Istanbul, Ephesus & Troy with 3 Night Half-Board Extension
12days from
£1,551*per person
Overview
PEARLS OF THE AEGEAN
Itinerary
- Fly to Istanbul, meet your tour manager and transfer to your hotel for a three-night stay. Depending on your time of arrival, acquaint yourself with your surroundings. Enjoy your first evening in an extraordinary city that bridges the divide between Europe and Asia, marked by the narrow strait of the Bosphorus, and that brims with reminders of its illustrious past.
- Introducing the city that was once Byzantium, then Constantinople. Explore the sights of the historic Sultanhamet Peninsula along a guided walking tour. Start the day at the extraordinary Topkapi Palace with its priceless treasures, outer courtyard and gateways into its labyrinthine inner quarters. You’ll also visit the renowned Harem quarter before taking in the colourful Spice Bazaar, with its heaped displays of aromatic powders and trays of Turkish delight. This evening, there’s the chance to enjoy a traditional fish dinner.
- Another unforgettable day sees you return to the historic peninsula to explore the contrasting wonders of the remarkable Blue Mosque, with its minarets and cobalt tiles, and the great Byzantine church of the Hagia Sophia, once the world’s largest enclosed space. Your day will include a guided walk through the ancient Roman Hippodrome and a visit to the world’s largest covered bazaar, the Grand Bazaar. The rest of the afternoon is free. Why not take an optional cruise along the Bosphorus River? Later, make the most of your last evening in this fascinating, glorious city, perhaps dining al fresco.
- Leaving Istanbul, this morning, you’ll travel by coach around the Sea of Marmara, then inland and south onto the stunningly beautiful, Gallipoli Peninsula. Here, in 1915, the Allied forces suffered catastrophic losses, including some 10,000 members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps – the famous ANZACs – at the hands of the defenders of the Ottoman Empire led by legendary Turkish leader and founder of modern Turkey, Atatürk. The beauty of ANZAC Cove and its surroundings is a marked contrast to the sobering memorials and cemeteries. Later this afternoon, you’ll cross the narrow strait of the Dardanelles and head to sea-front Canakkale.
- Enjoy a day amid the wonders of classical Greece, as you explore the nearby ruins of Troy, guarded by a replica giant wooden horse recalling the tale of the first Trojan War. You’ll then continue to Pergamum and stop off at the ancient site of Asclepion on the way. This is one of the oldest and largest health centres in the world, which was built to honour the god of health and medicine Asklepios, after the death of the famous ancient Greek physician, Hippocrates. Later in the day, you’ll arrive at your hotel in Bergama to relax and have dinner.
- Today, an included tour will cover the ruins of the Acropolis in Pergamon, which encompass temples, a two-storey library, and a spectacular, 10,000-seat theatre. After a fascinating day, you’ll arrive in Kusadasi mid-afternoon. You’ll then begin your stay with dinner on the shores of the Aegean Sea.
- Spend today at leisure enjoying the many facilities of the resort, strolling along the harbour promenade, discovering the medieval Kale district or visiting tiny Pigeon Island. Alternatively, join our optional excursion to Pamukkale. Here white calcium deposits, some 100 metres high, shape a slow-moving, ever-changing cascade, with hundreds of terraces and pools filled by an ancient mineral-laden spring. Ruins of a once great city surround the thermal baths, including a Temple of Apollo and restored Roman theatre. En route to Pammukale, you’ll stop at the "red water" springs of Karahayit, famed for their curative powers. And afterwards, there’s a chance to enjoy the pleasures of a spa ande an included lunch on afternoon visit to the luxurious Pam Thermal Hotel, a five-star establishment that takes its 35°C waters from the spring below.
- Enjoy a three-night stay at a resort in Kusadasi as you really get to know this beautiful part of the world. Stroll along the seafront promenade and visit the harbour, which is lined with some great fish restaurants, and explore a few small, nearby historic sites. Alternatively, simply stretch out on the nearby beach, explore the local area, and relax after your unforgettable tour of this colourful corner of the world.
- Enjoy a three-night stay at a resort in Kusadasi as you really get to know this beautiful part of the world. Stroll along the seafront promenade and visit the harbour, which is lined with some great fish restaurants, and explore a few small, nearby historic sites. Alternatively, simply stretch out on the nearby beach, explore the local area, and relax after your unforgettable tour of this colourful corner of the world.
- Today you’ll transfer to the airport to begin your journey home.
