Highlights of Turkey

Day 1 (Door to Door)

Arrive Istanbul (2)

Enjoy your private car door to door transfer to your departure airport before your flight to Istanbul. On arrival we are met and transferred to our hotel. Meet later with your Tour Director and travelling companions for a Welcome Drink.
Hotel: Holiday Inn Sisli (SFC)

Day 2

Istanbul sightseeing

This morning we visit the impressive Topkapi Palace, one of the greatest palaces of the Ottoman period, which has a superb position overlooking the Bosphorus.We explore the magnificent St. Sophia's Basilica built by Constantine the Great. After lunch we discover the wonders of the Blue Mosque, famous for its six minarets and beautiful blue Iznik tiles. Finally we tour the Byzantine Hippodrome, where chariot racing and other sporting events were held. (BB)
Hotel: Holiday Inn Sisli (SFC)

Day 3

Istanbul - Gallipoli - Çanakkale

In Gallipoliwe see the Lone Pine Cemetery and the battlefields including Anzac Cove and Chunuk Bair, where some of the fiercest fighting took place during World War I. (BB, D)
Hotel: Kolin or Tusan (FC)

Day 4

Çanakkale - Troy - Pergamon - Izmir

We explore the legendary city of Troy, immortalised by Homer in the stories of King Priamus, Hector, Paris and the beautiful Helen. We admire the archaeological excavations revealing nine separate periods of settlement, plus the symbolic replica wooden Trojan horse commemorating the epic war machine constructed in the 13th century BC. We then visit the Asklepion Medical Centre at the ancient kingdom of Pergamon. We enjoy dinner tonight at our hotel. (BB, D)
Hotel: Movenpick Izmir (D)

Day 5

Izmir - Ephesus - VirginMary's House - Pamukkale

A fascinating walking tour of the ancient city of Ephesus includes the House of the Virgin Mary, the Temple of Hadrian guarded by Medusa's head and the Great Theatre, which was built by the Romans between 41 and 117 AD and is still in use today. Later there is time to relax and enjoy the blissful thermal pools at our hotel in Pamukkale. (BB, D)
Hotel: Lycus River (FC)

Day 6

Pamukkale - Hierapolis - Bursa

Today we visit the ancient ruins of Hierapolis at Pamukkale, which is also famous for white 'Cotton Castles' formed by limestone-laden thermal springs. We finish the day in the city of Bursa. (BB, D)
Hotel: Thermal Kervansaray (FC)

Day 7

Bursa - Istanbul

This morning we wander through the old silk market and visit the Green Ottoman Complex before continuing to Istanbul and to spend time haggling for souvenirs in the vast, bustling Grand Bazaar. Join your fellow travellers this evening for a Farewell Dinner to mark the end of your holiday. (BB, FD)
Hotel: Holiday Inn Sisli (SFC)

Day 8 (Door to Door)

Depart Istanbul

Say goodbye to your travelling companions and transfer to Istanbul International Airport for your return flight back to the UK. On arrival at your UK airport, your driver will greet you and escort you to your waiting private car for your door to door transfer to your home. (BB)

Dates and prices

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Definite Departures

Please note: All flights are subject to availability at the time of booking and supplements may be applicable, especially if booking near to departure date. Dependent on flight times and availability at the time of booking, additional nights may need to be purchased at the beginning or end of your tour.

Definite departures: We are aware that you need to plan your travel arrangements early to take advantage of our early booking discounts. To assist you, we have highlighted our "Definite Departures" that are now guaranteed to operate - helping you book with confidence.

Destination Info

Overall customer rating 5 () 5 Reviews

• • Product :
    Tour guide excellent and interesting mix of people. Hotel in Istanbul a bit far from the centre but good restaurants in the area.

  • Service Rating :
    Very efficient and no complaints.
    

  • Response :
    Thank you for taking the time to write on Feefo your positive comments and high scores are very pleasing to see and will be passed onto the Milestones team. Your comments are valued and encourage us to continue to offer higher levels of excellence.
    
