Language : TÜRKÇE

08.10.2007 14:51

TOUR of ISTANBUL & EPHESUS

5 nights & 6 days

DAY 1 : Arrival to Istanbul

Arrive in Istanbul Airport, meet by our representative and private transfer to the hotel for overnight stay in Istanbul.

DAY 2 : Full Day Istanbul Tour

09.00 a.m. After breakfast pick up from hotel and Our journey begins in Istanbul, the only city in the world situated on two continents. Byzantium, Constantinople, Istanbul - its three names span more than 2600 years, nearly 1600 of them as the capital of two of the greatest empires the world has known, Byzantine and Ottoman. We visit the Topkapi Palace ,Hagia Sophia, The Blue Mosque and Hippodrome, where chariot races and the Byzantine riots took place.Visit the Grand Bazaar for shopping. Overnight in Istanbul.

DAY 3 : Half day Istanbul Tour

Pick up from hotel for second full day tour . First visit Chora Museum , then Suleymaniye Mosque .The mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent was built between 1550 and 1557 by the famous architect Sinan whose wish was to surpass the builders of St. Sophia which is conspicuous from its great size, emphasized by the four minarets rising one from each corner of the courtyard. Visit Underground Cistern. Some free time in Spice Bazaar. Free afternoon to explore Istanbul on your own and Overnight stay in Istanbul.

Day 4 : Ephesus Tour

06.30 a.m. Pick up from hotel and transfer to Istanbul airport for 08.00 a.m. morning flight to Izmir. Arrive in Izmir Airport at 09.00 a.m. Met by you tour guide and drive to Ephesus ( 45 minutes drive ) First visit the Artemission Temple where is one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World. Continue to Ephesus.visit Ephesus, one of the 12 cities of Ionia (an ancient Greek district on the western coast of Asia Minor) is located near Izmir. As a port city at the mouth of the Cayster (modern Küçükmenderes) River, it was a major departure point for trade routes into Asia Minor. Known in antiquity for its sacred shrines, notably a famous temple (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World) to the 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 handicrafts 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 House of Virgin Mary. This house is located on the Aladag Mountains 5 miles from Ephesus. At the third 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. Overnight in Kusadasi

DAY 5 Kusadasi

Free day to enjoy the region at your leisure.You may take a day trip to the nearby beaches at Kusadasi, or shop at the BAZAAR.  ( You can choose from our daily tours “PRIENE-MILETUS-DIDYMA” Tour, ”PAMUKKALE” Tour, Jeep Safari, Aquapark Centers ,Boat Trip ) Overnight in KUSADASI

17.30 Drive to Izmir airport for our flight back to Istanbul and transfer to the hotel for overnight.

DAY 6 : Home

After breakfast check out from the hotel and private transfer to Istanbul airport for your flight back home.

This package includes ;
- 4 nights accomodations based on bed and breakfast
- Professional licensed English speaking guide

- Istanbul – Izmir – Istanbul domestic return flight tickets including airport tax
- BBQ lunch in Ephesus
- All airport transfers and Transportation with private AC vehicle
- All entrance fees to the sites stated above the itinerary