Treasures of Anatolia, Turquey - Group departure

Details
Itinerary
Photos

ON THE PATHS OF HISTORY AND LEGENDS IN TURKEY

Our journey will take you in the footsteps of the great civilizations that have marked the history of mankind. You’ll visit legendary archaeological sites such as the majestic ruins of Ephesus, where ancient colonnades seem to whisper the secrets of times gone by. You’ll be dazzled by the enchanting beauty of the Anatolian landscape, from the bizarre rock formations of Cappadocia to the expanses of the Aegean Sea. Every twist and turn of our itinerary will reveal a unique facet of this land of history and contrasts. Beyond the breathtaking monuments and panoramas, you’ll meet the friendly locals and taste the authentic flavours of Turkish cuisine, a delicious blend of culinary traditions handed down from generation to generation. This trip to Anatolia is much more than a simple tourist adventure: it’s a true odyssey through the centuries.

Istanbul
Ankara
Cappadoce
Pamukkale
Ephesus
Izmir
Pergame
Troy
Conakkale

Includes:

Direct round trip flight from Montreal to Istanbul with Turkish
4 nights’ accommodation at the hotel Lionel Bayrampasa 5* or similar at Istanbul
1 night accommodation at the hotel Meyra Palace 5* or similar at Ankara
2 nights’ accommodation at the hotel Burcu Kaya 5* or similar at Cappadoce
1 night accommodation at the hotel Adempira 5* or similar at Pamukkale
1 night accommodation at the hotel Marina 4* or similar at Izmir
1 nights’ accommodation at the hotel Iris Hotel 4* or similar at Conakkale
10 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 6 dinners
All visits and mentioned in the itinerary
- Visit to Beylerbeyi Palace
- Visit to Saint Sophia Basilica, the Blue Mosque and the Byzantine Hippodrome
- Visit the Atatürk mausoleum
- Visit to the Göreme open-air museum
- Visit the natural site of Pamukkale
- Visit to Ephesus
- Visit to the Acropolis, the ancient site of Pergamon and the famous city of Troy
Entry fee for the aforementioned visits
Air conditioned bus for visits, sized depends on the number of people in the group
Airport transfers
Services of a local guide
Services of a Gendrontours group leader
Taxe

Not included:

Gratuitites
Meals other than those mentioned
Tours other than those mentioned
Luggage fees with the airline
Alcool with meals
Visa
Seat selection with the airline
Client’s contribution to the Compensation fund of $3,50 per $1,000

OPTIONS ($):

Introduction of Mandatory ETIAS Permit for Travels to Europe

Starting from January 1, 2024, every Canadian traveler planning to visit Europe will be required to possess an ETIAS permit. This is the European Travel Information and Authorization System, implemented by the European Union.

For more information about this permit, you can visit the official website at the following address: https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en.

Please note that this permit costs 7 euros per person, and the process can take up to 30 days for approval.

It is also mandatory to have a passport that remains valid for at least 3 months after your departure date from Europe. Without this, entry at the European border will be denied.

Entry and exit requirements – COVID-19

Most governments have implemented special entry and exit restrictions and requirements for their territory due to COVID-19. Before travelling, it is your responsibility to verify if the local authorities of both your current location and destinations have implemented any restrictions or requirements related to this situation. Vaccination or health passports may be required in some cases. It is your responsibility to be aware of the specific entry, exit and transit restrictions and requirements for the country or territory you are visiting before you travel and before you book your trip. Voyages Gendron is not responsible if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements. For full details on health measures and entry and exit requirements for a destination, visit the official government website.

Itinerary:

Itinerary (subject to change)

Day 1

Montreal - Istanbul

In flight.

Day 2

Istanbul

Meet your French-speaking guide at the airport.

Transfer to the hotel.

Lionel Bayrampaşa 5* or similar

Day 3

Istanbul

Departure from your hotel for a visit to Beylerbeyi Palace on the Asian side of the Bosphorus, once the residence of such prestigious guests as Empress Eugenie. Its 19th-century architecture reflects many of the city’s Eastern and Western influences. Stop at Çamlica Hill, the highest point on the Asian coast, for a magnificent view of the Bosphorus and the old town.

Lunch.

Afternoon stroll through Beyoglu, the old Pera district, with its countless shopping streets.

Dinner on your own ($).

