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
