Turkey: Istanbul, Edirne & the Aegean Coast
Group Tour
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Overview
Turkey’s stunning Aegean Coast together with its Asia Minor hinterland is an area literally strewn with some of antiquity’s most famous and beguiling sites such as Troy, Pergamon and Ephesus.
However amongst the region’s famed turquoise waters, olives groves and pine-forested hills lies some lesser known gems which we’ll also visit such as the village of Birgi with its traditional Ottoman architecture, the Lydian capital of Sardes and the rarely visited north-western city of Edirne ...
Turkey’s stunning Aegean Coast together with its Asia Minor hinterland is an area literally strewn with some of antiquity’s most famous and beguiling sites such as Troy, Pergamon and Ephesus.
However amongst the region’s famed turquoise waters, olives groves and pine-forested hills lies some lesser known gems which we’ll also visit such as the village of Birgi with its traditional Ottoman architecture, the Lydian capital of Sardes and the rarely visited north-western city of Edirne with its 16th century UNESCO Selimiye Mosque, considered a masterpiece of Islamic architecture.
Starting in the culturally unrivalled city of Istanbul and travelling by train, bus, ferry and boat via the battlefields of Gallipoli to the southern shores around Fethiye we’ll spend our time not only exploring incredible ancient sites but also sampling provincial specialities, visiting local breweries, meeting villagers and taking in spectacular views along the Lycian Way, all the while allowing us the chance to delve just a little bit deeper into this fascinating and understandably highly acclaimed region.
HIGHLIGHTS
At a glance
MEALS
TRANSPORT
GROUP SIZE
EXPERT TEAM
ACCOMMODATION
ENTRANCE FEES
FITNESS RATING
WILD MILES
ACCOMMODATION
Wherever possible we aim to use characterful accommodation that enhances the overall travel experience. This can obviously vary greatly across both countries and tours. On this particular trip we will be in hotels, some of which are small and quite simple in nature. Please note that the accommodation mentioned in the itinerary is intended as a guide only and is always subject to availability.FITNESS RATING
LOW: You should be comfortable walking around towns and cultural sites. May include some optional walks (typically 1-2hrs).LOW/MODERATE: May be of a long duration and/or involve numerous border-crossings. May include easy/moderate day walks (up to 2-3hrs/day). You should be relatively fit and lead a generally active lifestyle.
MODERATE: May include several easy/moderate day walks (up to 2-5hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You should be relatively fit and lead a generally active lifestyle. Previous experience of similar trips helpful.
MODERATE/HIGH: May involve several days of moderate hiking (up to 3-6 hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You must be a fit and active traveller with appropriate trekking experience.
HIGH: May involve several days of moderate/strenuous trekking (up to 4-7 hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You must be a very fit and active traveller with appropriate trekking experience.
Wild Miles Club
When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:
| Blue | More than 10,000 points | 2.5% discount |
| Bronze | More than 30,000 points | 5% discount |
| Silver | More than 45,000 points | 7.5% discount |
| Gold | More than 60,000 points | 10% discount |
Map & Itinerary
Individual departures may vary so please refer to the information in the tour specific links in the Dates and Prices section below
Day 1 Tour starts in Istanbul
Day 1 Tour starts in Istanbul
The tour starts this evening and due to the arrival time of the suggested group flights there are no activities or meals included today. Our hotel is in the bustling heart of Istanbul.
Day 2 Istanbul: Historic Sights
Day 2 Istanbul: Historic Sights
We explore Sultanhamet this morning, the historic centre of Istanbul. Starting with the iconic Hagia Sophia Cathedral, built by Justinian and a legacy of the Byzantine Empire and then moving on to the Blue Mosque where the six minarets shape the old Istanbul skyline. Below it we find what was once the ancient hippodrome, marked with an Egyptian obelisk and now a pleasant park. We will end the day at the Basilica Cistern, once one of the vast water cisterns supplying the city and fed by aqueducts. Deep underground, suspended above the water, a series of walkways take us through this cavern, the roof of which is supported by a forest of columns.
Day 3 Istanbul – Edirne: Morning at Leisure & Early Evening train
Day 3 Istanbul – Edirne: Morning at Leisure & Early Evening train
A free morning allows you to pursue your own interests in Istanbul this morning, be it wandering the Great Bazaar, taking in the Topkapi Palace or perhaps visiting a museum or gallery. After lunch we head to Chora Church to enjoy the Byzantine frescoes and then visit the land walls - huge structures which surrounded and protected Constantinople for 1000 years. We then join with local travellers to take an early evening 4hr train journey to Edirne, an early Ottoman capital, close to the borders of Greece and Bulgaria.
