Aegean Explorer&Blue Escape – 11 Days

Upon arrival at Istanbul / SAW Airport, you will be greeted and driven to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

(No Meal)

(09:00-16:00)

According to your tour pick-up time meet with your guide and start your full-day tour. Explore Hagia Sophia; was the largest building on earth barring the Egyptian Pyramids or the Great Wall of China. It was the religious center of the city during the Byzantine period. Next; Topkapi Palace; As well as being the imperial residence of the Sultan, the palace was also the seat of government for the ottoman empire. It housed the ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years. Continue to with Hippodrome; Built by the Roman Emperor Septimus Severus in 203AD, during the Roman period hippodrome was the civil center for the people of the city where once 100,000 spectators could be held. Next, Blue Mosque; Built by the Ottoman Sultan Ahmet I in the year 1616, Blue mosque today is one of the most famous landmarks of the old city with its famous six minarets and magnificent dome.  Next, Grand Bazaar; With 18 entrances and more than 4000 shops it is one of the greatest bazaars in the World.  At the end of the tour drive you back to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul

(Breakfast-Lunch)

(06:00 – 16:30)

According to your pick-up time from your hotel in Istanbul, meet your guide and depart for the Gallipoli Peninsula by comfortable air-conditioned vehicle. Upon arrival in Eceabat, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before starting the fully guided Gallipoli Battlefield Tour.

Today you will visit the historic ANZAC battlefields, including Brighton Beach, ANZAC Cove where the ANZAC troops landed on April 25, 1915, and Beach Cemetery. Continue to Ariburnu Cemetery and the ANZAC Commemorative Site where annual memorial ceremonies are held.

The tour continues with visits to the Respect to Mehmetçik Statue, Lone Pine Australian Memorial, and Johnston’s Jolly where preserved Turkish and Allied trenches can be seen. You will also visit the Turkish 57th Infantry Regiment Cemetery, The Nek and Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial, one of the most strategic points of the Gallipoli Campaign.

At the end of the tour, transfer to your hotel in Çanakkale. Check in and overnight in Çanakkale.

(BreakfastBox-Lunch)

(08:15 – 20:30)

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and meet your guide for the Troy and Pergamon Tour. The first stop is the ancient city of Troy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for the legendary Trojan War.

During the visit you will see the symbolic Trojan Horse, the Sacrificial Altars, the 3700-year-old city walls, the Houses of Troy I dating back to 3000–2500 BC, the Bouleuterion (Senate Building) and the Odeon. You will also explore the archaeological layers from Troy I to Troy IX which reveal the long history of the city.

After the Troy tour drive to Bergama for lunch before continuing to Pergamon, one of the most important cultural centers of the ancient world. Visit the Acropolis including the Library of Pergamon, Temple of Athena, Temple of Trajan and the site of the famous Altar of Zeus. You will also see the terraced Gymnasium, Lower Agora, the impressive Hellenistic Theater and the Temple of Dionysus.

At the end of the tour depart for Selçuk and Kuşadası. Arrival in Kuşadası around 20:30.

(Breakfast – Lunch)

(09:00-16:00)

According to your tour pick-up time meet with your guide and start your full-day tour. Visit The House of Virgin Mary; located 6km to the north of the ruins of Ephesus, a church was built from the 6C AD to the top of the foundations of a house from 1C AD and it is declared by the church to be the final house where Mary spent her last days.

Continue with the Ancient Ephesus; An Archeological treasure, The best-preserved classical city in Eastern Mediterranean. During the 1C AD, Ephesus was the second-largest city on the planet after Rome with more than 250,000 citizens. It was in the center of the known world and played the role of a gateway between the East and the West with its giant harbor, it was also the center of trading in antiquity. It was not only a rich commercial city but also the honeymoon place of Mark Anthony and Cleopatra.

Next; Temple of Artemis or Artemision was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Its ancient cult dedicated to Artemis was very famous in antiquity and made Ephesus a much-visited pilgrimage place. There were a total of 127 ionic columns with a height of 19m. The temple is also considered to be the earliest bank of the ancient world.Overnight in Kusadasi.

(Breakfast-Lunch)

(08:00-19:30)

Upon breakfast at the hotel check out. Today visit Pamukkale; Pools of Heaven on Earth… Pamukkale has always been a very popular settlement where hot springs were believed to have healing powers so it is considered to be the earliest spa on earth where, in history, people traveled long distances in order to find a cure. The unique terraces were formed by running warm spring water at a temperature of 35 C, containing calcium bicarbonate. Visit; the ancient city of Hierapolis which has the biggest Necropolis with 1200 gravestones in Anatolia. Also, The Sacred Pool is one of the highlights of the site. Theır shallow thermal waters ripple over a wonderful scattering of ancient roman ruins that lie beneath. After tour drive to Fethiye. Check ın. Overnight in Fethiye.

(Breakfast-Lunch)

(15:00)

According your pick up time meet your driver and drive to Fethiye Port for boarding. Once every guest completes boarding, the boat will depart from Fethiye Port to ‘’Turuncpinari cove’’ for swimming and overnight stay. Overnight on board.

(Breakfast-Dinner)

After breakfast on board sail to ‘’Merdivenli cove’’ for swimming break in the crystal clear water,Later sail to ‘Kleopatra Bath Cove’’ where you will have walk Tea break and dinner. You can walk to the ancient city, spend time at the beach and swimming in crystal clear water. Overnight on board

(Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner)

After breakfast sail to ‘’Tershane Island’’ where you can swim in turquoise water and enjoy walking at the beach. Later sail to ‘’Bedri Rahmi Cove’’ where you will Explore Likya Ancient City. Swim in the turquoise water and enjoy tea break. Later sail to ‘’Yassicilar cove’’ and overnight on Board.

(Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner)

After breakfast, sail to Gocek port. Here is our last stop. You will be greeted by your driver and drive to Dalaman Airport for your domestic flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival greeted by your driver and drives to your hotel. Check-in. Overnight in Istanbul

(Breakfast)