Istanbul Trip Overview
A 10 day holiday to see visit the cultural capital of Europe; Istanbul that sits on two continents literally connecting Europe to Asia and then onto an ancient site of Troy, the playground of Greek Gods as decribed in Homer’s “Iliad” while commemorating one of the greatest battles of modern times between Turkish and Australian/New Zealand troops clashing on one another in Gallipoli with such epic rivalry stories turning into a strong bond between the nations forever. The battlefields are visited by 10.000 visitors, annually, mostly by the descendants of who fought here heroically and become part of many historical legends. T
Additional Info
Duration: 14 days
Starts: Istanbul, Turkey
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Istanbul Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Istanbul, Turkey, Turkey
A 10 day holiday to see visit the cultural capital of Europe; Istanbul that sits on two continents literally connecting Europe to Asia and then onto an ancient site of Troy, the playground of Greek Gods as decribed in Homer’s “Iliad” while commemorating one of the greatest battles of modern times between Turkish and Australian/New Zealand troops clashing on one another in Gallipoli with such epic rivalry stories turning into a strong bond between the nations forever. The battlefields are visited by 10.000 visitors, annually, mostly by the descendants of who fought here heroically and become part of many historical legends. T
Itinerary
Day 1: Istanbul Arrival Day – Wedneday, 21st April 2021
Pass By: Istanbul, Istanbul
(Airport transfer from IST)
Welcome to Istanbul! We are waiting for you directly at the gate behind passport control / immigration at Istanbul International Airport (IST). Arrival airport transfer from Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) can be arranged at additional expenses. Transfer to your five star hotel, you will be given your room key and the rest of the day is yours to explore Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul.
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Pullman Hotel or Ramada Hotel & Suite Golden Horn
Day 2: Istanbul City Tour & Anzac Conference – Thursday, 22nd April 2021
Pass By: Istanbul, Istanbul
(Breakfast, welcome cocktail and ANZAC conference included )
We depart from the hotel after breakfast at 08:30am for your guided Istanbul City Tour.
Visit to TOPKAPI PALACE The great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries housing an exquisite collection of crystal, silver, and Chinese porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury, miniatures, the Holy Mantle; enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed. Sultanahmet Imperial Mosque: The mosque, built between 1609 and 1616, is popularly known as the Blue Mosque for the blue tiles adorning the walls of its interior. With its six minarets and a great cascade of domes, the mosque is a worthy sibling to Ayasofya (Hagia Sophia). Pope Benedict XVI visited the Sultan Ahmed Mosque on 30th November 2006 during his visit to Turkey. It marks only the second papal visit in history to a Muslim place of worship. Hippodrome: Today the area is officially called Sultan Ahmet Square, and is carefully maintained by the Turkish authorities. The course of the old racetrack has been indicated with paving, although the actual track is some 2 m below the present surface. The surviving monuments of the Spina, the two obelisks and the Serpentine Column, now sit in holes in a landscaped garden. The German Fountain, an octagonal domed fountain in neo-Byzantine style, which was constructed by the German government in 1900 to mark the German Emperor Wilhelm II’s visit to Istanbul in 1898, is located at the northern entrance to the Hippodrome area, right in front of the Blue Mosque. Spice Bazaar: The Spice Bazaar, or Egyptian Bazaar is one of the oldest bazaars in the city. Located in Eminonu, it is the second largest covered shopping complex after the Grand Bazaar. The air here is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other conceivable herb and spice. After your Istanbul City Tour, there is an option to experience a Bosphorus boat cruise, enjoy the magnificent views of the Bosphorus which connects Asia to Europe, the best way of seeing the Bosphorus in all its beauty. With the shores rising to heights up to 200m, lined with palaces, ruins, villages, and gardens, this is one of the most beautiful stretches of scenery in Turkey.
At 6:00pm we will start our conference about ANZAC Dawn Service and Turkey (Duration of approx 1 hour). The conference is held by ANZAC experts from Australia and New Zealand and by our professional Turkish ANZAC tour guides. Welcome cocktail, coffee, tea and snacks are included. You will meet your fellow ANZAC Day Gallipoli tour members and the TravelShop Turkey staff. Overnight in Istanbul.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Pullman Hotel or Ramada Hotel & Suite Golden Horn
Day 3: Gallipoli Tour – Friday, 23rd April 2021
Pass By: Gallipoli, Gallipoli, Canakkale Province, Turkish Aegean Coast
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
We depart for Gallipoli at 7:00am (4,5 hour distance). On the way, we will watch the latest documentaries about the Gallipoli campaign. We arrive in Gallipoli for lunch on the coast of Gabatepe. After lunch, we start our tour of the Gallipoli peninsula. Visit Kabatepe War Museum, ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine Australia’s Memorial and Cemetery, Quinns Post, Turkish 57th Regiment Cemetery, the Nek, Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial and Cemetery. Dinner and overnight in Canakkale.
