Western Turkey Highlights Tour

On arrival transfer from Istanbul Atatürk airport to hotel. Tonight you have a welcome meeting in Doubletree by Hilton Piyalepasa Hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will have a full day guided tour including visits to: Topkapi Palace, Hippodrome Square – the place of the Roman races, Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar where you can purchase some incredible bargains. Continue to Hagia Sophia, unquestionably one of the finest buildings of all time. Built by Constantine the Great, its immense dome rises 55m above the ground. This building has been a Cathedral, Catholic Church, Mosque and now Museum. Tour concludes with a visit to Spice Bazaar. Overnight at Doubletree by Hilton Piyalepasa. (B)

Morning departure to Gallipoli, which is most notable for the offensive waged by the Allies, including Australia and New Zealand, in World War I. Pay your respects at ANZAC Cove and visit The Nek, Chunuk Bair, Lone Pine and the 57th Regiment Memorial. Afterwards cross the Dardanelles and overnight in Canakkale at Kolin Hotel. (B, D)

Drive to Troy, a city well-known to both history and legend (as well as archaeology). It is best known for being the setting of the Trojan War described in the Greek Epic Cycle and especially in the Illiad, one of the two epic poems attributed to Homer. Afterwards the tour will cross the legendary Mount Ida and continue to Pergamum to visit the Acropolis. Dramatic perched atop a steep sided hill to the northeast of the modern city centre. Continue on to Kusadasi for dinner and overnight at Ramada Suites. Kusadasi is one of the most beautiful and famous places for recreation and fun holidays. Today it is one of the most sophisticated holiday resorts in Turkey. This pretty town attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world with its many sandy beaches, 300 sunny days in a year, and sparkling glassy water of the blue Aegean. Dinner and overnight at Elite World Hotel. (B, D)

This morning take a short drive to Ephesus, the most famous archaeological site in Turkey. See the 200 year old marble streets, Hadrian’s Temple, Library of Celsus and gymnasium. Continue onto the village of Sirince to experience one of the most beautiful villages in Turkey. Sirince was settled when Ephesus was abandoned in the 15th century but most of what one sees today dates from the 19th century. Return to Elite World Hotel for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

After breakfast, drive through the meandering plains and cotton farms, arrive to Pamukkale to enjoy the beauty of the Lime Cascades. The city contains hot springs and travertines, terraces of carbonate minerals left by the flowing water. The underground water once gave life to the ancient city of Hierapolis. Transfer to Adempira Hotel in Pamukkale for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

After breakfast transfer to the airport for flight to Istanbul. On arrival in Istanbul end of service. (B)