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Istanbul, Troy & Ephesus

From C$3,249
Duration 9 Days
Departures from: Sep 2026 - Nov 2027
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From C$3,249
Duration 9 Days
Departures from: Sep 2026 - Nov 2027

Tour Overview

The Grand Bazaar, the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia are just the beginning when it comes to exploring Turkiye. This tour offers an assault on the senses in the best possible way, where history, culture and memorable moments are shared with like-minded travellers. From the ancient city of Ephesus to belly-dancing shows and Gozleme pastries, we'll explore Turkiye's culture on a backdrop of famous landmarks and natural wonders. Whether you want to learn about ancient sites, see Gallipoli or have free time to shop, this tour combines an incredible array of highlights.

Pace of trip: Active
For travellers who love to explore and discover multiple destinations - can include moderate walking and longer days

Just You - Istanbul, Troy and Ephesus - Tour Map Enlarge map

Your Tour Includes

  • Just You Holiday Director as your host & Specialist Local Guide 
  • 8 nights in 4-star hotels 
  • A guaranteed twin or double room of your own
  • 15 included meals: 8 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 6 dinners including a welcome drink 
  • Transportation excluding overseas transfers to and from the airport 
  • Porterage

Included Tour Highlights

  • Tour of Istanbul including The Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia & Grand Bazaar
  • Turkish coffee demonstration & tasting with Baklava
  • Visit the Gallipoli War Memorial
  • Tour of Troy & visit to the ancient city of Pergamon
  • Tour of one of the ancient wonders of the world, the Temple of Artemis, in Ephesus
  • Discover Turkish fruit & wine production in Sirince village
  • Tour of the former Ottoman Capital city of Bursa

Tour Itinerary

Istanbul at night

Day 1 Istanbul

Make your own way to Istanbul where your Holiday Director will meet you at your hotel for your welcome meeting that evening. Meals included: D
Next day
Blue Mosque, Istanbul

Day 2 Istanbul

Get set for a full-day tour of Byzantine and Ottoman relics on your tour of Istanbul. Sultanahmet Square rests at the heart of the Old City and we start here with a visit to the Hippodrome - a historic chariot racing arena. You'll also get to tick off your landmark bucket list when we visit the awe-inspiring Blue Mosque with its many domes and hand-painted blue tiles. Next we'll discover the iconic Hagia Sophia. Once the largest Christian church in the world, it is now considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture. A scrumptious Turkish lunch awaits at a local restaurant where you will also get to taste the typical Turkish sweet treat, Baklava. A snack made with filo pastry, nuts and honey. You will then visit the Grand Bazaar for free time for shopping. The Grand Bazaar is a heady mix of spices and is alive with the hustle and bustle of people bartering over everything from war medals and pots to carpets and clothing, as well as fruit and leather goods. We'll also stop at an authentic shop to taste the sweet treat, Baklava, made with filo pastry, nuts and honey. Explore as you wish by night, or join us on an excursion to a Turkish night club for a belly-dancing show. Meals included: B,L
Next day
Bosporus cruise

Day 3 Istanbul - Canakkale

This morning you will have some free time to explore at your leisure or choose an optional excursion to visit the Topkapi Palace Museum to see priceless collections including Chinese porcelain and the Imperial Treasury. We will also visit the famous Harem and then enjoy a typical lunch. Our leisurely drive to Canakkale takes us via the lovely Marmara Sea for sweeping coastal views. On the way, we'll stop at the famous World War I battlefields of Gallipoli, the large and poignant resting site of Australian, New Zealand, British and Turkish soldiers killed in the war. A ferry trip across the Dardanelles channel brings us to Canakkale for dinner at the hotel. Meals included: B,D
Next day
Ruins of Troy

Day 4 Canakkale

The first visit of today will be the legendary city of Troy. With over five thousand years of history, your guide will describe the civilisations settled in this unique geographical zone where Anatolia, Aegean and Balkans meet. We will also visit the Troy Museum, exhibiting the historical artefacts from Troy and some other ancient cities in the area, and on nearby islands. At the end of the excursion, we'll drive back to Canakkale where we will have free time for lunch and the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. Meals included: B
Next day
Ancient city of Pergamon

