Aegean Shore

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!

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 for an overnight stay.

After breakfast at the hotel drive to Troy – the site of the legendary Trojan War. Admire the ruins and a replica of the Trojan Horse, a wooden horse said to have been used during the Trojan War by the Greeks to enter the city of Troy and win the war. Continue across 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 to Kusadasi for a two-night stay.

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 before returning to Kusadasi.

This morning you will be transferred to Kusadasi Port or Izmir Airport.

• 24/7 local operator support in Turkey
• 5 nights’ hotel accommodation
• Breakfast daily at hotels
• 3 dinners
• Arrival transfer from Istanbul (IST) Airport only on Day 1 | Departure transfer to Kusadasi port or Izmir Airport on Day 6. Supplement applies for transfer from Sabiha Gokcen (SAW) Airport
• Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle
• Sightseeing as per itinerary
• Professional English-speaking guides
• Museum entrance fees
• Porterage at hotels
• Local taxes and service charges
• Turkey Travel Notes – issued by Innovative Travel

• 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)
• Travel Insurance (compulsory)
• Any other services not clearly mentioned in the inclusions above