Day 1 – Arrival in Istanbul
Arrival in Istanbul. Transfer to hotel for check-in and relaxation. Free time. Evening mixer and welcome dinner at the hotel. (D)
Day 2 - Old Town Istanbul Tour - Istanbul
Breakfast at the hotel. Optional morning worship service at Union Church of Istanbul, meeting in the historic Dutch Chapel, a place of worship since 1857. Group lunch. Afternoon walking tour of Sultanahmet, with stops at Hagia Sofia, the Blue Mosque, and the Basilica Cistern. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Istanbul. (B, L, D)
Day 3 - Explore Istanbul! - Istanbul
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning visit to the Grand Bazaar. Lunch on your own (we can book for you at a local restaurant). Afternoon free time with suggestions for visiting museums, wandering around neighborhoods, or exploring independently. Dinner at the hotel. (B, D)
Suggested for you: 2 hours Bosphorus Public Boat ride
Day 4 - Nicea / Bursa - Bursa
Leave the hotel after breakfast and travel by bus to Ancient Nicea, the site of the First and Seventh Ecumenical
Councils. Lunch at a nice local restaurant by the lake Iznik (Nicea). Continue by bus to Bursa city, which was once the capital of the Ottoman Empire. Visit Ulu mosque and Green Tomb. Explore a silk bazaar around.
Overnight stay in Bursa. Dinner at the hotel (B, L, D)
Day 5 - Pergamon - Bergama
Breakfast at the hotel. Leave Bursa for Pergamon. Arrive in Bergama city after a 3-hour drive. Ascent to the Pergamon Acropolis by cable car or on foot. Explore the steepest theatre of antiquity, the city's temples, and the remains of the library. Next, we venture to the Red Basilica, a unique example of an ancient temple that was also used as a church after the arrival of Christianity. Lunch at a local restaurant. We continue to the Asklepion health center of Pergamon and the Bergama Archaeological Museum in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Bergama. (B, L, D)
P.S.: You have the option to explore the local carpet-producing center.
Day 6 - Thyatira / Sardis / Philadelphia
Breakfast at the hotel. Bus tour to churches. A short stop at the Byzantine church ruins at Thyatira. Lunch. Visit to the archaeological site at Sardis. A brief stop at the ancient church of Philadelphia. Continue to Hierapolis for lodging and dinner. Overnight in Pamukkale. (B, L, D)
Day 7 - Hierapolis / Pamukkale / Laodicea - Kusadasi
After breakfast, drive to the Pamukkale archeological site. It will be to the North Gate side where you will see the Necropolis (cemetery) of Hierapolis, an ancient city, is one of the largest ancient cemeteries in Anatolia, boasting over 1200 graves, Roman Bath, Frontinus Gate, ancient theatre, the Main Street, museum and so on. Next, you'll stroll over to the natural terraces formed over thousands of years by the flow of warm thermal waters rich in calcium. The temperature of the water is about 35c all year round and you can see the gleaming white travertine terraces of Pamukkale, which are closely located to the ruins of Hierapolis. The extraordinary effect is created when water from the hot springs loses carbon dioxide as it flows down the slopes, resulting in the deposition of limestone. Pamukkale got its name from the layers of white calcium carbonate that have built up in steps on the plateau, giving it the appearance of a giant cotton ball.
You'll have the chance to swim in the ancient thermal pool or relax in the circular basins of calcium travertines. Additionally, you can opt to swim in the Ancient Pool, also known as Cleopatra's Pool, but please be aware that there is a small extra fee for this activity. Cleopatra Pool is warmed by hot springs and covered with underwater fragments of ancient marble columns, possibly associated with the Temple of Apollo. The pool provides today's visitors a rare opportunity to swim with antiquities! During the Roman period, columned porticoes surrounded the pool; earthquakes toppled them into the water where they lie today.
Once the tour comes to an end it will be time to get back on the bus and to be driven to a local restaurant for an open buffet lunch. After lunch we shall visit Laodicea's ancient site, which was the first city in Anatolia to import textile products made of quality knitting wool to the Roman Empire. Laodicea was also a great center for the manufacturing of clothing – the sheep grazing around Laodicea were famous for their soft, black wool. Laodicea was also well known for its school of medicine. Laodicea was a great center of banking and finance (Rev. 3:14-
21). It was one of the wealthiest cities of the ancient world. After visiting Laodicea, we drive to a hotel in Kusadasi
(3-hour drive). Overnight in Kusadasi. (B, L, D)
Optional: Hot air Balloon Tour / Paragliding
Day 8 - Izmir Tour - Kusadasi
In the Izmir Tour, we will first drive to the Izmir city center, which is traditionally considered the birthplace of Homer. Homer was honored here in classical times. Izmir, originally known as Smyrna, has endured the region's catastrophes throughout its history. In the Izmir Sightseeing tour, we will make a stop just above the city at Mt. Pagus, where you'll find Kadifekale Castle, one of the most enduring legacies of Alexander. Built-in the 4th century BCE, Kadifekale Castle offers excellent views across the harbor to the west, including the arena where St. Polycarp was martyred and the visible Agora at the hill's foot. Next, we will drive to the Agora, a term that signifies the city alley, marketplace, and shopping area. This specific Agora covers an area of 120m by 80m. It was excavated by German and Turkish archaeologists between 1932 and 1941. One of the most significant
findings from these excavations was the discovery of the northern gate of the Agora. The relief unearthed here is dedicated to Goddess Vesta and is believed to be a continuation of the Zeus Altar discovered during the initial excavations, in addition to statues of Hermes, Dionysos, Eros, and Herakles as well as many statues belonging to men, women and animals, heads and reliefs. After you have seen The Agora, we will then take a drive to the Izmir Archeological Museum, this Archeological Museum of Izmir is arranged to cater to all requirements with displays halls, laboratories, and storage rooms with over 1500 pieces are on display inside the building and garden, archeological heritage belonging to the antique cities of Iasos, Candarli (Pitane), Bergama, Bayrakli (old Izmir) and Myrina. According to the timing we can spend some time around Konak Square and Kemeralti Bazaar. Back to Kusadasi early for a good night’s sleep. (B, L, D)
Day 9 – Ephesus / Selcuk - Kusadasi
Spectacular city of Ephesus and it surrounding environments. Proceed to the Ancient City of Ephesus where you will explore some of the best-preserved theatres, fountains, and buildings in the world. After lunch visit the Basilica of St John and Ephesus Museum. Overnight in Kusadasi. (B, L, D)
P.S.: Today, you have the opportunity to explore local carpet and leather production workshops.
