Day 1 : Arrival in Istanbul
Meet and assist at the airport. Transfer to the hotel for overnight. |
Day 2 : Istanbul Full day city tour
Visit St. Sophia Museum, the magnificent Byzantine Church of all times; Blue Mosque, one of the biggest mosque of Istanbul famous for its blue tiles and six minarets; Hippodrome, the former center of sportive and political activities of Constantinople; Grand Bazaar*, a bazaar that will tempt even the non-shoppers with its rich collection of precious handmade carpets, jewelry, leather and souvenirs.Lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, visit Topkapi Palace, the former imperial residence from where the Great Ottoman Empire was once ruled. Today, it is a spectacular museum that has one of the largest collections of Chinese and Japanese porcelains and the very famous treasury of the Royal Family. Also it has unrivalled collections of jewellery, including the Spoonmaker's Diamond. Continue the tour with the Rustem Pasa Mosque designed by Sinan, the greatest architect of his day and originator of the Classical Ottoman style of architecture. Return to the hotel and overnight in Istanbul.
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Day 3 : Istanbul Half day Bosphorus
We begin with a brief visit to the 17th century Spice Bazaar**, one of Istanbul's most colorful and bustling attractions. Next, we take an unforgettable cruise along the Bosphorus, the majestic strait that runs through Istanbul, linking Europe and Asia. From our cruise boat, we view the dramatic sights lining the Bosphorus wooded shores : mosques, a bridge that for a time was the worlds longest and the massive Rumeli Hisari, a fortress built by Mehmet the Conqueror in just three months as he prepared to conquer Istanbul. Also noteworthy are the 19th century mansions of the Ottoman elite and the Sultans fanciful gingerbread palaces and hunting lodges. Return to the hotel. PM free. Overnight in Istanbul.
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Day 4 : Istanbul / Izmir and Half day Izmir city tour
Transfer to Istanbul airport and fly to Izmir. Arrival in Izmir and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city of Izmir with a stop at the Agora, then continue to the historical elevator for a panoramic view of the bay of Izmir and visit the Old Bazaar. Overnight in Izmir.
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Day 5 : Izmir - Full-day tour of Ephesus
Drive to Ephesus, one of the most impressive and well-preserved archaeological sites in the world. Spend the morning strolling trough the streets, temples, including the temple of Artemis, and fountains of the ancient metropolis. Lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch visit the Basilica of St. John, where the apostle is buried and the House of Virgin Mary; where it is believed that she has spent her last days. After the tour, return to Izmir for overnight.
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Day 6 : Izmir - Full-day tour of Pergamum / Istanbul
Breakfast and full-day tour to Pergamum, home of the Hellenistic Attalaid kings. Visit the Acropolis where you will see the theatre, altar of Zeus and the famous library which once had 200.000 volumes. After having lunch at a local restaurant, visit Asclepion, the famous medical center of the ancient world. At the end of the tour, transfer to the Izmir airport for a flight to Istanbul. Arrival in Istanbul airport and transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
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Day 7 : Departure
Breakfast and transfer to the airport.
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* Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays.
** Spice Bazaar may be visited prior to the Bosphorus Cruise, depending on the number of tour participants.
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