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Treasures of Aegean Tour (10 Days)
Duration: 10 Days / 09 Nights
Highlights: Istanbul, Bosphorus, Gallipoli, Troy, Pergamum,
Ephesus, Bodrum
Run: Everyday
Note: All Istanbul tour packages are modular and you can use these itineraries
as a starting point and we can help modify this itineraries to accommodate
your personal requirements and desires to find your perfect holiday.
DAY 01 – Arrive in Istanbul
Upon your arrival to Istanbul International Airport, you will be met by
our hostes and transferred to your hotel. After check-in, you can take a
walk through the historical Sultanahmet district of Istanbul, having a look
at the famous St Sophia and Blue Mosque. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 02 – Imperial Istanbul Tour
We will spend the full day visiting the sights of Old Istanbul. We will
begin at the ancient Hippodrome which was the center of the civil activities
back in the Hellenistic and Roman times. At the Hippodrome the chariot and
horse races and athletic runs took place for the entertainment of the people
of Constantinople. We walk to the nearby Ibrahim Pasha Palace which houses
the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art where we will see an impressive exhibit
from the various periods of Turkish and Islamic art, ranging in date from
the 7th C. to the 19th. Then we proceed to the Blue Mosque, famous for its
blue tiles covering its interior walls and also for its six minarets which
is a unique feature of this mosque. Nearby is Hagia Sophia Museum, the former
Cathedral of Constantinople, considered as the masterpiece of the early
Byzantine architecture. Hagia Sophia is renowned for its superb mosaic decoration
as well as its architectural style. After lunch we will visit the Topkapi
Palace, residence and administrative center of the Ottoman Sultans. In the
grounds of the Topkapi Palace are many courtyards surrounded by old buildings
each housing small museums with exhibits of jewelry, costumes, calligraphy
and various objects that belonged to the Imperial treasury of the Ottoman
Sultans. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 03 – Half Day Bosphorus Cruise
After breakfast, again meet you tour guide for a half day tour. Drive to
Golden Horn, the arm of the Bosphorus and a natural harbour of the historical
peninsula seperating the old and new parts of Istanbul where the first colonies
settled during Byzantine. The residential area of Byzantines Jews, Italian
traders and other non-muslim minoririties. Drive along the traces of history
at balat viewing Fener Orthodox Patriarchate, Metal Church of St Stephen
the Bulgarian, Ahrida Synagouge, Eyup Sultan Mosque. 21kms long City Walls
of Istanbul will be also seen on this drive. Visit the Egyptian Market (Spice
Bazaar) built in 1664, the perfect place to shop for herbal medicine, Turkish
Delight (lokum), spices, teas, caviar and many other flavours. We then embark
the ferry which has become one of the symbols of Istanbul. The Bosphorus
is a narrow, navigable strait between Europe and Asia connecting the Black
Sea to the Marmara Sea. The Bosphorus ferry will take us to both European
and Asian shores of the city. Alongside million dollar mansions we will
see the two bridges linking Europe and Asia by road, as well as the seaside
summer palaces and unique wooden houses not to mention the natural beauty
of the forests above. After the tour you will be transferred to your hotel
with the afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 04 – Travel on to Canakkale / Gallipoli Tour
After breakfast, check-out and drive along the Sea of Marmara through the
small European part of Turkey known as Thrace. Before leaving Europe we
visit Gallipoli, Gelibolu in Turkish. This narrow, mountainous peninsula
on the northwestern side of the Dardanelles has seen more than its share
of history with countless civilizations having battled for control over
these straits for over 3,000 years. This is the historic World War I battleground
where Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, father of the Turkish Republic, first rose
to prominence. Under the direction of Winston Churchill, an unsuccessful
naval and land campaign failed in its attempt to capture Gallipoli, open
up the Dardanelles, and seize Constantinople. This battleground is now marked
with over 30 memorials. We then cross the Dardanelles waterway by ferry
from Europe to Asia where your hotel is located. Overnight in Canakkale.
