Discover Sicily
- Return flights
- 7 nights in 4-star hotels
- 15 included meals: 7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 7 dinners
8 days from
£1,999
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Istanbul, Troy & Ephesus 2025
From £1,799
Duration 9 Days
Departures from: Apr 2025 - Oct 2025
From £1,799
Duration 9 Days
Departures from:
Apr 2025 - Oct 2025
Tour Overview
The Grand Bazaar, the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia are just the beginning when it comes to exploring Turkey. This tour offers an assault on the senses in the best possible way, where history, culture and memorable moments are shared with like-minded travellers. From the ancient city of Ephesus to belly-dancing shows and Gozleme pastries, we'll explore Turkey's culture on a backdrop of famous landmarks and natural wonders. Whether you want to learn about ancient sites, see Gallipoli or have free time to shop, this tour combines an incredible array of highlights.
Your Holiday Includes
- Just You Holiday Director
- Return flights from London
- 8 nights in 4-star hotels
- A guaranteed twin or double room of your own
- 15 included meals: 8 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 6 dinners including a welcome drink
- Overseas transfers, other transportation & porterage
Included Holiday Highlights
- Tour of Istanbul including The Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia & Grand Bazaar
- Turkish coffee demonstration & tasting with Baklava
- Visit the Gallipoli War Memorial
- Tour of Troy & visit to the ancient city of Pergamon
- Visit Yesilyurt, a traditional Turkish village and sample freshly made Gözleme pastries
- Tour of one of the ancient wonders of the world, the Temple of Artemis, in Ephesus
- Discover Turkish fruit & wine production in Sirince village
- Tour of the former Ottoman Capital city of Bursa
Itinerary
Day 2 Istanbul
Get set for a full-day tour of Byzantine and Ottoman relics on your tour of Istanbul. Sultanahmet Square rests at the heart of the Old City and we start here with a visit to the Hippodrome - a historic chariot racing arena. You'll also get to tick off your landmark bucket list when we visit the awe-inspiring Blue Mosque with its many domes and hand-painted blue tiles. Next we'll discover the iconic Hagia Sophia. Once the largest Christian church in the world, it is now considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture. A scrumptious Turkish lunch awaits at a local restaurant, before free time for shopping at the Egyptian and Grand Bazaars. The Grand Bazaar is a heady mix of spices and is alive with the hustle and bustle of people bartering over everything from war medals and pots to carpets and clothing, as well as fruit and leather goods. We'll also stop at an authentic shop to taste the sweet treat, Baklava, made with filo pastry, nuts and honey. Explore as you wish by night, or join us on an excursion to a Turkish night club for a belly-dancing show. Meals included: B,LDay 3 Istanbul - Canakkale
This morning you will have some free time to explore at your leisure or choose an optional cruise of the Bosporus. With over an hour on board, we'll cross from Europe to Asia amid spectacular city views. Once there, hop off the boat for a glimpse of local life on the Asian side. Our leisurely drive to Canakkale takes us via the lovely Marmara Sea for sweeping coastal views. On the way, we'll stop at the famous World War I battlefields of Gallipoli, the large and poignant resting site of Australian, New Zealand, British and Turkish soldiers killed in the war. A ferry trip across the Dardanelles channel brings us to Canakkale for dinner at the hotel. Meals included: B,DDay 4 Canakkale
The first visit of today will be the legendary city of Troy. With over five thousand years of history, your guide will describe the civilisations settled in this unique geographical zone where Anatolia, Aegean and Balkans meet. We will also visit the Troy Museum, exhibiting the historical artefacts from Troy and some other ancient cities in the area, and on nearby islands. At the end of the excursion, we'll drive back to Canakkale where we will have free time for lunch and the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. Meals included: B,DDay 5 Canakkale - Izmir
Today will start with a drive along the Aegean coastline to the small town of Ayvalik. Here we will have a chance to visit a social enterprise called Cop(m)adam. This social enterprise is partnered with Planeterra and is a customer market benefitting local women working in impoverished communities in Turkiye. We will also visit Ayvalik centre, once a major crossroads for Greek commercial, literary and intellectual life in Ottoman times, with a population that consisted almost exclusively of Greek Orthodox Christians. Following this visit, we will drive to Bergama and visit the ancient city of Pergamon with its Acropolis. After the visits, we will have a ‘gozleme’ tasting in Bergama which is a traditional Turkish pastry. While having a taste of gozleme at lunch time, we will also have the chance to see the Turkish weaving tradition and how the carpets are being made using centuries old methods by the locals. We'll then drive to Izmir and have a panoramic city tour, before dinner this evening. Meals included: B,DDay 6 Izmir
