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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
(WALKING TOUR) |
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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 mosque with 6
minarets, then the Hippodrome, a stadium
and meeting place in Byzantine times, the
Serpent Pillar from Delphi and the
Egyptian Obelisk, with the Fountain of
Wilhelm. Visit the Turkish and Islamic
Arts Museum originally built as the Palace
of Ibrahim Pasha in 1524 |
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Harem
Street |
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with fine examples of Islamic
Calligraphy, tiles and carpets. We will
then explore the Topkapi Palace. It was
the home of the Ottoman sultans from the
15th-19th century A.D. (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. (All sights except for Grand
Bazaar are replaced by a visit to the
Yerebatan Underground Cistern) Overnight in
Istanbul.
B.L. |
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DAY 3
BOSPHORUS CRUISE WITH DOLMABAHCE - IZMIR - KUSADASI (OR SELCUK) |
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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, which |
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Bosphorus |
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was built by the
architect Sinan in 1560 for the grand vizier of
Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent. 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 (with flight option
only). B.L. (D) |
DAY 4
EPHESUS - HOUSE OF VIRGIN MARY
9.00 - 9:30 Departure. We will visit
the house where The Virgin Mary
allegedly spent her last days. We
then tour Ephesus, which was
one of the largest and most
interesting ancient cities of Asia
Minor. The tour of Ephesus includes
the Library of Celsius,
Temple of Hadrian, the Agora,
the marble paved Arcadian Road,
the Brothel, the Roman Baths, and
fantastic Greco-Roman theater
where St. Paul preached (Entrance to
Ephesus Terrace Houses is extra and
optional – Please request a visit from
your guide at the start of the tour). We
then see the remains of the Temple of
Artemis, which was one of the Seven
Wonders of the World. 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.(D)
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DAY 5
PERGAMON - ISTANBUL |
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8:00 – 8:30 Departure. 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 |
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Pergamon |
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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 6
DEPARTURE
Transfer to airport (optional) for departure.
B.
TOUR PRICE: (IN EUROS)
ISTANBUL EPHESUS AND PERGAMON TOUR (CODE:
CB06)
PER
PERSON IN DOUBLE /
TRIPLE ROOM |
SINGLE
SUPP |
EXTRA
NIGHT IN ISTANBUL |
EXTRA
NIGHT
SNG SUPP |
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BUDGET |
500 |
65
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30
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20
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MODERATE |
530
|
80 |
45
|
30
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FIRST
CLASS |
620** |
225
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50
|
35
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SUPERIOR |
710**
|
290
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60
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40
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ISTANBUL
