Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome and Enjoy Istanbul
Stop At: Istanbul, Istanbul
We welcome you at Istanbul Airport (IST) in the early morning. Then, drive to Istanbul city center. Have a nice breakfast at a local cafe. Then, move to Taksim Square. Walk along popular Istiklal Street. Visit St. Antuan Church. Then. Move to Galata Tower. Discover the Galata area and enjoy amazing terrace view of Istanbul from the tower. Afterward, take historical Finike from Galata to Karakoy. Stop by Historical Karaköy Güllüoğlu Baklavacısı to taste popular baklava in Karaköy and see authentic streets of Karakoy. Then, move to Galata Bridge and Karakoy. Afterwards, take a Bosphorus boat tour from Eminönü (Shared boat-Not private boat). See the magnificent architecture of Istanbul from different views. See Galata Tower, Dolmabahçe Palace, Çırağan Palace, Rumeli Fortress, Anatolia Fortress and Maiden’s Tower, discovering both European and Asian sides of Istanbul during our boat tour. After boat tour, check in hotel and have rest.
Duration: 8 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at 4 star hotel in Istanbul.
Day 2: Discover Old City Istanbul
Stop At: Hagia Sophia Mosque, Sultan Ahmet, Ayasofya MeydanI No:1, Istanbul 34122 Turkiye
Let’s discover old city Istanbul, the heart of history, culture, and entertainment! Starting at Hippodrome, let’s visit Blue Mosque, then move to Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace. Then, let's deepen our exploration with Basilica Cistern and then Istanbul Archeological Museum. Finally, visit the ancient Grand Bazaar for shopping and see its beautiful art. Then, drive to Pergamon.
Duration: 8 hours
Stop At: Blue Mosque, Sultanahmet Mah At Meydani Cad No 7, Istanbul 34122 Turkiye
Visit Blue Mosque
Duration: 1 minute
Stop At: Topkapi Palace, Cankurtaran Mahallesi Gulhane Park, Near Sultanahmet Square, Istanbul 34122 Turkiye
The palace complex is located on the Seraglio Point (Sarayburnu), a promontory overlooking the Golden Horn, where the Bosphorus Strait meets the Marmara Sea. The terrain is hilly and the palace itself is located at one of the highest points close to the sea. During Greek and Byzantine times, the acropolis of the ancient Greek city of Byzantion stood here
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Basilica Cistern, Alemdar Mahallesi, Yerebatan Caddesi, No:1/3, Istanbul 34410 Turkiye
The Basilica Cistern, or Cisterna Basilica (Greek: Βασιλική Κινστέρνα, Turkish: Yerebatan Sarnıcı or Yerebatan Saray, "Subterranean Cistern" or "Subterranean Palace"), is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul, Turkey
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Istanbul Archaeological Museum, Alemdar Cad. Osman Hamdi Bey Yokusu Sk, Gulhane, Istanbul 34122 Turkiye
The Istanbul Archaeology Museums (Turkish: İstanbul Arkeoloji Müzeleri) are a group of three archaeological museums located in the Eminönü quarter of Istanbul, Turkey, near Gülhane Park and Topkapı Palace.
The Istanbul Archaeology Museums consists of three museums:
Archaeological Museum (in the main building)
Museum of the Ancient Orient
Museum of Islamic Art (in the Tiled Kiosk).
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
•
Accommodation included: Overnight at 4 star hotel in Pergamon
Day 3: Thyatira-Pergamon-Symrna
Stop At: Pergamon Ancient City, Akropol Cd. No:6 Hamzalisuleymaniye, Bergama 35700 Turkiye
During the Hellenistic period, it became the capital of the Kingdom of Pergamon in 281–133 BC under the Attalid dynasty, transforming it into one of the significant cultural centers of the Greek world. Many remains of its monuments can still be seen, especially the Pergamon Altar's masterpiece. Pergamon was the northernmost of the seven churches of Asia cited in the New Testament Book of Revelation.
Duration: 2 minutes
Stop At: Akhisar, Manisa, Türkiye
Thyateira (also Thyatira; Ancient Greek: Θυάτειρα) was the name of an ancient Greek city in Asia Minor, now the modern Turkish city of Akhisar ("white castle"), Manisa Province. The name is probably Lydian. It lies in the far west of Turkey, south of Istanbul, and almost due east of Athens. It is about 50 miles (80 km) from the Aegean Sea.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: İzmir, Türkiye
Smyrna was a Greek city located at a strategic point on the Aegean coast of Anatolia. Due to its advantageous port conditions, its ease of defence, and its good inland connections, Smyrna rose to prominence. The name of the city since about 1930 is İzmir.
we drive to Smyrna (Izmir) Antic City to visit Church of Smyrna and discover ancient city. Ancient Smyrna, was the one of the seven Christian churches in Asia Minor to which St. John the Divine wrote. Visit the Church of St. POLICARP which is the oldest church in ancient Smyrna, it symbolized the community of the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
•
Accommodation included: Overnight at 4 star hotel in Kusadası.
