5 Day tour of Istanbul, Gallipoli, Troy and Dardanelles
DAY 1
Arriving in Istanbul As we say in Turkey, Welcome to Turkey. We will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. After a short briefing about your tour you will have the afternoon free to rest and explore Istanbul on your own. Overnight stay in a centrally located unique hotel.
DAY 2
Istanbul After breakfast we will continue on a full day tour of Istanbul-rsquo;s main historical sites. Sites you-rsquo;ll see today Blue MosqueWorld renown for it-rsquo;s architecture and focal point for worshipping Muslims Haghia Sophia1,400 year old supreme church from Byzantium times which houses famous Byzantine Mosaics *Byzantine HippodromeThe focal point of the Byzantine Empire during the reign of Constantine. Within it-rsquo;s center you will see the Egyptian Obelisk and Serpentine Column. Topkapi Palacethe residence and leadership center of the Sultans during the Ottoman Empire. It was built in 1459-1465 shortly after the conquest of Constantinople. You will see the Treasury that includes the Topkapi Dagger, the 86 carat Spoon Maker-rsquo;s Diamond, and the jewel encased bones of St. John the Baptist-rsquo;s skull and arm bone. Grand Bazaar and the Suleymaniye Mosque will also be visited during the tour. Breakfast and lunch provided. Overnight stay in ISTANBUL
DAY 3
Istanbul-Gallipoli-Canakkale Very early in morning we will depart from Istanbul, drive along the northern shores of the Marmara Sea, and as soon as we arrive we will have a break for lunch. Gallipoli and The Dardanelles after our lunch we will stop to visit Gallipoli, a place of fierce WWI fighting between Allied forces and the Turks. At ANZAC Cove thousands lost their lives in one fateful dawn morning. We will also see other famous battle sites of World War 1 in this area, such as Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair. From here we go to a ferry and cross the Dardanelles. For World War 1 buffs, you will know the Dardanelle Straits were a strategic crossing point for the allied armies to cross from Europe to Asia Minor. Over a nine month campaign, more than half a million soldiers lost their lives in the fight to control this strait of water and nearby Gallipoli peninsula. Canakkale will be our final destination for today and where we will spend the evening. After dinner, you might want to stroll the harbor walk and experience the local culture. The locals buy sunflower seeds and stroll with their families, gossiping and looking at the sunset. When they reach the harbor's end, they turn around, buy their ice cream and walk the other direction. Breakfast/Lunch. Overnight stay in Canakkale or Eceabat.
DAY 4
Canakkale Troy- Istanbul We continue our scenic drive along the Aegean, stopping for photo opportunities and perhaps to indulge the taste buds at one of the many farmer road side stands that sell olives, figs, seasonal fruit and pistachios. We then will head east towards our first site of the day. Sites you-rsquo;ll see today Troyis the ancient site written about by Homer in the Iliad. It dates back as far as 3000 BC and has been the site of nine different cities through the thousands of years it has existed. As you enter the site a large wooden Trojan horse dominates your view. You will definitely want to climb up and get your picture taken! After the tour that we will depart from Canakkale, drive back to Istanbul, After arrival we will transfer you back to your hotel, Overnight stay in Istanbul.
DAY 5
Istanbul to Home Gule, Gule! It is time to go home. We will transfer you to the airport and wish you well, asking that you keep Turkey in your hearts and prayers, and hoping that our paths cross again in this life! If you have extended your time with an additional add-on trip, we will be confirming this day with you your additional schedule. Contact us for additional tour options.
