Aegean Explorer - 7 Days
Kicking off in the powerhouse of the Ottoman empire, discover exciting Istanbul, embrace Gallipoli, impressive Roman ruins, the Aegean Coast and Pamukkale's beautiful cascading mineral pools.
Day 1: Istanbul
Saturday. Welcome to Turkey! Arrive Istanbul and included transfer to our hotel. Spend the afternoon at leisure or head out to explore the city. This evening our tip filled welcome meeting takes place. Overnight - Istanbul
Day 2: Istanbul
Istanbul. This morning we enjoy a guided tour of Istanbul's old city. Our tour includes visits to the stunning Blue Mosque famed for it’s blue Iznik tiles and unique 6 minarets, the ruinous Hippodrome – now a small park of sorts and once scene of chariot races and political activities in Byzantine times, Hagia Sofia Museum - constructed as a Basilica in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian, Topkapi Palace and the Underground Cistern – an ancient underground water tank - replete with carved and fluted Corinthian columns and a puzzling head of Medusa. Visitors walk on walkways suspended above the shallow water. It’s very cool and peaceful. Overnight - Istanbul (B)
Aegean Explorer - 7 Days Go Guide : :Check out the go guide for details of the tour, info on visas, climate, money, what to bring and more!
Day 3: Gallipoli
Istanbul – Gallipoli.
Early this morning, we travel to the WW1 battlefields of Gallipoli. Here, we’ll embark upon a guided tour of the region, once the site of fierce fighting and today almost hauntingly beautiful, with its wooded landscape dotted with understated memorials to the war dead. Our guided tour of the region will take in sights such as ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine Australian War Memorial and cemetery, Chunuk Blair New Zealand War Memorial and cemetery, the Nek, Johnston’s Jolly and the many fortified trenches still clearly visible amongst the scrub after all these years.
Crossing the Dardenelles by ferry (offering panoramic views of the entire Gallipoli Peninsular) we proceed to our hotel for a little rest and relaxation. Overnight - Gallipoli region (B, D)
Crossing the Dardenelles by ferry (offering panoramic views of the entire Gallipoli Peninsular) we proceed to our hotel for a little rest and relaxation. Overnight - Gallipoli region (B, D)
Day 4: Troy & Kusadasi
Gallipoli – Kusadasi. Heading south, we enjoy a guided tour of Homer’s Troy, famed for the Trojan wooden horse and fabled Helen. Continuing to ancient Pergamum - the cultural and political capital of its time, before continuing onto coastal Kusadasi. Make the most of the hotel facilities this evening. Overnight - Kusadasi (B, D)
Day 5: Kusadasi
Today, we enjoy a guided tour at the legendary Roman ruins of Ephesus. Positively the best-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. Ephesus, under the Romans was a vast city with a population nearing 250,000. It became the Roman capital of Asia Minor. We’ll have plenty of time to tour the marble ruins of Ephesus. Be sure to see the famous Library of Celcus, the gymnasium of Vedius and Stadium, the great theatre and stroll the streets in the ruins of this large Roman ruined city. It’s completely fascinating. We’ll see public toilets, a brothel, fountains and various temples. Carpet weaving has long traditions in Turkey and afterward we stop to watch a demonstration of how they are made. Overnight - Kusadasi (B, D)
Day 6: Pamukkale
Kusadasi - Pamukkale - Istanbul. Today, after breakfast, we drive to Pamukkale visiting the region’s famed calcium rich terraced pools. Known locally as the Cotton Castles, they are a natural phenomena and gift of Mother Nature.
Pamukkale was formed when warm, calcium rich mineral water cascaded over the cliff edge, cooling and depositing in the process. The calcium built natural shelves and pools on the cliffs, known as travertines. Today, some of the pools are closed. However, areas of the travertines can be walked upon, albeit in bare feet. We can however opt to enjoy a unique and very pleasant dip in the warm waters at the Pamukkale Thermal, with its submerged fragments of fluted marble columns in the centre of the ruined spa town of Hierapolis, which was a was a cure centre founded around 190 BC by the Romans.
At approx 10:30pm this evening we bid farewell to our guide and travel by overnight bus to Istanbul. Overnight - Public bus/coach (B, D)
Pamukkale was formed when warm, calcium rich mineral water cascaded over the cliff edge, cooling and depositing in the process. The calcium built natural shelves and pools on the cliffs, known as travertines. Today, some of the pools are closed. However, areas of the travertines can be walked upon, albeit in bare feet. We can however opt to enjoy a unique and very pleasant dip in the warm waters at the Pamukkale Thermal, with its submerged fragments of fluted marble columns in the centre of the ruined spa town of Hierapolis, which was a was a cure centre founded around 190 BC by the Romans.
At approx 10:30pm this evening we bid farewell to our guide and travel by overnight bus to Istanbul. Overnight - Public bus/coach (B, D)
Day 7: Istanbul
Friday. Arrive Istanbul early this morning (approx 8 - 8:30am) where our representative will be waiting to meet you. We transfer to a nearby hotel where our luggage can be stored till our airport transfer to Ataturk International Airport depart later in the day (11am and 1:30pm). Consider heading out to one of the local cafes for a hearty breakfast followed by a visit to the Egyptian Spice market or the legendary, if cavernous Grand Bazaar - boasting some 4000 shops under one immense roof. The Grand Bazaar is just the ticket for souvenir, clothing, scarves, brassware, silver and handbag purchases.
Alternatively, you could choose to extend your stay by purchasing an additional nights hotel accommodation.
Alternatively, you could choose to extend your stay by purchasing an additional nights hotel accommodation.
Lather yourself in Olive Oil, the Oil Wresting Championships in Erdine are ready to commence!
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Every year since 1640 Turkey’s best wrestlers, men and boys, gather and lather up for the oldest wrestling contest in the world. Once held in a grassy field of Kirkpinar, the world-renowned Janissaries (an elite fraternity of body guards to the imperial Sultans) trained and mastered in the art as preparation for combat. Today, about 1,000 barefoot wrestlers take part in a ‘sudden death’ style competition wearing only a pair of leather trousers and a lathering of omega 3 rich olive oil.
Competitors pair off, grappling and struggling to gain a grip on their opponent. Tactical moves include a hand down the side of the pants trick and the common schoolboy ‘wedgie’ (grab, lift, flip and throw) to pin ones opponent to the ground! The winner goes on to fight another winner, and so on, until there is only one wrestler left standing. Join us at the Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Championships, on our Oil Wrestling Bolt-on which will coincide with our Aegean Explorer, Istanbul to the Med, Turkey Unplugged, Turkey & Tutankhamen and Turkey Discovered tours departing in the beginning of July 2012. The exact event date has yet to be confirmed - watch this space! |
Cruise the Mediterranean by traditional Turkish Gulet
Why not extend your time in stunning Turkey for a memorable 7 night gulet cruise. You will explore the various small islands, inlets and bays for sunbathing, swimming and relaxation. Our cruise starts from Marmaris a short hop from Pamukkale.
Note: Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays, whilst the Hagia Sofia is closed on Mondays. Please consider this when booking. Grand Bazaar and Egyptian Spice Market are both closed on Sundays.
Tour Details
- Starts in: Istanbul / Ends in: Istanbul
- Departs: Saturdays - year round
- No local payment required
- Breakfast:5, Lunch: 0, Dinner: 4
- Hotel Rating: 4 star
- Tour Guide: Yes
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