Istanbul, Troy & Ephesus

This eight-night tour with Just You travels through some of Turkey’s most storied locations, timed to allow a measured pace between stops. After arriving in Istanbul, there is a full day exploring the city’s Ottoman and Byzantine highlights, including Sultanahmet Square’s chariot-racing Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque with its hand-painted tiles, and the vast Hagia Sophia.

Next, the tour moves west to Canakkale, with a visit to the World War I battlefields of Gallipoli en route. Troy’s archaeological site and its small museum reveal layers of history where several ancient civilisations met. From here, the journey follows the Aegean coast, with time in Ayvalik’s old town and Bergama’s Acropolis, before reaching Izmir. The excavation of Ephesus, featuring the Library of Celsus and the Temple of Artemis, makes a highlight, alongside Selcuk’s Basilica of St Jean and the nearby village of Sirince.

Heading inland to Bursa, once the Ottoman capital, there are Ottoman mosques and the Silk Market to browse. The final day in Istanbul offers either free time or a Bosporus cruise to take in the divided city from the water. This is a cultural tour that moves thoughtfully through Turkey’s layers of history and regional variety.

New to Turkey? Our Turkey guide has the practical essentials: money, plugs, visas and when to go.

2 days here