Turkey Uncovered – 2027

Turkey Uncovered

Istanbul - Gallipoli - Troy - Canakkale - Ayvalik - Pergamum - Kusadasi - Ephesus

Experience Turkey where history, culture, and adventure collide—from Istanbul’s buzz to ancient Troy and Ephesus, turquoise Aegean cruises, colorful bazaars, rich flavors, and unforgettable memories.

A Journey for Sensory Adventurers

Get ready to dive into a journey where history, culture, and adventure collide — welcome to Turkey, a country that straddles two continents and feels like stepping into a living storybook. From the buzzing streets and rooftop bars of Istanbul to ancient cities straight out of myths like Troy and Ephesus, to lazy days cruising the turquoise Aegean, this trip blends iconic sights with unforgettable experiences. You’ll sip Turkish coffee in centuries-old cafés, wander bazaars overflowing with colors and spices, taste wine in hillside villages, and even try street skiing in Istanbul (yes, it’s a thing). This isn’t just a trip — it’s a mash-up of history, flavors, and epic memories waiting to happen.

Trip Experiences:

Activity Level:

Highlights

Istanbul Exploration
Istanbul
Explore the vibrant heart of Istanbul, from the awe-inspiring domes and mosaics of Hagia Sophia to the bustling aisles of the Grand Bazaar, where every corner brims with color, spice, and history. Pause to savor a traditional cup of Turkish coffee, letting its rich aroma and flavor transport you through centuries of culture and tradition.
Journey into the past
Gallipoli - Troy - Pergamum - Ephesus
Uncover Turkey’s rich tapestry of history on a journey through its most iconic sites, from the ancient streets of Ephesus and the legendary ruins of Troy to the solemn battlefields of Gallipoli and the towering monuments of Pergamum. Each stop offers a unique glimpse into civilizations past, where myths, history, and culture come alive at every turn.
Aegean Sea
Relax along the sun-soaked beaches of Kuşadası, where turquoise waters meet golden sands, and set out on a scenic boat tour to explore hidden coves, coastal views, and the sparkling Aegean Sea.
Culinary Exploration
Turkish cuisine is a feast for the senses — where sizzling kebabs, flaky baklava, and aromatic spices tell stories of empires and trade routes that shaped the world’s palate. From the first sip of strong Turkish coffee to the last bite of meze shared among friends, every flavor invites you to stay a little longer.

What's Included

9-day Package

Expand All

Transportation and Lodging
- 7 nights in 3 and 4-star hotels, 2-share rooms with private bath/shower
  - Istanbul: 3 nights, Canakkale: 1 night, Kusadasi: 3 nights
- All ground transportation by private motor coach as per itinerary
- Domestic flight from Izmir to Istanbul in economy class, one-way
- Arrival airport transfers included with purchased AESU group airfare
Meals
- 7 breakfasts
- 2 specialty dinners, including:
  - Dinner of Turkish delights
  - Canakkale farm-to-table dinner
- 4 lunches
  - Canakkale lunch
  - 2 lunches in Kusadasi
  - Lunch on board Aegean cruise
- 1 welcome cocktail
- Foodie tour in Istanbul
Activities and Admissions
- Guided tour of Istanbul
- Sights include: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar
- Kadıköy food walking tour
- Street skiing
- Discovery of Karakoy Artsy Neighborhood in Istanbul
- Legendary city of Troy
- Vinyard estate visit in Canakkale
- Wine tasting in the countryside
- Ancient city of Pergamom (Bergama)
- Tour of Ancient Ephesus, incl. Odean, the temple of Hadrian, library of Ephesus, Grand Theater and terrace houses
- Wine tasting in Sirince
- Kusadasi cruise on the Aegean Sea
Sights
- Istanbul sights
- Gallipoli Peninsula
- Aegean coastline
- Picturesque town of Ayvalik
- Lively resort town of Kusadasi
- Charming hillside village of Sirince with stunning views

Also Included

A private tour director for the entire duration of the land tour.

All service charges and local taxes are covered. Airfare is an additional cost.

