Private arrival and departure transfers from/to airports in Istanbul and Denizli
Accommodation for 3 nights in Istanbul, 1 night in Canakkale, 2 nights in Kusadasi and 1 night in Pamukkale in selected hotels sharing double occupancy in standard double room on bed and breakfast basis
Full day, guided Istanbul tour visiting Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Hippodrome and the Grand Bazaar. Bosporus boat trip
Visit the Green mosque and the Green Mausoleum (from outside) and the Silk Market in Bursa, the ancient city of troy
Economy air tickets from Denizli airport (Pamukkale) to Istanbul
Guided Ephesus tour visiting the Artemission Temple and the House of Virgin Mary. Lunch included
Guided Pamukkale tour visiting Aphrodisias, the travertine terraces and Hierapolis
Professional, licensed English speaking guide
Transportation with private AC vehicle
All entrance fees for the guided tour included in the itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Istanbul Arrival at Istanbul Int'l airport. Welcome and briefing by our representative who will meet you at the airport with your name on a company sign. Private transfer to the hotel for overnight stay in Istanbul
Day 2: Full-day Istanbul tour After breakfast, at approximately 09:00am, pick up from your hotel and your journey begins in Istanbul, the only city in the world situated on two continents. Byzantium, Constantinople, Istanbul - its three names span more than 2,600 years, nearly 1,600 of them as the capital of two of the greatest empires the world has known; the Byzantine and the Ottoman. We visit the Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome, where chariot races and the Byzantine riots took place. Visit the Grand Bazaar for shopping. Overnight in Istanbul (B)
Day 3: Istanbul - Bursa - Canakkale Fast ferry ride from Istanbul and arrival at Bursa, former capital of the Ottoman Empire. Visit the Green Mosque and the Green Mausoleum (outside only), the old Silk Market in the Covered Bazaar. Continue to Canakkale for overnight (B, D)
Day 4: Canakkale - Troy - Pergamum - Kusadasi Visit the famous archaeological and mythological site of Troy, home of the Trojan Horse and Helen of Troy. On to Pergamon to visit the city of Pergamon in the north Aegean coast of west Anatolia. Here were the frontiers of ancient Mysia, a significant part of the Aegean and Asia Minor history with its Acropolis, one of the centres of Helenistic and Roman ages. Depart for Kusadasi for overnight (B, D)
Day 5: Kusadasi - Ephesus tour Drive to Ephesus. First visit the Artemission Temple, one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World. Then on to visit Ephesus, one of the 12 cities of Ionia (an ancient Greek district on the western coast of Asia Minor) located near Izmir. Known in antiquity for its sacred shrines, notably a famous temple (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World) to goddess Artemis, or Diana, the city was also an important center of early Christianity. After Ephesus, lunch will be served in the garden of a local handicraft center. Here you can see some of the traditional carpet weaving techniques used and enjoy viewing some splendid displays of beautiful carpets. After lunch visit the House of Virgin Mary. This house is located on the Aladag mountains, 5 miles away from Ephesus. During the 3rd Ecumenical Council of 431 in Ephesus, it was claimed that Mary came to Ephesus with St. John in 37 A.D. and lived there until her death in 48 A.D. After the discovery of the house, the Archbishop of Izmir declared it a place of pilgrimage in 1892. On July 26, 1967 Pope Paul VI visited this place and prayed here. Transfer to your hotel for overnight in Kusadasi (B)
Day 6: Kusadasi - Pamukkale tour Drive to Pamukkale. On the way, visit Aphrodisias, primarily known in antiquity as a center for the arts, specifically sculpture. The Aphrodisias School of Sculpture had a distinctive style and was very well known throughout the Greek and Roman world. Discovery of travertine terraces and Hierapolis. The travertine terraces at Pamukkale form a spectacular natural wonder one has we ever seen. Various mineral springs in a vast white cliff side, about 200m high overlooking the plain, calcite-laden waters have dripped down over a series of terraced levels and created a fairyland of bizarre solidified cascades and shell-shaped basins. They look like snow creations or like balls made from cotton, which gave the scenery the Turkish name Pamukkale (cotton castle). Moreover, the water in the basins is changing its color according to how the light enters. Overnight in Pamukkale (B, D)
Day 7: Pamukkale - Istanbul Early breakfast and transfer to Denizli airport for your flight to Istanbul. Arrival at Istanbul and transfer to your hotel. Afternoon at leisure to visit Grand Bazaar for shopping. Boat trip on the Bosporus, a traditional excursion by boat along the waterway seperating Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses and small fishing villages. Overnight in Istanbul (B)
Day 8: Istanbul - Departure After breakfast check out from the hotel and private transfer to Istanbul Int'l airport for departure (B)
Notes
Rates upon request for higher class hotel accommodation
Greek phrase of the day
ti' o'ra ei'nai ?: what time is it ?
Did you know that...
amphoras were used to store wine, milk and honey ?
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