Anatolian Trilogy is a perfect well-balanced 9-day trip with 2 domestic flights between Anatolian historical heritage and natural beauties of Turkey. Embark on a journey with this 9-Day Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Ephesus, Gallipoli and Troy, exploring the diversity of the nation. Witness the grandeur of the empire once held by the Ottomans. Explore the royal palaces, iconic architecture, museums, and castles of the country with this Turkey vacation package.
Istanbul to Istanbul
Flexible
Arrival in Istanbul and transfer to your hotel
Stroll through Sogukcesme Street with typical wooden house which are now landmark buildings of ottoman architecture. Arrive to Topkapi Palace (HAREM section included), the largest and oldest of the remaining palaces where Ottoman Sultans used to live; admire the gardens, kitchens, the treasury section as well as terraces overlooking the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. Photo stop at the Fountain of Sultan Ahmet the 3rd and explore Saint Sophia, the masterpiece of Byzantine architecture dating back to the VIth century (from outside). Lunch. Visit the Blue Mosque covered by more than 20.000 Iznik tiles and continue with the Roman Hippodrome where the char races used to take place. Discover the handcrafts of Anatolia and shop in the labyrinth tunnels of the Grand Bazaar.
(** No transfer back to hotels**)
Overnight: Istanbul Meals: Breakfast – Lunch
Walk along the Golden Horn, the estuary that divides the European part of Istanbul. Free time in the Egyptian Bazaar, a lively market full of aromas and bustle, whose streets give off all the flavor of the East. Then boat trip along the Bosphorus, which connects the Black Sea with the Marmara Sea. During the crossing you will be able to admire the beautiful European and Asian shores of Istanbul with its palaces, fortresses, beautiful wooden residences.
(** No transfer back to hotels**)
In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the airport for a flight (included) to Cappadocia. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and overnight.
Transfer to airport for your onward flight (included) to Izmir. Upon arrival, continue to Kusadasi and free time at leisure.
Explore the antique city of Ephesus by wandering along its 2,000 year old marble streets to such famous sites as the theatre and the Celsus Library. In the afternoon, visit the home of the Virgin Mary and a photo stop nearby the Temple of Artemis where only a column remains to indicate where one of the Seven Wonders of the World was.
Overnight : Kusadasi Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Continue to Pergamon, the city where parchment was invented and discover the Acropolis with hellenistic theater, Trajan Temple and remains of the library. Drive to Canakkale, dinner and overnight.
Overnight : Kusadasi Meals: Breakfast – Dinner
In the morning, depart for Troy and visit the Trojan Horse, Sacrificial Altars, 3700 years old city walls and houses, Senate Building, Odeon. Cross Dardanelles Strait by car ferry and continue to Gallipoli Peninsula. Visit Brighton Beach, Beach Cemetery, ANZAC Cove, Ariburnu Cemetery, ANZAC Commemorative Site, Respect to Mehmetcik Statue, Lone Pine Australian Memorial, Johnston’s Jolly, Turkish and Allied trenches and tunnels, 57. Regiment Turkish Memorial,The Nek,Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial, After lunch, drive to Istanbul. Transfer back to Istanbul , late arrival and overnight.
(**ATTENTION : This tour finishes in Istanbul very late in the evening, around 11:00pm/23:00 !!)
Overnight : Istanbul Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, transfer to Istanbul Airport for your onward flight.
Possibility to add pre or post accommodation to this package.
Overnight : Not available Meals: Breakfast (if your flight schedule permits)
Overall this trip was good. Some of the hotels were less than desirable but most of them were amazing. The one downside is some of the food that comes with some of the hotels were okay. All the guides were amazing. If there’s one negative is this tour went from 10 days to 9 days. I would hope they would reconsider because 9 days is not enough. There’s a bit of jet lag that you have to endure if you’re coming from somewhere like where we did the USA. Wish we had more time in Istanbul. Overall I had an amazing experience and I would highly recommend this trip.
Overall experience was excellent. Trip was very well organized and always on time. Turkey is an amazing country with much things to offer. Trip started in Istanbul, amazing city. Never enough time to see it all. Yigitalp hotel in Istanbul is very well located, nice staff and just a few tram stops from Sultanhemet area. Breakfast at the hotel is the one thing we didn´t like- It can be improved a lot or choose another hoe¡tel with better food quality. Second stop was Capadoccia, magical city. Tours were ok, and can be improved, I think there is much more to see in town and there is a lot of time waste taking us to rug, leather, jewelry shop, etc. which were not in our tour description when we booked it. Too much importance for this when there is a lot more of sightseeing. Abras Cabe house hotel was outstanding, an only 10 room boutique hotel. Staff makes you feel at home. Kusadasi was thr theird stop. The Marina Kudasi hotel is terrible, very dirty and low maintenance. Company needs to find a different place to stay. The town is great to go shopping on your own and go eat at a local restaurant. Beautiful sunsets. Epheso was a great visit even though I would have prefer spending more time at the site and not going again to a leather shop where they try to sell you things that you can fin a lot more cheaper in Kusadasi. Troy is a very interesting ancient site, then Bergama is another amazing place but again not enough time to explore around. Waste of time going to the carpet shop. Bergama town has much more to offer and to explore than offered in the tour.. Channakale Akol hotel was outstanding. Great food and service. This the quality needed among the whole trip. Galipoli is interesting if you like history. Probably wont go back again. Once is enough. Overall we had a wonderful vacation. Hope this review helps improve the tour. Thanks to all the tour guides. Standing ovation.
Wonderful trip that covers Anatolia, Aegean Region and Istanbul with 2 domestic flight. Great adventure , great trip, excellent choice of hotels and very good local guides. I recommend it
We’ll organised and everything went as planned.
This is the first tour i went with Eskapas in July with a connection to A weekly program in Greece too. Both programs are well organized from the hotel selection to Guides. Especially you are precisely following their timetable. Both Turkey and Greece are fantastic countries that you travel in safety and freedom. Highly recommended. Julien