Day 4: Kusadasi-Ephesus-Sirince
Stop At: Kusadasi Castle, Kusadasi Merkez, Kusadasi Turkiye
In the morning, visit Kusadasi Marina, Pigeon Island and Kusadasi castle.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Meryemana (The Virgin Mary's House), Sultaniye Mahallesi, Selcuk 35100 Turkiye
Then, let’s first visit the House of Virgin Mary where she is said to have spent her final years.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Ephesus Museum, Selcuk Turkiye
Then, visit ancient city of Ephesus which was the Roman Capital. It is located opposite the island of Samos and it is the closest of Revelation's seven churches to the island of Patmos where the apostle John wrote the book of Revelation. See various UNESCO listed ruins such as Temple of Hadrian, Celsus Library, and the Great Theatre, Public Latrines and Roman Baths. Have a walk through grand Arcadian Avenue and hang around Agora. Then, visit also the Church of St. John. The Apostle Paul preached to the Ephesians and lived here for three years. This church also received an epistle from him
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: The Temple of Artemis, Ataturk, Park Ici Yolu No:12, Selcuk Turkiye
Then, visit Selcuk Castle and Selcuk Archeological Museum, and. Stop by Temple of Artemis.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Sirince Koyu, Sirince Turkiye
visit to Sirince Village in Selcuk. Visit traditional historical Sirince Houses. Stop by local market in Sirince.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
•
Accommodation included: Overnight at 4 star hotel in Kusadası.
Day 5: Sardis- Philadelphia-Laodicea
Stop At: Sardis (Sardes), Belediye Cd. No:124 Sart, Salihli 45300 Turkiye
In the morning, we will move to Salihli, to the another Seven Churches, Sardis, which is presently called Sart. It was the capital of the ancient Lydian Kingdom of the 6th century BC and was portrayed as a dying church. We discover the great Temple of Artemis and the Temple of Cybele, which later became a Byzantine Church. We will also cover some ancient Lydian houses, the gymnasium and reconstructed Synagogue.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Philadelphia Siesean Kilisesi, Soguksu Mahallesi, Ismet Pasa Cd. No: 114, Alasehir Turkiye
Then, we will move to another Seven Church, Philadelphia, which is presently called Alasehir. It is the only church not censured. We see the remains of a Byzantine basilica built of brick and some 11th-century frescoes
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Laodicea, Just off Denizli - Pamukkale, Denizli Turkiye
Then, drive to Pamukkale. Visit Laodicea ancient city. Visit another Seven Churches in Asia Minor in Laodicea. We will visit the ancient theater, the remains of the basilica and ancient stone water pipes. We will also cover the Gate of Domitian, the Arcadian Way, the 2nd century AD Theatre, the Nymphaion, the Temple of Apollo, the Plutonium and the Necropolis. Then, move to Pamukkale.
Duration: 2 minutes
Meals included:
•
Accommodation included: Overnight at 4 star hotel
Day 6: Relax in Pamukkale
Stop At: Pamukkale Thermal Pools, Pamukkale Turkiye
It’s time to relax in Pamukkale! Pamukkale has both historical and natural beauties! Let's have relax in thermal pools and cool down with calcium rich mineral springs around Pamukkale Travertines.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Hierapolis & Pamukkale, Pamukkale 20280 Turkiye
Then, explore the ancient city of Hierapolis and visit Cleopatra Polls (Swimming is optional and extra).
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Cleopatra Pools, Pamukkale Turkiye
visit Cleopatra Polls
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Pamukkale Tiyatrosu, Izmir Blv. Yanyolu No:3, Pamukkale 20150 Turkiye
Let's also visit Amphitheatre which is full of history. The therapeutic waters were known to the founders of Hierapolis and of Laodicea in 190 BC. In Hierapolis, we will also visit the Martyrium of the Apostle Philip where he was martyred during the persecutions ordered by Domitian.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
•
Accommodation included: Overnight at 4 star hotel
Day 7: Explore Underground Cities, Cappadocia
Stop At: Sultanhani Kervansarayi, SultanhanI Zafer Mahallesi Sehit Murat Caddesi No 3, Sultanhani 68190 Turkiye
In the morning, drive to Cappadocia. On our way, stop by Sulhanhani Kervansaray
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Selime ManastIrI, Ihlara Vadisi Yolu, Selime 68500 Turkiye
Visit Selime ancient city
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Ihlara Valley, Guzelyurt 68500 Turkiye
Let’s explore Ihlara Valley. Explore natural beauty and ancient sites in Ihlara Valley which is about 14 km. Walk along the Valley near Melendiz River and stop by ancient cave churches and historical destinations.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Kaymakli Underground City, Derinkuyu Turkiye
Explore Kaymakli / Derinkuyu Underground Cities which were built because of mandatory situations with magnificent building arts
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
•
Accommodation included: Overnight at Cave Hotel in Cappadocia
Day 8: Explore Cappadocia
Stop At: Cappadocia, Cappadocia
Take hot air balloon tour very early morning (Optional). Enjoy a magnificent balloon tour over Cappadocia! See the beautiful views of hot air balloons over fairy chimneys and discover amazing rock formations of valleys all around Cappadocia.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Goreme Open-Air Museum, Merkez, Muze Cd., Goreme 50180 Turkiye
Visit Openair Göreme Museum where monastery, church, chapel, etc. exist.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Pasabag, Urgup Turkiye
It's time to visit Paşabağ and Zelve Open Air Museums to see the Fairy Chimneys closely.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Avanos Oren Yeri, Kapadokya Cd., Avanos 50500 Turkiye
Then, drive to Avanos. Walk along Kizilirmak river. Involve in historical pottery making workshop in Avanos. Then, visit Urgup Three Beautifuls. Afterwards, stop by Güvercinlik Valley and visit Uçhisar Castle. Enjoy panoramic view of Cappadocia from the top of castle. Enjoy beautiful sunset of Cappadocia
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
•
Accommodation included: Overnight at 4 star hotel
Day 9: Transfer to Airport
Stop At: Ankara Province, Ankara Province
It’s time to go back home! We will transfer to Ankara Airport. Have a nice flight!
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
•
No accommodation included on this day.