Day 4 Edirne – Çanakkale: Mosques and Synagogues
Day 4 Edirne – Çanakkale: Mosques and Synagogues
We will spend the morning in Edirne, a well-preserved Ottoman town with bazaars and graceful architecture, some designed by the architect Mimar Sinan, including the Selimiye Mosque, one of Turkey’s finest, which we will visit this morning. After, we head to the newly restored Grand Synagogue before enjoying lunch in a traditional restaurant trying some of the local delicacies. We’ll head south in the afternoon crossing over the enormous Dardanelles Bridge to Çanakkale.
Day 5 Çanakkale: Gallipoli National Park & Dardanelles
Day 5 Çanakkale: Gallipoli National Park & Dardanelles
We will take the ferry over the water to the Gallipoli Peninsula this morning and spend some time exploring the national park. This beautiful peninsula was the stage for a massive struggle during the first world war between primarily ANZAC troops and the Ottoman armies under the leadership of young officer Mustafa Kemal (who went on to become the father of modern Turkey, known as Ataturk). There are many affecting graveyards and memorials scattered across this picturesque but tragic area. Starting at Anzac Cove we will walk up the steep escarpment passing Turkish memorials to the view point at Lone Pine. We then continue to the southern point of the peninsula, Cape Helles, to visit the British memorial. After lunch, we tour the mighty sea defences of the Dardanelles and you will have time to visit some of the local museums and emotive war graves that lie scattered across this now peaceful area. At the end of the day, time-permitting. you may wish to visit the Naval Museum at Çanakkale.
Approx. 1.5hrs walking (200m ascent, 100m descent. Total distance 4km)
Day 6 Çanakkale – Troy – Assos – Ayvalık: Temple of Athena & Olive Groves
Day 6 Çanakkale – Troy – Assos – Ayvalık: Temple of Athena & Olive Groves
This morning we head to the legendary city of Troy to explore the archaeological remains and the museum housing many exhibits recently recovered from museums abroad. Arriving in Assos, we explore the Doric Temple of Athena in the acropolis above the small town, before walking approximately 2km down to the ancient harbour from where there are views out to Lesbos which we can enjoy over lunch. From here we continue past Mt Ida to the olive groves of Adatepe, visiting the Olive Oil Museum to hear about the history of this vital product, then to the pretty seaside town of Ayvalık for the night.
Day 7 Ayvalik – Bergama – Salihli: Epic Pergamon
Day 7 Ayvalik – Bergama – Salihli: Epic Pergamon
We will drive the short distance to Bergama, the site of fabled Pergamon. Once one of the largest cities in Asia Minor with 3 theatres, an amphitheatre and also a stadium, its splendid acropolis a rival to Athens, with a library emulating that of Alexandria, and huge health centre known as the Asclepion. We take a cable car to the acropolis and visit the Temple of Trajan and the impressively steep theatre before descending to the 'Red Basilica' an Egyptian Temple of Isis. Finally, we visit the Asclepion, where a fascinating underground tunnel takes us to the healing rooms in which the demi-god Asclepius was believed to heal the sick. Our journey on to Salihli takes us via the many tumuli of Bintepe (thousand hills), burial place of generations of Lydian Kings.
Day 8 Salihli – Sardes – Bozdaǧ Mountains – Birgi – Çamlık: Historic Sardes & Mountain Walk
Day 8 Salihli – Sardes – Bozdaǧ Mountains – Birgi – Çamlık: Historic Sardes & Mountain Walk
Sardes, capital of the Lydian Kingom, is the city where King Midas washed his hands to relieve him of his curse in which everything he touched turned to gold, and, where money as we know it was invented. We visit the site with its synagogue, Temple of Artemis and gymnasium before we head into the nearby mountains. A picnic lunch and a short walk await us in the Bozdağ Mountains before we descend to Birgi where we visit the exquisitely painted Çakırağa Mansiyon and Aydınoğulları Mosque. We spend tonight in Çamlık.
Approx. 1.5hrs walking (270m ascent, 270m descent. Total distance 4km)
Day 9 Çamlık – Ephesus – Koyceğiz: Roman Ruins & Craft Beers
Day 9 Çamlık – Ephesus – Koyceğiz: Roman Ruins & Craft Beers
The Greco-Roman city of Ephesus is Turkey’s best preserved ancient site, we will visit the vast site including the agora, Temple of Hadrian, baths and theatre as well as visiting the museum with its well-presented depiction of the city. After lunch in Selcuk we continue on the way south stopping at the Gara Guzu Brewery to taste some of Turkey's finest craft ales before descending to the stunningly beautiful freshwater lake of Koyceğiz, where we stay the night.
