Highlights:
-Visit Istanbul; where Asia meets Europe and was capital for several different empires.
-Explore Gallipoli, home to one of the most dramatic battles in history
-Pergamum; Where John wrote his letter
-Walk on the ancient roads of greco-roman city of Ephesus and see the Holy Mary house.
-Visit Pamukkale and swim in Pools of Heaven on Earth.
Overview:
Explore western Turkey with 6 Days customized package with a local tour guide in a small group tour. Visit highlights of Istanbul such as Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar, and cruising on the Bosphorus.
Explore Gallipoli, home to one of the most dramatic battles in history and home of the Trojan Horse. Visit Pergamum; Where John wrote his letter, Pergamum had been a capital city for almost four hundred years. Walk on the ancient roads of best-preserved greko-city with House of Holy Mary nearby. Swim in Pamukkale's healing thermal springs.
Day 1 Arrival to Istanbul (Sunday)
Upon arrival at Istanbul / SAW Airport, you will be greeted and drives to your hotel. Check-in. Overnight in Istanbul.
(No Meal)
Day 2 Treasures of Istanbul (Monday)
(09:00 - 16:00)
According to your tour pick-up time, meet with your guide and start your full-day tour. Explore Hagia Sophia; was the largest building on earth barring the Egyptian Pyramids or the Great Wall of China. It was the religious center of the city during the Byzantine period. Next; Topkapı Palace; As well as being the imperial residence of the Sultan, the palace was also the seat of government for the ottoman empire. It housed the ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years. Continue to with Hippodrome; Built by the Roman Emperor Septimus Severus in 203AD, during the Roman period hippodrome was the civil center for the people of the city where once 100,000 spectators could be held. Next, Blue Mosque; Built by the Ottoman Sultan Ahmet I in the year 1616, Blue mosque today is one of the most famous landmarks of the old city with its famous six minarets and magnificent dome. Next, Grand Bazaar; With 18 entrances and more than 4000 shops it is one of the greatest bazaars in the World. At the end of the tour drive you back to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul
(Breakfast-Lunch)
Day 3 Gallipoli&Troy (Tueday)
(08:30-19:30)
According your pick up time from your hotel, drive to Canakkale. Here we begin our guided tour of ANZAC Battlefields visiting Brighton Beach, ANZAC Cove, Beach Cemetery, Lone Pine Australian Memorial, Turkish and allied tunnels and trenches at Johnston’s Jolly, 57th Regiment Turkish Memorial and Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial. Next; Troya Archeological Site where we see the UNESCO recognized ruins of the Ancient kingdom of Troy. We stroll through the site where many worldwide used terms like the Trojan War, Trojan Horse, Helen of Troy, Prince Paris comes from Battle between Archilles and Hector, Walls of Troy II and Megaron House, The Ramp of Troy II, Roman bath, Odeon, The Temple of Athena and Ruins of Athena. Check-in. Overnight in Canakkale
(Breakfast-Lunch)
Day 4 Pergamum&Asklepion (Wednesday)
(08:30-19:00)
Upon breakfast at the hotel check out and Drive to Pergamum; Where John wrote his letter, Pergamum had been a capital city for almost four hundred years. After the mythical times, Pergamum had been the scene of several cultures, ranging from those of the Stone and Bronze Ages until the Archaic and Classical Periods. Among the temples, palaces and agora’s, the Asclepion, which were constructed in the course of one century, belonged the big Zeus Altar and the Parchment Library. Next, visit the ruins of Asklepion; was known under the name of "The Pergamum God of Health". Asklepius the dietary health and medicine served the people for several hundred years; thus making Pergamum a medical centre of very great importance. Famous medical Scholars, like Hippocrates and Galenus, were born in Pergamum and worked there. Along the way, feast your eyes on the beautiful Agean sea view with lush olive trees and some Greek and Turkish Islands. Overnight in Kusadasi.
(Breakfast-Lunch)
Day 5 Ancient Ephesus&House of Virgin Mary (Thursday)
(09:00-16:00)
According to your tour pick-up time meet with your guide and start your full-day tour. Visit The House of Virgin Mary; a church was built from the 6C AD to the top of the foundations of a house from 1C AD and it is declared by the church to be the final house where Mary spent her last days. Continue with the Ancient Ephesus; The best-preserved classical city in Eastern Mediterranean. Ephesus was the second-largest city on the planet after Rome with more than 250,000 citizens. It is also home to one of the Seven wonders of the ancient world, Temple of Artemis. Ephesus is also so well preserved that, walking on the ancient streets among the beautiful monuments such as the third largest library of the ancient world or the largest roman theatre on the Asia continent, gives you the feeling of a time traveler.
Next; Temple of Artemis or Artemision was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Its ancient cult dedicated to Artemis was very famous in antiquity and made Ephesus a much-visited pilgrimage place. Overnight in Kusadasi
(Breakfast-Lunch)
Day 6 Pamukkale Tour / Flight to Istanbul (Friday)
(08:00-20:00)
Upon breakfast at the hotel check out, According to your tour pick-up time, meet with your guide and start your full-day tour. Visit Pamukkale; Pools of Heaven on Earth… Pamukkale has always been a very popular settlement where hot springs were believed to have healing powers so it is considered to be the earliest spa on earth where in history people travelled long distances in order to find a cure. The unique terraces were formed by running warm spring water at a temperature of 35 C, containing calcium bicarbonate. Today Pamukkale is declared as a worlds heritage site by UNESCO. Visit; ancient city of Hierapolis which has the biggest Necropolis with 1200 gravestones in Anatolia. Also, The Sacred Pool is one of the highlights of the site. Theır shallow thermal waters ripple over a wonderful scattering of ancient roman ruins that lie beneath. At the end of the tour drive you to Denizli Airport for your flight to Istanbul. End of our service.
(Breakfast-Lunch)