Ancient Turkey Tour: A 7-Day Adventure

Today, you begin your Ancient Turkey Tour with a visit to Pamukkale, a natural thermal wonderland, and the Greco-Roman city of Hierapolis before heading to Ephesus.

🚌 Morning: Transfer from Fethiye to Pamukkale
🕡 06:30 AM – Pick-up from Your Accommodation in Fethiye
🚖 A private transfer will take you to the Fethiye Bus Station.
🚌 07:00 AM – Local Bus to Pamukkale (via Denizli)
✔ Enjoy a scenic ride through Turkey’s beautiful landscapes.
✔ A brief stop in Denizli, before transferring to Pamukkale.
🕚 11:00 AM – Arrival in Pamukkale & Meet Your Private Guide
✔ Your expert tour guide and private bus will welcome you and begin the Pamukkale tour.

🏞️ Pamukkale Day Tour – The “Cotton Castle”

🌿 Explore the White Travertine Terraces
✔ Walk along the stunning white mineral terraces, created by natural thermal waters.
✔ Take in panoramic views of the valley and the cotton-like formations.
✔ Optional: Relax in the warm pools of the natural thermal waters.

🏛 Discover Hierapolis – The Ancient Spa City
✔ Visit the Grand Theatre, a remarkably well-preserved Roman amphitheater.
✔ Explore the Necropolis, one of the largest ancient cemeteries in Turkey.
✔ Walk through the Ancient Roman Baths, once part of a healing retreat.

🛁 Optional: Swim in Cleopatra’s Pool
✔ Take a relaxing dip in the warm mineral waters of Cleopatra’s Pool, where submerged ancient Roman columns create a unique setting.

🚗 Evening: Transfer to Ephesus Region (Selcuk or Kusadasi)
🚖 After your Pamukkale and Hierapolis tour, you will continue your journey to Ephesus.

🏨 Overnight Stay in Selcuk or Kusadasi
✔ Check into your hotel and relax, preparing for tomorrow’s Ephesus Full-Day Tour.

Sights Visited

Today, you will explore one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world, followed by visits to sacred religious sites and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

🕘 Morning Pick-up & Start of the Tour
🚖 Pick-up from your accommodation in Selcuk or Kusadasi, and meet your expert local guide for a full day of exploration.

🏛️ Explore the Ancient City of Ephesus
Once a major trading port and cultural hub of the Roman Empire, Ephesus was home to over 200,000 people and stood as one of the most important cities of antiquity.

📍 Highlights of Ephesus:
✔ Harbor Road & Marble Street – The main avenue of Ephesus, lined with homes, bathhouses, and archways.
✔ Library of Celsus – One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, this grand library once held over 12,000 scrolls.
✔ The Grand Theatre – A massive 25,000-seat amphitheater, used for performances and gladiator battles.
✔ Temple of Hadrian – A beautifully preserved temple with intricate carvings honoring Emperor Hadrian.
✔ Public Bathhouses & Latrines – A fascinating look at Roman engineering and social customs.
✔ The Brothel & Love House – Learn about the hidden passages leading from the brothel to the library!

🙏 House of the Virgin Mary
After exploring the grandeur of Ephesus, you’ll visit a site of deep religious significance—the House of the Virgin Mary.
✔ Believed to be the final home of Mary, the mother of Jesus.
✔ Recognized as a holy site by the Vatican, visited by several Popes.
✔ A simple, humble stone cottage, with a living area, small kitchen, and altar for prayer.
✔ Drink from the holy spring, believed to have healing properties.
✔ Leave a prayer note on the wishing wall, a tradition followed by many visitors.

🏛 Temple of Artemis – A Glimpse Into Greek Worship
🏛 The Remains of a Legendary Temple
✔ Once one of the largest and most extravagant temples in the world, dedicated to Artemis, the Greek goddess of hunting and fertility.
✔ Though only one column remains, its history and grandeur still captivate visitors.
✔ Learn how this magnificent structure symbolized the wealth and power of Ephesus.