Please Note: Normally on 23rd April; Anzac Cove is open for visitors but this year Anzac Cove and Beach Cemetery was closed for security as one of the company staff was from Syria. So the Australian Government and Turkish Government take a decision from 22nd April to 25th April noon time, means ceremony finish time was closed to visitors. Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair and other places were open and allowed for guided tour.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: 4 Star Troia Tusan Hotel or similar in Canakkale
Day 4: Troy Tour & ANZAC Cove – Saturday, 24th April 2021
Pass By: Anzac Cove, 17900 Canakkale Province, Gallipoli Turkey
(Breakfast and buffet dinner included)
The governments of Australia and New Zealand have announced that the Gallipoli peninsula will be closed on 24th April 2021 for safety and security purposes, cemeteries and memorials cannot be visited as in previous years. Therefore, we have visited the Gallipoli peninsula and done our guided Gallipoli Tour yesterday already. Today, we will visit the Trojan horse and the ancient city of Troy, located on the other side of the Dardanelles (approx. 1.5 hour distance including ferry).Troy is one of the most famous cities in the history, recalling us Hector, Achilles and Achaean Greeks, the sake of Helen, Paris, Agamemnon and Priam. Your guide will explain the mythology surrounding Troy, the Trojan Horse and Helen of Troy. If you wish to buy snacks for the overnight camp, today is best time to do it. There are also some food and drink stalls available at ANZAC Cove. Tonight at 17.30, we will meet at the hotel for our buffet dinner before heading to ANZAC Cove for the Dawn Service. Overnight at ANZAC Cove.
If you dont wish to stay outside at the ANZAC Commemorative Site overnight, we provide optional hotel accommodation in Canakkale. This option is not available after your arrival in Turkey, pre-booking is required.
Please Note: In 2021 the ANZAC Commemorative Site will open later than it has in previous years. The new opening time will be decided later on and before guests arrival we will inform you. The ANZAC Commemorative Site will not open before the designated opening time. Please all the guests should be registered for attendance passes.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at ANZAC Cove
Day 5: ANZAC Dawn Service at Commemorative Site Gallipoli- Sunday, 25th April 2021
Pass By: Canakkale, Canakkale, Canakkale Province, Turkish Aegean Coast
(Dinner included)
Don’t forget your warm clothes, sleeping bags, wet weather gear, torches, hat, sunscreen and good walking shoes because Gallipoli is still as cold and dark as it was 99 years ago! Optionally, we provide sleepings bags, please let us know at time of booking.
05.30-06.15 Dawn Service, ANZAC Commemorative Site, North Beach
09.30 – 10.15 Australian Memorial Service, Lone Pine
11.30 – 12.15 New Zealand Memorial Service, Chunuk Bair
After attending the ANZAC services, at approx. 15.00, we will travel back to your hotel in Canakkale. The night is yours to relax, dinner will be served at the hotel. Dinner and overnight in Çanakkale.
Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: 4 Star Troia Tusan Hotel or similar in Canakkale
Day 6: Pergamon Tour – Kusadasi – Monday, 26th April 2021
Pass By: Kusadasi, Kusadasi, Turkish Aegean Coast
(Breakfast and dinner included)
Drive to Pergamon (2 hour distance) – see Asklepion, Zeus’s alter, the Red Bassilcia etc. Pergamon is the site of the Hellenistic – and later Roman city of Pergamon, ruled for several centuries by a powerful local dynasty. Its foremost attraction is the Red Basilica, a huge edifice on the river not far from the acropolis, originally built as a temple to the Egyptian god Osiris and converted to a basilica by the early Christians, when it was one of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor addressed by St John in the book of Revelation – though sadly it’s now a crumbling ruin with a mosque in one of its towers. After our guided Pergamon tour we continue towards Kusadasi. On the way, we will visit a place which continues to perform one of the oldest arts of Turkey; a carpet weaving center, followed by an optional Turkish Bath. After a good scrub down, we will check-in your hotel in time for dinner. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: 5 Star Suhan 360 Hotel or similar in Kusadasi
Day 7: Ephesus & Kusadasi – Tuesday, 27th April 2021
Pass By: Kusadasi, Kusadasi, Turkish Aegean Coast
(Breakfast and dinner included)
At 08.30, we depart to Ephesus (20 minute distance) – once the commercial center of the ancient world – is a highlight of any visit to Turkey. Ephesus, whose wealth and patronage supported its splendid architectural program, was dedicated to the goddess Artemis. Her enormous temple, considered one of the Seven Wonders, dates in its latest form from the third century B.C. The guided Ephesus tour also includes a theatre, gymnasium, agora and baths, as well as the Library of Celsus. After lunch, we will make a shopping tour in which you will be aware of the ancient arts of Turkey like jewelry and leather manufacturing. On this guided tour, you will avoid the constant nagging and sometimes bullying that is well known in the markets of Turkey. Enabling you to enjoy the shopping experience whilst gaining the knowledge of the ancient craftsmen. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: 5 Star Suhan 360 Hotel or similar in Kusadasi
Day 8: Pamukkale & Hierapolis Tour – Wednesday, 28th April 2021
Pass By: Pamukkale, Pamukkale
(Breakfast and dinner included)
At 08.30, we leave Kusadasi for Pamukkale (2,5 hour distance). We visit the Cotton Castle calcium terraces of Pamukkale and ancient Hierapolis, walking around this natural phenomenon gives you the option of lying in the waters of the natural springs that flow down the calcium terraces. Check-in your hotel in time for dinner and the rest of the evening is yours to explore the small village or relax around the swimming pool. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: 5 Star Pam Thermal Hotel or similar in Pamukkale
Day 9: Pamukkale to Antalya – Thursday, 29th April 2021
Pass By: Antalya, Antalya, Turkish Mediterranean Coast
(Breakfast and dinner included)
Today, we will head from Pamukkale to Antalya, We will also have one break on the way, after 2,5 hours. Only 5 hour drive to Antalya. Dinner and overnight in Antalya.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: 5 Star Miracle Resort Hotel or Best Western Khan Hotel
Day 10: Antalya Aspendos and Perge Tour – Friday, 30th April 2021
Pass By: Antalya, Antalya, Turkish Mediterranean Coast
(Breakfast and local dinner included)
After breakfast, we will depart for Perge and Aspendos.