What's Included
Holiday Highlights
- Discover the highlights of colourful Istanbul, straddling two continents
- See the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and the famed Topkapi Palace
- Journey south and stop off at the poignant ANZAC Cove
- Step back in time in ancient Troy and Pergamon
- Experience an optional fish dinner
- Experience Kusadasi, ‘Bird Island’ with its seafront promenade
- Gaze in awe at the well-preserved ruins of Ephesus, the former site of the Temple of Artemis
- Unwind on the shores of the Aegean Sea in the resort town of Kusadasi
Our Price Includes
- 10 nights’ bed and breakfast accommodation at hotels in Istanbul (3 nights) Canakkale (1), Bergama (1) and Kusadasi (5)
- Dinners at your hotels in Canakkale and Kusadasi
- Two full-day tours in Istanbul
- A visit to Ephesus, ancient Troy and Pergamon
- Return flights from the UK to Istanbul (returning from Izmir via Istanbul)
- Coach travel and transfers throughout
- Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
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Dates and Prices
Accommodation
Istanbul, Ephesus, and Troy with 3 Night Half-Board Extension Touring hotels -
Grand Yavuz Hotel, Istanbul - Bed & Breakfast (nights 1-3) Positioned within the Old City, this elegant hotel looks out over the Sea of Marmara and is ideally located only a 15-minute walk from the Grand Bazaar. A spa with a traditional hammam is available (payable locally), and there are two restaurants and two bars, some with rooftop settings and impressive city views. All rooms are air-conditioned and offer a TV, safe, mini-bar, and free Wi-Fi. Akol Hotel, Canakkale - Half-Board (night 4) On the seafront, overlooking a tiny harbour and the straits of the Dardanelles and set close to a range of amenities, this hotel boasts three restaurants, roof-top and lobby bars, an outdoor swimming pool, and a sun terrace. Bright, modern, air-conditioned guestrooms each offer a TV, safe, mini-bar, hairdryer, and free Wi-Fi. Berksoy Hotel, Bergama - Half-Board (night 5) Situated near the Red Basilica and the Bergama Museum, this relaxed hotel offers the perfect base from which to explore the ancient ruins of Pergamum. Guestrooms feature TVs, mini-fridges, balconies, air conditioning, safes, hairdryers, and Wi-Fi. There's a restaurant with a terrace, an outdoor swimming pool, and a gym. Paloma Marina Suites, Kusadasi - Half-Board (6-10) This stylish hotel stands in the heart of Kusadasi, a short walk from the beach and the harbour. It has an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness centre, a restaurant, and a bar. All the guestrooms are modern and have air conditioning, TV, mini-bars, and free Wi-Fi. Should circumstances require, we reserve the right to accommodate you in conveniently located, alternative hotels of a similar standard.
Other Information
Hotel transfer times
The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 45 minutes upon arrival, and one hour on the return.
Passports and visas
British CITIZENS travelling to Turkey for tourist or business purposes are able to travel without a visa for visits of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
If you hold a different type of British nationality (eg BN(O), British Overseas Citizen, British Protected Person or British Subject), you will need to apply for a visa from the Turkish Consulate General before you travel.
Combining hotel transfers
We sometimes need to combine transfers to and from your hotel. We always try to keep any wait to a minimum, but you may be asked to wait at the airport for up to an hour, while other incoming flights arrive, before the transfer to your hotel. Similarly, we may need to transfer you back to the airport up to three hours before your flight home departs.
Special requirements
If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.
Disabled access
The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
Itinerary changes
Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.
Foreign Office Travel Advice
Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.
Flight details
The return flights are indirect. You will be required to change aircraft en-route, where there will be a short wait for your next flight. Your luggage will be thru-checked to your final destination.
Travelling to Europe
Rules may have changed since you last travelled to European Union countries as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The following are useful guidelines which will help you prepare for your next adventure. You do require government issued passport to travel.
Names - It is very important that all passenger names are exactly as per your passport although we do not require middle names.
Passport - Your passport must meet two requirements to travel to an EU country and to Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. It must be: Less than 10 years old on the day you return home (please check the "date of issue") and valid for at least 3 months after the day you return home (please check the "expiry date").
Visa - You do not need a visa for short trips to most EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. You’ll be able to stay for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period.
European Travel Information & Authorisation System (ETIAS) - Due to commence in 2025, all citizens of the United Kingdom will require a ETIAS electronic form completed prior to their arrival into the EU and Schengen member countries. The cost for this travel authorisation will be €7.00 per person with exceptions for under 18’s and over 70’s. The latest information and further details can be found at www.etias.com.
Holiday code
N2398Holiday provided by Newmarket Holidays
BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE: This holiday is sold and operated by Newmarket Holidays (ABTOT 5509, ATOL 2325, ABTA V7812), you can be 100% sure that your money is safe.