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Istanbul, Ephesus & Troy

9days from
£1,510*per person

Overview

Pearls of the Aegean

Explore one of the world’s most exciting cities, and uncover the treasures of ancient Turkey on a truly fascinating walking tour. Soak up the colour and excitement of one of the world’s most exciting cities – the former Imperial capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires – and step back in time as you wander through some of its finest classical sites. Make the most of an opportunity to visit the remarkable natural phenomenon of Pamukkale on an optional tour, and enjoy the sun-kissed warmth and welcome of Aegean shores as you spend three nights in Kusadasi.

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 HagiaSophia, 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. 
  • Your final included excursion takes in ruined Ephesus, one of the most important Roman and Byzantine cities, and witness – in the 1st Century AD – to the preaching of Saint Paul. The ruins - which include churches, bath-houses, fountains and temples, gymnasia, the great Roman Amphitheatre, the facade of the fabled Library of Celsus and the colonnade of the Arcadian Way - serve to reflect this greatness in breath-taking fashion. Continue to the House of the Virgin Mary. You’ll return to Kusadasi this evening to enjoy a last dinner at the hotel.
  • Today you’ll transfer to the airport to begin your journey home.

What's Included

Holiday Highlights

  • Discover colourful Istanbul, straddling two continents
  • See the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and the famed Topkapi Palace
  • Journey south via poignant ANZAC Cove
  • Step back in time in ancient Troy and Pergamon
  • Experience an optional fish dinner
  • Enjoy three nights in shore-side Kusadasi
  • Be amazed by the ruins of Ephesus
  • Discover wonderful Pamukkale on an optional excursion

Our Price Includes

  • Eight nights’ bed and breakfast accommodation at hotels in Istanbul, (3 nights - bed and breakfast), Canakkale (1 - half-board), Bergama (1 - half-board), and Kusadasi (3 - half-board)
  • Dinners at your hotels in Canakkale, Bergama and Kusadasi
  • 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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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

N2498

Holiday 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.

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