Day 10 Koyceğiz – Iztuzu Beach – Kayakoy – Faralya: Aegean Boat Trip & Abandoned Village
Day 10 Koyceğiz – Iztuzu Beach – Kayakoy – Faralya: Aegean Boat Trip & Abandoned Village
We spend much of today on the coast taking in the beautiful turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea. Our first stop is the Turtle Sanctuary on Iztuzu Beach, here the beach is protected from development, closed at night and marked off where eggs are laid as part of a conservation effort. The sanctuary itself takes care of injured turtles. We will move on to a pretty bay from where we will take a private wooden boat across the Göcek Bay to Fethiye, making a stop for swimming along the way. Back on land we will visit Kayakoy, a ghost town that was home to thousands of Greek Orthodox Christians until after WWI when they were forced to migrate to Greece, as an 'exchange' for the Muslim population in Greece. The ancient town is now a museum and monument with around 500 houses and two large churches remaining. Our final destination for the day is further south along the coast, the cliff top village of Faralya.
Day 11 Faralya: The Lycian Way
Day 11 Faralya: The Lycian Way
You have the option to head out on foot today and take on a section of the Lycian Way, a long-distance hiking trail designed as a sustainable tourism project for Turkey's future, to protect Turkey’s ancient roads. The trail uses a network of roads, trails and footpaths between the coast and the mountains. Today our sector will take us along the pristine coast, by cliffs and coves from Butterfly Valley to Kabak Beach, the trail takes us through red pine forests giving plenty of shade and we will stop for a swim in Aktas Cove. Back in Faralya we will enjoy a final dinner together.
Approx. 4hrs walking (500m ascent, 650m descent. Total distance 10km)
Day 12 Tour ends in Faralya
Day 12 Tour ends in Faralya
The tour ends after breakfast. Those on the suggested group flight will be transferred to Dalaman airport for onward flights.
ACCOMMODATION USED ON THIS TOUR
Grand Sirkeci Hotel, Istanbul
In the heart of Old Istanbul within easy reach of many of the city's top tourist attractions, the Grand Sirkeci offers modern rooms in an historic building. With neutral decor, all rooms are well equipped with en suite bathroom, tea and coffee facilities, tv, minibar and full length windows, some with balconies. The courtyard restaurant provides a gourmet breakfast buffet as well as meals including Turkish and international cuisine.
The Rest Port Hotel, Edirne
A modern hotel set over 5 floors, the Rest Port Hotel is well located in the city and close to many of the famous landmarks and cultural heritage. Elegant in design, all rooms have city views, tea and coffee facilities, minibar, tv and juliette balconies. The restaurant with outdoor terrace serves pizza and pasta and guests can get a drink at the bar. There are good options for Turkish cuisine nearby.
Aspen Hotel, Çanakkale
The 3* Aspen Hotel is set on the waterfront in Çanakkale and just a few minutes from the ferry port. Rooms offer a sea view or city view and some have a balcony. Each room is modern, light with large windows decorated in a bright theme and offers a comfortable stay. Breakfast is taken in the small restaurant and a cosy bar is available for guests.
Lidya Sardes Hotel Thermal & Spa, Salihli
Set in the thermal town of Salihli, the Lydia Sardes hotel blends elegance and history making it the ideal option for exploring the area. Rooms are modern and well-appointed with many offering views of the stunning landscapes around. The restaurant has a variety of options including local Turkish cuisine along with international dishes and guests are welcome to relax in the bar and lounge with a drink or snack. The wellness centre offers an outdoor pool as well as a spa in which guests can bathe in the thermal waters for which the area is known.
Vinifera Vineyards Hotel, Çamlık
Occupying a unique stone building and set in a working vineyard and winery, the Vinifera Hotel has 28 rooms and suites, decorated in a country style and offering balconies and terraces overlooking the countryside. As well as the grapevines the property is also home to an olive grove and lavender gardens creating a delightful Mediterranean setting, guests can explore the grounds and learn about the process of wine making. The restaurant uses local produce from the area to prepare delicious meals which can be paired with the wines from the property, and there is also a large swimming pool in the grounds.