🚗 Return to Your Hotel & Overnight in Ephesus Region
🚖 After a full day of exploring Ephesus and its sacred sites, you will return to your hotel in Selcuk or Kusadasi.

🏨 Overnight in Selcuk or Kusadasi

Sights Visited

Today, you will visit two historically rich cities—Pergamon, a center of learning, art, and religion, and Troy, the legendary city of the Trojan War and the famous Wooden Horse deception.

🚌 Morning: Transfer to Pergamon
🚗 After breakfast, you will depart for Pergamon, traveling through scenic countryside.
🕘 Upon arrival, you will meet your guide and begin your exploration of this magnificent historical city.

🏛️ Pergamon Tour – The City of Knowledge & Power
🍽 Lunch in Pergamon
Before beginning the tour, enjoy a traditional Turkish lunch at a local restaurant.

📍 Highlights of Pergamon:
✔ Acropolis of Pergamon – A hilltop fortress offering panoramic views over the region.
✔ Library of Pergamon – Once one of the largest libraries in the ancient world, housing over 200,000 scrolls.
✔ Temple of Athena – A stunning example of classical Greek architecture, dedicated to the goddess of wisdom and war.
✔ Temple of Trajan – A grand Roman temple, built in honor of Emperor Trajan.
✔ Theater of Pergamon – One of the steepest ancient theaters, with seating for 10,000 spectators and breathtaking views.
✔ The Gymnasium – A center for physical training and intellectual learning.

🚗 Afternoon: Transfer to Troy
After exploring Pergamon, continue your journey to the legendary city of Troy.

🏛 Troy Tour – Exploring the City of Myth & Legend

📍 Highlights of Ancient Troy:
✔ The Wooden Horse Replica – A tribute to the legendary Trojan Horse deception used by the Greeks.
✔ City Walls of Troy – Dating back 3,700 years, these walls once defended the city against the Greek siege.
✔ Houses of Troy – See the remains of nine layers of settlements, built on top of each other over 4,000 years.
✔ Sacrificial Altars – Where religious rituals were held for the gods and goddesses of Troy.
✔ Bouleuterion (Senate Building) – A site where city officials and leaders once held discussions.
✔ Odeon (Concert Hall) – A well-preserved small theater used for musical performances and speeches.
✔ Troy Museum (Optional Visit) – A museum displaying artifacts excavated from Troy, including pottery, weapons, and jewelry.

🚗 Evening: Transfer to Gallipoli Region (Eceabat or Canakkale)
🚖 After the tour, you will continue your journey north to the Gallipoli Peninsula, a site of historical and military significance.
🏨 Overnight Stay in Eceabat or Canakkale
Check into your hotel and relax, preparing for tomorrow’s Gallipoli Battlefield Tour.

Sights Visited

Today, you will visit the historical battlefields of Gallipoli, a place of remembrance, heroism, and sacrifice. This WWI battleground holds memorials for ANZAC, Turkish, and Allied soldiers, providing a space for reflection on the past and the friendships formed since.

🚌 Morning: Travel to Gallipoli Peninsula
🚗 Early morning departure from your accommodation in Eceabat or Çanakkale.
🕘 Upon arrival, enjoy a local Turkish lunch before starting the fully guided tour.

🏛️ Gallipoli Battlefield Tour – A Tribute to Fallen Soldiers

📍 Sites You Will Visit in Gallipoli:
✔ ANZAC Cove – The landing site of Australian and New Zealand forces in April 1915.
✔ Lone Pine Cemetery & Memorial – Honoring the Australian troops who fought here.
✔ Chunuk Bair Memorial – Dedicated to the New Zealand forces who made a heroic stand.
✔ The Turkish Martyrs’ Memorial – Commemorating the bravery of the Ottoman soldiers.
✔ Johnston’s Jolly Trenches – Walk through preserved trenches and tunnels, where the battles were fought.
✔ The Beach Cemetery – A peaceful yet somber resting place of many Allied soldiers.
✔ Gallipoli Memorial Museum – A collection of wartime artifacts, letters, and photographs, providing insight into the battle and its impact.

