A wonderful introduction to Turkey, this 8 day tour takes in many of the ancient sites. From the thriving city of Istanbul with a full day tour included, you will move on to explore the WWi battlefields of Gallipoli and the ancient historical sites of Troy, Pergamum, Ephesus and Pamukkale.
NOTE: On 2025 departures the following visits will be replaced:
Ancient Pergamum - Replaced with a visit to Assos.
Embark on an intensive 5-day journey through Turkey's most poignant historical sites and natural wonders! Begin at the solemn Gallipoli battlefields, honoring WWI history, before delving into the myths of ancient Troy and its new museum. Discover the grandeur of Ephesus, exploring its renowned Library of Celsus and Temple of Artemis, then marvel at Pamukkale's breathtaking white travertine terraces and therapeutic hot springs. This captivating tour offers a deep dive into Turkey's rich past and stunning landscapes, culminating with a convenient return flight to Istanbul.
Experience the highlights of Turkey on this 7-day tour, starting and ending in Istanbul. Explore the historic battlefields of Gallipoli, marvel at the impressive Roman ruins of Ephesus, and enjoy the stunning beauty of the Aegean Coast. Discover the natural wonders of Pamukkale’s travertines and the crown jewel of Turkey, Cappadocia, with its surreal landscapes and fascinating underground cities.
What truly sets this tour apart is the presence of our professional tour guides, who accompany you from Day 1 to the final farewell. As expert storytellers and cultural ambassadors, they ensure a seamless, stress-free experience by handling every detail of your journey. Their insights and personalized guidance allow you to fully immerse yourself in the beauty, history, and culture of Turkey while leaving all the logistics to us.
A great trip. A lot of ground covered. Tour notes had explained clearly that early starts were common and how much travel time was involved. Our modern, generously sized, coach and regular stops made it very comfortable. Our guide, Alcan Sisli, and driver, Attila, were of the high quality I expect from Explore! trips. Alcan was passionate about his country and extremely knowledgeable about all our points of interest. He took great care to include everyones wishes and needs when making plans and quickly knew us as individuals. He was unfailingly cheerful and looked after us all very competently, even when we perhaps did our own thing! We all got our turn to sit near the front of the coach to ask all those odd questions you might hesitate to ask in the whole group, though as usual the group, 12 in all, was such an interesting mix of backgrounds and personalities that it very soon felt as if we were just one big family. I miss them all now I'm home again! The accommodation was an eclectic mix of small city rooms to surprisingly luxurious bigger ones. All clean and with amazing buffet breakfasts. Food was varied - if sometimes a little solidly based on traditional Turkish meals. Fabulous fresh fish. Interesting 'greasy spoon' cafes with amazing dishes and the chance to try great local specialities. The attractions were as described - but even more spectacular in reality. The Mosques, Cotton Castle terraces, Rock formations and cave dwellings, Greco Romano remains etc were all fantastic and the final visit to Gallipoli was powerfully atmospheric. Our only disappointment was the unusually cold and wet weather during our particular trip dates but it didn't dampen our spirits and the only thing we couldn't do was the optional balloon flight. Another year perhaps. Now just got to sort out the 100s of photos and eat the Turkish Delight.
From Istanbul to Athens. The great capital of the Ottoman Empire to the ancient capital of Greece in 14 magical days. Discover archaeological treasures, natural wonders, and the jewels of the Greek Islands; Rhodes, Santorini and Mykonos
Embark on an unforgettable 7-day adventure through Turkey's most poignant historical sites and stunning natural landscapes. Begin by honoring the past at the Gallipoli Battlefields, then journey through ancient legends at Troy and the majestic Acropolis of Pergamon. Immerse yourself in the grandeur of Ephesus, marvel at Pamukkale's ethereal white terraces, and trace the historic Silk Road to Konya. Conclude your expedition amidst Cappadocia's unique fairy chimneys and underground cities before returning to Istanbul. This comprehensive tour offers a deep dive into Turkey's rich heritage and breathtaking beauty.