Ancient Turkey

Welcome to Turkey

You will be picked up from your hotel or Antalya Airport and transferred directly to your accommodation in Olympos for check-in.

Overnight in Olympos.

Gulet Cruise begins
You will sail past the sunken city as the first sight of your day. Once part of the original settlement that still makes up the island of Kekova, after a devastating earthquake many centuries ago, this part of the town has fallen into the ocean. You will sail past slowly for a closer look before anchoring down on the opposite side to visit what remains of Kekova. Here you can wander the island and walk up to the Lycian tombs for a closer look or climb to the top and enter Simena Castle for some beautiful views over the coastline you have just cruised.

Overnight cabin cruise under the stars.

Kas & Aquarium Bay
Today after making some stops along the way for swimming, breakfast, and lunch you will get to spend some time in the beautiful town of Kas. Here you can shop up a storm with the abundance of jewellery shops in town or spend time just wandering the cobblestone streets soaking up the ambience of the seaside fishing village.

Overnight cabin cruise.

Butterfly Valley, Oludeniz, St Nicholas Island
Today you visit Butterfly Valley, Oludeniz / Blue Lagoon and spend the evening anchored down at St Nicholas Island. Be sure to climb to the top of the island for the most beautiful sunset, possibly one of the best, of the whole cruise.

Overnight cabin cruise under the stars. 

Gulet Cruise ends, Free Day
Today you wish farewell to your gulet in the port of Fethiye at about noon time. You will have the rest of the day free in Fethiye.

Overnight Fethiye. 

You are collected from your accommodation early and depart for Pamukkale, which in Turkish translates to "cotton castle".

6:30: Pick-up from hotel
7:00: Bus departs for Pamukkale, with a stop at Denizli along the way.
11:00: Arrive in Pamukkale, meet your tour bus and tour guide who will show you around the ancient beauty of the area.

Pamukkale Tour
On arrival, you have lunch before taking in the magnificent views of the “cotton castle” travertines. You get a guided tour of the white cliffs of Pamukkale and the ancient ruins of Hierapolis.

You then continue your journey to Ephesus.

Overnight in the Ephesus region. (Selcuk or Kusadasi)

Ephesus full-day tour
Today you get to start exploring the wonders of Ephesus. You are picked up from your accommodation and taken out to see some of the best-preserved marble ruins in the modern world – Ephesus. Ephesus was one of the Ancient Capitals of Roman Asia - the second largest ancient city of the world! A city where over 200,000 people lived over 3,000 years ago. You also get to visit the House of the Virgin Mary. An important place for the Christian faith, as it is believed it is where Mary spent the last years of her life. You will also visit one of the seven wonders of the ancient world – The Temple of Artemis.

Overnight in the Ephesus region. (Selcuk or Kusadasi)

In the early morning, you will be picked up for a tour of Pergamon.

Pergamon Tour
After lunch, the tour will continue to ancient Pergamon, making stops at the Acropolis, the Library, which once held 200.000 books, the Temple of Athena, the Temple of Trajan, the Gymnasium situated on terraces, the lower Agora, the Hellenistic Theater with a seating capacity of 10,000, and the Temple of Dionysus.

Overnight in the Gallipoli region; Eceabat or Canakkale. 

Today there is an early start to make our way to the battlefields of Gallipoli, with a tour of Troy along the way.

Troy Tour
In Troy, you will visit the Trojan Horse, Sacrificial Altars, the 3,700-year-old city walls, Houses of Troy I 3,000 B.C. - 2,500 B.C., the Bouleuterion (Senate Building), the Odeon (Concert Hall), and the remains of the various cities from Troy I through to Troy IX.

Gallipoli Tour
You are picked up from your accommodation early and head for Eceabat. There you will have lunch before starting a fully guided tour of the Gallipoli peninsula. You visit the many cemeteries of Australians, New Zealand, and Turkish soldiers and also visit the war memorials and see some of the original old trenches on the Gallipoli battlefields. You get time at the museum where you can see some old war artefacts that are still being discovered in the area. It will be time to ponder the heroism and tragedy of past times and understand the friendships that were born between the nations fighting for this piece of the peninsula.

Afterwards, you will then head to Istanbul.

Overnight in Istanbul.

After breakfast, meet your professional local guide at the hotel and begin your walking tour through Istanbul’s historic Old City.
 
Visit the Hippodrome of Constantinople, the magnificent Blue Mosque, and the iconic Hagia Sophia. Continue to the colourful Grand Bazaar and explore the aromatic Spice Bazaar, filled with spices, Turkish delights, teas, dried fruits, and local products.
 
An optional visit to the Basilica Cistern can also be arranged. The entrance fee is not included.
 
Highlights
Hippodrome of Constantinople
Blue Mosque
Hagia Sophia
Grand Bazaar
Spice Bazaar
Optional Basilica Cistern
 
Overnight in Istanbul.
 
Important Notes:
Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays
Blue Mosque is closed on Fridays due to prayers; we are unable to enter
 

After breakfast, meet your professional guide at the hotel and visit the magnificent Topkapi Palace, the former residence of the Ottoman sultans for nearly four centuries.

Explore the palace courtyards, imperial chambers, historical collections, and panoramic views over the Bosphorus.
 
After the palace visit, enjoy a scenic two-hour Bosphorus Cruise between Europe and Asia. Along the way, admire Istanbul’s waterfront palaces, mosques, fortresses, traditional Ottoman mansions, and spectacular skyline.
 
Highlights
Topkapi Palace
Golden Horn
Galata Tower
Dolmabahce Palace
Cıragan Palace
Ortakoy Mosque
Bosphorus Bridge
Rumeli Fortress
European and Asian shores
 
Important Notes:
Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays
 
Overnight in Istanbul

Airport Transfer
Today your tour officially ends. If you require any assistance with onward travel within Turkey, accommodation bookings, queries, please let us know & we will be happy to assist.