10 days private Marmara VIP Tour Itinerary

Day 1 - Istanbul
Welcome to Turkey, arrival into Istanbul. Transfer from airport & check in to your hotel. Tonight you will have a welcome dinner, be introduced to our friendly crew and other travellers while enjoying traditional Turkish food and enjoy the mystical atmosphere of Istanbul at night.

Day 2 - Istanbul City Tour
Depart at 08:30 for the Istanbul city tour. SULTANAHMET IMPERIAL MOSQUE Across from St. Sophia built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet, is known as the BLUE MOSQUE because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles. HIPPODROME Ancient Hippodrome, the scene of chariot races, with the three monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. TURKISH & ISLAMIC ARTS MUSEUM GRAND COVER BAZAAR In this labyrinth of streets and passages are more then 4,000 shops with each trade having its own area: the goldsmiths' street, the carpet sellers, Turkish arts and crafts, such as hand painted ceramic plates, hand-honed copperware, brassware and trays, water ewers, onyx-ware and meerschaum pipes. TOPKAPI PALACE The great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries housing an exquisite collection of crystal, silver, and Chinese porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury, miniatures, the Holy Mantle; enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed. SÜLEYMANIYE MOSQUE The mosque of Süleyman the Magnificent was built between 1550 and 1557 by the famous architect Sinan whose wish was to surpass the builders of St. Sophia which is conspicuous from its great size, emphasized by the four minarets rising one from each corner of the courtyard. Free time provided for shopping. Tonight we have the optional activity of the Turkish Night which should not be missed. Includes (Whirling Dervishes, Belly dancers, Turkish cuisine and wine, live music) overnight in Istanbul.

Day 3 - Gallipoli Tour
08:00am departing for Gallipoli. Visiting Kabatepe Museum, ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine Australian Memorial, Johnston’s Jolly, The Nek and Chunuk Bair New Zealand memorial. During the tour there will be a lunch break. Late in the afternoon we will arrive in Canakkale. Overnight in Canakkale.

Day 4 - Troy Tour - Ayvalık
Visit naval battle area then ferry across the Dardanelles to Canakkale, After Lunch we depart for the ancient city of Troy. Your guide will explain the mythology surrounding Troy, the Trojan horse and Helen of Troy, as well as the history and discoveries of the archaeological diggings from its discovery by Heinrich Schliemann in the 1870's to the present day and on going. Nine cities have been discovered built one on top of the other dating back to 3500 B.C. After Troy we drive about 2 hours to the coastal town of Ayvalik.

Day 5 - Pergamun Tour - Kusadasi
Short drive to Pergamun - see Asklepion, Zeus alter, Red Basilica etc.  BERGAMA is the site of the Hellenistic - and later Roman - city of Pergamon, ruled for several centuries by a powerful local dynasty. Excavations were completed here in 1886, but unfortunately much of what was found has since been carted off to Germany. However, the acropolis of Eumenes II remains a major attraction, and there are a host of lesser sights and an old quarter of chaotic charm to detain you for a day or so. Its foremost attraction is the Kizil Avlu or "Red Basilica", a huge edifice on the river not far from the acropolis, originally built as a temple to the Egyptian god Osiris and converted to a basilica by the early Christians, when it was one of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor addressed by St John in the book of Revelation - though sadly it's now a crumbling ruin with a mosque in one of its towers. After Bergama tour will depart for Kusadasi. Upon return you will have the opportunity to experience a Turkish bath which is one of the oldest cultures of Anatolia and it is one of our optional activities. After having dinner at your hotel, you will have the free time to stroll in the city. Overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 6 - Ephesus Tour
Today, we are going to visit Ephesus to view the ruins of Ephesus, one of the best preserved ancient ruins in the world. A visit to Ephesus - once the commercial centre of the ancient world - is a highlight of any visit to Turkey. The city, whose wealth and patronage supported its splendid architectural program, was dedicated to the goddess Artemis. Her enormous temple, once considered one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World and rebuilt several times, dates in its latest form from the third century B.C. The tour of the ruins also includes a theatre, gymnasium, agora and baths, as well as the Library of Celsus. According to many historians and theologians, the divine death of the Virgin Mary took place in Ephesus in the presence of St. John into whose care Christ's mother was given (St.John, XX, 26-27). After the Ephesus Tours, we will make a shopping tour in which you will be aware of the ancient arts of Turkey like carpet weaving, leather manufacturing and jewellery. As this will be a guided tour, you will avoid the constant nagging and sometimes bullying that is well known in the markets of Turkey. Enabling you to enjoy the shopping experience whilst gaining the knowledge of the ancient craftsmen. Overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 7 - Pamukkale Tour
At 08:30 we depart for Pamukkale. On the way we will visit one of the famous leather production centers of the region. We then arrive at Pamukkale for lunch. Afterwards we shall visit the calcium terraces of Pamukkale (cotton castle) and the ruins of Hierapolis, then walk around this natural phenomenon and have the option of lying in the waters of the natural springs. Overnight in Pamukkale.

Day 8 - Bursa
After breakfast Drive to Bursa, former Ottoman Capital and lunch of famous "Kebab of Alexander the Great". Climb to Uludag, the legendary Mount Olympos, by Teleferik (Cable Car), visit to Ulucami (Grand Mosque), the Green Mosque and the Green Mausoleum, the old Silk Market in the Covered Bazaar. Overnight in Bursa.

Day 9 - Bursa - Istanbul
Breakfast Return to Istanbul via Bosphorous Bridge, unique chance to step from one continent (Europe) to another (Asia) in 2 minutes. Camlica Hill, exposing a panoramic view of Istanbul and Bosphorous from the best point of view. Visit Dolmabahce Palace, the last residence for Ottoman Sultans with 365 rooms and 22 saloons. Famous with the great collection of European antiquity, furniture and 4.5 tons chandelier.

Day 10 - Istanbul
After breakfast check out from the hotel and we will drive you Istanbul Ataturk Airport. We hope your tour was a memorable one and we look forward to seeing you in the future on another TAT Tours Turkey Tour. Have a safe trip back home and thanks for choosing TAT Tours.

Tour Includes
English speaking professional guide throughout
All transportation by private a/c tour coach
3 nights accommodation in Istanbul, 4 star with breakfast
1 night accommodation in Gallipoli, 4 star with breakfast
1 night accommodation in Ayvalik, 4 star with breakfast
2 nights accommodation in Kusadasi, 5 star with breakfast
1 night accommodation in Pamukkale, 4 star thermal with breakfast
1 night accommodation in Bursa, 5 star with breakfast
All entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary
Free return airport transfer services

Departure Times
On your request

10 Days Marmara VIP Turkey Tours Pricing and Booking
Number of people	Double Share	Single Room
2 - 3   pax	€ 1555.00	€ 1999.00
4 - 6   pax	€ 1345.00	€ 1799.00
7 - 10 pax	€ 1145.00	€ 1559.00