Turkish Delight - 8 days

Trojan treasures, Roman ruins, Sultan’s palaces, exotic spice markets and grand bazaars. Captivating travellers young and old, our family holiday packs in fun and culture, with plenty of time to wander off and discover your own hidden gems or simply relax by the pool.

Day 1: Istanbul
Saturday. Welcome to Turkey! Arrive Istanbul and transfer to our hotel. Spend the afternoon exploring this great Ottoman city on foot or simply relax and enjoy the hotel facilities. Overnight - Istanbul (D)
Day 2: The Old City
Istanbul. Touring the heart of the Old City from where the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires were ruled, we’ll view some amazing sights. See the Blue Mosque (opening subject to prayer times) which faces the Hagia Sofia and is famed for its blue Iznik tiles and unique 6 minarets and the ruinous Hippodrome – now a small park of sorts and once scene of chariot races and political activities in Byzantine times. Also enjoy a visit to Topkapi Palace - residence of the sultans and Hagia Sofia Museum - constructed as a Basilica in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian. Later we take a scenic ferry ride on the Bosphorous, the stretch of water that divides Europe from Asia. Overnight - Istanbul (B, L)
Turkish Delight - 8 days Go Guide : :Check out the go guide for details of the tour, info on visas, climate, money, what to bring and more!
People paying their respects to war graves at Anzac Cove
Day 3: Gallipoli
Istanbul - Gallipoli. Early this morning, we travel to the WW1 battlefields of Gallipoli on the Gallipoli Peninsular. Where we walk in the footsteps of the ANZAC’s with visits to the battlefields and trenches, ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine Australian Memorial, Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial, Johnston’s Jolly and various other sites. Overnight - Canakkale (B, L, D)
Sailing boats in Fethiye harbour
Day 4: Troy and Kusadasi
Gallipoli - Kusadasi. Travelling south today our first stop is legendary Troy, for a guided tour. If you’ve seen the movie – ‘Troy’ or read the poet Homer’s – ‘The Iliad’ you’ll be familiar with Paris – Prince of Troy, his prized Helen and Hector – Prince of Troy on the Trojan side and Agamemnon and Achilles (he of the heel) on the Aechaean (Greek) side. The legend of the lost city of Troy and Homer’s poetry was bought alive by its rediscovery in 1863. Subsequent excavations revealed 9 ancient cities, one on top of the other, dating back to 3000 BC!

We travel on to the ancient ruins of Pergamum and enjoy a guided tour of the site. Home to one of the steepest, vertigo-inducing amphitheatres in the classical world. We then continue to Kusadasi on the Aegean Coast. Overnight - Kusadasi (B, D)
Day 5: Ancient Ephesus
Ephesus. Today, we tour the incredible Roman ruins of Ephesus. Undoubtedly the most well preserved classical city in the eastern Mediterranean, and among the best places in the world to get a feel for what Roman life must have been like. In the 1st century BC, Ephesus was the second largest city in the world! It revelled in prosperity from commerce and visiting pilgrims, who came to see its great Temple of Artemis (completed in 550 BC) - one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. In the afternoon there is an option to visit Adaland Aquapark, offering 20 rides and water slides and rivalling many of the water parks of Europe, it’s guaranteed good fun! Overnight - Kusadasi (B, L, D)
Day 6: Bursa
Kusadasi - Bursa. Departing Kusadasi we drive to Bursa, the original capital of the Ottoman Empire located on the north western slopes of Mount Uludag. The area is dotted with hot springs and during Roman times spas were built for the publics’ use, over the centuries Bursa became renowned as one of the most important spas of the Byzantine period. We visit the Ottoman complex and see the Grand Mosque and the Green Mausoleum, the tomb of Sultan Mehmet I. This evening relax and be pampered with an optional Turkish Bath. Overnight - Bursa (B, D)
Day 7: Back to Istanbul
Bursa - Istanbul. This morning we travel back to Istanbul. Upon arrival visit the vast and bustling Grand Bazaar with its maze of alleys and markets, and the exotic Spice Market with its colourful spice stalls quantities of delicious Turkish Delight. Overnight - Istanbul (B)
Day 8: Istanbul
Saturday. Istanbul. We say goodbye to our new friends, our tour ends after breakfast and onward departure transfer to the airport. Or choose to extend your stay in Istanbul and join an optional excursion to Turkuazoo Aquarium, considered to be Europe’s largest aquarium. (B)


Tour Details
  • Starts in: Istanbul / Ends in: Istanbul
  • Departs: Saturdays
  • No local payment required
  • Breakfast:7, Lunch: 3, Dinner: 5
  • Hotel Rating: 4 star and special class
  • Tour Guide: Yes
The on the go Theatre
Highlights of Turkey and the evocative ANZAC day dawn service
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