Day 5 Canakkale - Izmir

Today will start with a drive along the Aegean coastline to the small town of Ayvalik. Here we will have a chance to visit a social enterprise called Cop(m)adam. This social enterprise is partnered with Planeterra and is a customer market benefitting local women working in impoverished communities in Turkiye. We will also visit Ayvalik centre, once a major crossroads for Greek commercial, literary and intellectual life in Ottoman times, with a population that consisted almost exclusively of Greek Orthodox Christians. Following this visit, we will drive to Bergama and visit the ancient city of Pergamon with its Acropolis. After the visits, we will have a ‘gozleme’ tasting in Bergama which is a traditional Turkish pastry. While having a taste of gozleme at lunch time, we will also have the chance to see the Turkish weaving tradition and how the carpets are being made using centuries old methods by the locals. We'll then drive to Izmir and have a panoramic city tour, before dinner this evening. Meals included: B,D
Next day
Bursa streets

Day 6 Izmir

The UNESCO-listed ancient city of Ephesus is home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Temple of Artemis. This morning we'll tour the massive excavation site that St Paul once visited on his way back to Antioch, as well as stopping to admire the bathhouses and the majestic Library of Celsus.
While in Selcuk, we'll also visit the Basilica of St Jean before an afternoon journey into nature at the picturesque Greek village of Sirince. The region is a wine-lover's paradise and is known for producing some of Turkey's best olives and exquisite handmade olive oil products. Meals included: B,D
Next day
Bazaar, Istanbul

Day 7 Izmir - Bursa

Today we'll enjoy a delicious breakfast at the hotel before driving through Manisa and Balikesir to our next destination of Bursa. The former capital of the Ottoman Empire brims with historic gems, such as the Grand Mosque and the Tombs of Osman and Orhan, the first Ottoman Sultans.
We'll then take a tour to discover the delights of the Silk Market. The quaint and charming stores here offer scarves, fabrics, silver and artistic crafts, all with a stunning backdrop of decorative Ottoman architecture. Meals included: B,D
Next day
Hagia sophia, Istanbul

Day 8 Bursa - Istanbul

Our departure for Istanbul after breakfast sees us arrive in the city by around lunchtime. Spend the afternoon exploring at your leisure or join us for an optional excursion cruise of the Bosporus. With good time spent on board, we'll traverse Europe and Asia amid spectacular city views. Glimpse local life on both sides of the strait at the same time. This evening, recount your travel memories over a farewell dinner in the fisherman's village area of Kumkapi with a local drink, before enjoying free time in the bright lights of the city. Meals included: B,D
Next day
Istanbul

Day 9 Departure

Today it's time to say goodbye to your fellow travelers as your trip comes to an end. Meals included: B

Accommodation

Maywood Hotel

The 4-star Maywood Hotel is situated in the heart of Istanbul.

Hotel facilities include a breakfast room and bar. Bedrooms have private facilities, air-conditioning, telephone, TV, mini-bar and hairdryer.

The 4-star Maywood Hotel is situated in the heart of Istanbul.

Hotel facilities include a breakfast room and bar. Bedrooms have private facilities, air-conditioning, telephone, TV, mini-bar and hairdryer.
Next accommodation

Buyuk Truva Hotel

The Buyuk Truva hotel is situated centrally within the city of Canakkale, and has a quaint and traditional décor. The in-house restaurant serves a varied cuisine of both local and international options, whilst also offering a wonderful view of the Marmara Sea. Air-conditioned rooms are furnished with private facilities, and there is complimentary WIFI is available.

The Buyuk Truva hotel is situated centrally within the city of Canakkale, and has a quaint and traditional décor. The in-house restaurant serves a varied cuisine of both local and international options, whilst also offering a wonderful view of the Marmara Sea. Air-conditioned rooms are furnished with private facilities, and there is complimentary WIFI is available.
Next accommodation

Hilton Garden Inn Izmir Bayrakli

The Hilton Garden Inn Izmir Bayrakli is a contemporarily styled property which offers lovely views of the Aegean Sea. Guests can enjoy the in-house restaurant, which has a spacious dining area. Guest rooms have wooden décor and private facilities. Other services available at the hotel include free WIFI and a Gym.

