Day 1 : Pergamum / Smyrna
Your journey will start by been picked up from Kusadasi port / Izmir airport as we will make an early departure for make our way to Pergamum where we will visiting the magnificent Asclepieion – Which was one of the major healing centres of antiquity and Acropolis where the monumental buildings or herons donated by the kings of Pergamum during the Hellenistic period. You will also be able to see The Temple of Serapis that was built for the Egyptian Gods in the 2nd AD and named as the Red Courtyard, it was also dedicated to St John. We will have a lunch stop and afterwards we will then depart for Izmir, as its here that we will explore St. Polycarp Church at Izmir (Smyrna). You will endure an overnight stay in the city of Izmir. (Breakfast and Lunch included).
Day 2 : Thyatira / Sardis / Philadelphia
Departure will be early in the morning as our journey continues by a drive to Thyatira to see the unique remains that will include a temple and a large church. Thyatira became an early center of Christianity, the apostle Paul was known to have visited the city on a number of occasions during his missionary travels. Lydia, the woman converted by St. Paul at Philippi, was from Thyatira (Acts 16:13-15) and the church at Thyatira was one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. After we then continue to Sardis, the wealthy capital of the ancient Lydian Empire and one of the most amazing sites in Turkey it was also here the first coins were minted. Its then time for your lunch break in Sardis, and afterwards its time to visit Philadelphia with its famous Church of Philadelphia and an important place for the spreading of the Christian faith, Philadelphia is the sixth church of seven. After finishing our visits in Philadelphia, its back on the road and take a drive to Pamukkale. Once we get you to Pamukkale you will check-in to an arranged hotel and for an overnight stay and get ready for what unfolds tomorrow. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included)
Day 3 : Hierapolis and Pamukkale /Laodicea
In the morning you will first visit the Hierapolis ; Necropolis (cemetery) of Hierapolis which is one of the biggest ancient cemeteries in Anatolia with 1,200 graves, there is also other structures here to see such as the Roman Bath, Domitian Gate, the Main Street, Byzantian Gate. Then from Hierapolis we will take a short stroll over to Pamukkale when translated means ‘Cotton Castle’ and has been drawing the weary and the curious from all around the world to its thermal springs for more than 23 centuries. The Turkish name refers to the extraordinary surface of the snow white cliffs, shaped over millennia by the accumulation of calcium deposited by mineral springs. Legend has it that the formations are actually solidified cotton (the area’s principal crop) that was left out to dry by giants. Dripping slowly down a vast mountainside, mineral rich water foams and collects in bowls that terrace the decline, spilling over petrified cascades of stalacties into milky pools below. The site of ancient Hierapolis and the accompanying museums are overshadowed by the springs but are nevertheless fascinating.You shouldn’t leave Pamukkale without having a healing dip in the sacred fountain of Cleopatra’s pool. Cleopatras Pool has warm clear fizzy water that bubbles from the springs source, but in these days has now blocked off to prevent divers from disappearing into its hidden depths. On the bottom surface of the pool you can clearly see the Ancient remains of the Roman columns – Cleopatras Pool is an Oasis. We will enjoy a delicious lunch here in Pamukkaleas afterwards its off to see Laodicea which is mentioned in Revelations by St. John and in ancient times was known as “The City of Compromise”. After visiting all over Laodicea its a drive back to Kusadasi, for stay overnight in a provided kusadasi hotel. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included).
Day 4 : Ephesus and Virgin Mary Tour
Today you will do full day Ephesus sightseeing which will begin in the morning. We will come to pick you up from your hotel in Kusadasi and hit the road for a short drive to Ephesus (You have the choice to do this tour by group or as your own private tour). Firstly we will take you to see the The House of Virgin Mary which is situated on the top of Bulbul Mountain, the house was discovered back in the 19 th century. Catherina Emmerich (1775-1824) who was an invalid German nun and who had never visited Ephesus but yet went on to describe in great detail the house and its location which she had been known to have seen in a vision. It is also believed that St.John brought Mary (the mother of Jesus) to Ephesus sometime between AD 37-48 and its the place she spent her last years of her life. After seeing The House Of Virgin Mary we will continue on tour to the Ancient City of Ephesus where you will see one of the most spectacular excavations to ever exist in the world, you will have the chance see also the Odeon, The Fountain of Trajan, the stream baths of Scholastika, the Temple of Hadrian, the Grand Theater and last but no means the least the very impressive library of Ephesus. The Ephesus library is adorned with columns and statues and is still in relatively excellent condition, by standing in the middle of the Library or taking a walk down the main street in Ephesus you will feel like you have stepped back in time amongst the romans and the visuals here are fantastic to see. Also within Ephesus is The Grand Theater where Saint Paul preached its believed to be the largest outdoor theater in the ancient world with a capacity of 25,000 seats. The last and perhaps the most important, site in Selcuk is the great Temple of Artemis (Diana) , which is one of the Seventh Wonders of the Ancient World. The Ephesus Artemis was a goddess of fertility and was often pictured draped with eggs or multiple breasts as symbols of fertility. Our tour today will come to an end after visiting the Mosque of Isa Bey, which was built in the 19th century, it was also used as a caravanserai, it definately is a perfect architectural building that you must-see. We will enjoy lunch stop in Ephesus and afterwards its a visit to Basilica of St. John, and Ephesus museum. The museum contains some very beautiful artifacts from Ephesus especially the Marble statue of Mother Goddess Artemis. As the tour comes to an end within Ephesus it also means the end of your time travelling adventure with us but not before we transfer you to Izmir airport (in accordance to your flight schedule).
We trust that your time with us discovering and exploring some of Turkey and Greece’s hidden treasures and we trust that your adventure has been everything that you wanted and more, most of all we would also like to wish you a pleasant journey home and shall look forward to seeing you again on one of our many other time travelling packages.
No extra hidden cost..!
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What’s Included
3 nights accommodation according to your selection as 3, 4 or 5 star. (Pergamum; Bergama hotels are 3 star or Boutique style hotels)
All mentioned transfers in the program.
All mentioned tours in the program including transportation with air-conditioned buses, guidance and entrance fees.
All meals as described in the itinerary.
All local taxes.
What’s Not Included
Tips (optional).
International flight tickets.
Visa (if needed).
Travel insurance.
Personla expenses.
No extra hidden cost !
