Tour Description
Coach Tour
6 Days ex Istanbul
Departs on Thursdays and selected Sundays.
Guaranteed departure (min 4 pax) coach tour.
Departure Dates 2020
Mar 26; Apr 02, 09, 16, 23, 30; May 07, 14, 21, 28; Jun 04, 11, 25; Jul 09, 23; Aug 06, 20; Sep 03, 10, 17, 24; Oct 01, 09, 15, 22, 29
NOTE: This is an excellent itinerary for connecting to Greece (either embark on a cruise or catch a flight to Athens or take a ferry to Samos).Coach
Welcome to Turkey. On arrival you will be met by a representative of our local operator and then transferred to your tour hotel. Remainder of the day at leisure. Tonight meet your tour companions at a welcome briefing. Your accommodation has been reserved for two nights on a bed and breakfast basis.
Start you discovery of Istanbul with a visit to Topkapi Palace (excluding harem) residence of the Ottoman Sultans from 1453 to 1852. Visit the Hippodrome which was once the centre of life where chariot racing and other public events took place. Continue to the Blue Mosque built between 1609 and 1616 and famous for its blue ceramic tiles. Next see St. Sophia a church converted to a mosque by the Ottomans and now a museum and one of the world’s greatest architectural wonders. Your last stop will be the famous Grand Bazaar the world’s largest and oldest covered market with over 60 streets.
Tonight optional dinner with belly dancing.
Note: Sunday Tour departures will visit St Sophia Cathedral in Istanbul on Tuesday morning before departing to Canakkale
Morning departure for Gallipoli. On arrival visit Anzac Cove Lone Pine cemetery and Chunuk Bair then across the Dardanelles to Canakkale for your overnight accommodation at your hotel.
Today visit Troy with its famous wooden horse. Before arriving into Asclepion have lunch with locals in a traditional local village. Then continue to Pergamum to visit the ancient Medical Centre in Asclepion and continue to Izmir for two nights.
Tour the famous ruins of Ephesus an important cultural centre of the ancient world and explore the 2000 year-old marble streets the theatre the library of Celsius and Hadrian’s Temple. Continue to St Mary’s stone cottage where it is believed Virgin Mary spent her last years accompanied by St John. Later visit a regional rug production centre.
Optional: Dinner at a local restaurant
Morning transfer to Kusadasi pier to catch ferry or cruise.
DOUBLE BEDS
Please note we have requested a double bedded room but cannot guarantee one will be available. In Turkey double rooms are very limited. Please ask on check-in with the hotel to see what is available.
TRANSFERS
Airport transfers are only included on days of the tour ex Istanbul Ataturk Airport – a surcharge will apply for transfers to/from Sabiha Gocken airport.
If you are arriving or departing Istanbul on any days other than the arrival and departure days of the tour transfers will not be included in the price of the coach tour.
Porterage for one suitcase is included in the tour price. Due to limited coach capacity the single bag should not exceed the dimensions of 30”x18”x10” and not weigh more than 50lbs (23kg). A charge of US $4 per travelling day is collected by the tour director for each additional piece of baggage or if the suitcase exceeds established weight and/or dimension limitations. Alternatively you might leave your luggage at your Istanbul Hotel storage.
Note: Sunday departures in May Sep and Oct will visit St Sophia Cathedral in Istanbul not during the full day tour of Istanbul which is Monday as it is closed but on Tuesday before departing for Canakkale.
The hotel selection may change – please use this as a guideline only.
W Hotel Istanbul
Kolin Hotel
Swissotel
Dress Codes
Modest dress is required for entrance to holy sites – Men: Long pants, Women – skirt or long pants and shoulders covered.
Hotels
On coach tours, hotels in regional areas (i.e Pamukkale) can be of a slightly lower standard than the other hotels on the tour.
Sightseeing
All sightseeing tours require a moderate amount of walking around historical / cultural sites. This is particularly true in Cappadocia where walks can be up to 1 or 2 km long and where a good level of fitness will ensure you get a maximum enjoyment from your visit. On some tours you may visit a carpet or handicraft shop where the locals will show how their crafts are made. There is no obligation to buy any products at any of these places.
Transfers
Transfers are operated by drivers and are not guided. Some drivers may only have a basic command of English.
Optional Tours
Optional tours offered during coach tours may not be guaranteed (even if pre-booked ex New Zealand) as they are subject to a minimum number of participants.
Private Sightseeing tours (if booked)
If a private sightseeing tour is booked it is important that you discuss the days arrangements with the guide as the touring programmes have a degree of flexibility. It is important to discuss with the guide so that any specific requirements can be met or addressed at the time.
Istanbul airport transfers:
For coach tours: airport transfers are included on days of the tour ex Istanbul Airport, a surcharge will apply for transfers to or from Sabiha Gocken Airport. Transfers from the hotel to the Airport may be on scheduled shuttles. Late Evning or early morning flights may require private transfers at a supplement.
For independent / private tours: if included, airport transfers are applied ex Ataturk Airport, a surcharge will apply for transfers to or from Sabiha Gocken Airport.
Trip prices and dates are correct at the time of the website going live, however all offers are subject to reconfirmation at the time of booking. Note prices usually display available discounted rates if any, (eg. Early Bird Deals if applicable). All featured tour itineraries and offers maybe subject to change due to seasonal variations without notice, or due to local conditions or other conditions. Please confirm all details at time of booking. Travel insurance is mandatory for all Innovative Travel bookings. All passports must be valid for 6 months prior to your return to your home country. Visas are the responsibility of the traveller. Special VIP meet and assist offers are valid for New Zealand passport holders, for other nationalities please check at the time of booking. For full terms and conditions, please refer to our Booking Conditions page.
Priced From:
$ 1752pp *