Breakfast and lunch included

Lionel Bayrampaşa 5* or similar

Day 4

Istanbul

After breakfast, departure for the historic heart of Istanbul. You’ll visit the Basilica of Saint Sophia, a masterpiece of Byzantine art, the Blue Mosque with its six minarets built in the 17th century, famous for its 21,403 blue earthenware tiles, and the Byzantine Hippodrome with its obelisks.

After lunch, discover the Topkapi Palace, sumptuous residence of the Ottoman sultans.

Dinner on your own ($).

Breakfast and lunch included.

Lionel Bayrampaşa 5* or similar.

Day 5

Istanbul - Ankara

You’ll visit the Grand Bazaar and then the “Egyptian Bazaar”, Istanbul’s largest spice market.

You’ll take a private boat trip on the Bosphorus, a unique opportunity to contemplate the yalis, prestigious wooden residences, and admire the splendid facades of the Dolmabahce and Beylerbeyi palaces with their 19th-century architecture.

After lunch, drive to Ankara (450 km), Turkey’s capital and second-largest city.

Dinner at the hotel.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Meyra Palace 5* or similar

Day 6

Ankara - Cappadoce

After breakfast, check out and visit the mausoleum of Atatürk, father of modern Turkey.

Lunch and continuation to Cappadocia (320 km) through a plain where the salt lake sparkles. You’ll also explore one of the many Byzantine underground cities, a refuge for the natives between the 7th and 10th centuries.

Dinner at your hotel.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Burcu Kaya 5* or similar

Day 7

Cappadoce

A full day dedicated to discovering Cappadocia, a natural site unique in the world and the cradle of Christianity. You’ll be impressed by its bewitching and unusual landscape, with its gigantic fairy chimneys that have preserved their large basalt caps.

Visit Göreme’s open-air museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to several rock churches decorated with frescoes from the Byzantine period. You’ll discover the splendid Avcilar and Guvercinlik valleys, home to countless fairy chimneys with surprising human and animal features.

On one of the two mornings, you can take a hot-air balloon ride to admire the fairy chimneys and unreal landscapes of this region. This unforgettable excursion alone is the highlight of this exceptional trip. Optional and payable on site $330 usd/pp (price subject to change without notice)

You’ll also stop off at a local jewelry boutique and carpet-making center, where you’ll be won over by the creativity and patience of Anatolian women.

You’ll be treated to a Turkish evening in a typical troglodytic setting, during which you’ll admire folklore and traditional dances.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Burcu Kaya 5* or similar

Day 8

Cappadoce - Pamukkale

After breakfast, departure for Konya (240 km), where you’ll travel along the famous Silk Road, dotted with the remains of numerous caravanserais. You’ll marvel at the sublime landscapes of the Central Anatolian plateau. Photo stop in front of a Seljuk caravanserai.

Continuation to Pamukkale and dinner en route (420 km).

Visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Pamukkale. You’ll visit the famous, dazzlingly white “Cotton Castles”, where hot springs, saturated with limestone salts, have covered the cliffs.

Dinner at your hotel.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Marina 4* or similar

Day 9

Pamukkale - Ephesus - Izmir

After breakfast, departure for Ephesus (180 km). The City of Artemis, the most famous ancient site in Turkey, the Street of the Couretes, the famous Celsius Library, Hadrian’s Temple, Trajan’s Fountain, the splendid 24,000-seat theater and the remains of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The city was also dear to the apostle Paul, who stayed here for several years.

Lunch in Selcuk.

During the day, you will have the privilege of attending a leather fashion show where you will appreciate the quality of the articles.

Dinner at the hotel.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Adempira 5* or similar

Day 10

Izrmir - Pergame - Troy - Canakkale

After breakfast, departure for Pergamon, capital of the Attalid dynasty. Visit the ancient city where the parchment was invented: the Acropolis, where you’ll find the remains of agoras, temples, palaces, the library and the impressive hillside theater, offering a superb panorama of the surrounding area.

Lunch

Visit of Troy, the ancient city, whose history spans some 3,400 years, with nine levels of occupation (Troy I to IX) and the legendary Trojan Horse, a reconstruction of which can be seen at the entrance to the site.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Iris 4* or similar

Day 11

Canakkale - Istanbul

After breakfast, crossing of the Dardanelles Strait and continuation to Istanbul.

Lunch en route.

Free time in Istanbul in the late afternoon.

Dinner on your own ($).

Breakfast and lunch included

Lionel Bayrampaça 5* or similar

Day 12

Istanbul - Montreal