Panorama Plaza, Koyceğiz
The Panorama Plaza is a resort style hotel with rooms set in one building overlooking the pool, the lake is a short distance away and many rooms have a lake view. Whilst a little dated, the rooms are comfortable with twin or double beds, a balcony or terrace and en suite bathroom. The pool complex is large and has gardens for relaxing and a restaurant and bar serve meals. There are plenty of watersports available to try on the lake.
Montenegro Motel, Faralya
The quaint Montenegro Motel features 10 stone chalets set around the pool in gardens, each has a double and single bed along with an en suite with shower. Rooms are simple and feature wooden furniture with stone floors, each has a small terrace on which to sit out. The swimming pool has a number of loungers around it and the restaurant has a cosy indoor dining area as well as an outdoor area from where there are views to the sea. Meals are prepared with local produce including homemade jams, village eggs and herbal teas at breakfast and traditional Turkish mezze in the evenings.
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Accommodation displayed here should be taken as a guide only. *Please refer to the Detailed Itinerary of your individual departure for more information.
PRIVATE HOLIDAYS: DATES DON’T FIT?
All group tours can be taken on a private basis.
Additional Details
Responsible Travel
With local people, culture and eco-systems in mind, responsible travel and sustainable tourism are at the core of Wild Frontiers. We believe that a successful trip not only delivers a unique and unsurpassable journey for our travellers but also benefits the people and places we visit.
When designing our tours, we actively seek out experiences that have a positive impact on the communities and precious environments we visit - from supporting social enterprises; resting our heads in rural homestays; and eating at locally owned restaurants; to helping fund conservation projects that protect wildlife and their habitats.
Visit the Responsible Travel area of our website to read more, including the work of the Wild Frontiers Foundation through which we fundraise to aid community empowerment and education projects.
Reducing Single Use Plastic
We recognise the environmental issues and challenges around single-use plastic in many countries we visit and are actively working with our partners on the ground to reduce plastic waste on our tours and within the hotels and restaurants we visit. You can help to reduce your personal plastic waste by taking a refillable, filtered water bottle with you on your trip. Filtered water bottles can be refilled from water sources including your hotel room and restaurant taps, drinking fountains and refill stations. Every time you refill your bottle without the use of single-use plastic, you will be helping to reduce waste and protect the environment. Filtered Water Bottles | Wild Frontiers (wildfrontierstravel.com)
Getting There
For this trip our suggested flights from the UK (subject to change) are shown below.
Unfortunately we are unable to book these flights on your behalf as Wizz Air is an online, low cost, airline so you will need to book these yourself. However, we can arrange any transfers or supplementary accommodation that you may require.
Please note that before making your own flight arrangements, we recommend that you first check with us to see if the trip is guaranteed. We then suggest that you purchase flights that are flexible and ideally refundable as due to the nature of adventure travel, itineraries and destination accessibility can change at any time. For more information, please refer to our booking conditions.
| Flight Code | Departing | Arriving |
|---|---|---|
| W9 5729 | London Gatwick (LGW) 13:10 | Istanbul (IST) 20:10 |
| W9 5710 | Dalaman Airport (DLM) 16:55 | London Gatwick (LGW) 19:20 |
Visas & Vaccinations
VISAS
Visas are necessary for many of the destinations we travel to and while we aim to provide you with the most up-to-date information, requirements frequently change and as such for the latest advice we advise that you check with the relevant embassies or contact a reputable visa agency. More details can be found here - www.wildfrontierstravel.com/visa
For this tour UK passport holders do not require a visa for Turkey.
Passports should ideally be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the end of your tour.
Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements.
VACCINATIONS & ADDITIONAL TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements for travellers to Turkey.
For all destinations, please make sure you are up-to-date with any standard vaccinations (e.g. MMR, Hepatitis A, Tetanus) as recommended by your local health care provider.
For the most up-to-date information on all vaccination requirements and the most suitable anti-malarial tablets, we strongly suggest that you seek advice from your local travel centre or consult an official travel health website such as www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk or www.travelhealthpro.org.uk
Covid Testing: No mandatory testing is currently required for vaccinated or unvaccinated travellers.
If necessary, further details will be sent out to you upon booking, however ensuring that correct and valid visas & vaccinations are obtained remains the sole responsibility of the client.
Extensions
If you have more time available, why not arrive early to adjust to a new time zone or just to get a feel for the country before your tour starts? Alternatively, you might choose to allow a few extra days after the tour to relax or to undertake some further exploration.
