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Day 1 Wed July 22
(B/D incl.) | Istanbul – Canakkale |
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| | After having an early breakfast, drive along the Sea of Mamara towards Gallipoli. Burdened with a grim military history but endowed with some fine scenery and beaches, the slender Gallipoli Peninsula forms the Northwest side of the Dardanelles which is the channel from the Sea of Mamara to the Aegean Sea. After visiting World War I Memorial Sites, cross the straits of the Dardanelles by ferry and stay overnight in Canakkale.
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Day 2 Thu July 23
(B/D incl.) | Canakkale – Izmir |
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| | In the morning, drive to Troy, the legendary stage for Homer's Iliad. A comprehensive visit of the city's nine different settlements at the hill of Hisarlik and the replica of the famous Trojan horse. Continue to Bergama: ancient Pergamon was the capital city of the Hellenistic Kingdom of Pergamon. Pergamenese Library was the second richest library of the ancient world after the library in Alexandriapolis, Egypt. The city of Pergamon was also where parchment paper was invented. Here you will visit the temples of Zeus and Emperor Trajan, the Hellenistic theatre and the library site. Short drive to Asklepion, dedicated to the God of Health was one of the three most famed hospitals of the ancient world. | |
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Day 3 Fri July 24
(B/D incl.) | Izmir – Pamukkale |
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| | Morning drive to Sardis, the capital city of the Lydian Kingdom. Sardis was one of the very rich metropolises of Asia Minor with crowded populations of Jews which might have enabled the Good News to be heard at a faster pace. The site is presently under the excavation of Harvard and Berkeley Universities. The city was where the richest man on earth, King Croesus enjoyed an incredible power and wealth. Lydians invented and minted the first coins in the world. Visit one of the oldest synagogues of the world which was later converted into a church. Also visit the monumental Artemis Temple and the impressively restored Roman Imperial Hall.
En route you will have a short visit at ancient Philadelphia to see the remaining walls of a monumental church. Philadelphia, together with Smyrna, was one of the two seven churches of Asia Minor which did not receive any critisizm about applications of Christianity.
Arrive in Parmukkale: visit the white travertine cascades of Parmukkale. Parmukkale is a unique site in the world, declared as World Heritage Site by USESCO Cultural Department. Visit to Hierapolis where Apostle Philip came to spread the Christianity, and is believed to have lived and martyred here. Explore one of the richest cemetery grounds on the ancient world, the main Domitian Gate and the main avenue. Have dinner and stay overnight in Pamukkale.
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Day 4 Sat July 25
(B/D incl.) | Pamukkale – Kuşadasi |
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| | In the morning, drive to visit the Roman city of Aphrodisias, which is one of the most prestigious excavation sites in the world, funded by the National Geographic Society. The city of Goddess Aphrodite, Goddess of Love and Beauty, the artists from Aphrodisias produced some of the most sophisticated sculptures of the ancient world. Visit the local archaeological museum where you will see a wonderful collection of art work from Aphrodisias. Continue to Kuşadasi for dinner and overnight stay.
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Day 5 Sun July 26
(B/D incl.) | Kuşadasi – Istanbul |
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| | Today visit the glorious city of Ephesus. Ephesus was the capital city of the Roman Province of Asia Minor; the site of One of the Seven Wonders of the World; Temple of Artemis; and the site of the third rishest library of the ancient world: Celsus library.
St. Paul came to Ephesus in 54 AD and stayed for three years. He preached the Gospel, gained followers and also established the church of Ephesus. St. John (author of Revelations according to the New Testament) also spent his last years in Ephesus. St. John is believed to have been buried within the Basilica of St. John. A strong tradition in the Catholic Church claims that St. John brought Virgin Mary to Ephesus and she ascended to heaven from Ephesus.
Your visit to Ephesus will include the archaeological site, the Ephesus/Selcuk Museum and the House of Virgin Mary. Transfer to İzmir Airport for catching the flight at 18:50, arriving at 19:45. Dinner and overnight stay in Istanbul.
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Day 6 Oct July 27
(B incl.) | Istanbul – Home |
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| | After breakfast, today, check-out of your hotel and transfer to International Ataturk Airport for your flight back home. (Connecting flights in Europe depending on airline used).
In-flight meals and beverage services are provided as per individual airline policy.
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Rates:
Per person, double occupancy: $1,195
Per person, single occupancy: $1,544
NOTE: At least 20 people are needed before this extension can procede. |
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