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This is a tailored featuring Istanbul,
Ephesus and Pergamon. 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.
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DAY 2
ISTANBUL - SULTANAHMET - IZMIR - KUSADASI (OR
SELCUK) |
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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 |
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Blue
Mosque |
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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.(D) |
DAY 3
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.
Drive to Kusadasi or Selcuk and overnight.
(B).L.(D)
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DAY 4
PERGAMON - ISTANBUL |
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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
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Pergamon |
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Pergamon and became the most
famous doctor of his time,
treated his patients
here. Transfer to the airport (optional) 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 5
DEPARTURE
Transfer to airport (optional) for departure.
B.
TOUR PRICE: (IN EUROS)
ISTANBUL EPHESUS AND PERGAMON TOUR (CODE:
CB05)
PER
PERSON IN DOUBLE /
TRIPLE ROOM |
SINGLE
SUPP |
EXTRA
NIGHT IN ISTANBUL |
EXTRA
NIGHT
SNG SUPP |
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BUDGET |
370
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30
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30
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15
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MODERATE |
390 |
50 |
40
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30
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FIRST
CLASS |
525**
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180
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50
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35
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SUPERIOR |
670**
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260
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60
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45
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ISTANBUL
