Turkish Escape (KQR)

8 Day Tour from Istanbul to Istanbul

2025 Tour Details View 2026 Tour Details »

Turkey is a unique country with a unique identity straddling both Europe and Asia. Your 8-day Turkish Escape starts in Istanbul, a city of great diversity and a combination of tree-lined boulevards, cafés and cosmopolitan restaurants set against a backdrop where little has changed for centuries. During its 3,000 years of turbulent history, it has been home to the Greeks, Romans, Crusaders, Ottomans and the Turks themselves- all leaving their marks. Highlights of your sightseeing are inside visits to the 6th century Hagia Sophia, the largest ever church and for over a thousand years the largest covered space on earth and to the amazing Topkapi Palace which was the seat of the government of one of the greatest Empire of the Medieval age.

Pay tribute to the fallen war heroes at the Anzac cemetery and visit 3 of the most famous ancient sites in the country: Troy, Pergamon and Ephesus. Each very different and distinctive. Troy, the oldest, dating from 3,000BC and made up to 9 separate cities all built over each other; Pergamon an impregnable defensive site with amazing views in all directions which flourished as one of the ancient world’s greatest centers of healing; and Ephesus, the greatest city in the Eastern Mediterranean during Roman times which boasts an extraordinary number of superbly preserved monuments.

Cross from Europe to Asia on board a scenic ferry journey across the Dardanelles Strait and get ready to taste the superb Turkish cuisine, an interesting blend of Mediterranean specialties and flavors.

This is the perfect vacation if you are looking for a genuine and unique blend of diverse cultures, centuries of history and atmosphere, the mysterious East with the familiar West.

We’ve packed everything you need for the perfect tour—from hand-selected hotels and dining to the friendly expertise of Globus Tour Directors and Local Guides (with headsets to hear every word), to seamless transportation between destinations and VIP access to the world’s most iconic sites! Touring by private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi. Ride a ferry across the Dardanelles. Enhance your free time with your GlobusGO mobile app!

Dates & Prices Book Online

800.268.3636

Photo Highlights

Meals

Meals & Itinerary

7 Breakfasts, 5 Dinners

Notes:

Uneven terrain of Ephesus' archaeological sites may pose a challenge to guests with physical limitations or reliant on mobility devices such as wheelchairs.

Itinerary

Day 1 ARRIVE IN ISTANBUL,TURKEY

Welcome to Istanbul! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at the hotel.

ISTANBUL-NARROW-STREET.jpg

Dinner

Day 2 ISTANBUL

A Gateway between Orient and Occident ISTANBUL Guided sightseeing includes the Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, the Roman Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, and Grand Bazaar. Enjoy a traditional Turkish coffee experience at an historical coffee roaster.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURE & TRADITIONS Founded by the Greeks as Byzantium more than 2,500 years ago, and finally called Istanbul after the Ottoman conquest in the 15th century, the city on the Bosporus remains one of the most exciting places in the world. Its strategic location as a gateway between Orient and Occident, the Islamic and the Christian worlds, and the Black Sea and the Mediterranean predestined it for a turbulent yet exciting history.

ISTANBUL-HAGIA-SOPHIA.jpg

Breakfast

Day 3 ISTANBUL–GALLIPOLI–TROY AREA

Bravery on the Beach
GALLIPOLI Visit the WWI battlefields on the Gallipoli peninsula, the Anzac Cemetery, the Lone Pine Memorial and Chunuk Bair Memorial sites before crossing the Dardanelles by ferry.
TROY Enjoy a guided visit of the ancient city. 236 mi/ 380 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORY & HERITAGE Visit the moving and inspirational sites, where Allied troops, mainly Australians and New Zealanders, suffered heavy casualties in a disastrous campaign. Pay tribute to the heroes of those tragic months of 1915 at the Anzac Cemetery and the Lone Pine Memorial.

GALLIPOLI.jpg

Breakfast

Dinner

Day 4 TROY AREA–PERGAMUM–KUSADASI

The Sacred Way PERGAMUM Guided visit of the Asklepion, a shrine to the Greek God of medicine.
EPHESUS Visit the archaeological museum. 267 mi / 430 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HEALING THE BODY &THE SOUL Nestled between hills, the Asklepion retains a sense of serenity and history. The sick approached the temple via the Sacred Way, a path that started their journey to health determined according to what dreams the patience experienced and which also included theatre shows. All of this was done in the belief that healing was a sacred art, and that people’s souls needed to be mended as well as their bodies.

PERGAMUM.jpg

Breakfast

Dinner

Day 5 KUSADASI–EPHESUS–PAMUKKALE

Ancient Civilization Preserved EPHESUS Follow your Guide for a walk through the ancient ruins.
HIERAPOLIS Visit the Greco-Roman thermal resort dating back to 190 BC, and see the “cotton castles” of Pamukkale, the stunning natural wonder comprised of brilliant white terraces and turquoise pools of water. 137 mi / 220 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOTS Ephesus was one of the most famous cities of the ancient Mediterranean. It was the second biggest city of the Roman Empire and today it is one of the largest Roman archaeological sites in the eastern Mediterranean.

EPHESUS.jpg

Breakfast

Dinner

Day 6 PAMUKKALE–BURSA

In the Shadow of Mount Olympus BURSA Visit the Great Mosque, the historical covered bazaar, and the silk market followed by a Kestane Sekeri tasting. 280mi / 450 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ANCIENT TASTES ON THE SILK ROAD Wander through the long winding bazaar in Bursa, Turkey’s centuries-old city center, taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of the buzzing marketplace. Treat your taste buds to one of the city’s famous sweets, the Kestane Sekeri, and find the perfect gift for yourself or a friend, a piece of authentic Bursa-made silk.

