Itinerary
- Day 1
Istanbul
You'll arrive in Istanbul and check into your hotel. If your flight gets in with time to spare, take a walk around the city on your own before everyone meets up tomorrow.
Optional Activities
- Solo exploration of Istanbul
- Day 2
Istanbul
This morning you'll meet your tour leader and the other travelers. Then it's a guided walk through the Blue Mosque and Sultanahmet Square to see the Roman and Byzantine monuments. You'll have the afternoon free to wander around on your own, and later the group gathers for a welcome dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner)
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Blue Mosque
- Walking tour of Sultanahmet Square
- Welcome dinner
Optional Activities
- Solo exploration of Istanbul
Landmarks/POIs Blue Mosque Sultanahmet Square Theodosius Obelisk Serpent Column Walled Obelisk - Day 3
Istanbul to Çanakkale
You're heading out early from Istanbul toward Gallipoli, about 3 hours 30 minutes away. With your tour leader, you'll explore the Battle of Gallipoli site and cemeteries, learning about the WWI campaign that happened there. After that, take a ferry from Europe over to Asia to reach Çanakkale, where you'll stay before visiting Troy tomorrow.
Included Activities
- Transfer to Gallipoli
- Gallipoli commemorative site visit
- Gallipoli cemeteries visit
- Ferry transfer from Europe to Asia
Landmarks/POIs Gallipoli - Day 4
Troy - Ayvalık - Selçuk
Start your day exploring Troy's ancient ruins with your tour leader, hearing stories about the Trojan War and seeing structures that are around 5,000 years old. Then drive 2 hours to Ayvallık, a charming Aegean town, where you'll grab lunch featuring excellent meze. From there it's another 3 hours to your winery hotel in Selçuk's hills.
Included Activities
- Troy archaeological site exploration
Optional Activities
- Wine tasting at hotel vineyard or restaurant
Landmarks/POIs Troy - Day 5
Ephesus - Sirince - Pamukkale
You'll see Ephesus, once the second-most important city in the Roman Empire, where you can walk through the ancient amphitheatre and Library of Celsus. After that, head to the village of Sirince for a cooking class with local women. You'll prepare traditional Turkish mezes, a main course, clay pot stew, and dessert, then sit down and eat what you've made for a late lunch before heading to Pamukkale.
- Meals
- Lunch (Turkish cooking class lunch - three kinds of Turkish mezes, main course with seasonal vegetables, clay pot stew, and Sirince-style semolina dessert with pine nuts and ice cream)
Included Activities
- Ephesus amphitheatre visit
- Library of Celsus visit
- Ephesus ruins exploration
- Turkish cooking class in Sirince
Landmarks/POIs Ephesus Library of Celsus Sirince - Day 6
Hierapolis - Antalya
Pamukkale, the Cotton Castle, is next. The thermal waters here have built up cream-colored pools and terraces over centuries, and you'll get to swim in the hot spring pools which have healing properties. You can also explore Hierapolis nearby, a Roman bath center founded in 190 BCE with ruins of a theatre and temple. Then transfer to Antalya, a 3 hour 15 minute drive.
Included Activities
- Pamukkale pools visit and swimming
- Hierapolis ruins exploration
Optional Activities
- Exploration of Antalya old town
Landmarks/POIs Pamukkale Hierapolis - Day 7
Antalya
Check out Perge, the birthplace of mathematician Apollonius, and then head to Aspendos, which has one of the world's best-preserved ancient theatres and still hosts performances. The rest of the afternoon is free time in Antalya. You can relax at the beach or visit the Archaeological Museum if that interests you.
Included Activities
- Perge ancient city visit
- Aspendos theatre visit
Optional Activities
- Antalya Archaeological Museum visit
- Beach swimming
Landmarks/POIs Perge Aspendos Theatre Antalya Archaeological Museum - Day 8
Antalya
Your tour comes to an end today, so you'll start your journey back home. If you want to keep exploring, talk with your sales representative about extension options before you leave.
Optional Activities
- Tour extension options
