Istanbul, Gallipoli, Ephesus & Sail Week Tour

Today, we’ll embark on a guided tour of Istanbul's captivating old city. After breakfast, get ready to be enchanted by the timeless allure of this historic metropolis. Our adventure will lead us through the city's ancient core. We will visit iconic sites like the magnificent Hagia Sophia, the beautiful Blue Mosque, the historic Hippodrome of Constantinople,  the Grand Bazaar, and the Spice Market via tram and walking. This will be a lengthy walking tour; please make sure to bring comfortable shoes and clothing. 

At day’s end, we’ll enjoy a Bosphorus cruise to take in the scenic vistas; your guide will provide intriguing insights about the beauty and significance of the Bosphorus. This will also be a great chance to bond with fellow travellers in a relaxed atmosphere, nurturing a sense of community and shared experience.

The itinerary for today will take us to the Gallipoli Peninsula, where we will gain insight into the bloody battles and glorious struggles of both sides that took place for eight and a half months, commencing on 25 April 1915. Our experienced guide will provide an informative and engaging narration as we visit the battlefields, where birds now replace bullets in the blue sky.

Our itinerary includes the main landing beaches, such as ANZAC Cove, the ANZAC Commemorative Site, which attracts thousands of visitors annually, Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair, where the August Offensive took place, and The charge at The Nek which was depicted in Peter Weir's Gallipoli movie.

Sights:

ANZAC Cove, Chunuk Bair, Lone Pine

Highlights/ Activities:

View The Turkish Positions from The Beach at ANZAC, Meet Local Villagers at Mustafa Kemal's former HQ in Bigali Village

Extra Fees ( Museum Cards Cover):

Gallipoli 100 TL

In the morning today, we will explore the ancient city of Troy. You will have the opportunity to visit the Trojan Horse, Sacrificial Altars, the 3,700-year-old city walls, and the Houses of Troy I. Then, we will depart for the ancient city of Pergamon. The tour will include visits to unique sites such as the Temple of Athena, the Acropolis, the Ancient Library of Pergamum, the Altar of Zeus, the lower Agora, the Gymnasium situated on terraces, the Hellenistic Theater, and the Temple of Dionysus (the god of wine). After that, we'll head to the Ephesus region for an overnight stay. After checking into the hotel, you'll have some free time to relax.

Sights:

Troy (Trojan Horse, city walls), Pergamon (Temple of Athena, Acropolis, Ancient Library, Altar of Zeus)

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Highlights/ Activities:

Exploring The City Of Troy, Watching The View From The World's Steepest Theater

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Fees ( Museum Cards Cover):

Troy 27 €, Pergamon 15 €

This morning, a full-day tour with an early start is scheduled. You are to be picked up from your hotel to explore the wonders of Selcuk and the ancient city of Ephesus. Dating back to the 10th century BC, Ephesus is one of the world's most beautifully preserved ancient cities. It encompasses the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the Temple of Hadrian. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to view the Library of Celsus. In the afternoon, we will depart for Fethiye. Upon arrival, check in to the hotel and optionally visit the fish market for dinner in the city centre.

Sights:

Ephesus (Temple of Artemis, Temple of Hadrian, Library of Celsus)

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Highlights/ Activities:

Dinner at Fethiye Fish Market, Visit the Enchanting Celsus Library

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Fees ( Museum Cards Cover):

Ephesus Ancient City 40 €

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After breakfast, you can store your luggage at the hotel and explore Fethiye. Around noon, we'll head to our gulet for a cruise departing from Fethiye Harbour towards Blue Lagoon, Oludeniz Beach, the most photographed beach in the world. An optional activity is Tandem Paragliding at Blue Lagoon, which offers a panoramic view over 2000 meters high, and Pre-booking is recommended. In the evening, the gulet will anchor at St. Nicholas Island, where you can enjoy a brief hike through the ruins, visit the hidden Amphitheatre, and watch one of Turkey's best sunsets among ancient ruins.

Sights:

Fethiye, Blue Lagoon / Oludeniz, St. Nicholas Island

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Highlights/ Activities:

Paragliding in Blue Lagoon 189 € ( Additional), St Nicholas Sunset, Stand-up Paddles

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Fees ( Museum Cards Cover):

St. Nicholas Island 3 €

We will sail to Aquarium Bay early in the morning, known for its clear waters and peaceful natural beauty. Next, we will head to Hidayet Bay; here, you will have optional Scuba Diving available, Turkey's best diving region.

