Sample Itinerary Proposal
Arrive in Istanbul Int’l Airport… Upon arrival, you will be met outside the customs area by our representative and be transferred to your hotel… Depending on the time of your arrival and upon your will, the remainder of the day can either be at leisure or can also be dedicated to an optional half day tour. Overnight at your hotel in Istanbul.
After breakfast, meet your guide at the lobby of your hotel for a private full day tour and spend the day exploring Istanbul. Our first visit is at the Church of Divine Wisdom (Aya Sofya in Turkish, Sancta Sophia in Latin, Hagia Sofia in Greek). Now a museum, Aya Sofya was built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian in the 6th Century and it reigned as the grandest church in Christendom until its conversion into a mosque by Sultan Mehmet II just after the conquest of Constantinople in 1453. The Ottomans added minaret and buttresses, plastered over the Byzantine mosaics in the interior, and installed exquisite calligraphies medallions. Our next stop is The Hippodrome. It was the center of Byzantine civic life for 1000 years, including coronations, Roman chariot races and more than one royal execution. At the opposite end of the Hippodrome (at Meydani) is the elegant ‘’Blue Mosque’ of Sultan Ahmed I, with its six minarets. Built in the early 17th century, its popular name is derived from the 20.000 predominately blue Iznik tiles lining the interior walls. Lunch at a local restaurant… Continue touring with a visit to the Turkish and Islamic Art Museum which has a remarkable collection of ancient artifacts. In the numerous rooms of this historic building have been collected the most ancient, the most precious and the rarest of the Moslem works of the epoch. This constitutes a separate treasure. The collection includes spectacular pieces from ancient Babylon, Persia and Mesopotamia… We will then proceed on to the famous Grand Covered Bazaar; the largest covered marketplace in the world where a dazzling array of items-from furniture and carpets to jewellery and clothing-are sold in the bazaar’s 4000 shops… At the end of the day, return to our hotel. Overnight at your hotel in Istanbul. (B)
After breakfast, you will be met at the lobby of your hotel by your guide to spend the day exploring Istanbul. Visit the famous Rustem Pasa Mosque which is skillful accomplishment of architect Sinan. It was built in 1561 and displays exquisite Iznik tiles decorating the superbly proportioned interior… Our second stop is at the famous Egyptian Bazaar, this colorful covered bazaar has shops selling all sorts of exotic goodies… Lunch within Topkapi complex… Topkapi Palace was the residence of the Ottoman Sultans for three centuries. Now a museum, it consists of gardens and buildings of the former palace restored to hold a wealth of treasures. Among the most notable are one of the world’s finest collections of Chinese porcelain, a spectacular collection of jewellery, gems and gold, and the wardrobes of the Sultans, consisting of more than 13.000 customers… Explore the mysterious and surreal Underground Cistern which is also known as Yerebatan Saray, one of the Grand underground cisterns which were an important source of water fort he city during the Byzantine and Ottoman times. The roof is supported by 336 Corinthian Columns. Sensitively restored, the cistern is now equipped with meandering walkways above the water, atmospheric illumination, and classical music… At the end of the day, return to our hotel. Overnight at your hotel in Istanbul.
(Istanbul – Troy 200 miles, 5 hours / Troy – Assos 42 miles, 1 hour)
Leave Istanbul and today is dedicated to visiting the ancient sites of Troy and Assos which are located south (southwest) of Istanbul. We’ll make the trip to the ancient city of Troy – a place of mythology and legend, the place perhaps of childhood fantasies of battles over Helen of Troy, or perhaps the place where Western literature had its beginnings. In Assos, we’ll visit the Temple of Athena built in the classical period and overlooking the famous island of Lesbos. Overnight in Assos and dinner at hotel. (B, D)
(Assos – Pergamum 90 miles, 2, 5 hours / Pergamum – Kusadasi 125 miles 2, 5 hours drive one way)
Today, we drive south to Pergamum. As we approach Pergamum, one can see the ancient acropolis a top the hill rising above the modern town. This was the seat of the Pergamene rulers who stretched their territories to the Eastern Mediterranean. It housed the second largest library of the ancient world. We will see the temple of Athena, Trojan, the famous Altar of Zeus and the steepest theatre in the world. After lunch, we continue to the most important healing center in Asia Minor which was dedicated to the God of healing, Asklepios. This is where Galen practiced and taught medicine. We drive down to Kusadasi. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Kusadasi. (B, D)