BURSA-BAZAAR.jpg

Breakfast

Day 7 BURSA–IZNIK–ISTANBUL

Ancient Walls & Ecumenical Council IZNIK Guided visit includes the Great Mosque (St. Sophia’s Church) and the Archaeological museum.
ISTANBUL Farewell dinner at a local restaurant 137 mi / 220 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CERAMIC BEYOND TIMES Iznik is a completely "open-air museum" with its rare ancient history and uniqueness. It is also the birthplace of the world famous Iznik tiles – a treasured artform dating back to the Ottoman Empire.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL-TILES.jpg

Breakfast

Dinner

Day 8 ISTANBUL

Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

ISTANBUL-CITYSCAPE.jpg

Breakfast

Accommodations

Istanbul

Troy Area

Kusadasi

Pamukkale

Bursa

Istanbul

Renaissance Istanbul Polat Bosphorus

Superior First-Class

Barbaros Blv.145
Istanbul, Turkey

Free Wifi

The Renaissance Istanbul Polat Bosphorus Hotel offers 213 luxurious air-conditioned rooms, all fully furnished with a flat-screen TV, mini-bar, complimentary toiletries, an electric kettle and a coffee maker. The on-site Bar and Restaurant offer breakfast and an à la carte menu of Mediterranean food and Turkish specialties to combine with drinks and cocktails. The hotel also provides a beautiful Spa & wellness center with fitness area, an indoor pool and Jacuzzi.

Hotel Amenities

Laundry Available
ATM
Concierge desk
Currency Exchange
Hot Tub
Restaurant On-Site
Gift Shop
Free WiFi
Bar/Lounge
Elevator
Business Center
Fitness Room
Spa Services
Pool
Luggage Storage

Room Amenities

Climate Control
Iron/Ironing Board
Hair Dryer
Complimentary Toiletries
Mini-bar
Air Conditioning
Internet Access
In-Room Safe
Air Conditioning (Seasonal)
Room Service
Phone
Coffee Maker
Television
Cable/Satellite
Desk

The Artisan Istanbul Mgallery

Deluxe

Hotel as shown or similar

Omer Avni Mah Inonu Caddesi 42
Istanbul, Turkey

Free Wifi

Located in the heart of Istanbul's commercial city center, this contemporary 136 room property offers artisanal local culinary delights at the rooftop restaurant which features sweeping views of the city and the Bosphorous strait. All air-conditioned guest rooms are decorated in a modern style and are fitted with flat-screen TV's, a telephone, an electric kettle, a safety deposit box and a minibar. Other amenities include a 24-hour fitness room, a spa and Free Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout.

Hotel Amenities

Gift Shop
Hot Tub
Bar/Lounge
Business Center
Spa Services
Free WiFi
Concierge desk
Luggage Storage
Restaurant On-Site
Fitness Room
Laundry Available
Elevator
ATM

Room Amenities

Mini-bar
Air Conditioning (Seasonal)
In-Room Safe
Television
Internet Access
Desk
Hair Dryer
Phone
Coffee Maker
Complimentary Toiletries
Air Conditioning
Climate Control
Cable/Satellite
Room Service

Optional Excursions

No matter what you’re into: food, wine, history, art, music or anything else, we give you the freedom to personalize your vacation with optional excursions that speak to your interests.

When you book your excursions with us, you can be assured that every optional excursion that we offer coordinates with the free time that you'll have in your destination, so you'll never have conflicts between included and optional activities. Our team of travel experts carefully selects each optional excursion that we offer to ensure that you receive the highest quality at a great value. Our tried-and-true partners have a finger on the pulse of the city in which they operate so they deliver the very best experiences. We offer experiences you cannot create on your own and because you’re booking with us, we coordinate all your transportation and timing needs.

The following optional excursions are examples only for this vacation. These may or may not be offered, and availability is subject to days of operation and seasonality. Please select a departure date to view optional excursions and pricing for a specific date (due to currency fluctuation, pricing shown is subject to change until purchased). Optional excursions are available for purchase on our MyGlobus site 90 days prior to the tour start date.

Price Ranges

$ ($50 CAD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 CAD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 CAD)
$$$$ (Over $150)

Istanbul

Bosphorus Cruise

An unforgettable cruise on the Bosphorus with views of old Turkish wooden houses and beautiful scenery.

Price Range: $$

Private Touring

Private Touring: Globus European Private Touring enables you to experience all of the attractions, sights and highlights of your selected Globus tour as a private experience - delivered just for you and your traveling party. With Private Touring, you'll have your own dedicated Tour Director, your own private transportation and driver, and your own professional local guides. All with greater flexibility in pace and your experience.

For your selected tour, there will be additional per-person cost for the size of your party - from 1 to 24. This additional supplement is reduced with each traveler you add to your party.

Here's a sample of the additional cost:

6 guests in a party: $493*
18 guests in a party: $205*

Contact Globus or your preferred travel agent for pricing for your specific party size as well as any other information on Globus Private Touring.

* Supplement pricing is per person (CA) and will be added to the standard published price for your given departure date and is based on availability. Supplement price is valid for 2020 and 2021 travel years. Occasionally some included and optional activities & excursions may be operated with other guests. Additional restrictions may apply. Not applicable for custom groups. No Group allowances or promotions are available on Private Touring. Published itineraries only. Note that blackout dates may exist where the Private Touring option is not available.

The “Starting at” or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per person based on twin occupancy and any applicable port charges, non-commissionable taxes and fees and intra-vacation flight are included in the price shown. Any included overnight stay in Canada, applicable GST/HST is also included in the price shown. International airfare, however, is not included. If price is crossed out, the new price shown includes a limited time promotional offer(s). Please review current promotions or deals for additional information.

View Ebrochure | Sign Up for Travel Deals