ITINERARY - 17 DAY GRAND SULTAN TOUR
Day 1, In Istanbul
Arrive in Istanbul and transfer to our charming boutique style hotel in the old city. The rest of the day is free to spend as you please. You may go on an orientation walk, relax in one of the many nearby cafes and restaurants or just rest in your charming hotel. Your Tour Leader will be at hand to give you tips about things to do and places to go. In early evening, we will have an informal get-together at our hotel to ‘meet and greet’ your fellow travellers over a complimentary, followed by dinner.
Overnight in boutique style hotel in the old part of Istanbul (D)
Day 2, In Istanbul
This morning we enjoy our first traditional Turkish breakfast consisting of Turkish bread, feta cheese, olives, eggs, sliced tomatoes and cucumbers, tea, coffee, etc. During a briefing, after breakfast, your tour leader will give an outline of your tour, provide useful tips about touring and travel in Turkey and answer your questions. We then visit a nearby site before an early lunch a traditional, local restaurant. We spend the rest of the day at Topkapi Palace from where the Ottoman Sultans ruled the empire for over 400 years. Here, we will see the Harem Quarters (the Sultan's Private Apartments) and the Treasury, as well as the main palace complex. Also, we will admire the magnificent views of the Bosphorus, the channel that separates the continents of Europe and Asia. The rest of the day is free. In the evening, we attend a special Turkish show with dinner.
Overnight in Istanbul (B/L/D)
Day 3, In Istanbul
This morning, we visit some of the great sights of the Old City, including, the 6th Century Underground Cistern of Emperor Justinian; the Hippodrome where chariot races took place in Roman times; and the Blue Mosque with its unequalled blue tiles and six minarets. We explore the Spice Bazaar before lunch in a traditional restaurant with magnificent views of the Bosphorus. After lunch, we enjoy a leisurely cruise by private motorboat along the Bosphorus and visit the 15th Century Rumeli Fortress before returning to our hotel. Tonight you can sample the culinary delights that appeal to you, as dinner is not included.
Overnight in Istanbul (B/L)
Day 4, Istanbul - Gallipoli - Canakkale
Early departure to the battlefields of Gallipoli, travelling along the shores of the Sea of Marmara. Gallipoli (or Gelibolu in Turkish) is a peninsula now declared a National Park to honour the Allied and Turkish soldiers who fought and died here in 1915. We see all the major battlefields of this beautiful and moving site, including Anzac Cove, The Nek, Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair. We also visit the nearby Gallipoli Museum, WW1 trenches and some of the Turkish memorials. We cross the Dardanelles straits in late afternoon and head to our hotel in Canakkale.
Overnight in a 5 star hotel in Canakkale. (B/L/D)
Day 5, Canakkale - Bergama - Kusadasi
The coastline of the Aegean Sea is a treasure trove of historical and archaeological sites. Today our first stop is at the legendary city of Troy, the site of nine ancient cities where Greek and Trojan heroes fought the "Trojan War" for the honour of the beautiful Helen. We continue to the ancient Hellenistic city of Pergamon where we see Asklepion, the famous centre of learning and medicine in the times of the ancient Greeks and Romans. In late afternoon, we arrive at the seaside resort town of Kusadasi close to the ancient site of Ephesus.
Overnight in a restored Caravanserai Hotel - Kusadasi. (B/L/D)
Day 6, Kusadasi - Ephesus - Kusadasi
Today we have an extensive tour of Ephesus widely regarded as the best-preserved Roman city in the Eastern Mediterranean. We also visit Selçuk Museum where most of the artefacts from Ephesus are housed and the ‘Greek’ village Şirince, where we have lunch.
In the afternoon, we visit a carpet centre for a demonstration of traditional carpet making and to learn about the centuries old art of hand-made carpets. We return to our hotel later in the afternoon and the rest of the day is free. Tonight you can sample the culinary delights that appeal to you, as dinner is not included. You may buy fresh fish from the fish market close to the hotel and have it cooked in one of the nearby restaurants.
Overnight in a restored Caravanserai Hotel - Kusadasi. (B/L)
Day 7, Kusadasi - Pamukkale - Dalyan
After an early breakfast, we head inland to visit the natural wonder of Pamukkale. On the way, we call in at the thriving weaving centre of Buldan where exquisite items of cloth are made from natural fibres such as silk, wool and mohair. We then drive to Pamukkale to see the fascinating "cotton castles" (lime deposits) and the ancient city of Hierapolis nearby. There will be time for a walk on the travertines or a swim in the 'Antique Bath' adorned with sunken marble columns. In the afternoon, we travel along the picturesque road to the charming Mediterranean town of Dalyan, where our long drive will be rewarded by a two night stay.
Overnight in a delightful Mediterranean hotel in Dalyan (B/L/D)
Day 8, In Dalyan
This morning, we take a river boat cruise to take a closer look at the rock carved cave tombs of the Lycians, observe the wildlife in the serene surroundings and swim at the beautiful, sandy Iztuzu beach. We then return to the town in time for lunch at a riverside restaurant overlooking the rock carved tombs. The rest of the day and evening are free to wander around this charming town or just relax by the poolside with a refreshing drink or maybe a cocktail. Today dinner is not included, but riverside restaurants overlooking the floodlit Lycian tombs on the other side serve excellent food, including fresh fish, and provide a romantic setting for a memorable dinner.
Overnight in a delightful Mediterranean hotel in Dalyan (B/L)