Istanbul • Gallipoli • Troy • Assos • Pergamum • Kusadasi • Pamukkale
(7 Nights / 8 Days)

Day 1: Arrival at Istanbul Ataturk airport
Private transfer to your hotel; orientation walking tour of the neighborhood with your private guide. Some good local restaurants can be pointed out for dinner this evening.

Ortakoy mosque and Bosphorus bridge - Istanbul

Wooden houses, mansions - Bosphorus strait - Istanbul

Trojan horse - Troy ancient site

Temple of Assos

Celsius library - Ephesus - Selcuk

Travertine terraces of Pamukkale

Day 2: Istanbul
Private sightseeing includes the Roman Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, and the Grand Bazaar.
If you feel energetic enough, we are happy to expand the tour to include other interesting aspects hidden in the less touristy areas of the district. (B)

Day 3: Istanbul
Private sightseeing includes Topkapi Palace and The Harem, the Spice Market, a boat ride on the Bosphorus Strait for about an hour and a backroads walking tour. (B)

Day 4: Istanbul / Gallipoli / Troy / Assos – Drive to Assos
We rise early and begin our full day of travel to the northern Aegean Coast. Visits include Gallipoli, ANZAC Beach Cemetery and Troy. We travel across the strait of the Dardanelles to Troy. After an exploration of the ruins and relics here, we continue on to Behramkale, ancient Assos, where we spend the night. (B, L, D)

Day 5: Assos / Pergamum / Kusadasi – Drive to Kusadasi
This morning we depart for Pergamum, once one of the richest small kingdoms in Asia Minor. Here we visit the magnificent Acropolis. Along with the library, the Acropolis also boasts a great theater seating 10,000 and the marble-columned Temple of Trajan. Below the theater lie the ruins of the Temple of Dionysus along with the Altar of Zeus. We continue on to Asclepieum, a sanctuary and healing center built in the 4th century BC in the name of Ascelepius. Later this afternoon we travel to Kusadasi and our hotel. (B, L)

Day 6: Kusadasi / Ephesus – Full day tour
Visit the ruins of Ephesus, including the Roman period villas known as the Terrace Houses. After this visit, we drive to the local village of Sultankoy. Here we break for a grilled lunch and have the opportunity to learn about some local crafts, such as rug-weaving. We may also be able to see demonstrations performed by local craftsmen. A final stop is in the town of Selcuk where you can visit the Museum of Archaeology. (B, L)

Day 7: Kusadasi / Aphrodisias / Pamukkale – Drive to Pamukkale
Depart in the morning, stopping along the way for a visit to Aphrodisias. View the famous stadium preserved in remarkable condition as well as the theatre, odeon and temple. Then continue on to Pamukkale to visit the ancient site of Hierapolis, the cotton-white travertine formations and then have time to enjoy the thermal pools at your hotel. (B, L, D)

Day 8: Pamukkale / Istanbul – Drive to Denizli airport for homebound departure
Transfer to Denizli airport for a flight to Istanbul, connecting to your flight home. (B)

Please note: In case your connecting homebound flight leaves Istanbul in the morning; you can fly to Istanbul on an evening flight on Day-7. In that case we can provide accommodation for you near or inside Istanbul Ataturk airport.

1. Accommodation:
   3 nights Istanbul: Hotel Ottoman Imperial (in the historic Sultanahmet neighborhood) or similar
   1 night Assos: Hotel Nazlihan or similar
   2 nights Kusadasi: Hotel Kismet or similar
   1 night Pamukkale: Hotel Lycus River or similar

2. Domestic flights in coach class within the program (Pamukkale to Istanbul).

3. Meals as indicated by (B, L, D) - B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
   13 Meals: 7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 2 dinners include bottled water.

4. Services of a private licensed, professional English-speaking guide throughout your trip.

5. All transfers and travel by private, modern, air-conditioned, chauffeur driven vehicles, appropriate to the size of your group.

6. All entrance fees to the sites and museums mentioned in the program.

7. Parking, ferry, and toll road fees. Not applicable if you are driving a rental car.

8. Gratuity at restaurants where a meal is included in the program.

9. Porterage fees at airports when our guide travels with you.

1. Airfare for international flights.

2. Beverages other than water during included meals.

3. Optional gratuities to the tour guide(s), driver(s) and the gulet crew.

4. Tipping for porters at hotels.

5. Travel insurance.

6. Visas, laundry, and personal items.