Itinerary

• 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 - CANAKKALE - AYVALIK - PERGAMUM - 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 IZMIR 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