ITINERARY DETAILS
DAY 1
Istanbul
Welcome to Istanbul, a vibrant capital that perfectly blends East and West, creating a captivating mosaic of diverse influences. Your driver will meet you at the airport and take you to your selected hotel. Afternoon at leisure - relax and embrace the city's enchanting ambiance.
DAY 2
Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and the Grand Bazaar Tour
Today you will explore the Blue Mosque, famous for its blue Iznik tiles and unique with 6 minarets followed by a short walk to the Hippodrome, which was the center of sports events (chariots races and athletic games) and political activities in the old city. From the Hippodrome, you will continue to the Hagia Sophia Complex. Built as the church of divine wisdom, it is still one of the greatest marvels of architecture in the World. The Byzantine Emperor Justinian constructed it as a basilica in the 6th century. Finally, you will visit the Grand Bazaar, the largest and oldest covered Bazaar in Turkey with more than 4,000 shops. A variety of handicrafts, carpets, rare jewels, and souvenirs are all sold in small shops next to each other. The merchants are selling everything from antiques, homewares, books, copperware, and ceramics to gold, and leather goods.
DAY 3
The Rooftops of Istanbul
Explore the mystical city of Istanbul from a new perspective as you visit a mix of its rooftops. Istanbul is built on seven hills and thus has many opportunities for impressive panoramic views. The rooftops in this tour range from Galata Tower, which is a 14th-century Genoese watchtower, the roof of a 19th-century inn for traders, to a 20th-century prison which is currently a luxurious hotel, the Four Seasons Sultanahmet. This tour allows you to visit a combination of famous, well-known rooftops and off-the-beaten-path locations with unforgettable views.
DAY 4
Travel to Izmir
After breakfast and check-out, you will meet your driver and start your transfer to Istanbul Airport for your flight to Izmir. Once you land, a private driver will be there to meet you and take you to the selected hotel in the city. Afternoon at leisure to explore Izmir at your own pace.
DAY 5
Full-day Ephesus Tour
Meet your professional guide and drive to Ephesus for private sightseeing. Start with a visit to the House of the Virgin Mary, where the Virgin is said to have lived the last years of her life. You will continue by visiting Ephesus, famous throughout the ancient world for its Temple of Artemis. You will first see the Odeon Theatre followed by the Hadrian Temple. Proceed to Celsus Library, the best-preserved structure of its kind. You will discover the Great Theatre which dates to the Hellenistic period. In the 1st century AD, it was successfully reconstructed, and expanded by the Romans until it reached the seating capacity of 25,000. Terrace Houses, also called "the houses of the rich", are located on the hill, opposite the Hadrian Temple, and they will be your next point of interest. You may have a lunch break at a local restaurant and finish your tour with a visit to the Basilica of St. John, where John and the Virgin Mary went between 42 and 48 AD and lived. At the end of your explorations, return to Izmir.
DAY 6
Full-day tour of Pergamon, Acropolis and Asclepion
Today’s tour will take you to Pergamon, a city that boasts a rich history dating back to the Hellenistic period, and a cultural epicenter of the East Roman Empire. Here you will see the Acropolis, the site that features the impressive Temple of Trajan, the Altar of Zeus, and the Theater of Pergamon, showcasing the advanced engineering skills of its ancient builders. The Library of Pergamum was one of the most important libraries of the ancient world, second only to the Library of Alexandria. The ruins of the library sit on a hilltop near the Sanctuary of Athena and other buildings of the Pergamon Acropolis. Then, you will visit the ancient Asklepion, a renowned healing center dedicated to Asclepius, the god of medicine. The innovative medical practices carried out here contributed to the development of modern medicine.
DAY 7
Departure Day
After breakfast and check-out, a driver will be ready to take you to the airport for your flight from Izmir to Istanbul. You will catch your return flight home from Istanbul Airport.