Today we drive to Ephesus, the greatest of all the Roman cities in Asia Minor. Not only it was a political center as being the capital city of the Roman Province of Asia but also a very important and reputed economical center with its harbor. Famous throughout history for its Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, this city was also the most important shrine of the Asia Minor and was amongst any of the cities visited by St. Paul where he stayed longest. It is here that St. John lived and died and according to a legend where Virgin Mary spent her last years. We can start our tour with a visit to the Temple of Diana which is a must in order to understand the dynamics and logistics of Ephesus. It was built in honor of the Greek goddess of hunting, wild nature, and fertility, Artemis and was counted among the seven wonders of the ancient world. After that, we will proceed on to the main site. Our tour of the main site of Ephesus will include the Gymnasium, Odeon, Agora, Prytaneion, Nymphaion, Domitian Temple, Celsius Library, Commercial Agora, the Grand Theater, Harbor Street etc…, and also a special visit to the Roman villas of Ephesus with their elaborate wall paintings and with their mosaic decorated floors. These beautiful and sophisticated houses were the residences of the rich Ephesians and had heating systems and hot and cold running water in the bathrooms, kitchens and dining rooms. After a lunch break, we will either visit the house of Virgin Mary which is located on top of the Nightingale Hill and which can be reached after a bendy but very scenic drive up the hill or continue touring with a visit to the museum of Ephesus. The day will end with a visit to the Basilica of St. John where he was buried. In the late afternoon, drive to Kusadasi and overnight there. (B)
(Kusadasi – Priene around 25 miles , 40 minutes / Priene – Didyma around 28 miles 49 minutes / Didyma – Bodrum 60 miles 2 hours )
Today we will head south and drive to Bodrum, visiting some ancient sites on the way. Our first stop is at Priene, an important and fascinating ancient Ionian city dramatically overlooking the fertile plains of the Meander Valley. It used to be an ancient harbor city, however probably had to change its location when the harbor was threatened by the silt of the Meander River. Priene was laid out on a Hippodamian system of grip plan and contained many examples of Hellenistic art and architecture including the Temple of Athena Polias, the Bouleterion, the Theatre etc… We will then explore Didyma, the cult center, which was famed as a prophecy center dedicated to Apollo, with the great temple of Apollo, a sacred place of pagan worship. It was one of the most colossal temples in the Hellenic World, venerating the God Apollo. Didyma was a sanctuary linked to Miletus with 12 mile sacred road and was inhabited only by the priests and the suppliants who came to consult the famous oracle. In the afternoon, we will head south with a van and driver to Bodrum, Check into your hotel in Bodrum. (B)
Today, after breakfast, we visit the Castle of St. Peter which dates from the time of the Crusades and now houses the Museum of Nautical Archeology. Overnight at your hotel in Bodrum (B)
Today is dedicated to discovering the beautiful bays of Bodrum peninsula on board a privately chartered wooden boat called “gullet” on a day basically for relaxation. We set out to cruise the turquoise seas of the Bodrum coastline. We will visit several of the most beautiful bays where you can swim and snorkel in crystal-clear water or simply relax in the mild breeze, enjoy the stunning views and perfect your suntan to the sound of the gently lapping waves. You will be taken to some bays for swimming and relaxation and your day on board the gullet will definitely give you a touch of a gullet experience. “Gullet” is a typical wooden sailing vessel mostly built in the shipyards of the southwestern coast of Turkey. During your exploration of the beautiful bays around Bodrum Peninsula, you will be cruising on one of these traditional wooden sailing vessels which were once used by fishermen in these bountiful waters. Master craftsmen, working primarily out of Bodrum, has adapted these vessels for deluxe motor-sailing, while preserving their charm and grace. Lunch will be served on board and you will have the opportunity of swimming, snorkelling or simply relaxing in the mild breeze. Return to Bodrum Harbor in the late afternoon. Overnight at your hotel in Bodrum. (B)
We drive North-East to Pamukkale. We’ll explore the ancient city of Hierapolis overlooking the Lycus river valley with its well-preserved theatre and large necropolis. Pamukkale is famous for its medicinal pools and hot mineral springs that overflow so as to cover the rocks beneath with white deposits of lime that give the appearance of a frozen cascade. It is to these formations that the Turkish name Pamukkale (Cotton Castle) is probably due. Dinner and overnight at one of thermal hotels in Pamukkale. (B, D)
Today we drive to Antalya, the most famous resort center on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. The rest of the day will be at leisure. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Antalya. (B, D)
Today, visit the best preserved Roman Theatre of Aspendos, built by Marcus Aurelius and stands almost to its full height. Then we drive to the impressive aqueducts of the city better preserved than the ones in France, Campagna. After lunch at a local restaurant, drive to Perge which was once the greatest learning center and visited by St. Paul. It is still one of the most impressive Greco-Roman sites of Turkey. Our tour includes the famous stadium, the largest Roman baths that exists in Turkey, the agora, and the famous colonnaded street. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Antalya. (B, D)
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