coffee at a local café while admiring the scenery.
🚡 Take a cable car ride to the top, where you will witness breathtaking views of Istanbul, then glide back down for even more spectacular perspectives of the city.

🏛️ Final Views of the Old City Walls – On your way back to the hotel, the bus will take you around the ancient Constantinople city walls, offering a final glimpse into the city’s imperial defenses.

🕔 Return to Your Hotel: Around 17:00-18:00

📌 Important Notes:

• Dolmabahce Palace is closed on Mondays; on these days, the tour starts at 11:30 AM instead.
• Kucuksu Palace, Pierre Loti Hill, and Dolmabahce Palace are the only stops where you will explore on foot; all other sights are viewed from the boat or bus.

🌙 Overnight in Istanbul

Today marks the official end of your incredible Taste of Turkey Tour. We hope you leave with unforgettable memories of Turkey’s rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant culture.

✈️ Need Help with Onward Travel?
If you require any assistance with your next steps, we are happy to help with:
✔️ Domestic flights or bus tickets to your next destination.
✔️ Additional accommodation bookings in Istanbul or other cities.
✔️ Private transfers to the airport or other locations.
✔️ Travel recommendations for more hidden gems in Turkey.
✔️ Any last-minute queries or assistance to ensure a smooth departure.

Thank you for joining us on this remarkable journey. We wish you safe travels and hope to welcome you back to Turkey again in the future!