The Hilton Garden Inn Izmir Bayrakli is a contemporarily styled property which offers lovely views of the Aegean Sea. Guests can enjoy the in-house restaurant, which has a spacious dining area. Guest rooms have wooden décor and private facilities. Other services available at the hotel include free WIFI and a Gym.
Next accommodation

Mövenpick Hotel Bursa

Mövenpick Hotel & Thermal Spa Bursa makes no concessions on quality with its modern and comfortable rooms, ballroom, large meeting rooms, a la carte restaurants, thermal swimming pool and Spa area with thermal Turkish bath, wellness center with dietitian, and high technology fitness equipment. You can relax in the Spa Center with sauna and steam rooms, get aromatic massages from our professional team and swim in the thermal pool.

Mövenpick Hotel & Thermal Spa Bursa makes no concessions on quality with its modern and comfortable rooms, ballroom, large meeting rooms, a la carte restaurants, thermal swimming pool and Spa area with thermal Turkish bath, wellness center with dietitian, and high technology fitness equipment. You can relax in the Spa Center with sauna and steam rooms, get aromatic massages from our professional team and swim in the thermal pool.
Next accommodation

Maywood Hotel

The 4-star Maywood Hotel is situated in the heart of Istanbul.

Hotel facilities include a breakfast room and bar. Bedrooms have private facilities, air-conditioning, telephone, TV, mini-bar and hairdryer.

The 4-star Maywood Hotel is situated in the heart of Istanbul.

Hotel facilities include a breakfast room and bar. Bedrooms have private facilities, air-conditioning, telephone, TV, mini-bar and hairdryer.

Optional Excursions

Experience even more of your destination by adding one or more optional excursions to your trip before you set off. Take a look below at the extra trips you can enjoy on this tour

Istanbul by night including Turkish folklore show

Istanbul by night including Turkish folklore show

After a drive through the illuminated streets of Istanbul, you will arrive at a nightclub. Enjoy diner and a traditional Turkish show featuring performances by folk dancers, belly dancers and singers.

Evening excursion - Minimal walking - Cultural experience
From
C$176
Add at checkout
Cruise along the Bosphorus

Cruise along the Bosphorus

Enjoy a cruise along the Bosporus and admire fabulous views of the city. The Bosphorus is a strait that connects the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara - Asia will be on one side, and Europe on the other. We’ll be able to view both the European side and the Asian side at the same time, and glimpse local life in two continents in the same city. Before our cruise we will spend a little free time at the Egyptian Bazaar, and afterwards we will visit Ortakoy, a small fisherman's village with bars, cafes and restaurants.
Cruise - Some walking - Scenic tour
From
C$107
Add at checkout
Visit Topkapi Palace, residence of the Ottoman Sultans and lunch

Visit Topkapi Palace, residence of the Ottoman Sultans and lunch

This excursion begins with a visit Topkapi Palace. The Palace was the imperial residence of the Ottoman Sultans for nearly 400 years and is now a museum, housing priceless collections including Chinese porcelain and the Imperial Treasury. You will also visit the Hagia Irene. Afterwards, sit down for a delicious lunch.

Half-day tour – Historic site – Authentic experience
From
C$151
Add at checkout
Arrival Transfer IST to Hotel (Istanbul, Troy & Ephesus)

Arrival Transfer IST to Hotel (Istanbul, Troy & Ephesus)

Start your holiday with total peace of mind by booking our exclusive arrival transfer service, designed specifically for our Make Your Own Way travellers. Upon landing, you’ll be greeted by your Holiday Director or local representative and whisked away to your first hotel, ensuring a seamless and stress-free start to your adventure. Please note, this convenient transfer service is available exclusively on the first day of your holiday, allowing you to settle in comfortably and meet your fellow travellers for your welcome meeting.
From
C$359
Add at checkout
Departure Transfer Hotel to IST (Turkiye)

Departure Transfer Hotel to IST (Turkiye)

Enjoy a relaxed and effortless conclusion to your journey with our departure transfer service, exclusively available for our Make Your Own Way travellers. When it’s time to head home, we’ll take care of the details, ensuring you reach the airport comfortably and on time. Please note, this service is available only on the final day of your holiday, providing a smooth and worry-free end to your experience with us.
From
C$359
Add at checkout