🌿 A Place of Reflection & Peace
✔ Learn about the failed Gallipoli Campaign, one of WWI’s most significant battles.
✔ Hear stories of bravery and tragedy from both Allied and Turkish perspectives.
✔ Understand how Gallipoli has become a place of unity and respect between former enemies.

🚗 Afternoon: Transfer to Istanbul
🚖 After the Gallipoli tour, you will travel to Istanbul, marking the end of your historical journey through Turkey’s ancient and modern past.
✔ Transport from the airport to your accommodation is included.

🏨 Overnight in Istanbul.

Sights Visited

Today, you will explore Istanbul, a city that has been the capital of empires, a crossroad of cultures, and a historical wonder. From grand mosques and palaces to bustling markets, you will witness the beauty of this ancient yet modern city.

🕘 Morning Pick-up & Start of the Tour
🚖 Pick-up from your accommodation in centrally located areas:
✔ Sultanahmet, Sirkeci, Laleli, Aksaray, or Taksim.
❗ If staying outside these areas, an extra charge may apply—please check with our team.

🕌 Blue Mosque – The Ottoman Architectural Gem
✔ One of the most famous mosques in the world, with six towering minarets.
✔ Admire the stunning blue Iznik tiles decorating the interior.
✔ Learn about the importance of the mosque in Islamic culture.
✔ Walk through the spacious courtyard and take in the impressive dome structure.
❗ Note: On Fridays, due to prayers, the mosque will be closed for visitors during certain hours.

🏛 Hagia Sophia – The Icon of Byzantium & Ottoman Heritage
✔ Originally built as a Byzantine church in the 6th century.
✔ Converted into an Ottoman mosque in 1453 by Sultan Mehmed II.
✔ Now a historical monument, showcasing both Christian mosaics and Islamic calligraphy.
✔ Stand beneath its massive dome, an architectural marvel of its time.
❗ Note: Hagia Sophia

🏰 Topkapi Palace – The Heart of the Ottoman Empire
✔ Once the residence of Ottoman Sultans for over 400 years.
✔ Visit the Imperial Treasury, displaying jewels, swords, and historical artifacts.
✔ Walk through the Sacred Relics Room, home to items believed to belong to the Prophet Muhammad.
✔ Enjoy stunning panoramic views of the Bosphorus Strait.
✔ Optional: Explore the Harem Section (extra entrance fee required), where the Sultan’s wives, concubines, and royal family lived.
❗ Note: Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays.

🛍 Grand Bazaar – A Shopping Paradise
✔ One of the largest covered markets in the world, with over 4,000 shops.
✔ A maze of jewelry, carpets, spices, antiques, and souvenirs.
✔ Experience the art of Turkish bargaining with local merchants.
❗ Note: Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays.

🌿 Our Recommendation: Visit the Spice Bazaar (Optional Free Time)
After your guided tour, we highly recommend visiting the Spice Bazaar, where you can:
✔ Immerse yourself in the aromatic scents of Turkish tea, saffron, and spices.
✔ Sample Turkish delight, nuts, and dried fruits.
✔ Pick up authentic Turkish coffee and sweets as souvenirs.
📍 This visit is not part of the guided tour, but you will have free time to explore before returning to your hotel.

🚖 Evening Drop-off & Overnight in Istanbul
🚗 Return to your hotel in the evening after a full day of sightseeing.

🏨 Overnight in Istanbul.

Sights Visited

Today, experience Istanbul from both land and sea, with a Bosphorus cruise showcasing the city’s stunning palaces, fortresses, and bridges, followed by panoramic views from Pierre Loti Hill.

🏰 Dolmabahce Palace – The Last Residence of Ottoman Sultans
🕘 Morning Pick-up from Your Accommodation
🚖 Transfer to Dolmabahçe Palace, the grandeur of the Ottoman Empire’s final years.

