2010 Tour Dates

* Rates are land only based on double occupancy.

Day 1 – ARRIVE ISTANBUL, WELCOME DINNER
We will meet at the hotel around 02.00 pm. and after a short brief of orientation we will leave the hotel for sightseeing to visit the museum of Hagia Sophia, built by the Roman Emperor Justinian in the 6th Century AD and the largest building in the world for at least a thousand years. Welcome dinner.
Overnight Arcadia Hotel. D

Day 2 – TOUR ISTANBUL
We tour the main sites in Istanbul, including; The Blue Mosque, built in the 17th Century and still one of the largest and most beautiful mosques in the world; the Hippodrome, where Romans raced chariots, and Topkapi Palace, the fabulous home of the Sultans and their harems. Dinner is on your own.
Overnight Arcadia Hotel. BL

DAY 3 TROY - CANAKKALE
A scenic drive through Thrace and a short trip by ferry across Dardanelles. Visit the ancient city of Troy. There are no dramatic reconstructions of monumental buildings here, but the thrill of being on the site of Homer's Troy is pretty dramatic itself.
Overnight and dinner at Canakkale Akol Hotel. BLD

DAY 4 PERGAMUM - KUSADASI
We continue south through a lovely landscape of pine forests and groves of oaks and olive. Our drive end at the town Bergama to visit Pergamum perched on the top of a hill. Pergamum was a Hellenistic city, and was renowned center of culture. The extensive ruins of various temples, royal palaces and the library are some of them besides the Asklepion. We continue driving south and arrive Selcuk, very close to the world famous ruins of Ephesus.
Overnight and dinner at Kısmet Hotel. BLD

DAY 5 EPHESUS 
Ephesus is the most visited place in Turkey. The site was continuously inhabited since around 3000 BC, when it was the center for the worship of the goddess Cybele, later called Artemis. It then became Ionian, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine as each succeeding civilization enjoyed its fine harbor. Its Library of Celsus is one of the most photographed buildings in the world. Ephesus slowly faded as the Little Meander River silted in this harbor in the 5th century AD. St. Paul and St. John preached here, and we still have Paul’s “Letter to the Ephesians.” Mary is said to have followed John here, and we might visit a house many feel was the site of her home. 
After visiting Ephesus we drive to the town of Selcuk to visit the Basilica of St. John, where the Saint is buried, and the Ephesus Museum, with its wonderful statues of Artemis. Then we return to our hotel to relax before dinner.
Overnight and dinner at Kısmet Hotel. BLD

DAY 6 DIDYMA – PRIENE
After breakfast we visit a rug-weaving cooperative. Here we learn about all aspects of this traditional Turkish art and craft, and have the chance to bargain with the local rug sellers, with or without the help of your guide. Then we continue driving to the fabulous Hellenistic ruins of Priene. Unlike many ruins in Turkey that were originally built by the Greeks and then rebuilt by the Romans, Priene was a minor city, left alone by the Romans. It is an intimate place and above all, a Hellenistic city that has changed little since the 4th century BC. From Priene we drive south and arrive to Didyma, and visit the temple of Apollo, the impressive temple of the region. In size it is hardly exceeded by any temple of the ancient world. After we complete the tour we will be back to our hotel.
Overnight and dinner at Kısmet Hotel. BLD

DAY 7 Tour ends after breakfast. B
On request we can arrange your return flight tickets to Istanbul or Athens.

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THIS PRICE?
Specialist leadership
Entrance fees, admission to museums
Transportation with an A/C vehicle
2 nights hotel in Istanbul
1 night hotel accommodation in Canakkale
3 nights hotel accommodation in Kusadası
All meals as indicated on the itinerary

Not Included