Expand All

Day 1 - Flight to Turkey
We pack our bags, plug in our playlists, and board our flight — by tomorrow, we will be waking up where continents collide.
Meals: In-flight
Day 2 - Land Tour Start Day: Istanbul
Merhaba, and welcome to Istanbul — the city where Europe and Asia meet. After check-in, take some free time to soak in our first taste of this city’s magic. As evening falls, we gather with our crew for a welcome cocktail, clinking glasses as the call to prayer drifts through the skyline. Tonight is our first chance to dive into Istanbul’s legendary nightlife — rooftop bars, underground clubs, or just wandering neon-lit streets.
Meals: In-flight
Inclusions:
Airport transfer with purchased AESU group airfare
Welcome orientation
Welcome cocktail
Day 3 - Istanbul
This morning, history takes the stage. We step into the Hagia Sophia, where soaring domes and mosaics have witnessed empires rise and fall. After crossing over to the Blue Mosque, glowing with thousands of İznik tiles, pause for a strong Turkish coffee — thick, sweet, and shared like locals have done for centuries. Wander the labyrinth of the Grand Bazaar, where spices, lanterns, and treasures spill from every stall. Tonight, join an optional dinner cruise along the Bosphorus, gliding past illuminated palaces and historic waterfronts and savor delicious Turkish cuisine, or venture to the vibrant Pera district, where cocktail bars, live music, and nonstop energy keep the city alive until dawn.
Meals: Breakfast
Inclusions:
Guided tour of Istanbul, led by a local English-speaking expert
See the magnificent Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque
Explore the Grand Bazaar
Optional activities:
Cruise the Bosphorus under a starlit sky, drifting between two continents with live music, belly dancers, and a feast fit for sultans.
Day 4 - Istanbul - Gallipoli - Troy
We leave the bustle of Istanbul behind and trace the scenic coastline toward the Gallipoli Peninsula. Here, quiet hills and windswept shores carry the echoes of World War I — memorials and cemeteries stand as solemn reminders of courage and sacrifice. From history to legend, the journey continues to Troy, where ancient ruins and a towering wooden horse bring Homer’s epic tales to life. Imagine Achilles, Helen, and the clash of armies on this very ground. By afternoon, trade myths for flavors at a vineyard in Çanakkale. Walk among the vines, sip local wines, and soak in the golden light of the countryside. As evening falls, we gather for a farm-to-table dinner at a local restaurant in Çanakkale and savor regional specialties — from meze plates bursting with flavor to slow-cooked Aegean dishes — all crafted with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Enjoy a glass of local wine or raki, absorbing the relaxed, welcoming atmosphere of the Turkish table, and carry that sense of hospitality with us as we return to our hotel for the night.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Inclusions:
Private motor coach from Istanbul to Canakkale
Local, English-speaking expert guide
Gallipoli Peninsula
Legendary city of Troy
Vineyard estate in Canakkale
Wine tasting
Day 5 - Çanakkale - Ayvalik - Perganmum - Kusadasi
Wake up in Çanakkale and get ready to chase history and seaside charm along the Aegean coast. Our first stop is Ayvalık, a picturesque town where cobblestone alleys twist between stone houses painted in soft pastels. Wander through local cafés with the smell of fresh simit (Turkish bagels) spilling out or climb up to Şeytan Sofrası — “Devil’s Feast” — for a panoramic view of the Aegean dotted with tiny islands. From here, we journey back in time to the ancient city of Pergamum (Bergama), once one of the most powerful centers of the Hellenistic world. Imagine scholars pacing the halls of its great library — second only to Alexandria — where parchment paper was first invented. Pausing for a hearty lunch at a local spot, taste Aegean flavors — think olive oil–rich mezzes, fresh seafood, and herbs straight from the hillsides. By late afternoon, we roll into Kuşadası, a lively resort town where the Aegean breeze is always in the air. Tonight, the evening is ours — strolling through markets, sipping cocktails by the harbor, or just enjoying the easy rhythm of coastal life.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Inclusions:
Private motor coach from Istanbul to Canakkale
Local, English-speaking expert guide
Picturesque town of Ayvalik
Ancient city of Pergamon (Bergama)
Lively resort town of Kusadasi
Day 6 - Kusadasi - Ephesus
Today is all about Ephesus — one of the greatest cities of the ancient world. Walk through marble streets, step inside the Library of Celsus, and stand in the Grand Theater, where 24,000 people once gathered (and where Saint Paul himself spoke). Peek inside the Terrace Houses for a glimpse of Roman luxury — mosaic floors, frescoes, and ancient decadence. Later, we wind our way to Şirince, a hillside village of whitewashed houses and cobblestone lanes. Here, sip fruity local wines in a rustic wine house as we watch the sunset fade over the valley.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Inclusions:
Private motor coach from Istanbul to Canakkale
Local, English-speaking expert guide
Ancient Ephesus
Odean
Stream baths of Scholastika
Temple of Hadrian
Library of Ephesus
Grand Theater
Terrace Houses
Day 7 - Kusadasi
Time to slow down and let the Aegean set the rhythm. Step aboard our boat and cruise along the sparkling coastline, where hidden coves and golden beaches feel like our own secret paradise. Dive into crystal-clear waters, float under the sun, or simply lounge on deck with the salty breeze in our hair. Savor a fresh, local lunch onboard — think grilled seafood, and juicy seasonal fruits — all while turquoise waves shimmer around us. Stop at quiet islands for impromptu swims, capturing postcard-worthy photos, or just letting our playlist soundtrack the day. Swim, sun, repeat — today is pure Mediterranean freedom, a day to recharge, explore, and soak in the magic of the Aegean.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Inclusions:
Boat tour from Kusadasi across the Aegean Sea
Golden beaches and scenic islands
Swim, sunbathe
Lunch onboard
Day 8 - Kusadasi – Flight from Izimir to Istanbul
We fly back to Istanbul and dive into its flavors with a Kadıköy food walk — sampling flaky börek, dishes bursting with spice, and even legendary Turkish pickles. In the afternoon, try something unforgettable: urban street skiing — a playful twist that fuses sport and creativity. We cross the Bosphorus back to the European side and explore Karakoy, a hip neighborhood buzzing with street art, indie galleries, and cafés tucked into old warehouses. As night falls, gather for a farewell dinner, raising a glass to new friends and unforgettable adventures.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Inclusions:
Airport transfer by private motor coach
One-way flight from Izmir to Istanbul
Kadıköy food walk
Urban street skiing
Karakoy exploration
Istanbul farewell dinner
Day 9 - Flight Home
Head home with stories of sultans and skylines, markets and mosaics, sunsets and new friendships — and a feeling that this was just the beginning of the story.
Meals: Breakfast, In-flight
Inclusions:
Airport transfer with purchased AESU group airfare

