Ephesus Pamukkale Istanbul House of Virgin Mary 7 days vacation package

Arrival in Istanbul, welcome & assistance at the airport and transfer to hotel. Free day.

We begin our tour from the Sultanahmet district, the heart of old Istanbul at Agia Sophia. Built by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century AD this church is one of the marvels of world architecture. Its massive dome dominates the skyline of old Istanbul. It is famed for its mosaics, including glittering portraits of emperors and empresses.

Next, we visit the Blue Mosque, which owes its name to the exquisite tiles adorning its interior. Dating from the 17th century, it is the only imperial Mosque with six minarets. The Hippodrome, the stadium of ancient Byzantium, held 100.000 spectators and featured objects from all corners of the empire. After a lunch break, we continue our tour at Topkapi Palace which, from the 15th to 19th century, was the principal residence of the Ottoman Sultans.

The final visit will be to the Grand Bazaar which was the commercial heart of the old city and its 4.000 shops are full of treasures – including carpets and kilims, silks, jewellery, ceramics, icons and leather goods.

We will depart to visit City WallsThe first breach of the walls was by the Fourth Crusade in 1204, the second by the cannons and troops of Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror in 1453. Then you will go for Golden Horn. As a natural and extremely secure harbour, the Golden Horn has played an important role in the development of Istanbul. The inlet separates the European shore into two. It is approximately 8 km long, and the widest part is the entrance from the Bosphorus. Two streams drain into this inlet at its far end.

The next stop will be Spice Bazaar(Egyptian Bazaar). The air here is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other conceivable herb and spice.

After that, you will go for the boat trip on the Bosphorus. A traditional excursion by boat along the waterway separating Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages. During the excursion, you will pass the magnificent Dolmabahce Palace, and further along, the parks and imperial pavillions of Yildiz Palace. On the coastal edge of this park, is Ciragan Palace, 300 meters of is marble facade faces the shore. At Ortakoy a great variety of artists gather every Sunday to display their work along the street. Ortakoy is a symbol of tolerance with a church, a mosque and a synagogue existing side by side for centuries. You will see Rumeli Fortress (from the sea, no interior visit). Built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452 before the conquest of Istanbul, was completed in only four months to control and protect Bosphorus. It is one of the most beautiful works of military architecture anywhere in the world.

Lunch at a local restaurant. Then we will go to Beylerbeyi Palace. The summer residence of Ottoman Sultans with its original furniture and magnificent gardens with the Harem on the Asian. Bosphorus Bridge is a unique chance to step from one continent (Asia) to another (Europe). After that Camlica Hill which is the highest point in Istanbul. At the top of it, you can rest and admire the magnificent panorama of Istanbul and the Bosphorus from the beautiful gardens, landscaped in traditional style. Also, there is a possibility of shopping at Bedestenexhibits the traditional silk weaving girls at the carpet weaving courses authorised by the Ministry of National Education Possibility to see jewellery, handicrafts centre and leatherware show. Free time provided for shopping.

At the indicated time you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Izmir. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Kusadasi.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

The tour starts with the Isa Bey Mosque, then drive to an ancient Greek city, later an important Roman city, on the west coast of Asia Minor called Ephesus, stroll through the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian and the Fountain of Trajan in Ancient Ephesus. After walking down the historic Marble Street, the Grand Theater where Saint Paul preached will be found at the end.

Free buffet lunch at a local Turkish restaurant. In the afternoon we will visit the carpet cooperative to see how Turkish carpets are made by hand. Go to the sanctuary of Mother Mary, it is believed where she spent the last years of her life. Temple of Artemis (Diana), next to one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

It takes 3 hours to get to Pamukkale (Hierapolis) from Kusadasi. There will be a break midway for necessities. You will have a free buffet lunch upon arrival in Pamukkale, then head to the South Gate of Pamukkale (Hierapolis). After that, we will see the Necropolis (cemetery) of Hierapolis which is one of the largest ancient cemeteries in Anatolia with 1200 tombs, Roman baths, Domitian gate and the main street, Byzantium gate.

After the tour in Hierapolis, there will be a break where you can spend your time swimming in the Ancient Pool (also known as Cleopatra Pool). Swimming in the pool is at an additional cost. Cleopatra’s Pool is heated by hot springs and is filled with underwater fragments of ancient marble columns. Possibly associated with the Temple of Apollo. The pool offers visitors a rare opportunity to swim among antiques! During the Roman period, collonaded porticoes surrounded the pool; earthquakes threw them into the water where they lie today.

If you want, you can walk to the natural hot water terraces that were formed by the hot water that contains calcium. The water temperature is about 35 degrees. You can see the gleaming white travertine terraces of Pamukkale, located next to the ruins of Hierapolis.

The extraordinary effect is created when the water from the hot springs loses carbon dioxide as it flows down the slopes, leaving deposits of limestone. Layers of white calcium carbonate, accumulated in steps on the plateau, gave the site the name of Pamukkale (cotton castle).

After breakfast, departure to Izmir airport to take the flight back to Istanbul to connect with your flight back home.

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