Istanbul & Ephesus (4n/5d)

Ephesus was once a thriving, vibrant, seaside city

Ephesus was once a thriving, vibrant, seaside city

DAY 1 : Arrival to Istanbul
Welcome to Turkey. Arrive in Istanbul Airport, Our representative will meet you at the airport with your name sign and private transfer to the hotel for overnight stay in Istanbul.

DAY 2 : Full Day Istanbul Tour
09.00 a.m. After breakfast, pick up from hotel and Our journey begins in Istanbul, the only city in the world situated on two continents. Byzantium, Constantinople, Istanbul – its three names span more than 2600 years, nearly 1600 of them as the capital of two of the greatest empires the world has known, Byzantine and Ottoman. We visit the Topkapi Palace ,Hagia Sophia, The Blue Mosque and Hippodrome, where chariot races and the Byzantine riots took place.Visit the Grand Bazaar for shopping. Overnight in Istanbul. (B)

DAY 3 : Full Day Istanbul Tour
08.30 a.m. After breakfast, pick up from hotel . First visit Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar): The air here is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other concievable herb and spice then Boat trip on the bosphorus A traditional excursion by boat along the waterway seperating Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages.  Afternoon visit Underground cistern. Overnight in Istanbul. (B)

Day 4 : Istanbul – Ephesus Tour – Istanbul
07.15 a.m. Pick up from hotel and transfer to Istanbul airport for 09.10 a.m. morning flight to Izmir. Arrive in Izmir Airport at 10.00 a.m. Met by you tour guide and drive to Ephesus ( 45 minutes drive ) First visit the Artemission Temple where is one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World. Continue to Ephesus.visit Ephesus, one of the 12 cities of Ionia (an ancient Greek district on the western coast of Asia Minor) is located near Izmir. As a port city at the mouth of the Cayster (modern Küçükmenderes) River, it was a major departure point for trade routes into Asia Minor. Known in antiquity for its sacred shrines, notably a famous temple (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World) to the goddess Artemis, or Diana, the city was also an important center of early Christianity. After Ephesus, lunch will be served in the garden of a local handicrafts center. Here you can see some of the traditional carpet weaving techniques used and enjoy viewing some splendid displays of beautiful carpets. After Lunch visit House of Virgin Mary. This house is located on the Aladag Mountains 5 miles from Ephesus. At the third Ecumenical Council of 431 in Ephesus, it was claimed that Mary came to Ephesus with St. John in 37 A.D. and lived there until her death in 48 A.D. After the discovery of the house, the Archbishop of Izmir declared it a place of pilgrimage in 1892. On July 26, 1967, Pope Paul VI visited this place and prayed here. 17.00 Drive to Izmir airport for our flight back to Istanbul at 19.00. after 1 hour flight arrival in Istanbul at 20.00 met by our representative and transfer to the hotel for overnight. (B)

DAY 5 : Home
After breakfast check out from the hotel and private transfer to Istanbul airport for your flight back home. The end of our services. (B)

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