Celebrate the real culture of Turkey & its natural wonders. Ephesus Grand Theatre with Istanbul Mosque silhouette, gulet voyage in Fethiye and Pergamon. Turkey is home to more Roman ruins than Italy and more Greek ruins than Greece...

       

 
The legacies of the Hittites, Greeks, Romans, Christian apostles, Byzantines, Ottoman Turks, & the other civilizations that have called this land home have made Turkey into a vast outdoor museum full of beautiful, intriguing sites. Highlights of Turkey's many treasures include the spectacular Byzantine churches & beautiful mosques of Istanbul; the ruins of the fabled city of Pergamum on its windswept hilltop; the holy city of Konya where Dervishes still whirl; the extraordinary landscape & cave dwellings of Cappadocia; the great theatre of ancient Ephesus; the magnificent beaches of the Aegean & Mediterranean with signs of ancient civilizations at every turn & so much more...
 
   
     
 
  Introduction
 Best of Turkey
 Wonders of Turkey
 Fascinating Turkey
 Anatolian Crossroads
 Ancient Aegean
 The Turquoise Coast
 Grand Tour Turkey
 Cradle of Civilizations
 Turkish Delight
 Gateway to Mesopotamia
 Kusadasi & Izmir Shore Trips
 The Black Sea
 The Odyssey / Turkey & Greece
 Turkey, Jordan & Egypt
 Istanbul to Damascus
 Tailor Made
 		   Ancient Aegean                                                                    

Day 1  Arrival Istanbul
Upon arrival to Istanbul Airport, you will be greeted by your host who will arrange your transfer to your hotel. After check-in, you may wish to take a walk through the historical Sultanahmet district of Istanbul.


Day 2  Istanbul
Your day begins with a visit to the ancient Hippodrome which was the center of the civil activities back in the Hellenistic & Roman times. Then a walk to the nearby Blue Mosque, famous for the blue tiles covering its interior walls & also for its six minarets. From here on to the Hagia Sophia Museum, the former Cathedral of Constantinople, considered as the masterpiece of the early Byzantine architecture. After lunch we will visit the Topkapi Palace, residence & administrative center of the Ottoman Sultans. Your tour ends with a visit to The Grand Bazaar, with time for exploring the labyrinth of streets & passages housing more than 4,000 shops.


Day 3  Istanbul
We drive to Eminonu Harbour to explore the bustling Egyptian Spice Market of 17th century origin - a colorful bazaar heaped with spices, Turkish sweets, dried foods & much more. During the Bosphorus cruise you will admire the shoreline of beautiful mosques, lavish palaces & decadent villas. After lunch we take you over the Intercontinental Bridge to Camlica Hill on the Asiatic side for breathtaking views of two shores. A short drive & within minutes you are back in Europe where we stop at Dolmabahce Palace, which was the residence of the late royal Ottoman family with untouched furniture in more than 350 rooms. You will have the evening to spend at your leisure.


Day 4  Pergamum - Kusadasi
After check-out you travel on a one hour flight to Izmir. Upon arrival you will be met & driven to the Ancient Greek city of Pergamum which was built on the top of a cone-shaped Acropolis, rising over a thousand feet above the surrounding valley. You will be escorted to The Sanctuary of Trajan, Sanctuary of Athena, Library, Royal palaces, Temple of Dionysus, Upper Agora, Roman baths complex & Asclepion, which was the Sanctuary of Asclepius also known as the Asclepion, the god of healing. At the conclusion of your day of sightseeing, you will be driven to the hotel for your stay in Kusadasi.


Day 5  Aphrodisias - Pamukkale & Hierapolis
Early this morning, you will be driven to Aphrodisias, named after Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of Love. Here you will see the Temple of Aphrodite, the monumental Tetra Pylon Gateway, the ancient Gladiator Stadium & the Archaeological Museum. After lunch you will continue to Hierapolis meaning sacred city, famous for its hot springs. The large necropolis of Hierapolis is filled with sarcophagi. Next to the ruins of Hierapolis, you will visit Pamukkale meaning Cotton Castle. After some relaxation time in the calcium pools famous for the healing properties, you will be driven back to your hotel in Kusadasi.


Day 6  Priene - Miletos - Didyma
Today you will depart for Priene which in its time was one of the most spectacular of all the Ancient Ionians Cities. After the visit here, you then travel on to Miletos with its magnificent theatre & the Byzantine fortress on the acropolis above. Last, but not least, visit Didyma. Here you will find the largest Ionic Temple in the world, that of Apollo. Lunch. Also in Didyma lies the huge, cracked head of Medusa which long ago fell from the frieze. Return to Kusadasi for overnight stay.


Day 7  Ephesus
Upon check-out, your guide will escort you for a full day of sightseeing, including Ephesus Ancient City, which was the most prevalent city in Roman Asia with as many as 500,000 citizens around 100 AD. You will also visit The House of Virgin Mary where she is believed to have spent her last days & on the on to the ruins of Artemis Temple, St. John’s Basilica & Ephesus Museum. After completing your tour, you will be transferred to Izmir Airport for the return flight to Istanbul for your last night in Turkey.


Day 8  Transfer to Istanbul International Airport
Following check-out from your hotel, we will drive you to Istanbul International Airport for your return or onward flight.		  
 
Duration:
7nights/8days
Transport:
Flight & coach
Highlights:
Istanbul, Pergamum, Pamukkale, Priene, Miletos, Didyma, Ephesus
Sightseeing:
Small group &/or private option
Stay:
Budget/Comfort/Deluxe or combination
Operates:
All year-round
Rates:
Please tell us your dates & choice of hotels
 
Optional:
Side trip to Gallipoli or Troy
Continue to Bodrum
Flight Istanbul to Izmir
Izmir City Tour
 



   
     

 
     
 

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