Tour Description

Coach Tour (Min 2 / Max 28 passengers)
6 Days – Istanbul to Kusadasi

Departs Saturdays

Istanbul (2) | Canakkale (1) | Kusadasi (2)

2025 Departure Dates:
Jul: 05, 19 | Aug: 02, 16, 23, 30 | Sep: 06, 13, 20, 27-full | Oct: 04-full, 11, 18 | Nov: 01 | Dec: 20

2026 Departure Dates:

Jan: 17 | Feb: 14 | Mar 14 | Apr: 04, 11, 25 | May: 02, 09, 23, 30| Jun: 06, 13, 20 | Jul: 04, 18 | Aug: 01, 15, 22, 29 | Sep: 05, 12, 19, 26 | Oct: 03, 10, 17, 31 | Dec: 19

Embark on a captivating six-day journey through Western Turkey, where you’ll uncover the historic treasures and savour the authentic flavours of the region. Begin your journey in Istanbul, where the harmonious blend of Eastern and Western influences awaits. Follow the heroic path through Gallipoli and Troy and explore the charming coastal town of Kusadasi and the picturesque village of Sirince. This tour offers an ideal opportunity to combine the cultural and historical attractions of Turkey in a relatively limited timeframe.

Highlights

Be captivated by the exotic charm of Istanbul
Reflect on those who have gone before with a visit to Gallipoli and ANZAC Cove
Uncover the fabled city of Troy, the legendary setting of the Trojan War
Explore the ruins of Ephesus, the site of one of the Seven Wonders of the World
Discover the picturesque village of Sirince

Itinerary
Accommodation
Important Information

Day 1: Istanbul

Welcome to Turkey. On arrival you will be met by a representative of our local operator and transferred to your tour hotel where accommodation is reserved for two nights on a bed and breakfast basis.

Day 2: Istanbul (B)

Embark on a full day guided tour of some of the best sites of Istanbul, the city where east meets west. Originally founded as Byzantium, then known as Constantinople, after Constantine the Great, Istanbul is home to many fascinating sites. The first stop on your tour is Topkapi Palace, once the main residence of the Ottoman Sultans and now a fascinating museum. Next, view the incredible Hagia Sophia Mosque from the outside – originally built in 537ad, this marvel of engineering is famed for the giant dome, an incredible feat for the time period and considered as one of the world’s greatest architectural wonders. Continue to the Blue Mosque built between 1609 and 1616 and famous for its blue ceramic tiles. Conclude your tour with a visit to the famous Spice Market, one of the largest spice markets in the world – here you will find an assortment of colourful stalls with enticing delights such as exotic spices, dried fruit and nuts, Turkish delight, baklava and more! Overnight stay in Istanbul.

Day 3: Istanbul – Gallipoli – Canakkale (BD)

Drive west to the Gallipoli Peninsula for a special day for New Zealand and Australian travellers with a visit to Anzac Cove, Nek, Chunuk Bair, Lone Pine Cemetery and the 57th Regiment Memorial. The doomed assault on Gallipoli by New Zealand and Australian forces, in their own contingents for the first time in foreign service, is considered by many to have been the birth of national consciousness for these two countries. For the Turks, then part of the Ottoman Empire, the victory is regarded as the defining moment in the birth of the Turkish nation, with independence following just 8 years later. At the end of the tour you will cross the Dardanelles and be transferred to your hotel in Canakkale. Overnight stay in Canakkale.

Day 4: Canakkale – Troy – Pergamum – Kusadasi (BD)

Today you will step into mythology with a visit to Troy, the scene of heroic deeds from such legends as Achilles, Paris, Ulysses, Priam, and the incomparably beautiful Helen – “the face that launched a thousand ships.” Immortalised by Homer in his epic The Iliad, Troy was thought to be entirely fictitious until it was discovered by pioneering archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann in the 1870’s. The replica wooden horse adds further depth to the experience.

Later cross the Ida Mountains to arrive at Pergamum, the capital of the Hellenistic Attalid dynasty. Here you will visit the impressive Acropolis of Pergamum, perched on a high, steep-sided hill – one of the highest and most magnificent Acropolis in ancient history. Continue on to Kusadasi for a two-night stay.

Day 5: Kusadasi – Ephesus – Sirince – Kusadasi (BD)

This morning there will be a short drive to the ancient city of Ephesus, the famous ruins of what was once an important cultural centre of the ancient world. Visit its magnificent library, theatre and temples and stroll through some 2000-year-old marbled streets. Capture the significance of the Library of Celsius and Hadrian’s Temple. Afterwards you will have the opportunity to discover and understand the rich history behind local handicrafts like handmade carpets and leather. Continue to the village of Sirince, one of the most beautiful villages in Turkey. Free time for shopping or to taste the local wines. Overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 6: Kusadasi (B)

Morning transfer to Kusadasi port or Izmir airport for your onward journey.

TOUR INCLUSIONS:

Arrival transfer from Istanbul (IST) Airport only on Day 1 (supplement applies from Sabiha Gokcen (SAW) Airport)
Departure transfer Day 6 to Kusadasi port or Izmir Airport
Accommodation in First-Class and Moderate First-Class hotels with private facilities
Transportation by air-conditioned coach
Meals as specified in itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
Sightseeing as specified in itinerary
Professional English-speaking guides
Museum entrance fees
Porterage at hotels
Local taxes
24/7 local operator support in Turkey
Turkey Travel Notes – issued by Innovative Travel

TOUR EXCLUSIONS:

International airfares
Optional tours and excursions
Tipping/Gratuities (please refer to tour notes for a recommended guideline)
Personal Expenses
Departure taxes
Hotel charges for minibar or any extra charges
Visas (unless specified)
Any other services not clearly mentioned in the inclusions above

Accommodation based on the below (or similar):

The hotel selection may change – please use this as a guideline only

Istanbul (Taksim area)

Doubletree Hilton Piyalepasa

Canakkale

Kolin Hotel

Kusadasi

Elite World Kusadasi

Double Beds
Please note a double bedded room can be requested but cannot be guaranteed. In Turkey double rooms are very limited.

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.

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.

Porterage
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 (25kg).

Ramadan
During the Holy Month of Ramadan Muslims fast, abstaining from eating, drinking & smoking during daylight hours (approx. 7am-6.30pm). As a sign of respect, tourists should also try to refrain eating in public during the fasting hours. Restaurants and Cafes in Hotels will be open, however limited alcohol may be available over this time. In 2026, Ramadan is expected to begin on the evening of Tuesday 17th February. After 30 days, or on sighting the full moon, Eid Al Fitr is celebrated & most public and private institutions close for at least three days.

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

Airport transfers are included on days of the tour ex Istanbul (IST) Airport, a surcharge will apply for transfers to or from Sabiha Gokcen (SAW) Airport. Private transfers at alternate times will incur a surcharge. Transfers are operated by drivers and are not guided.

If arriving or departing Istanbul on any days other than the arrival or departure days of the tour, transfers are not included.

Enquire About This Itinerary

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. 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:

$ 2469pp ^*