Riviera Travel Istanbul, Ephesus and Troy

– Return flights and transfers
– 6nts in 4* accommodation
– Selected Meals: 9 breakfasts and 3 dinners
– Programme of daily tours and visits
– Services of an expert tour manager
– Checked luggage

– See the remains of Homer’s Troy
– Visit the Commonwealth cemeteries in Gallipoli
– Tour the extraordinary Topkapi Palace

Day 1 – Arrive in Ankara
Fly to Izmir via Istanbul. On arrival, transfer to your hotel in Kusadasi for two nights,

Day 2 – Ephesus
Today, have a guided tour of the Ephesus. See the Temple of Artemis, one of the original ‘Seven Wonders of the Ancient World’. Then see its famous Library of Celsius and the amphitheatre. You’ll also get the chance to see the remains of St John’s Basilica and the House of the Virgin Mary.

Return to Kusadasi and the rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 3 – Pergamon
Leaving Kusadasi, follow the coast to the ancient city of Pergamon where you have a guided tour. See the Temple of Trajan, the Altar of Zeus and the world’s steepest ancient amphitheatre. Continue along the coastline to Canakkale where you’ll enjoy this evening’s dinner at your hotel.

Day 4 – Troy & Gallipoli
Start the day with some free time in Troy, whose archaeological site spans nine separate cities. Then, take a short cruise over the Dardanelles to the Gallipoli peninsula. Visit the Lone Pine memorial and Anzac Cover before continuing through the picturesque landscape to Istanbul. Check in your hotel for the next three nights.

Day 5 – Istanbul
This morning, enjoy a comprehensive tour of the breath-taking Hagia Sophia, one of the city’s best landmarks. You’ll also visit the Grand Bazaar, home to more than 4,000 shops, as well as the remains of the Hippodrome.

Day 6 – Topkapi Palace
Begin the day with a guided tour of the Topkapi Palace, today a splendid museum. See a splendid display of historical weapons, and the collection of jewellery from the treasury. Next, take a short walk around the Spice Bazaar. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure.

Please note, optional entrance to Topkapi Harem quarters is at an additional cost.

Day 7 – Return home
Transfer to the airport for your flight home

Hotel KoruMar, Kusadasi
This resort-style hotel is fully air-conditioned with four restaurants, several bars, a luxurious spa and hammam to enjoy a relaxing treatment, a large outdoor swimming pool, tennis court and gym. The hotel also has an excellent sun terrace overlooking the sparkling Mediterranean, and a private beach with a small cove for swimming. The beach is accessed from a lift inside the hotel.

Hotel Kolin, Canakkale
The four-star Hotel Kolin is an excellent, modern hotel overlooking the Dardanelles – a narrow, naturally straight waterway that separates Asian and European Turkey. The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool with shaded sun-loungers as well as an indoor pool, Boreas Spa where you can book a traditional Turkish hammam scrub or massage (local charges may be applicable), and a gym.

Hotel Armada Old City, Istanbul
This four-star hotel is set just within the original ramparts of Istanbul’s Old City and overlooks the Bosphorus Strait and the Sea of Marmara. The hotel’s roof terrace, where breakfast is taken, offers wonderful views of the old city skyline and, at night, views across to the floodlit Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia

Fact File

• Currency: Turkish Lira (Euros are also widely used but at a poor exchange rate)
• Flight time: Approx. 4 hrs 30 mins
• Language: Turkish
• Time zone: GMT+2
• Country: Turkey

*All transfer times listed here are approximate and dependent on traffic.