Day 1:Arrival in Istanbul
We meet at Ataturk International Airport in Istanbul and transfer to our hotel
located in the modern city center, just a few steps away from Taksim Square.
After check-in we meet for a welcome briefing and orientation tour of the hotel area.
We proceed to Taksim Square for a walking tour of Istiklal Street. Here is where we end
our tour, leaving the rest of the day to enjoy at our leisure.
Included meals: -
Day 2:Istanbul
We meet this morning and transfer to Sultanahmet for a full-day tour.
Our day begins with a visit to the ancient Hippodrome, an area that was once the center
of Byzantine civic life. We continue to Sultan Ahmet Mosque, more familiarly known as
the Blue Mosque because its interior gleams with a magnificent paneling of blue and white
17th century Iznik tiles. Next we visit Hagia Sophia, often described as the greatest work
of Byzantine architecture. After these visits, we break for lunch on our own before proceeding
with the rest of our tour.
Our next stop is the Basilica Cistern, the largest and most ornate of several hundred ancient
cisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul. In its construction, columns and capitals of
earlier temples were used, providing a very decorative appearance. We finish the day at the
famous Grand Bazaar. This bazaar will tempt even non-shoppers with nearly 4,000 shops exhibiting
a rich collection of precious handmade carpets, jewelry, leather, antiques, and souvenirs.
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 3:Istanbul
This morning we meet again for another full day of sightseeing. We begin at Topkapi Palace.
Today it is a spectacular museum with one of the largest collections of Chinese and Japanese
porcelain and the very famous treasury of the Ottoman Sultans. Next we visit the Spice Market
which was built as part of the Yeni Cami complex and has since been an exciting covered market
filled with the fragrant scent of spices from the Orient. Here is were we break for lunch on
our own at one of the nearby restaurants overlooking the Golden Horn.
Our tour continues as we embark on a public boat and start our cruise of the Bosporus Strait.
The Bosphorus is a narrow, navigable strait between Europe and Asia connecting the Black Sea
to the Marmara Sea. This boat ride takes us past the late Ottoman palaces, Dolmabahce and
Beylerbeyi, as well as beautiful wooden mansions and modern villas of the 19th and 20th
centuries which form this elegant section of the city. After the cruise we transfer to the
hotel for an evening at leisure.
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 4:Istanbul / Kusadasi
After departing from Istanbul in the morning, we arrive in Izmir where we meet our guide and
begin our drive to Kusadasi. On the way we stop and visit the village of Sirince. This pretty,
old Orthodox village of perfect Turk-Greek culture is located on the top of a mountain where we
enjoy impressive views of the vineyards and peach trees. As we wonder the narrow streets of the
village lined with typical Greek houses, we come across woman selling handcrafts of all kinds and
other local village products. Here we have chance to socialize with locals and taste the simple but
delicious meals of Aegean cuisine at a home-hosted lunch. After lunch we visit the House of the
Virgin Mary. The chapel is built on the foundation of the house where the Virgin Mary is believed
to have lived. Finally we arrive in Kusadasi. Kusadasi is set in a superb gulf and is known for
its sparkling water, broad sandy beaches, and large marina. Here is where we enjoy an evening at
leisure on our own.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5:Kusadasi
This morning we depart for a full day of sightseeing. First we visit the Ephesus archaeological site
which is perhaps the world’s best preserved ancient city and its ruins attract visitors from across the globe.
The most significant relic of the site is the immense amphitheater. We walk along the Sacred Way, see the Temple
of Hadrian, a Corinthian-style building with the head of Medusa on the porch, and the Library of Celsius. After
this visit we drive to the local village of Sultanköy. Here we break for a grilled lunch and have the opportunity
to learn about some local crafts, such as rug-weaving. We may also be able to see demonstrations performed
by local craftsmen. Next, we continue to the town of Selcuk and visit the Ephesus Archeology Museum. Almost
all of the exhibits are findings from Ephesus, the most spectacular being two life-size statutes of Artemis
Ephesia, both dating from the middle Roman imperial era.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6:Return home
After breakfast we transfer to the Izmir airport for the return flight to Istanbul.
Included meals: Breakfast
NOTE: For those who would like to extend their stay in Kusadasi, we can suggest day-trips to the sites of Aphrodisias, Pamukkale (Hierapolis), Miletus, Didyma, Priene, Izmir, Pergamum, Bodrum and Samos (Greek Island).
Prices ( per person in double room and in USD ):
Istanbul & Ephesus ( 5 nights / 6 days ) Price Table
2 participants
4 participants
6 participants
10 participants
$ 1,995.00
$ 1,495.00
$ 1,295.00
$ 1,145.00
Price of the package includes:
Accommodation in hotels :
3 nights Istanbul: Central Palace
2 nights Kusadasi: Kismet
Domestic flights within our program itinerary (Istanbul-Izmir, Izmir-Istanbul)
Meals: 5 breakfasts and 2 lunches
Services of a professional tour guide (private)
Modern, A/C, comfortable minibus for land transportation and driver (private)
Admission fees to sights and museums
Parking, portage, ferry, toll road
Gratuity (except guide & driver)
Price of the package excludes:
Airfare of international flights and related taxes
