Classical Turkey

Itinerary

Day 1: Fly to Istanbul

Fly from London (regional connections
available) to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines.
Transfer to the Levni Hotel for 3 nights. (N)

Day 2: Istanbul

Morning tour of Istanbul including Hagia
Sofia, built as a church by Emperor Justinian
in the sixth century; the Blue Mosque, with
its exquisite blue tiles; and the remains of
the Hippodrome, which at its height could
accommodate 100,000 spectators. Afternoon
visit to the Basilica Cistern, a marvel of
Byzantine engineering located underneath the
city, and finish at the Egyptian Bazaar. (B)

Day 3: Istanbul

Morning tour of Topkapi Palace, formerly the imperial residence of the Ottoman sultans.
Tour the Grand Bazaar, Istanbuls legendary
covered market, and enjoy a traditional Turkish
coffee. Afternoon at leisure. (B)

Day 4: Canakkale

Morning drive to Canakkale. Tour of the
Gallipoli battlefield, scene of the aborted Allied
invasion of 1915. Visit Cape Helles, Suvla Bay
and Anzac Cove. Stay at the Kolin Hotel for
1 night. (B, D)

Day 5: Troy Pergamon Izmir

Drive from Canakkale to Izmir, stopping en
route to visit the Unesco world heritage site of
Troy. Continue to Pergamon for a tour of the
historic town, including visits to the Acropolis,
the Asclepion and the Red Basilica. Transfer to
the Key Hotel for 1 night. (B)

Day 6: Hierapolis Pamukkale Laodicea

Morning drive to the ruins of Hierapolis and
the travertine terraces, and the hot springs
at Pamukkale. Continue to Laodicea, where
the ruins of one of the seven biblical churches
of Asia remain. Stay overnight at the Doga
Thermal Hotel in Pamukkale. (B, D)

Day 7: Aphrodisias Kusadasi

Drive to Aphrodisias, one of the most beautiful classical sites in Turkey. Visit the Temple of Aphrodite and the most complete amphitheatre to have survived from the ancient world. Drive on to Sirince, a Greek village until the official exchange of citizens between Greece and Turkey in 1924. The village boasts its authentic Greco-Mediterranean architecture of narrow cobbled streets and whitewashed houses, enjoy wine tasting at a local vineyard nearby. Continue to Kusadasi and stay 2 nights at La Vista Boutique Hotel Kusadasi. (B)

Day 8: Ephesus

Morning tour of Ephesus, once the capital of
Roman Asia Minor. See the remains of the
Temple of Artemis, one of the original Seven
Wonders of the World, as well as the main
site with its fabled Library of Celsus. Continue
to the house of the Virgin Mary. Afternoon at
leisure or optional visit to the hillside town
of Priene and the ancient Ionian ports of the
Menderes valley. (B)

Day 9: Fly to London

Morning at leisure. Afternoon transfer to the
airport and fly to London, via Istanbul. (B)