ISTANBUL EPHESUS PAMUKKALE PRIENE MILETUS DIDYMA AND PERGAMON TOUR (CODE: CB08)

ITINERARY: (8 DAYS)

ISTANBUL EPHESUS PAMUKKALE PRIENE MILETUS DIDYMA
PERGAMON ISTANBUL
 

This is a tailored tour that focuses on some of the highlights of Istanbul and Aegean Turkey. It is a combination of daily group tour arrangements including entry fees and most meals. You may stay in the hotel category of your choice. Budget and Moderate options include overnight bus – First Class and Superior options include Izmir airport transfer but flight is extra. It is also possible to tailor a program where you go overland via Troy, and there are other combinations such as leisure days in the itinerary.

DAY 1
ARRIVAL
Arrival in Istanbul and transfer (optional) to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

DAY 2
ISTANBUL - SULTANAHMET
8:10 – 8:45 Departure from your hotel. Today we will visit the Saint Sophia (Haghia Sofia) which was built by the emperor Justinian in the 6th century A.D and stands over much older remains of a church. See beautiful mosaics of biblical scenes and the Byzantine emperors and empresses. We continue to the Blue Mosque, which was built in the 17th century and is the only imperial mosque with 6 minarets. We continue to the Hippodrome, a stadium and meeting place in Byzantine times, the Serpent Pillar from Delphi and the Egyptian Obelisk, with the Fountain of Wilhelm. We will also visit the Caferaga Medresesi which was a school designed by the famous architect Sinan in 1560 and is now used for workshops in traditional Ottoman arts. We will have lunch and continue with the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum originally built as the Palace of Ibrahim Pasha in 1524 with fine examples of Islamic Calligraphy, tiles and carpets. Then we will explore the Topkapi Palace. It was the home of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th-19th century A.D. We see the Imperial Treasury with the famous Spoonmaker Diamond. Also the Baghdad Kiosk, the Armory with its collection of Ottoman weapons and a fine collection of ceramics. (Harem section is optional and due an extra entry fee). The tour ends in the Grand Bazaar, which has over 4000 shops full of treasures Return to your hotel around 17:30. This tour may be done completely as a walking tour. *Note that on Sunday the Grand Bazaar is closed, on Monday the Turkish and Islamic Art Museum and St Sophia are closed and on Tuesday the Topkapi Palace is closed. Overnight in Istanbul. B.L.

DAY 3 BOSPHORUS CRUISE WITH DOLMABAHCE (OR CITY WALLS TOUR) - IZMIR - KUSADASI (OR SELCUK)

8:10 – 8:45 Departure from your hotel. You will first see the “Egyptian” Spice Market, which stands near the mouth of the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus. The market was built in the 17th century A.D. and is still a thriving place with spices and souvenirs of all types. We will also visit the beautiful Iznik tile-covered Rustempasa Mosque, Dolmabahce Palace

which wasbuilt by the architect Sinan in 1560 for the grand vizier of Sultan Suleyman theMagnificent. We embark on our Bosphorus Cruise up the strait that divides Europe from Asia and leads to the Black Sea. From the ship you will see beautiful mosques, palaces, new luxury villas, very old Ottoman houses and the Rumeli Fortress. We end our cruise, cross the Bosphorus Bridge then head for the Camlica Hill viewpoint over Istanbul where you can also see the Princes’ Islands and the Marmara Sea. Then we continue to the “Selamlik” chambers of the incredible 19th c. Dolmabahce Palace. The tour ends with a visit to the charming seaside suburb of Ortakoy. Return to your hotel around 17:00. *Notes: Cruise may be done by regular or private boat - Spice Market is closed Sunday. Transfer to the airport (optional) for departure to Izmir (Or to bus station for overnight bus). Upon arrival transfer to your hotel in Kusadasi or Selcuk and overnight.  B.L.(D)

DAY 4
EPHESUS - HOUSE OF VIRGIN MARY
Today we tour Ephesus, which was one of the largest and most interesting ancient cities of Asia Minor. It is considered to be the most fantastic Greco-Roman site in Turkey. You may imagine the Ephesians shouting at the silversmith Demetrius, " Great is Artemis of the Ephesians" in reaction to the preaching of St. Paul against man-made idols. A visit to the house where The Virgin Mary spent her last days, and the Temple of Artemis, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Overnight in Kusadasi or Selcuk. (B).L.(D)

DAY 5 PAMUKKALE

Today we drive through the Meander valley and make a visit to Pamukkale and the ancient city of Hierapolis with the Temple of Apollo, the breathtaking Theater, the fascinating Necropolis and the last the great baths of Hierapolis antique city, where St. Philip was martyred. St. Philip is connected with the early church in Hierapolis  Pamukkale

and played an important role in the history of the city. Finally we visit the calcium terraces and pools. You may have a chance to swim in a thermal pool (extra). Overnight in Kusadasi or Selcuk. B.L (D)

DAY 6 PRIENE - MILETUS - DIDYMA

Visit three of the most important cities of the antique period: Priene, Miletus and Didyma. Priene is one of the most typical antique cities of the Hellenistic Period. St Paul visited Miletus during his third journey, and the city was very important with its 80 colonies, and philosophers Thales and Anaximander. Apollo Temple situated in Didyma, was the third Priene

biggest building in the world at this time and was a most important place for prophecies. Overnight in Kusadasi or Selcuk. B.L. (D)

DAY 7
PERGAMON - ISTANBUL
We will visit the Pergamon Acropolis, where the ruins of Zeus Altar "Throne of Satan" can still be seen today. Pergamon was a center of Roman authority and a place of persecution for Christians who denied imperial worship. The acropolis is situated high above the plain and has a unique panoramic view. The very narrow and steep theater on the hillside could seat up to 10,000 people. Parchment paper was first produced in Pergamon. We will visit the remains of the Great Library, which rivaled the one of Alexandria in Egypt, the palaces of the kings, and temple of Trajan. Visit the Asclepion, which was known as the first place of medical science. Galen, who originated from Pergamon and became the most famous doctor of his time, treated his patients here. Transfer to the airport for flight to Istanbul (Or to bus station for overnight bus). Upon arrival transfer (optional) to your hotel and overnight in Istanbul. B.L.

DAY 8
DEPARTURE
Transfer to airport (optional) for departure. B.

TOUR PRICE: (IN EUROS)

ISTANBUL EPHESUS PAMUKKALE PRIENE MILETUS DIDYMA AND PERGAMON TOUR (CODE: CB08)