Day 10 - Patmos - Kusadasi
Trip to Patmos. Depart from the hotel around 7:30 am and transfer to the port of Kusadasi. Ferry to Patmos (4
to 5 hours). Meet our team at Patmos port and start for 4 4-hour Patmos tour. Visit the Monastery of St John and Museum; Cave of the Apocalypse; House of Simandiris; Chora town. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. Late afternoon ferry back to Kusadasi. A special dinner at a local Restaurant. Overnight in Kusadasi. (B, D)
Day 11 - Izmir / Istanbul / Departure
According to the timing of the international flight from Istanbul, we transfer the group to Izmir Airport for a flight to
Istanbul.
After the check-in process, we assist you, Have a safe trip home! (B)
EXTENDED PROGRAM
Day 11- Priene, Miletus, Didyma cultural tour – Kusadasi (Breakfast, Lunch)
We will first go to see the Ionian Ancient City of Priene.
PRIENE: Despite of its small size, Priene was once a very important city during ancient times because on its territory stood the Panionion, the central meeting place and sanctuary of the Ionian Confederacy. The theatre, the temple of Athena, the agora, the Bouleterion, and the temenos of Zeus Olympus will be the steps of this visit. Next, we will move onwards to explore Miletus.
MILETUS: Miletus was the principal port and the richest imperium on the Aegean coast. Thales of Miletus believed that there was a fundamental unity beneath the apparent disorder and complexity of nature and he postulated that water was the basic material for all things. The theatre of Miletus is by far the most impressive of the town’s surviving monuments.
LUNCH BREAK
After Lunch, we will complete our tour today with the discovery of Didyma.
DIDYMA: Didyma was an ancient Ionian city, the modern Didim, Turkey. The town formed just outside of the sanctuary containing a temple and the oracle of Apollo, the Didymaion. Didyma was a neighbor of Miletus. To approach it, visitors would follow the Sacred Way to Didyma. Both Herodotus and Pausanias dated the origins of the oracle at Didyma before the Ionian colonization of this coast. Once the tour comes to an end it will be time
to get back on the bus and to be driven back to your allocated drop-off points. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 12 - Izmir / Cappadocia Flight via Istanbul – Cappadocia (Breakfast)
Transfer to Izmir airport for flight to Kayseri. Meet at the airport and transfer to the hotel in Cappadocia.
Day 13 - CAPPADOCIA TOUR #1 – Capapdocia (Breakfast- Lunch)
Visiting Devrent Valley, Monk`s Valley (Pasabagi) where you will find the world-renowned fairy chimneys. After lunch break continue on to the Goreme Open-Air Museum where you will visit the numerous rock-carved churches and monasteries. The tour will end with a visit to Uchisar, a natural rock castle (no visit inside but panoramic views of the surroundings). Transfer back to the hotel around 5:00 pm. Overnight in Cappadocia. OPTIONAL: HOT AIR BALLOON TOUR
Day 14 – CAPPADOCIA TOUR #2 – Cappadocia (Breakfast- Lunch)
Around 09:30 am, depart from your hotel to visit Red Valley, explore the famous rock-cut churches, and walk
4-5 km through the Gulludere valley. Then visit Çavusvillage. This village is famous for the houses and churches of the Christian clergymen. After lunch drive to the Pigeon Valley. In the afternoon visit Kaymakli or Oz Konak underground city where early Christians lived in fear and faith. Transfer back to the hotel around 5:00 pm. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Complimentary farewell dinner at the hotel by the local agency.
Day 15 –FLIGHT TO ISTANBUL (Breakfast)
Pick up from the hotel 2,5 hours before your flight time and transfer to Kayseri airport for a flight to Istanbul. Meet at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay in Istanbul.
Day 16 – GOODBYE (B)
Pick up 5 hours before your international flight and transfer to the airport. Have a safe trip back home!