DAY 05 – Troy, Pergamon Tour / Travel down to Kusadasi
We have an early start today and we visit the ruins of Troy where Greek
and Trojan heroes fought for the beautiful Helen. Troy had been accepted
as a lengendary city for ages, but very few people believed in its true
existence. Heinrich Schliemann excavated here at this own expense in the
1870s and discovered the spot where a sophisticated settlement had existed
for centuries. As you stand on the ancient hilltop you can look out over
the plain of Troy and feel the famous cool north wind blowing from the Dardanelles.
After lunch travelling down the rugged Aegean coast and inland to the typically
Turkish rural town of Bergama. Here we visit the Akropolis and view Asklepion
of the Roman city of Pergamon, said to be one of the first hospitals in
the world. We see a carving of two snakes wrapped around a drinking cup
(a modern symbol of the medical profession) and a theatre where the mentally
disturbed would allegedly act out their emotions (a forerunner of today's
psychoanalysis). Later we travel Kusadasi, through Izmir. Overnight in Kusadasi.
DAY 06 – Ancient City of Ephesus Tour
Visit Ancient Ephesus. One of the most interesting and extensive ancient
cities in the world, Ephesus was established by the Greeks and then successively
occupied by Persians and Romans. The art and architecture of emperors adorn
the city in a state of remarkable preservation. We’ll visit these landmarks:
The Theater, The Library of Celsus, The Temple of Hadrian, Corinthian Temple,
The Baths of Scholastica, The town brothel and many more. Before we leave
Ephesus Ancient City we will also have time to see The Cave of Seven Sleepers.
Then stop at the Temple of Artemis, protectress of Ephesus which is dating
back to 1300 BC and considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World. After
lunch in a local restaurant, day will continue with The House of Virgin
Mary which is situated at Mt Bulbul. It is believed that Virgin Mary came
to Selcuk with Apostle John from Jerusalem after Jesus was crucified and
she spent her last days there until she died at the age of 64. Day tour
will over with the last visit to Ephesus Archaeological Museum where you
will the chance to see a statue of Artemis from Ephesus dating back to the
2nd century A.D. Overnight in Kusadasi
DAY 07 – Travel on to Bodrum / Crusader Castle of St Peter Tour
After breakfast at hotel, check-out and you will be transferred to Kusadasi
bus station for the intercity day bus to Bodrum. This drive will take around
3 hours. On your arrival you will be met at the bus station and start the
day tour. Bodrum is a lively town on the Mediterranean shore, with many
restaurants, bars, cafes and shops. Bodrum occupies the site of ancient
Halicarnassus which was an important city of Caria and the birth place of
the first Historian, Herodotus. We begin the tour with the Castle of the
Knights in Bodrum situated on a rocky promontory which is a marvelously
well preserved example of Crusader architecture. Within the walls are separate
towers of the French, Italian, German and English who carved their coats
of arms, inscriptions and graffiti into the stones. The castle itself also
serves as the local museum, with the exhibits of many archaeological objects
found in the area, and one particular display is noteworthy that is one
of the shipwreck (1,200 BC.) from Gelidonya cape. From the top of the walls
of the castle is overwhelming view of the harbor and town. Walking back
to the town and through the back streets will bring us to the site of the
Mausoleum which is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Mausoleum
was built for Mausolus who was a Persian satrap of the Caria region from
377 to 352 BC. On his death, this massive mausoleum was constructed for
him, by Artemisia, his sister, his wife and his queen. The word "Mausoleum"
comes from this monumental tomb. Overnight in Bodrum.
DAY 08 – Day at Leisure in Bodrum
Today is free to enjoy the ambience of this beautiful town. Overnight in
Bodrum.
DAY 09 – Flight to Istanbul
After check-out (12:00) from hotel, remainder of day will be at leisure
till you will be transferred to Bodrum Airport for the flight to Istanbul
which will take around one hour. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 10 – Transfer to Istanbul International Airport
Breakfast at hotel, check-out and transfer to Istanbul International Airport,
as per your departure details.