Istanbul, Troy & Ephesus
Istanbul, Troy & Ephesus
Istanbul, Troy & Ephesus
8 Days Starting and ending in Istanbul, Turkey
Visiting: İstanbul, Çanakkale, İzmir, Troy National Park, Ephesus Ancient City, Manisa, Bursa, Balıkesir
Tour Overview
The Grand Bazaar, the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia are just the beginning when it comes to exploring Turkey. 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 Turkey'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.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 Uk - Istanbul
Location: İstanbul
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Maywood Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
Today, you fly to Istanbul. Then relax and enjoy dinner while meeting your fellow travellers.
Day 2 Istanbul
Location: İstanbul
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Maywood Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
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 historic chariot racing arena, the Hippodrome. 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. Then 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 lunch awaits at a Turkish restaurant, before free time for shopping at the Egyptian and Grand Bazaars. 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.
Day 3 Istanbul - Canakkale
Location: Çanakkale, İstanbul
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Buyuk Truva Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning you will have some free time to explore at your leisure or choose an optional half-day cruise of the Bosporus. With over an hour on board, we'll cross from Europe to Asia amid spectacular city views. Once there, hop off the boat for a glimpse of local life on the Asian side. 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.
Day 4 Canakkale - Izmir
Location: İzmir, Troy National Park, Çanakkale
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hilton Garden Inn Izmir Bayrakli
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
First visit of the day will be the legendary Troy, city of Homeros’ Iliada. With over five thousand years of history, the 9 layers seen in Troy show more than 3000 years without interruption and allow us to follow the civilizations settled in this unique geography where Anatolia, Aegean and Balkans meet. Continue to Bergama, a traditional Turkish town where we will offer guests gozleme, a Turkish treat. Visit the ancient city of Pergamon with its ancient Acropolis. At the end of the tour, drive to Izmir and after a short sightseeing with the bus, arrival to hotel in Izmir.
Day 5 Izmir
Location: İzmir, Ephesus Ancient City, İzmir
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hilton Garden Inn Izmir Bayrakli
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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.
Day 6 Izmir - Bursa
Location: Manisa, Bursa, İzmir, Balıkesir
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Movenpick Bursa Hotel & Thermal Spa
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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.
Day 7 Bursa - Istanbul
Location: İstanbul
Accommodation: Hotel, Hotel
Accommodation Name: Maywood Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner, Breakfast, Dinner
Our departure for Istanbul after breakfast sees us arrive in the city by around midday. Spend the afternoon at your leisure or join us for an optional excursion, starting with lunch at a traditional Turkish restaurant. After lunch, we'll visit the Topkapi Palace Museum to see priceless collections including Chinese porcelain and the Imperial Treasury. 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.
Day 8 Istanbul - Uk
Location: İstanbul
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast at the hotel, we'll head to the airport for our flight back to the UK.
What's Included
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Accommodation
4 star hotels -
Just You Holiday Director
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Return flights from London
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7 nights in 4-star hotels
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A guaranteed twin or double room of your own
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14 included meals: 7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 6 dinners including a welcome drink
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Overseas transfers, other transportation & porterage
What's Not Included
Accommodation
- Sapphire Hotel
- Decorated in classic Ottoman style the 4-star Sapphire Hotel is located in the old centre of Istanbul, within walking distance to many major historical attractions.
Hotel facilities include a restaurant, bar and indoor swimming pool. Bedrooms have private facilities, air-conditioning, TV, mini-bar and hairdryer.
- 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.
- 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.
- Almira Hotel
- This hotel is well located within Bursa and has a great selection of amenities for guests to enjoy. These include in-house restaurants, multiple bar areas, as well as an outdoor swimming pool that offers wonderful vistas of the city. Rooms feature a minibar, TV and air-conditioning. Free WIFI is also available throughout the hotel.
- Sapphire Hotel
- Decorated in classic Ottoman style the 4-star Sapphire Hotel is located in the old centre of Istanbul, within walking distance to many major historical attractions.
Hotel facilities include a restaurant, bar and indoor swimming pool. Bedrooms have private facilities, air-conditioning, TV, mini-bar and hairdryer.
Optional Excursions
- Istanbul by night tour including Turkish folklore show
- Morning cruise along the Bosporus
- Topkapi Palace, residence of the Ottoman Sultans & lunch
Excursions Included
- 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 - Ephesus
- Discover Turkish fruit & wine production in Sirince village
- Tour of the former Ottoman Capital city of Bursa
Check out our Q&As
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
No and your own room is guaranteed!
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Yes, overseas transfers, other transportation & porterage
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
Yes
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Yes
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
No
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Are flights included in this tour?
Yes, Return flights from London
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
As detailed in the itinerary
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
All the people in your group will be solo travellers and will share your sense of adventure and passion for travel. There’s usually a good mix of ages too, so you’ll meet a variety of solo travellers who have more, or in some cases less, life experience. We find the overall mix of people really adds to the whole experience and there are certainly plenty of l
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
A few years ago we set up Just You Cares, a programme that gives back to some of the places we love. We have always believed in taking care of the communities we visit, and have taken the time to really get to know the local people and understand the challenges they face. Some of our holidays give our Customers the chance to see how the money from their trips has been spent.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
At Just You, we are committed to operating our business operations responsibly, with integrity and always act ethically in all our business dealings and relationships. We are committed to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure slavery and human trafficking does not take place in our own business or in any of our supply chains
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If we can accommodate a change in date - we will always do our best to help you. Just pick up the phone and ask one of our friendly advisors - just make sure you have your booking number to hand.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes, and all of our accommodation providers will be working to the very highest standards of hygiene – you already always enjoy a private room of your own on all of our trips, all of our partners will be guided by local government operational standards of hygiene and the new protocols we have issued to them.
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Will I eat alone?
We find there’s always a social element to dining, so you’ll never eat alone, unless you want to! Every holiday includes a welcome get-together, all breakfasts and many other meals. When a meal is not included we find travellers meet and dine together.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
No, given the nature of our holidays, it is not possible to join the tour once it has departed.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Just You has been operating solo holidays for more than 15 years.
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Am I guaranteed a room of my own?
Of course, you’ll always have a twin or double room all to yourself. It’s great to have that space to relax and reflect at the end of the day. In some hotels you can also pay a little extra to upgrade for more space or a lovely sea view.
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What is the typical age range on a Just You holiday?
Typically, our customers are solo travellers in their 40s, 50s and 60s, but it’s quite possible you could meet 20-year-olds or 70-year-olds (or anyone in between)... After all, age is just a number!
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
We have received the World Travel and Tourism Councils (WTTC) Safe Travels stamp, which recognises businesses and destinations worldwide that have adopted a new set of global protocols to support the return of 'Safe Travel' around the world. The 'Safe Travels' stamp provides you, with assurance and peace of mind that we have implemented enhanced health and hygiene prprotocols on all holidays.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Once you book, you will receive a confirmation invoice within 7 days, prior to departure, we will send you further information to help prepare for your trip.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Just You is exclusively for solo travellers, every tour includes a twin or double room of your own, with no single supplement.
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Just You requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 84 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of just you charges.
Up to 75 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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When you book your holiday with Just You, you can have complete peace of mind. Your money is 100% protected through our Independent Trust Fund, any money you pay to us is held by them & governed by 3rd?party trustees. It is also a condition of our ATOL license and is regularly monitored by the Civil Aviation Authority. We don’t receive any money until after you’ve come back from your holiday – so your money is 100% protected no matter what. If you have any questions you can speak to one of our friendly and knowledgeable holiday advisors.
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