Package Details

DAY 1: ISTANBUL > TROY > PERGAMUM The first day features the visit of Troy, the town from Homer’s Iliad. Your tour will start with an early morning departure from the hotel at 06:00 am. You will drive along the European shore of the Marmara Sea, seeing some lovely summer houses on the seaside, with vast sunflower fields on the landside. As you cross the Dardanelles by ferry and drive the last 25 minutes to the site of Troy; you will become a part of Homer’s legends; seeing the symbolic Trojan horse, the city walls, The Athena Temple, and the Odeon. After the visit, you will follow the route taken by those who have escaped the fall of Troy, to the city of Pergamum. Dinner and overnight stay in one of the best hotels in modern Pergamum. DAY 2: PERGAMUM > EPHESUS > PAMUKKALE After breakfast, you will be transferred to the Selcuk area, to visit the ancient city of Ephesus, the Roman capital of Asia Minor. Your tour will include the Odeon, Marble Street, Hadrian Temple, the Celcius Library, and the Great Theatre. You may opt for lunch in a local restaurant, before paying a pilgrimage visit to the House of Virgin Mary. This Christian and Muslim shrine is located in the vicinity of Ephesus, and it is believed by many that Virgin Mary was taken to this stone house by Saint John and lived there. After the tour of Ephesus, you will be driven to Pamukkale town for dinner and an overnight stay (the thermal bath is always at your disposal). DAY 3: PAMUKKALE > APHRODISIAS > IZMIR “White” will be the dominating color of the fourth day of your journey; as you will visit the famous “cotton castle” and witness the amazing level of mastery the skilled sculptors of Aphrodisias have demonstrated while creating marble statues. Pamukkale, cotton castle in Turkish, is a natural site that is created by hot springs and travertines, terraces of carbonate minerals left by the flowing water. The ancient city of Hierapolis was built on top of the white castle which is nearly 9 thousand feet long and more than 500 feet wide. You will visit the Cotton Castle, the ancient Hierapolis, the Necropolis, the Roman Baths, and the Theatre. After an optional lunch, you will drive to another land of dreams; this time to Aphrodisias. Its level of welfare, during the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, had brought the city to a unique position in architecture and the art of sculpting. Your tour of the ancient city will include the Theater, the Basilica, the Roman Baths; and the biggest stadium of the ancient time. After the visit, you will go to Izmir (the drive takes about an hour); and spend the night in this unique city. DAY 4: IZMIR • ANKARA > CAPPADOCIA You will have an early morning flight to Cappadocia, the land of stone dwellings, rock chapels, and monasteries. You will first visit the Ihlara Valley, which was formed by volcanic eruptions; and where the scenery is fascinating. You will also visit the rock chapels with amazing frescoes, and have lunch in a small village located in the center of the valley. You will then visit the Derinkuyu Underground City. It is documented that the first carving of this underground city goes as far back as the time of the Hittites (2000 BC). The city was used, during the Early Christian Epoque, as a refuge from the wrath of Romans. DAY 5: CAPPADOCIA After breakfast, you will climb up to the citadel the Uchisar, which was used as a watchtower. You will see the Pigeon Valley with pigeon houses on the slopes of the valley. You will enjoy the amazing panoramic view from Esentepe and Cevizlibag. You may enjoy your optional lunch, either in a fish or meat restaurant with a selection of local Cappadocia wines; and also opt for a visit to the local winery, which is following the millennia-old tradition of winemaking. You will visit the Goreme Open Air Museum. The area is populated by chapels, with awe-inspiring paintings made by exiled Christians during the Roman era. You will take a short walk to Zelve - Pasabag where you will find the most interesting rock formations, called “fairy chimneys”; as well as the first examples of a monk’s chapel. You will then visit Avanos, the pottery village, where tiles and plates are crafted, using the millennia-old Hittite technique. You will then return to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay. (Optional tours to a simple wine house or to a local folkloric performance after dinner are available). DAY 6: CAPPADOCIA > ANKARA • ISTANBUL You will have an early breakfast, just before leaving the hotel. There will be a short visit to Urgup, another city in the Cappadocia region. You will then be transferred to Kapadokya Airport for the noon flight to Istanbul.