Itinerary

Day 3
Istanbul (B L D)
Today you will continue your tour of Istanbul with a visit to the Spice Bazaar where the air is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other type of herb and spice.
You will visit the Bedesten exhibits and see traditional silk weaving courses and carpet weaving courses. You will also see jewellery, handicrafts centre and leatherwear show.
You will take a traditional excursion by boat along the waterway separating Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages. During the excursion you will pass the magnificent Dolmabahçe Palace, parks and imperial pavilions of Yildiz Palace. On the coastal edge of this park, is Çiragan Palace, 300 meters of is marble facade faces the shore. At Ortaköy a great variety of artists gather every Sunday to display their work along the street. Ortaköy is a symbol of tolerance with a church, a mosque and a synagogue existing side by side for centuries.
You will also see Rumeli Fortress built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452 prior to the conquest of Istanbul, was completed in only four months to control and protect Bosphorus. It is one of the most beautiful works of military architecture anywhere in the world.
Other places of interest will be the Beylerbeyi Palas, Bosphorus Bridge and Camlica Hill.

Day 4
Istanbul (B L D)
Today will be a special day with a visit to a local school in Istanbul and meet the students and teachers that you have been corresponding with. This afternoon you will enjoy a local cooking class and learn the secrets of Turkish dishes.

Day 5
Istanbul – Gallipoli – Canakkale (B L D)
After breakfast you depart for Gallipoli to visit the battle fields. After lunch you visit Kabatepe Museum, ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine Australian Memorial, Johnston's Jolly, (Turkish and Allied trenches and tunnels), The Nek, Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial. If time allows other sites can also be included. Late afternoon you are transferred to your accommodation.

Day 6
Canakkale - Troy – Kusadasi (B L D)
After breakfast you depart for the ancient city of Troy. Your guide will explain the mythology surrounding Troy, the Trojan Horse and Helen of Troy, as well as the history and discoveries of the archaeological diggings from its discovery by Heinrich Schliemann in the 1870's to the present day and on going. Nine cities have been discovered built one on top of the other dating back to 3500 B.C. This afternoon you will depart for Kusadasi.

Day 7
Kusadasi – Ephesus (B L D)
This morning you visit one of the best-preserved ruins in the world Ephesus. You tour this amazing site and wonder at the people who built and walked through this ancient city. You will also visit the House of Virgin Mary (supposedly where St. John brought her to live out her final days). After the tour you will visit a carpet-weaving centre, which belongs to the national arts of Turkey.

Day 8
Kusadasi – Pamukkale (B L D)
Today you travel to Pamukkale. On the way you will visit one of the famous leather production centers of the region. You then arrive at Pamukkale for lunch. Afterwards you visit the calcium terraces of Pamukkale (cotton castle) and the ruins of Hierapolis, then walk around this natural phenomenon and have the option of lying in the waters of the natural springs.

Day 9
Pamukkale – Bodrum (B L D)
This morning you depart for Bodrum. Bodrum as a city is quickly becoming one of the most sort after destinations in Europe and with such a precedence, it offers some fantastic adventures for any age group. You can spend your days walking the streets of Bodrum, experiencing the sights and smells of the markets or walk the shopping malls searching for your top designer labels.

Day 10
Bodrum – Istanbul (B L D)
Today you enjoy a sightseeing tour of Bodrum and visit the Castle of St. Peter. The Crusader castle was built by the Knights of St. John between 1402 and 1409. You will see what is left of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Mausoleum. Visit the ancient theatre which is located on the hillside overlooking Bodrum. The hillside theatre that dates from the 4th century BC was built to seat 5.000 people. When rediscovered, it was not in very good condition and therefore has been recently restored. The view of the town from there is beautiful. This evening you make your way back to Istanbul

Day 11
Istanbul (B D)
Today is at leisure to relax or visit some other sites of this amazing city.

Day 12
Istanbul (B)
Your tour ends and you are transferred to the airport for your flight home.

Highlights
• Istanbul - Ancient Basilica, Sultanahmet Imperial Mosque known as the Blue Mosque, Ancient Hippodrome, Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum, Grand Cover Bazaar ,Topkapi Palace, Spice Bazaar, Bedesten exhibits, traditional silk weaving, carpet weaving, excursion by boat, Rumeli Fortress, Beylerbeyi Palas, Bosphorus Bridge and Camlica Hill.
• Gallipoli - Kabatepe Museum, ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine Australian Memorial, Johnston's Jolly, (Turkish and Allied trenches and tunnels), The Nek, Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial
• Canakkale - city centre
• Troy - Trojan Horse, Helen of Troy,
• Kusadasi - city of kusadasi
• Ephesus - House of Virgin Mary, carpet-weaving centre
• Pamukkale - calcium terraces of Pamukkale (cotton castle), ruins of Hierapolis, natural springs.
• Bodrum - streets of Bodrum, Castle of St. Peter, see what is left of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Mausoleum, hillside theatre

Tour Includes
• International airfares
• Accommodation
• Transfer with private A/C vehicles
• Sightseeing with local experienced english speaking guide
• Meals as per itinerary
• Entrance fees as per itinerary.
• Fee for permit to battlefield sites
• Information kit inclucing travel information, maps, certificate and travel wallet.