Istanbul, Ephesus & Troy

Overview

From the legacies of Ancient Greece to the wealth of the Roman Empire and the grandeur of the Ottoman rule, our tour of Turkey unveils a wide array of awe-inspiring sights – the remains of some of the mightiest empires in history. In Istanbul, we’ll see the 6th-century Hagia Sophia – the largest ever church, the amazing Topkapi Palace – the seat of government for arguably the greatest empire of the medieval age, great underground cisterns – stunning feats of engineering built in the 6th century, the beautiful Blue Mosque and so much more.

Travelling even further back in time, we’ll visit three of the most famous ancient sites in the country – Troy, Pergamon and Ephesus – each teaching us something new about these ancient yet advanced civilisations.

This holiday is ideal for travellers with an interest in ancient history, architecture, culture and religion.

At a Glance

• Direct flights and transfers
• 7 nights in four-star, hand-picked hotels
• 11 included experiences
• Daily breakfast & 3 dinners
• Expert Riviera Tour Manager looking after you throughout
• 20kg+ checked luggage
• Free Wi-Fi in the hotels
• All additional hotel taxes
• New smaller group sizes for 2025
  Maximum of 36 on a Classic tour and maximum of 25 on a Signature tour.

Highlights

• Follow in the footsteps of St. Paul and St. John in Ephesus, the Eastern Mediterranean’s greatest Roman city and see the remains of Homer’s Troy.
• Visit the mountainside site reputed to be the house of the Virgin Mary.
• Guided tour of the remarkable and little-visited Acropolis of Pergamon and the extraordinary Topkapi Palace.
• Cross the Straits of the Dardanelles and visit the poignant sites of the Commonwealth cemeteries in Gallipoli and Anzac Cove.
• Explore Istanbul on a tour and visit Hagia Sophia – the greatest church in Christendom for a thousand years, the Basilica Cistern, and the Blue Mosque.

Itinerary Details

Here’s the detailed itinerary for the “Istanbul, Ephesus and Troy” Escorted Tour, spaced out with lines between each day for clarity:

Day 1 – Arrive in Kusadasi:
On arrival in Izmir, transfer by coach to the nearby resort of Kuşadası for two nights.

Day 2 – Ephesus:
Take a guided tour of Ephesus, an ancient city with breathtaking buildings.

Day 3 – Pergamon:
Follow the coast towards the ancient Hellenistic city of Pergamon, where we have a guided tour.

Day 4 – Troy and Gallipoli:
Visit Troy, Gallipoli, and Anzac Cove – a fascinating day of contrasts awaits today.

Day 5 – Istanbul:
Visit the breathtaking Hagia Sophia and take a guided walking tour of Istanbul.

Day 6 – The Basilica Cistern and the Blue Mosque:
Take a guided tour of Istanbul, with a visit to the Basilica Cistern and the Blue Mosque.

Day 7 – Topkapi Palace:
Explore Topkapi Palace on a guided tour and spend the afternoon at leisure.

Day 8 – Return home:
Wave goodbye to your new-found friends, transfer back to the airport, and fly home.

Let me know if you need any more details or adjustments!