Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Meet you at Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport and drive to continue to tour for Ephesus. Its greatest asset is its closeness to the magnificent ruins of Ephesus. We will spend several hours walking in the footsteps of Alexander the Great, Caesar, Cicero, Apostles Paul and John and many other familiar historical names.
The recently opened Slope Houses where the wealthiest Romans lived are an excellent example of sensitive excavation and presentation. The mosaics and frescos are spectacular. Tradition has it that Virgin Mary was brought here by St. John after the Crucifixion and lived her final years near the city of Ephesus on an isolated mountaintop. A lovely chapel is constructed on the site tended by Franciscans and open to visitors. It has been designated a pilgrimage site by the Pope.
Day 2: Departs after breakfast at 9:00 am for Hierapolis/Pamukkale. As we approach Pamukkale it looks like a glacier is spilling down the mountainside. The name translates to Cotton Castle. In truth these are glistening white travertine terraces formed over millennia by mineral deposits as water flowed out of natural springs.
The water is credited with healing powers. It is alleged that Cleopatra swam in one of the pools that is open to the public. Nearby are the ruins of the Roman resort, Hierapolis, and a large necropolis. We come back to hotel around 7pm.
Day 3: Today we will discover Bodrum, located on a peninsula of the same name, was a fishing village until the 1970s. It is now a lively tourist resort with a long history. The coastline is attractive and the centerpiece is the 15th century crusader Castle of St.Peter Greeks, Persians and Ottomans settled here from the 11th century BC onward.
It’s greatest glory was under Mausolus, who ruled under the Persians in the 4th century BC. When he died his wife Artemisia employed architects and sculptors to construct a monument and tomb for him. It was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient world and gave us the word mausoleum. Alas most of the monument is long gone. A few stones remain.
Day 4: Today we will visit Priene, Miletus, Didyma. Ephesus may be the creme-de-la-creme of the Aegean ruins but Priene, Miletus and Didyma though less frequently visited are still important ancient settlements. Priene occupies a dramatic position overlooking the Meander Valley and plain. Miletus preserves a spectacular theater. And Didyma has a Temple of Apollo vaguely reminiscent of the great temples at Karnak in Egypt.
Day 5: Check out form the hotel and drive to Bergama/Pergamon. The city of Bergama is historically famous for its antique city of Pergamon and for it traditional quarter of Ottoman houses. After the death of Alexander the Great his generals divided up his kingdom.
Over the following years an impressive metropolis was built in the rocky terrain with beautiful temples, roads, a vast library rivaling that of Alexander’s in Egypt and a school of medicine, which survived for centuries. Eventually, the Kingdom of Pergamon was bequeathed to the Roman Empire. End of the our service, we will transfer you airport.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- 4 nights accommodation (H/B) 4-5 stars or S class hotel
- Luxury transportation
- Experienced guiding
- Entrance fees
- Insurance
- All taxes
Price Does Not Include:
- International airfare
- Drinks and meals which are not listed at the itinerary
- All personal expenses
- Turkish visa fee
- All kind of tips
Price notes:
- 2 persons $885 USD
- 4 persons $786 USD
- 6 persons $697 USD
- 8 persons & up $599 USD
Also see tour packages in:
Middle East
Turkey
Archeology/History
Cultural Journey
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