The choice is completely yours and we can usually arrange anything from simply additional accommodation and transfers to full tailor-made itineraries*. Please contact the office for more details and to discuss your requirements.
*Please note bespoke, tailor-made itineraries need to be a minimum of 7 days and we can only offer them in countries where we have a tailor-made expert
Governmental Travel Advice
Many governments issue advice which highlights potential hazards their citizens might experience when travelling abroad. We strongly suggest you refer to your country’s particular advisory site before booking and contact us if you have any queries or concerns. Click to follow links to the advice of the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) or the US State Department.
Non-UK citizens should consult the travel advice of their respective governments.
Key Information
CLIMATE
Western Turkey has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, July sees highs of 35° Celsius and lows of 25° while the winter is cooler at 10° and brings some rain showers. Spring and autumn are sunny and warm and the best months for exploring the sights.
IS THIS TRIP FOR ME?
It may sound obvious but Wild Frontiers tours are not always for everyone and it is important to us that the tour you choose is the most suitable. All our tours have a fitness rating as a guideline but you should check the day-by-day itinerary carefully. In certain instances we may ask you to complete a travel questionnaire before confirming your booking in order to ensure your suitability. Should you have any concerns about your ability to partake in any aspect of the tour then please contact the office.
KEY ASPECTS TO CONSIDER
Anyone in a reasonable state of health, with an open mind and a sense of adventure should be perfectly able to cope with this tour, however, please note that the trip visits a number of ancient sites where we will be exploring on foot, often the ground is uneven and there is little shade. We also take a couple of optional longer walks of around 6-8km which may include some steeper sections in the mountains and along the cliffs.
NEW TOURS
Never complacent, here at Wild Frontiers we are continually on the look-out for new tour ideas. Each year we aim to put on a selection of new tours in order to continually provide our clients with a fresh and varied choice of some of the best journeys on the planet. Although a lot of fun, these tours will often involve a greater element of unpredictability than our better-established tours, so please come prepared.
THE NATURE OF ADVENTURE TRAVEL
We feel that it’s worth pointing out that while we will always strive to stick as close to the stated itinerary as possible, it may be necessary from time to time to make changes to our itineraries or services (due to weather, political and religious influences etc.) and this can happen with little or no notice. This unpredictability can be one of the most exciting aspects of adventure travel and for many of our clients often leads to unexpected highlights as the tour-leader necessarily adapts the tour to the changing conditions. However we are aware that this lack of assuredness may not suit everyone. As such, with the greatest respect, if you are someone who needs to know that everything will happen exactly as planned, we would kindly suggest that perhaps our tours are not for you. Adventure travel can be infectious and once you’ve caught the bug, it is likely to never leave you, but especially if this is your first such tour we would strongly urge you to give us a call if you have any concerns whatsoever about your suitability for this trip.
TRAVELLING SOLO AND SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS
As a company approximately 70% of our clients are solo travellers, so it’s very unlikely you’ll be alone!
Our prices are typically based on twin-share accommodation but single supplements are not compulsory for any Wild Frontiers tour. If you prefer not to pay a single supplement we’ll pair you with someone else of the same sex for you to share with throughout the trip. On this trip, if you do opt to pay for a single supplement then please note that it will cover you for all nights of the tour.
Please note that paying a single supplement entitles you to lone occupancy of a single room. In many cases these rooms will be of the same size as a double/twin room, but in some cases they may be smaller.
INSURANCE
Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours. You should be aware that due to some of the geographical areas visited and some of the activities included on certain of our trips some standard insurance policies may not always provide adequate cover. As such we strongly recommend that you purchase a policy that adequately covers your trip. Please see the Insurance section for more details.
General Information
TOUR PRICE
All our tours are priced on a land-only basis, giving you maximum flexibility when deciding how to get to and from your tour.
DEPOSIT
A 10% deposit is required to confirm your booking.
PROTECTION FOR YOUR MONEY
For further details please see our travelling with peace of mind page
WILD MILES
This tour will earn you 3112 Wild Miles
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras. As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.
Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tour/nationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatory
Tips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documents
International Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UK
Airport Transfers: We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights
Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs
WILD FRONTIERS COMMUNITY
If you’re still not sure if this trip is right or just want to see get some different perspectives, then why not have a look at the wide variety of resources we have on our website? Browse our community section to read our blogs, watch videos and find out about our events.
WHY WILD FRONTIERS?
We are frequently asked what makes Wild Frontiers different from other tour operators. Visit our Why Wild Frontiers page to find out.