Destination Istanbul, Turkey Escorted Vacation

You will be transferred to your hotel in Pamukkale upon arrival in Marmaris. (Your arrival transfer is included only if you arrive on the actual day the tour commences. For customers arriving earlier an individual transfer can be organized at an additional cost.) The rest of the day is at leisure until you meet your tour director and fellow tour companions for dinner. (D)

Today, tour Pamukkale which means "Cotton Castle", describing the white lime cascades formed by hot mineral springs. Visit the ruins of the Roman health spa of Hierapolis. Continue to Kusadasi. (B,D)

Today, tour the ruins of Ephesus, an important cultural center of the ancient world, and explore the 2,000-year old marble streets, a theater, the Library of Celsius, a gymnasium, and Hadrian's Temple. Take a short drive to see the Virgin Mary's stone cottage. Continue to a regional rug production center to have firsthand experience of this unique art form. (B,D)

After breakfast, depart for Pergamum and visit the ancient medical center Asklepion. Enjoy lunch with locals in a traditional village. Then continue to Troy with its famous wooden horse, best known for being the setting of the Trojan War. Continue to Canakkale for an overnight. (B,L,D)

In the morning, depart for Gallipoli, the site of many battles during WWII. Visit Anzac Cove, the Lone Pine Cemetery, and Chunuk Bair. Then, cross the Dardanelles to Istanbul. Enjoy a farewell dinner. (B,D)

Today, enjoy a half-day tour of Istanbul including a visit to Topkapi Palace, residence of the Ottoman Sultans between 1453 and 1852 (excluding harem). Visit the Hippodrome which was once the center of life where chariot racing and other public events took place. Tour the Blue Mosque built between 1609 and 1616, and famous for its blue ceramic tiles. Your last stop will be the famous Grand Bazaar, the world’s largest and oldest covered market with over 60 streets. In the afternoon, consider joining an optional cruise along the Bosphorus, the waterway that separates Europe and Asia. Its shores are lined with fine neighborhoods, Ottoman palace, fortresses, old wooden villas, hotels, parks and gardens, and restaurants and cafes. Make time for last-minute shopping at the Spice Market. (B)

You will be transferred to the Istanbul airport for your return flight home. (Your departure transfer is included only if you depart on the actual day the tour concludes. For customers departing later an individual transfer can be organized at an additional cost.) (B)