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Kas Night-Out: We will visit Kas tonight for a night out and to see the city. Kas has a rich history dating back to the Lycian era; it offers a blend of historical charm and contemporary allure and a beautiful ancient village full of cafes, souvenir shops, and good nightlife.

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Sights:

Aquarium Bay, Hİdayet Bay, Antiphellos in Kas, Kas

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Highlight/Activities:

Scuba Diving in Kas 90 € (Aditional), Party in Kas

Today, Sail to the ruins of the Sunken City, once part of the village across from us but destroyed in an earthquake in the 2nd century. You'll see submerged houses and the town underwater. Next, we will head to Simena Castle and hike to the top, which has indescribably awe-inspiring panoramic views, hospitable Turkish villagers, a heart-pumping workout, and Byzantine-era ruins to create an authentic experience and the best homemade ice creams.

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Then, we will head to Burch Bay, a stunning bay perfect for paddle-boarding, and visit the ruins after a small hike. 

Sights:

Sunken City, Simena Castle, Burc Bay

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Highlight/Activities:

Trying Homemade Dried Fig Ice Cream at Simena Castle

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Extra Fees ( Museum Card Covers):

Simena Castle 4 €

After enjoying breakfast, we will head to Karemlik Turtles Bay for Breakfast, where you can swim with the Turtles! Then head to Demre port.

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Guided Bus Tour: Once we arrive at the port, you will continue your Journey by bus to the St. Nicholas Church in the city centre of Demre, where you will have free time for lunch (lunch is not included today). Then we head to the Ancient city of Myra, one of the 6 big cities of the Lycian League, dating back to 2.500 years. Myra is especially famous for its Lycian-Era rock tombs.

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Smugglers Island Night-out: In the late afternoon, we will head to Gokkaya Bay for the night, a magnificent bay surrounded by multiple tiny isles. We will meet our other gulets tonight at Island of Smugglers Inn, a unique rustic nightclub in the middle of nowhere.

Sights:

Karemlik Turtles Bay, Myra, St. Nicholas Church, Demre, Gokkaya, Smugglers Inn

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Highlights / Activities:

Swim with Turtles, Bus Tour, Myra, St Nicholas Church Tour, Party at Smugglers Inn

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Extra Fees ( Museum Card Covers):

Myra 13 €, St. Nicholas Church 17 €

Aperlai Lost City Hike: This morning, you will have the chance to go hiking to the Aperlai ruins. It is a great flat walk, and in the end, fascinating sites and views will make you feel like you have discovered a lost city. We will walk through Lycian ruins, including numerous tombs that all fell or were wrecked after several earthquakes and are still relatively untouched and unrestored.

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Later, you will cruise on to Heybeli Island, a Turkish island next to Castereliszo (Meis), for a swim break, then on to Firnaz Aquarium Bay, where you will anchor down for the afternoon and evening, allowing plenty of time for sunbathing, swimming, and relaxation.

Sights:

Aperlai ruins, Heybeli Island, Firnaz Bay

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Highlight / Activities:

Hiking to Aperlai

We will cruise early, head to Butterfly Valley for breakfast, swim and hike up to the waterfall. Butterfly Valley is a spectacular gorge surrounded by steep cliff faces. A large, multi-tiered waterfall is flowing down the steep limestone cliff into the back of the valley. The bay spans 86,000 sqm and is reputedly home to over 100 species of butterflies. Butterfly Valley Cove is surrounded by cliffs reaching 350m high, with a waterfall pouring down the back canyon wall.

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Guided Bus Tour: After Butterfly Valley, we will take a bus to Gemiler Beach, where we will continue our journey to Kayakoy Village, also known as the Ghost Town. This abandoned Greek village is now a breathtaking open-air museum featuring about 500 preserved houses and three churches, all remarkable examples of Gothic architecture, with only the bare walls remaining.

Sights:

Butterfly Valley, Gemiler Beach, Kayakoy Village (Ghost Town)

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Highlights / Activities:

Strolling Through Butterfly Valley, Bus Tour, Hiking in Kayakoy Ghost Town

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Extra Fees (Museum Card Covers):

Kayakoy Village 3 €

On your last day aboard the gulet, you will start the morning with a leisurely, relaxing pace. After breakfast, we will sail to Samanlik Bay for a swim before returning to Fethiye Harbor. The gulet will dock at Fethiye Harbor around noon. You will disembark and bid farewell to your newfound friends and the friendly crew.

Sights:

Samanlik Bay

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Highlights / Activities: 

Swimming in Samanlik Bay