Day 1 : Arrive Istanbul (no meal)
Arrive in Istanbul Ataturk airport and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 2 : Full Day Istanbul Classic City Tour (breakfast -lunch)
Pick-up from your hotel. You will visit the main attractions of Istanbul (capital of the Ottoman Empire untill 1923) by this full day tour. Hagia Sophia; magnificent Byzantine church and the unique sample of Byzantine architecture, Blue Mosque; one of the biggest mosque of the Istanbul from 17th century and famous for its blue tiles and 6 minarets,The Ancient Hippodrome where once chariot races were held. The main monument left today is the impressive granite obelisk, carved in Egypt around 1,500 BC and brought to Constantinople in 390 AD. Our tour will continue with a visit to Topkapi Palace; it was once the residence of Ottoman sultans and their harem. We will finish the tour with a short drive to the exotic Grand Bazaar (Closed on Sundays and at Feast days). Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 3 : Istanbul-Sanliurfa /Sanliurfa and Harran Tour (breakfast-lunch-dinner)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Sanliurfa. Arrive in Sanliurfa, check-in to your hotel and depart for your tour where you will go to see the Cave where Abraham was born 4000 years ago. The city of Urfa dates back to the second millennium B.C. when it may been the capital of a Hurrian state. According to the Koran Urfa ( Edessa ) was the birthplace of Abraham. Visit Abrahams cave and the pool of Abraham, full of carp, regarded as sacred in a refreshing place to visit Ulu Cami and The Sanliurfa Museum. Overnight in Urfa.
Day 4 : Mount Nemrut (breakfast-lunch-dinner)
Once you get there you will see stone statues, ordered by King Antiochus, depicting Greek gods (facing west) and Persian gods (facing east). These go back to about 62 BC. The heads were previously located atop seated figures but have since fallen to the ground in front of them. Tomb of Antiochus is allegedly located beneath the tip of the mountain. Overnight in Urfa.
Day 5 : Sanliurfa / Izmir (breakfast-lunch-dinner)
Pick-up from your hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight to Izmir. Once arrived in Izmir we will visit the Church of St. Policarp which is the oldest church in ancient Smyrna, it symbolizes the community of the even Churches of Apocalypse .Then we will visit Alexander the Great’s “Velvet Castle” overlooking the bay of Izmir. Overnight in Izmir.
Day 6 : Pergamon / Thyatira (breakfast-lunch-dinner)
We will depart early in the morning for Pergamon and visit the Acropolis. Home to the famous physician Galen,you will see the remains of the great library that once housed over 200,000 scrolls and the restored theatre built into the hillside that seated 10,000. Then we will visit the Asclepion which was among the earliest and greatest medical centers of the world.The view of the Acropolis from the Asclepion site is really worth seeing. Continue to Akhisar to visit the site of ancient Thyatira. Thyatira became an early center of Christianity. The apostle Paul 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.Overnight in Izmir.
Day 7 : Sardis/Philadelphia /Hierapolis/Pamukkale (breakfast-lunch-dinner)
Today you will visit Sardis; once the capital of the Lydian realm of Croesus. Here the first coins were minted. Then visit the ancient Philadelphia listed among the seven churches by John in the Book of Revelation. Philadelphia is the sixth church of seven. After visit we will head to Pamukkale. You will visit theHierapolis ; Necropolis (cemetery) of Hierapolis which is one of the biggest ancient cemeteries in Anatolia with 1,200 graves, Roman Bath, Domitian Gate, the Main Street, Byzantian Gate. Then, you walk to the natural warm water terraces which were formed by running warm water that contains calcium. Overnight in Pamukkale.
Day 8 : Laodicea / Miletos / Kusadasi (breakfast-lunch-dinner)
After breakfast, drive to Laodicea. Explore the recently excavated theater of Laodicea. The Laodicean church was established in the earliest period of Christianity, and is probably best known for being one of the seven churches addressed by name in the Book of Revelation (Rev. 3.14-22). Then drive to Miletos , where St. Paul gave a speech to the locals to spread the Christianity. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 9 : Ephesus and Virgin Mary Tour (breakfast-lunch-dinner)
Visit the Church of St.Policarp which is the oldest church in ancient Smyrna, it symbolized the community of the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse and drive to Ephesus for visiting House of Virgin Mary on top of Bulbul Mountain, a pilgrimage site for many people of all denominations. Then 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 you will visit the Basilica of St. John and Ephesus museum. End of the tour return back to your hotel. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 10 : Departure (breakfast)
Transfer to the Izmir airport for your flight to Istanbul. End of our services.
No extra hidden cost..!
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What’s Included
9 nights accommodation according to your seection as 3, 4 or 5 star.
All mentioned transfers in the program. (Group transfers).
All mentioned group tours in the program including transportation with air-conditioned buses, guidance and entrance fees.
English speaking guide during the tours.
(You can ask for other language options for groups).
All meals as described in the itinerary.
All domestic flight tickets in the itinerary.
All local taxes.
What’s Not Included
Tips (optional).
International flight tickets.
Visa (if needed).
Travel insurance.
Harem section in Topkapi Palace and Terrace Houses in Ephesus and Cleopatra swimming pool in Pamukkale.
Personal expenses.
No extra hidden cost !