🏛 Inside Dolmabahce Palace
✔ Built between 1842 and 1853 in Neoclassical, Baroque, and Rococo styles.
✔ Home to six Ottoman Sultans and later Mustafa Kemal Atatürk during the early Republic period.
✔ Explore the opulent Crystal Staircase, the lavish Ballroom, and the Imperial Halls.
❗ Note: Dolmabahce Palace is closed on Mondays. If your tour falls on a Monday, it will start two hours later at 11:30 AM.

🚢 Bosphorus Cruise – Sailing Between Two Continents
Board a luxury boat for a Bosphorus cruise, where you’ll glide between Europe and Asia, witnessing Istanbul’s grand waterfront landmarks.
📍 Sites You’ll See Along the Way:
🗼 Maiden’s Tower (Kiz Kulesi) – A legendary islet tower that has served as a lighthouse, hospital, and radio tower, now a restaurant and museum.
🏰 Walls of Constantinople – The fortified walls built to protect Byzantine Constantinople, breached only twice in 1,600 years.

🚢 Passing by Iconic Palaces & Mosques:
✔ Ciragan Palace – A former Sultan’s palace, now a luxurious hotel.
✔ Ortakoy Mosque – Famous for its pink mosaics and stunning Bosphorus backdrop.
✔ Beylerbeyi Palace – The summer residence of Ottoman Sultans, offering breathtaking views.
✔ Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge – One of Istanbul’s three main bridges connecting Europe & Asia.
✔ Rumeli Fortress – Built by Mehmed the Conqueror in 1452 before the fall of Constantinople.

🏛 Stop at Kucuksu Palace – A Hidden Ottoman Gem (1 Hour Visit)
During the cruise, you’ll disembark for a short visit to Kucuksu Palace, a small but exquisitely designed Ottoman hunting lodge.
✔ Built by Sultan Abdulmecid, Kucuksu means “small water”.
✔ A hidden gem of Ottoman architecture, with intricate carvings and elegant interiors.

🚍 Bus Tour & Panoramic View from Pierre Loti Hill
🚌 Bus Tour Through the Old City
After your cruise, switch to a guided bus tour, driving through Istanbul’s historic district and past the Old City Walls.

🌄 Pierre Loti Hill – A Stunning View of the Golden Horn
✔ Take a cable car ride up to Pierre Loti Hill, named after a French novelist who loved Istanbul.
✔ Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views over Istanbul & the Golden Horn.
✔ Try Turkish coffee at a café perched atop the hill.
🚠 Cable Car Descent – A scenic ride back down, offering more spectacular views of the city.

🚍 Drive Past the Ancient City Walls
✔ The Byzantine Walls, built to protect Constantinople, have stood for over 1,600 years.
✔ The bus tour continues through Sultanahmet, bringing the day to a relaxing end.

🚖 Evening Drop-off & Overnight in Istanbul
⏰ Return to your hotel between 17:00 – 18:00 PM.

🏨 Overnight Stay in Istanbul.

📌 Important Notes:
✔ Dolmabahce Palace is closed on Mondays – On this day, the tour starts later at 11:30 AM.
✔ Dolmabahce Palace, Kucuksu Palace, and Pierre Loti Hill are the only stops visited on foot. All other landmarks will be seen from the boat or bus.

Sights Visited

🚖 Private Transfer to Istanbul Airport
As your incredible 7-day journey through Turkey comes to an end, we provide a comfortable and hassle-free transfer to Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gokcen Airport, based on your flight details.

✈️ Departure from Istanbul
Take one last moment to reflect on the amazing experiences you’ve had—walking through ancient cities, exploring historic battlefields, and witnessing Turkey’s stunning landscapes.

💬 Need Assistance?
✔ If you require additional travel arrangements within Turkey, including:
✔ Domestic flights or transport
✔ Hotel bookings & accommodation
✔ Day trips or extended tours (Cappadocia, Troy, or Gallipoli)
✔ Local recommendations for dining & sightseeing
📞 Our team is happy to assist!

✨ Thank You for Exploring Ancient Turkey with Us!
We hope you had an unforgettable journey and look forward to welcoming you back for more adventures in Turkey.