The UNESCO-listed ancient city of Ephesus is home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Temple of Artemis. This morning we'll tour the massive excavation site that St Paul once visited on his way back to Antioch, as well as stopping to admire the bathhouses and the majestic Library of Celsus.While in Selcuk, we'll also visit the Basilica of St Jean before an afternoon journey into nature at the picturesque Greek village of Sirince. The region is a wine-lover's paradise and is known for producing some of Turkey's best olives and exquisite handmade olive oil products. Meals included: B,D
Day 7 Izmir - Bursa
Today we'll enjoy a delicious breakfast at the hotel before driving through Manisa and Balikesir to our next destination of Bursa. The former capital of the Ottoman Empire brims with historic gems, such as the Grand Mosque and the Tombs of Osman and Orhan, the first Ottoman Sultans.We'll then take a tour to discover the delights of the Silk Market. The quaint and charming stores here offer scarves, fabrics, silver and artistic crafts, all with a stunning backdrop of decorative Ottoman architecture. Meals included: B,D
Day 8 Bursa - Istanbul
Our departure for Istanbul after breakfast sees us arrive in the city by around lunchtime. Spend the afternoon exploring at your leisure or join us for an optional excursion, starting with lunch at a traditional Turkish restaurant. After lunch, we'll visit the Topkapi Palace Museum to see priceless collections including Chinese porcelain and the Imperial Treasury. Recount your travel memories over a farewell dinner in the fisherman's village area of Kumkapi with a local drink, before enjoying free time in the bright lights of the city. Meals included: B,DDay 9 Istanbul - UK
After breakfast at the hotel, we'll head to the airport for our flight back to the UK. Meals included: BAccommodation (as specified or similar)
Sapphire Hotel
Decorated in classic Ottoman style the 4-star Sapphire Hotel is located in the old centre of Istanbul, within walking distance to many major historical attractions.
Hotel facilities include a restaurant, bar and indoor swimming pool. Bedrooms have private facilities, air-conditioning, TV, mini-bar and hairdryer.
Decorated in classic Ottoman style the 4-star Sapphire Hotel is located in the old centre of Istanbul, within walking distance to many major historical attractions.
Hotel facilities include a restaurant, bar and indoor swimming pool. Bedrooms have private facilities, air-conditioning, TV, mini-bar and hairdryer.
Hotel facilities include a restaurant, bar and indoor swimming pool. Bedrooms have private facilities, air-conditioning, TV, mini-bar and hairdryer.
Buyuk Truva Hotel
The Buyuk Truva hotel is situated centrally within the city of Canakkale, and has a quaint and traditional décor. The in-house restaurant serves a varied cuisine of both local and international options, whilst also offering a wonderful view of the Marmara Sea. Air-conditioned rooms are furnished with private facilities, and there is complimentary WIFI is available.
The Buyuk Truva hotel is situated centrally within the city of Canakkale, and has a quaint and traditional décor. The in-house restaurant serves a varied cuisine of both local and international options, whilst also offering a wonderful view of the Marmara Sea. Air-conditioned rooms are furnished with private facilities, and there is complimentary WIFI is available.
Hilton Garden Inn Izmir Bayrakli
The Hilton Garden Inn Izmir Bayrakli is a contemporarily styled property which offers lovely views of the Aegean Sea. Guests can enjoy the in-house restaurant, which has a spacious dining area. Guest rooms have wooden décor and private facilities. Other services available at the hotel include free WIFI and a Gym.
The Hilton Garden Inn Izmir Bayrakli is a contemporarily styled property which offers lovely views of the Aegean Sea. Guests can enjoy the in-house restaurant, which has a spacious dining area. Guest rooms have wooden décor and private facilities. Other services available at the hotel include free WIFI and a Gym.
Movenpick Bursa Hotel & Thermal Spa
Mövenpick Hotel & Thermal Spa Bursa makes no concessions on quality with its modern and comfortable rooms, ballroom, large meeting rooms, a la carte restaurants, thermal swimming pool and Spa area with thermal Turkish bath, wellness center with dietitian, and high technology fitness equipment. You can relax in the Spa Center with sauna and steam rooms, get aromatic massages from our professional team and swim in the thermal pool.
Mövenpick Hotel & Thermal Spa Bursa makes no concessions on quality with its modern and comfortable rooms, ballroom, large meeting rooms, a la carte restaurants, thermal swimming pool and Spa area with thermal Turkish bath, wellness center with dietitian, and high technology fitness equipment. You can relax in the Spa Center with sauna and steam rooms, get aromatic massages from our professional team and swim in the thermal pool.
Sapphire Hotel
Decorated in classic Ottoman style the 4-star Sapphire Hotel is located in the old centre of Istanbul, within walking distance to many major historical attractions.
Hotel facilities include a restaurant, bar and indoor swimming pool. Bedrooms have private facilities, air-conditioning, TV, mini-bar and hairdryer.