    A diverse mix of cultures and interests can only enhance your holiday and we hope that you were able to make many new friends whilst on tour.
    
    We look forward to welcoming you onto a Milestones holiday again soon.
    
    Kind Regards
    Shasheen Norton-Laver
    Customer Relations

  • Left 101 days ago

• • Product

  • Service Rating :
    The guide Insi is knowledgeble and speak clear and good English,we are very please with her service.

  • Response :
    Thank you for taking the time to write on Feefo. Your positive comments towards the Tour Director Insi will be forwarded on to our Product Department.
    
    We do hope that you will be joining Milestones again soon for another holiday.
    
    Kind Regards
    Shasheen Norton-Laver
    Customer Relations

  • Left 110 days ago

• • Product :
    Excellent except too much time spent in expensive carpet, leather and jewellery shops.

  • Service Rating :
    First adviser absolutely useless but once I dealt with Katrina service was excellent,
    

  • Response :
    Our apologies that you did not find your first Personal Travel Consultant to be helpful, however, it is positive news that you were passed to Katrina Kokkila, who provided you with an excellent service.
    
    Turkey is one of our more popular destinations and it is fabulous to read that you found your tour to be excellent. We will pass your comments on to the Product Department regarding time spent shopping.
    
    We look forward to welcoming you to another Milestones tours again soon.
    
    Kind Regards
    Shasheen Norton-Laver
    Customer Relations

  • Left 126 days ago

• • Product :
    With such a short time to pack so much in we achieved it. The whole experience was very good as it was our first holiday of this type. Good for me because I could enjoy the sights and scenery as I normally am the driver. A good set of people and an enjoyable experience, thank you

  • Service Rating :
    Right from the off it was superb. even allowing for Istanbul traffic we were late in due to a flight delay. Al the tour guide kept us in order and had us see the sights virtually to ourselves, he certainly knew what he was doing.
    

  • Response :
    At Milestones our objective is for you to enjoy every aspect of your holiday experience and it is really positive for us to hear that this objective has been met.
    
    Each part of the tour is carefully planned and we use the finest drivers and tour guides to really enhance the holiday. We are pleased to hear that you enjoyed it so much and that you were able to relax and take in the beautiful sights, as escorted touring really is a great way to see the world and sit back while you are driven from location to location.
    
    By travelling with like-minded people from across the world, we hope you have made some long-lasting friendships too.
    
    Our 2012/2013 brochure is packed full of tours with more to offer on-line. Please remember that as you have travelled with us before, you are now entitled to a further 5% discount as a frequent traveller.
    
    We look forward to seeing you again soon on a Milestones tour.
    
    Kind regards,
    
    Debbie Pullum
    Customer Services

  • Left 127 days ago

• • Product :
    Wonderful! A complete eye-opener. Historic sites most interesting - guide really knew his stuff. The one BIG disappointment was the final night's dinner- poor meal & substandard restaurant. A very unfortunate way to end a very good week. I strongly suggest that you considerable up-grade the evening event or omit it entirely.

  • Service Rating :
    All arrangements excellent. First Class Guide/Tour Director.
    A surprise was that we were the only Milestones customers; all the others were Trafalgar clients who had paid considerably less.
    

  • Response :
    It is fantastic to read that you had such a wonderful holiday and enjoyed the historic sights. Our Tour Directors are the finest and highly experienced.
    
    Trafalgar is our sister company, we endeavour to highlight all of our sister companies like Trafalgar throughout our brochure starting from Page 7. If prices vary it would be because of the different services that we offer, for example the door to door private transfer, discounts offered or Flight Prices from varying destinations.
    
    Your comments regarding your final meal will be noted to our product department.
    
    Thank you for taking the time to write on Feefo and we look forward to welcoming you onto another Milestones Tour again soon. Please remember that as you have travelled with us before you are entitled to a 5% frequent traveller discount.
    
    Kind Regards
    Shasheen Norton-Laver
    Customer Relations

  • Left 128 days ago