-
Istanbul
Pass by
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.
-
Hippodrome
25m
Our tour starts with Hippodrome Square where used to take place for chariot races and the Byzantine riots during Roman & Byzantine period.
-
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
1h
Only a short walk away, reaches Hagia Sophia built in 532 AD by Roman Emperor Justinian I.
Update for St. Sophia interior visit :
Live guiding is not allowed in St. Sophia after the 15th January 2024. Guests have to have their smart phones and headphones during their visit. If guests do not have a headphone, they can buy at the entrance at the cost of 3,5-USD
The system is similar to audio guide system. Guests who does not have smart phones will follow the signs and the given informations on the signs .
-
Blue Mosque
45m
Blue Mosque, has its fame from its beautiful blue Iznik tiles.
-
TopkapI Palace
2h · Admission ticket included
We will continue walking to Topkapi Palace, was not only the residence of the Ottoman sultans, but also the administrative and educational center of the state. It was constructed between 1460 and 1478 by Sultan Mehmed II, the conqueror of Constantinople. We will visit the Topkapi Palace including weapons section.
-
Grand Bazaar
1h 15m
After that, we will visit Grand Bazaar where is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with more than 58 covered streets and over 1,200 shops which attract between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily. Opened in 1461, it is well known for its jewelry, pottery, spice, and carpet shops.
-
Devrent Valley
2h · Admission ticket included
Hot Air ballooning with sunrise (optional, extra)
After breakfast, first meeting with the lunar landscape of Cappadocia: rock formations beyond belief in Devrent valley; walking in Pasabag “fairy chimneys” where the voice of wind mixes with the “songs of fairies”.
-
Avanos
1h 30m
Lunch in Avanos, centre of terra cotta work of art since 3000 BC and a demonstration in a traditional pottery workshop.
-
Goreme Open Air Museum
1h 15m · Admission ticket included
Afternoon, visit the famous Goreme Open Air Museum and see the best examples of Byzantine art in Cappadocia in rock-cut churches with frescoes and paintings (10th to 13th century)
-
Uchisar Castle
1h · Admission ticket included
Continue to Uchisar Rock-Castle to have a panoramic view of the valleys of Cappadocia.
-
Cappadocia
Pass by
End of the tour drive back to your hotel for overnight in Cappadocia
-
Mount Nemrut
2h · Admission ticket included
In the morning 03:30 am departure. Hike to the summit of the Mt. Nemrut (one of the most popular UNESCO world cultural heritage sites), watching the sunrise, be amazed by the colossal heads and statues of ancient deities, as you step into mythology. There we will hire small mini-buses to drive up the mountain. This extraordinary landmark rests at an elevation of 8000 ft. The mountain top complex is composed of two flattened areas strewn with statues and separated by a false peak of crushed rock. Antiouchus built the entire complex approximately 2000 years ago as a monument to his divine ancestry.
-
Arsemia Antik Kenti
1h 30m · Admission ticket included
Also definitely take time to visit the old castle, Arsemeia, cross over the still functioning Cendere Bridge (Septimius Severus bridge) dating all the way back to the 3rd century and Tumulus Tomb of Karakus.
-
Ataturk Dam
30m
Then drive back to the hotel for breakfast. Drive to Urfa on the way visit Ataturk dam and look over to the Ataturk Dam; a modern day wonder.
-
Sanliurfa Archeology and Mosaic Museum
1h · Admission ticket included
We will also visit Sanliurfa Archaeology and Mosaic Museum.
-
Sanliurfa
Pass by
End of the tour, check in your hotel for overnight in Sanliurfa.
-
Gaziantep
Pass by
After breakfast & check out from the hotel, drive to Gaziantep Airport for your flight to Izmir.
-
Izmir
Pass by
Arrive in Izmir Airport. After landing, drive to Ephesus ( 45 minutes’ drive )
-
The Temple of Artemis
20m
First visit the Artemis Temple where is one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World.
-
Ephesus Ancient City
2h · Admission ticket included
Continue to Ephesus, walk through history along marble streets lined with wonderful public buildings, among them The State Agora, Odeon, Memnius Monument, the Temple of Domitian, , Polio Fountain, Curetes Street, The Trajan Fountain, The Baths of Scholastica, Hadrian Temple, Latrina, Celcus Library, the gate of Mihridates and Mazues, Commercial Agora and The Grand Theater are two of the most impressive buildings in Ephesus. Grand theatre was built in 3rd century B.C and it was later expanded to 24.000 spectators by the Romans in the 1st century A.D.
-
Selcuk
1h 30m
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.
-
The House of the Virgin Mary
45m · Admission ticket included
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.
-
Kusadasi
Pass by
After the tour, we drive to Kusadasi. Overnight in Kusadasi.