Decorated in classic Ottoman style the 4-star Sapphire Hotel is located in the old centre of Istanbul, within walking distance to many major historical attractions.
Hotel facilities include a restaurant, bar and indoor swimming pool. Bedrooms have private facilities, air-conditioning, TV, mini-bar and hairdryer.
Hotel facilities include a restaurant, bar and indoor swimming pool. Bedrooms have private facilities, air-conditioning, TV, mini-bar and hairdryer.
Just You Cares
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çöp(m)adam is a social project that seeks to address the issues of women’s unemployment and highlights the importance of recycling and reusing materials. We will visit their workshop to see women at work crafting a variety of unique, sustainable creations.
Optional Excursions
Experience even more of your destination by adding one or more optional excursions to your holiday before you set off. Take a look below at the extra trips you can enjoy on this tour.
Istanbul - Istanbul by night including a Turkish folklore show
After a drive through the illuminated streets of Istanbul, you will arrive at a nightclub. Enjoy diner and a traditional Turkish show featuring performances by folk dancers, belly dancers and singers.
Evening excursion - Minimal walking - Cultural experience
Evening excursion - Minimal walking - Cultural experience
After a drive through the illuminated streets of Istanbul, you will arrive at a nightclub. Enjoy diner and a traditional Turkish show featuring performances by folk dancers, belly ...
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Istanbul - morning cruise along the Bosporus
Enjoy a cruise along the Bosporus and admire fabulous views of the city. Asia will be on one side of the river, and Europe on the other. We’ll make a stop on the Asian side to step ashore and catch a glimpse of local life.
Cruise - Minimal walking - Scenic tour
Cruise - Minimal walking - Scenic tour
Enjoy a cruise along the Bosporus and admire fabulous views of the city. Asia will be on one side of the river, and Europe on the other. We’ll make a stop on the Asian side to step...
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Istanbul - Visit Topkapi Palace, residence of the Ottoman Sultans and lunch
This excursion begins with a delicious lunch at a traditional Turkish restaurant. After you’ve eaten, you’ll visit Topkapi Palace. The Palace was the imperial residence of the Ottoman Sultans for nearly 400 years and is now a museum, housing priceless collections including Chinese porcelain and the Imperial Treasury. You will also visit the Hagia Irene.
Half-day tour – Historic site – Authentic experience
Half-day tour – Historic site – Authentic experience
This excursion begins with a delicious lunch at a traditional Turkish restaurant. After you’ve eaten, you’ll visit Topkapi Palace. The Palace was the imperial residence of the Otto...
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Further Information
- Deposit information
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When you book a holiday, you will be asked to pay a deposit, this will be made clear at the time of booking. In most cases we will charge the following deposit amount;
- UK Holidays - £150 per person
- European Holidays - £200 Per person
- Worldwide Holidays - £250 or 10% whichever is the greater
On some holidays we may charge a slightly higher deposit, to cover any costs we have to pay immediately to secure your booking with our suppliers. This will be made clear at the time of booking.
If you choose a tour that is within 84 days of departure you will need to pay the full balance when you book.
- Our cancellation policy
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If you decide to cancel your confirmed booking you must notify us (or your travel agent) in writing, as soon as possible. Since we incur costs in cancelling your arrangements, you will have to pay the applicable cancellation charges up to the maximum shown below.
- More than 75 days before departure - Loss of deposit only
- 43 - 74 days - 50% of tour price
- 29 - 42 days - 75% of tour price
- 15 - 28 days - 90% of tour price
- Day of Departure - 14 days - 100% of tour price
Our full cancellation policy can be found in our booking terms and conditions, section 8.
- How do I find out Entry and Health Requirements for my holiday?
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We have partnered with Sherpa, an on-line self service tool that allows you to search up-to-date information regarding travel entry requirements for all countries and also allows you to apply for eVisas or eTAs via their on-line portal. Just click on this link to find out more – Travel requirement & Visa Service.
You can also refer to the Foreign Travel Advice section on the gov.uk website: Foreign travel advice - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Click on your destination and then click on 'Entry Requirements'. For Health Requirements, the Department of Health also offers travellers health advice on www.travelhealthpro.org.uk, click on country information to locate your destination.
It is important to remember that passport, visa and health requirements can change before departure; therefore, we recommend you regularly familiarise yourself with the latest requirements before you travel. If you cannot travel because you have not complied with any passport/entry/immigration requirements, we are unable to accept any responsibility.
For some destinations, it is not always discernable that a visa is required for entry at the border. For example, for some customers, to travel to the United States, an ESTA may be required. For Canada, an ETA and to India, an e-visa may be needed. Please do check your requirements to avoid any unnecessary cost and delays.
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