Day 1: Flight To Izmir, Full Day Ephesus Tour
05:30 You will be picked up from your hotel in Istanbul and transfered to airport.
06:00 Arrival airport for flight from Istanbul to Izmir
07:00 Fly From Istanbul to Izmir
07:55 Upon arrival at the airport you will be transferred to Selcuk where you will meet your professional tour guide to begin your full day small group tour.
On the first day you will travel to Ephesus and will visit the following:
Ephesus antique site: Enter through the Magnesia Gate and begin a slow, downhill walk with your guide into the ruins of this Roman provincial capital. Your route takes you past the Odeum, the Celsus Library, the Temple of Hadrian, the Fountain of Trajan and the Great Theater. The Theater had seating for 25,000, was the site where St. Paul preached to the Ephesians, and is used today for a local spring festival.
Temple of Artemis: The temple of Artemision is known as one of the Seven Wonders of the Antic world. It has been built in the areas of Ephesus on a flat area which has over the centuries turned into a swamp.
Break for lunch at a traditional Turkish restaurant. After lunch, continue your tour to:
House of Virgin Mary: Virgin Mary House, It is the place where Mary may have spent her last days. Indeed, she may have come in the area together with Saint John.
Isabey Mosque: Isa Bey Mosque is one of the most delicate examples of Seljukian architecture, situated below the basilica of Saint John. The mosque was built by the master Syrian architecture Ali son of Mushimish al -Damishki, between the years of 1374 and 1375.
After the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel in Kusadasi for check-in. Your dinner tonight will be at the hotel. Overnight in Kusadasi. (L, D)
Day 2: Full Day Pergamum Tour, Flight to Istanbul
Enjoy your breakfast & then check-out of your hotel in Kusadasi. Around 08:30 am you will be picked up from your hotel to begin the full day Pergamum tour.
On the second day you will travel to Pergamum and will visit the following:
Acropolis: It was built on an extremely steep hill, approached by a winding road ascending some 300m. In this uniquely designed city, religious, official, social and commercial buildings are all found side-by-side.
Break for lunch at a traditional Turkish restaurant. After lunch, continue your tour to:
Asclepion: Asclepion translates as 'place of Aesklepios', the son of Apollo and the god of healing and health, and was an important health center in Greco-Roman times.
Red Basilica: In the Byzantine period, it was turned into a church by extensive remodeling, especially to the apse sections, and was dedicated to the St. John. In early Christianity, it was one of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor addressed by St. John in the Book of Revelation, who referred to it as the throne of the Devil.
At end of the tour you will be transferred to Izmir airport for your return flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival you will be picked-up from the airport and transferred to your hotel in Istanbul. END OF SERVICES. (B, L)