PERGE: According to the geographer Strabon, Perge has been founded by Akhas who came down here after the Trojan wars. Perge was first mentioned in 334 BC when Alexander the Great passed through here. In the following years, Perge went under the control of Pergamon when the Kingdom of Pergamon became a part of the Roman city. In the first and the second centuries BC, Perge became one of the richest towns in Pamphylia. Therefore it is not a surprise that St. Paul started his campaign in Anatolia from Perge in 46 AD. After Perge, we will depart for Aspendos. Lunch break on the way.
ASPENDOS: The eastern land of Antalya was called Pamphylia in ancient times. Aspendos (Belkis) lies 47 km east of Antalya in the Pamphylian plain. In 486 BC, Greeks and Persians had a great battle here (Greeks won, they didn’t stay for long). During the reign of the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius (161-80 AD) Aspendos got its theatre, which is the best preserved of all. It was built by Romansand maintained by Byzantines and Seljuks. The ruins of the ancient city are extensive and include a stadium, an agora and a basilica. Dinner and overnight in Antalya.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: 5 Star Miracle Resort Hotel or Best Western Khan Hotel
Day 11: Antalya – Konya – Cappadocia – Saturday, 1st May 2021
Pass By: Cappadocia, Cappadocia
(Breakfast and local dinner included)
After breakfast early in the morning, at 08.00, we drive to Konya. 2.5 hours later, we have break for coffee and after some rest, drive on to Konya for lunch at 13.00 and after the lunch, we visit the imposing green – tiled Mausoleum of Mevlana, the mystic founder of the Sufi sect (Whirling Dervishes). After the Konya Mevlana tour, we head to to Cappadocia. Arrival to Cappadocia around 18.30 and check into your hotel. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Cappadocia Cave Resort & Spa Hotel or 5 Star Wyndham Hotel Kayseri
Day 12: Cappadocia Tour – Sunday, 2nd May 2021
Pass By: Cappadocia, Cappadocia
(Breakfast and local dinner included)
Today, we will get to know the Cappadocia region, a volcanic area in which the geological formation started 10 million years ago. As a result of these formations phallic like pillars have come to life. The beautiful horse country Katpatuka, (as the Persians called her) is an unbelievable strip of land, enchanting and mysterious. Cappadocia region is also famous for its arts, including ceramic and carpets. You will be picked up approximatley 09:30 from your hotel to join our regular tour. Tour starts with Uchisar Castle, the highest point of Cappadocia. After Uchisar, you visit Goreme Open Air Museum, the Heart of Cappadocia. Goreme Open Air Museum is famous for frescoes dating to 10th century describing the life of Jesus Christ and monks. Next stop is Cavusin, which is an abandoned village with old cave Greek houses. After Cavusin, you go to the restaurant in Avanos to have lunch. After lunch, you visit a pottery work shop, to see how to make potteries. Then, you go to “Love Valley”. Love Valley Cappadocia is a hidden valley with scenic formations to say the least. Despite the resemblance to man hood, these amazing rock formations are far from man-made. After love valley, you visit another workshop to see Cappadocian handwoven carpets and kilims. Next stop is Devrent Valley which is also called Imagination Valley, where you can see natural rock formations looking like animals. Then, you head to a wineshop in Urgup for wine tasting. Last stop is Three Beauties, three beautiful fairy chimneys with their hats which are the symbol of Cappadocia. This tour will end approximately at 18.00 and you will be returned back to your hotel. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Cappadocia Cave Resort & Spa Hotel or 5 Star Wyndham Hotel Kayseri
Day 13: Cappadocia to Istanbul – Monday, 3rd May 2021
Pass By: Istanbul, Istanbul
(Breakfast included)
After breakfast, you will have free time shopping in Cappadocia. Then, we depart for Kayseri Airport for our domestic flight to Istanbul and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Pullman Hotel or Ramada Hotel & Suite Golden Horn
Day 14: Istanbul – End of Tour – Tuesday, 4th May 2021
Pass By: Istanbul, Istanbul
(Breakfast included)
Check out from your hotel and transfer to Airport. We hope your tour was a memorable one and we would like to see you in the future in one of our tours again. Have a nice trip back home and thanks for choosing TravelShop Turkey.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
