Essentials of Turkey: Empires, Legends & Aegean Wonders

Arrive in Istanbul, the city that bridges Europe and Asia.
After a warm welcome and transfer to your hotel, the day is yours to relax or
wander through Istiklal Avenue, lined with shops, cafés, and historic
buildings.

Dive into Istanbul’s Byzantine and Ottoman heritage:

 
• Blue       Mosque – an architectural masterpiece adorned with blue Iznik tiles.

 

• Hippodrome – once the center of Byzantine social life.

 

• Hagia       Sophia (exterior view) – a symbol of Byzantine grandeur.

 

• Afternoon       Bosphorus cruise – sail between two continents, admiring palaces and       fortresses.

 

• Evening       Bosphorus dinner cruise with live entertainment.

Day 3: Gallipoli Tour (B, L)
  Travel to Gallipoli, a site of immense historical  significance:

 
• Visit Anzac Cove, Lone Pine Cemetery, and Chunuk Bair.

 

• Learn about the World War I battles that shaped modern Turkey.

 

• Reflect on the bravery and sacrifice of soldiers from around the world.

Step into legend and history:

 
• Troy – explore the ruins of the city immortalized in Homer’s Iliad.

 

• Pergamon – visit the Acropolis, Temple of Trajan, and the ancient library that rivaled Alexandria.

 

• Continue to Kusadasi, a vibrant coastal town, for overnight stay.

Discover the wonders of Ephesus:

 
• Library of Celsus – one of the most iconic ruins in the ancient world.

 

• Great Theatre – where St. Paul once preached.

 

• Temple of Artemis – one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
      Later, visit Sirince Village, famous for its wine-making traditions and charming cobblestone streets.

After breakfast, transfer to Izmir for your flight back to  Istanbul. Bid farewell to Turkey with unforgettable memories of its history,  culture, and landscapes.