Hotels

We stay in 3 or 4-star hotels, all with private bath/shower in 2-share rooms. Our hotels have been specially selected for their European atmosphere, friendly hospitality, and cleanliness. Our hotels are centrally located or within a short walk of public transportation to take you to the landmark of your choice in the city you are visiting. (Why stay in remote cabins, hostels, or share your room with up to 6 people, when you can stay in a centrally located hotel?)

You’ll be given a complete hotel address list with your final documents. Properties are subject to change and any substitutions would be the equivalent of those listed. All land package rates are based on two people sharing a room. If traveling solo and not wanting to pay the single supplement, AESU will attempt to arrange a share with a same-gender travelers. If a share cannot be arranged a single supplement will apply.

Antik Hotel
Istanbul
Located in the center of Istanbul, Antik Hotel is located near the Grand Bazaar and Beyazit Tram Station. Air-conditioned rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV and come with free WiFi. The private bathroom features a hairdryer.
Guests can enjoy a drink at the rooftop terrace while enjoying a panoramic view overlooking the Marmara Sea.
Grand Anzac Hotel Canakkale
Canakkale
The Grand Anzac Hotel offers rooms with air-conditioning, private bathrooms, and free WiFi. Each room includes a work desk, TV, and parquet floors. Additional amenities include a mini-bar, electric kettle, and free toiletries.
The hotel is located a short walk from Mega Beach, Canakkale Clock Tower, and Canakkale Naval Museum.
Suhan SeaPort Kusadasi
Kusadasi
The Suhan Seaport hotel is located in the heart of Kusadasi. Air-conditioned rooms feature flat-screen TV with satellite channels and Wi-Fi along with a mini-bar. Bathrooms with a separate toilet and a shower, also include a hair dryer and towels.

Turkey Uncovered – 2027