Itinerary
- Day 1
Istanbul
You'll land at Istanbul International Airport where your guide meets you for the transfer to your hotel. Since people arrive at different times, the rest of the day is yours to settle in at your own pace.
- Start point
- Istanbul, Türkiye (travelshopturkey)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (La Quinta by Wyndham Istanbul)
- Day 2
Istanbul
After breakfast, you'll head out to see Istanbul's Byzantine and Ottoman sites. St. Sofia, the Hippodrome with its Egyptian Obelisk, and the Blue Mosque with its six minarets are on the morning agenda. Later in the afternoon, you'll tour Topkapi Palace and check out its treasure chambers before walking through the Grand Spice Bazaar for shopping. By evening you'll head back to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (La Quinta by Wyndham Istanbul)
Included Activities
- Guided Istanbul City Tour
- Visit St. Sofia
- See the Hippodrome and Obelisk
- Visit the Blue Mosque
- Tour Topkapi Palace and treasure chambers
- Visit Grand Spice Bazaar
Landmarks St. Sofia Hippodrome Blue Mosque Topkapi Palace Grand Spice Bazaar - Day 3
Istanbul to Izmir
Following breakfast, you'll transfer to Istanbul Airport for your flight to Izmir. Once there, you'll head to Thyatira (Akhisar), one of the Seven Churches of Asia known for its purple dyes. You'll see basilica remains and Roman architectural fragments around town. In the afternoon, a panoramic tour takes you through Smyrna, Turkey's third largest city, and up Mount Pagus to visit the Citadel of Lysimachus and the Clock Tower. You'll check into your hotel for dinner and overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Blanca Hotel )
Included Activities
- Guided Smyrna and Thyatira Tour
- Visit Thyatira (Akhisar) basilica remains
- Panoramic tour of Smyrna
- Visit Mount Pagus
- Visit Citadel of Lysimachus
- Visit Clock Tower
Landmarks Thyatira Mount Pagus Citadel of Lysimachus - Day 4
Pergamum
After breakfast, you'll drive to Pergamum (Bergama), another of the Seven Churches of Asia. The Acropolis has the steepest theatre in the world, and you'll also check out the Asklepion, an ancient medical center with the Altar of Zeus. You'll see marble columns from the Temple of Trajan and tour the Library that held over 200,000 volumes to rival Alexandria's collection. From there, you'll return to Izmir for dinner and overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Blanca Hotel )
Included Activities
- Guided Pergamum Tour
- Explore Acropolis
- Visit Asklepion
- See Altar of Zeus
- Visit Temple of Trajan
- Tour the Library
Landmarks Pergamum Acropolis Asklepion Altar of Zeus Temple of Trajan Pergamum Library - Day 5
Philadelphia - Pamukkale
You'll leave early to see Sardis (Sart), the ancient Lydian capital and one of the Seven Churches of Asia. The Temple of Artemis, Temple of Cybele, restored gymnasium, and reconstructed synagogue are all there, plus sections of the ancient Persian Royal Road built by Cyrus the Great. After lunch, you'll head to Philadelphia (Alasehir), the only of the Seven Churches never criticized, where a Byzantine basilica stands. Later you'll reach Pamukkale, the white 'cotton fortress', where hot mineral water flows over cliffs creating pools and channels. You'll watch the sunset over the petrified waterfalls before checking in for dinner and overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch break en route), Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Pam Thermal Hotel)
Included Activities
- Guided Sardis and Philadelphia Tour
- Visit Temple of Artemis
- Visit Temple of Cybele
- Explore restored gymnasium
- Visit reconstructed Synagogue
- See royal Persian Road
- Visit Philadelphia Byzantine basilica
- Guided Pamukkale Tour
- Visit Martyrium of Apostle Philip
Landmarks Sardis Temple of Artemis Temple of Cybele Philadelphia Hierapolis Pamukkale Martyrium of Apostle Philip - Day 6
Ephesus
Leaving early, you'll visit Laodicea (Denizli), one more of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor, with its ancient theatre, basilica remains, and stone water pipes. Then you'll drive to Ephesus where Paul preached for three years. You'll see the Baths of Scholastica, Library of Celsus, Temple of Hadrian, and Theatre. The Temple of Diana, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, is also here, along with the House of Virgin Mary where she spent her final years. You'll stay overnight in Kusadasi.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Odelia Resort Hotel )
Included Activities
- Guided Laodicea Tour
- Visit Laodicea ancient theatre
- See basilica remains
- Guided Ephesus tour
- Visit Baths of Scholastica
- Visit Library of Celsus
- Visit Temple of Hadrian
- Visit Theatre
- Visit Temple of Diana
- Visit House of Virgin Mary
Landmarks Laodicea Ephesus Baths of Scholastica Library of Celsus Temple of Hadrian Theatre of Ephesus Temple of Diana House of Virgin Mary - Day 7
Izmir to Istanbul
You'll transfer to Izmir Airport for your flight back to Istanbul. Your guide meets you upon arrival for the transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore on your own before your overnight stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (La Quinta by Wyndham Istanbul)
- Day 8
Istanbul
After breakfast, you'll check out from your hotel and head home. Your tour ends here. Safe travels and thanks for choosing this TravelShop Turkey experience.
- End point
- Istanbul, Türkiye (travelshopturkey)
- Meals
- Breakfast
