Turkey Aegean Coast Travel along the magnificent coastline of Turkey's Aegean region, full of ancient Greek cities, on this tour from Istanbul. With your local guide, visit the battlegrounds of Gallipoli, explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city of Troy and tour ancient ruins in Pergamon and Ephesus. Enjoy a relaxing soak in the hot springs of Hierapolis, admire the white limestone terraces of Pamukkale and get a taste for culture as you browse hand-crafted leather goods in Kusadasi. You'll stay in 4 to 5 star hotels, with daily meals included, and enjoy comfortable transportation.
Highlights;
- 4 day tour of Turkey's Aagean region from Istanbul
- Experience the highlights of several ancient Greek cities and enjoy telling commentary from your local guide.
- Tour battlefields on the Gallipoli Peninsula and visit the ancient city of Troy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Visit well-preserved ancient ruins in Pergamon and Ephesus.
- Admire white limestone terraces in Pamukkale and soak in the hot springs of Hierapolis.
- Three nights of accomodation, daily meals and transport by air-conditioned coach, airport transfers and demestic flight included.
- Small-group tour limited to 16 people ensures a more personalized experience
Tour Programme;
Day 1: Troy
Guests will be collected from their hotel in Istanbul and travel to Eceabat, via bus. Upon arrival in Eceabat, guests will have lunch before heading off on the tour of Troy. On the tour, guests will visit the many attractions including the famous Trojan Horse, sacrificial altars, houses of Troy which date back to 2500-1300BC, the Bouleuterion, the Odeon and other remains of various cities, from Troy I to Troy IX. Guests also have the oppurtunity to explore the 3700 year old city walls. At the en of the tour, guests are transferred to their hotel in Eceabat.
Day 2: Pergamon
Guests collected from their hotel after breakfast. On the tour, guests will get to marvel at the great panorama view from the hill-top as well as visit many attractions including the Aesculapius, Pergamon, Acropolis, Athena and Trojan Temples, Temple of Zeus, Temple of Dionysos, Gymnasium of Youth, Great Theatre and Roman Bath. At the end of the tour guests journey to Kusadasi/Selcuk and are dropped at their hotel for the night.
Day 3: Pamukkale
Guests are collected from their hotel after breakfast to take a 3-4 hour journey to Pamukkale. You can see phenomenal site well before you arrive in the village below. The water from these springs have a high mineral content that cascading down the mountain, giving rise to the complexion of the mountains; resembling a frozen waterfall. The water contains a large amount of hydrogen carbonate and calcium, which results in the precipitation of calcium bi-carbonate. The combination of these elements atrributes to the surreal landscape at Pamukkale as well as its place on the World Heritage list. Long before this listing, the Romans recognised the appeal of the area, building the spa city Hierapolis. At the completion of this tour, guests return to Kusadasi/Selcuk and are dropped at the hotel.
Day 4: Ephesus
Guests collected from their hotel after breakfast. You will eter the ancient site at the Magnesia Gate and begin a slow walk downhill, being guided through the ruins if the Roman provincial capital. The tour makes its way past the amazing features of Ephesus including the Odem, the Celsius Library, the Temple of Hadrian, the Fountain of Trajan and the Great Theatre. The theatre, which had seating for 25,000, is the site where St. Paul preached to the inhabitants of the city. The tour also includes the house of the Virgin Mary, a small house in the Solmissos Mountains recognised by the Vatican as her final resting place. Another attraction is the Temple of Artemis, known as one the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Today the foundations of this marvellous structure from the Hellenistic Age remain. At the end of the tour, guests are transferred to the Izmir airport and travel to Istanbul. Guests are met upon arrival in Istanbul and transferred to their hotel.
