Istanbul & Mediterranean History

1st Day: You will arrive in Istanbul, the biggest city of modern Turkey. We will welcome you and you can rest in your hotel.

2nd Day: We will have an extensive tour of Istanbul. Istanbul is the only city located in 2 continents and was the capital city of 3 empires. Our first visit will be to the legendary St. Sophia which was built 1.500 years ago as the first cathedral of the world. It was the biggest and last construction of The Roman Empire. Following that we will visit the famous Blue Mosque. After lunch you will have free time in one of the oldest shopping places in the world, the Grand Bazaar. Overnight in Istanbul.

3rd Day: In the morning we will have a Bosphorus cruise tour and you will see the beauty of Istanbul. Next we will visit the Topkapi Palace and famous Spice Bazaar. In the afternoon you will visit the Underground Cistern. Overnight in Istanbul.

4th Day: You will fly from Istanbul to Izmir Airport and after driving  for 45 minutes, you will reach  the spectacular ancient site of Ephesus. We will have an extensive tour of this ancient site where you will see the Hadrian’s, Trajan’s and the Domitian’s Temples, the huge Roman bath, the Celcus Library and the biggest amphitheater of Turkey. After lunch you will visit the Ephesus museum where the finds of excavations in the site are displayed. Turn back to Izmir where you will have dinner and overnight.

5th Day: Today we will drive to the north and see Pergamum which  consists of 2 sites; the Acropolis where the Kings of Pergamum used to stay and the Asclepion one of the oldest and biggest ancient hospitals in Anatolia. Pergamum is also the place where the first paper (parchment) was made. Overnight in Izmir.

6th Day: You fly from Izmir to Antalya. Our journey in Antalya will start with ancient Termessos which is located on a mountain surrounded by fantastic nature. This is the only ancient city which Alexander the Great couldn’t capture. After lunch we will visit the museum in Antalya, where wonderful finds are displayed. Overnight in Antalya.

7th Day: A full extensive archeological day is waiting for you. Our first trip is to the ancient city of Perge which St. Paul visited with St. Mark. We will see the well preserved ruins of the Roman Era. Later, we will travel to Aspendos where an extremely well preserved ancient theater is situated. After lunch we will visit a very coastal resort of Side where an ancient city is located. Overnight in Antalya.

8th Day: Transfer to Antalya airport for your homebound flight via Istanbul.