Arrival to Istanbul

Istanbul - Welcome to Turkey. Arrive at Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW). Our representative will greet you at the airport with a sign bearing your name and provide a private transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay in Istanbul.

Full Day Istanbul Tour (Breakfast)

Hippodrome - Our tour begins at Hippodrome Square, which was the site of chariot races and Byzantine riots during the Roman and Byzantine periods.

Hagia Sophia Mosque - A short walk brings us to Hagia Sophia, built in 532 AD by Roman Emperor Justinian I.

Update for St. Sophia interior visit:
Live guiding is not permitted in St. Sophia after January 15, 2024. Guests must use their smartphones and headphones during their visit. If guests do not have headphones, they can purchase them at the entrance for 3.5 USD. The system is similar to an audio guide. Guests without smartphones will follow signs and read the provided information.

Blue Mosque - Visit the Blue Mosque, renowned for its beautiful blue Iznik tiles.

Topkapi Palace - We will continue to Topkapi Palace, which served as the residence of Ottoman sultans and the administrative and educational center of the state. Constructed between 1460 and 1478 by Sultan Mehmed II, the conqueror of Constantinople, we will visit the Topkapi Palace, including the weapons section.

Grand Bazaar - We will visit the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, featuring more than 58 covered streets and over 1,200 shops. Opened in 1461, it is famous for its jewelry, pottery, spices, and carpet shops.

Drive back to our hotel.

Istanbul to Izmir by flight & Overnight in Kusadasi (Breakfast – Dinner)

Istanbul - Enjoy a free morning in Istanbul. In the afternoon, you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight to Izmir.

Izmir - Upon arrival in Izmir, our representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in Kusadasi for an overnight stay.

Ephesus Full Day Tour (Breakfast – Lunch - Dinner)

Kusadasi - Your guide will meet you at 08:30 in your hotel lobby to start your Ephesus tour.

The Temple of Artemis - After a 25-minute drive, we will reach the Ephesus region. Our first stop will be the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

Ancient City of Ephesus - Continue to Ephesus and walk through history along marble streets lined with impressive public buildings, including 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, which was built in the 3rd century B.C. and later expanded by the Romans to accommodate 24,000 spectators.

Selcuk - After Ephesus, lunch will be served in the garden of a local handicrafts center, where you can observe traditional carpet weaving techniques and view beautiful carpet displays.

Meryemana (The Virgin Mary’s House) - After lunch, visit the House of the Virgin Mary, located on the Aladag Mountains, 5 miles from Ephesus. According to the third Ecumenical Council of 431 in Ephesus, Mary came to Ephesus with St. John in 37 A.D. and lived there until her death in 48 A.D. The house was declared a place of pilgrimage in 1892 by the Archbishop of Izmir. Pope Paul VI visited and prayed here on July 26, 1967.

Kusadasi - Return to your hotel in Kusadasi for an overnight stay.

Kusadasi – Pamukkale Tour & Overnight (Breakfast – Dinner)

Kusadasi - Your guide will meet you at your hotel lobby at 08:00 for departure to Pamukkale, a drive of approximately 3 hours.

Hierapolis & Pamukkale - After a 3-hour drive, we will arrive in Pamukkale. Visit the ancient city of Hierapolis, including the Theatre, Apollo Temple, and Necropolis. The travertine terraces at Pamukkale, formed from various mineral springs, are one of the most spectacular natural wonders, resembling snow or cotton balls, hence the name Pamukkale (cotton castle).

Pamukkale - At the end of the tour, your guide will take you to your thermal hotel in Pamukkale for an overnight stay.

Pamukkale – Pergamum Tour & Fly to Istanbul (Breakfast)

Pamukkale - Your guide will pick you up from your hotel for departure to Pergamum (now called Bergama), a drive of approximately 3.5 hours.

The Acropolis - After a 3.5-hour drive, we will arrive in Pergamum, one of the sites of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 2:12]. Explore the impressive Acropolis, the steepest theatre in the world, the Altar of Zeus (referred to as the “Throne of Satan” in the book of Revelation), the marble columns of the Temple of Trajan, and the Library, which was a rival to the famous Library of Alexandria in Egypt, with an estimated 200,000 volumes. It inspired the invention of parchment.

The Asklepion - After visiting the Acropolis, we will continue to the Asklepion, the ancient healing center of Pergamum, renowned in classical times.

Izmir - After the tour, your guide will take you to Izmir Airport for your flight back to Istanbul, which will be in the late afternoon or early evening. The flight duration is approximately one hour.

Istanbul - Upon arrival in Istanbul, our representative will meet you at the airport with a sign bearing your name. After greetings, you will be transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Home (Breakfast)

Istanbul - Depending on your international flight schedule, you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight back home. End of our services.

• Professional licensed tour guide
• 6 nights accommodations
• Transportation with air-conditioned minivan/minibus
• Selected hotels in Pamukkale, Istanbul, and Kusadasi
• Entrance fees with skip-the-line access
• Meals included: 6 Breakfasts, 3 Dinners, 1 BBQ Lunch
• Domestic flights included: Istanbul to Izmir return

• Any drinks and the meals not mentioned in including section
• Personal expenses
• Gratuities
• International flight tickets