Arriving to İstanbul Atatürk Airport, check-in to the hotel and free day.
After breakfast departure for Ayvalık. From Eceabat by taking ferry crossing the Dardanelles (From Europe to Asia app. 22 minutes.)After optional lunch visits of the famous ancient city of Troia which mentioned by Homeros in Iliad, and the ancient city of Assos where famous philosopher Aristotales opened a philosophy school. Check-in to the hotel in Ayvalık. (Opposite of Lesvos)
After breakfast departure for İzmir. On the way visits of the Acropolis and Asklepion of the ancient city of Pergamon where famous doctor Gallen worked.After lunch visit of the Red Church which is one the seven churches in Little Asia. Drive to İzmir (ancient Smyrna) and check in to the hotel.
After breakfast visits of 3 of seven churches in Little Asia in Thyatira, Philadelphia and Sardes and the ancient city of Sardes where the first coinage minted and mythlogical king Gyges lived the capital of Lydians. Drive back to İzmir.
After breakfast departure for Kuşadası. Visits of Smyrna where one of the seven churches located, the Basilica of St. John, one of the twelve apostles and writer of Bible, the Grotto of the Seven Sleepers and check-in to the hotel.
Visits of Ephesus; one of two most preserved and largest ancient cities of the world and the House of Virgin Mary where she spent her last years and the Virgin Mary Church where Ecumonical Council held and one of seven churches in Little Asia. (A holy mass can be organized at the House of Virgin Mary declared a pilgrimage place by Pope.) a lecture and demonstration on turkish handcrafts arts.Drive back to the hotel.
After breakfast departure for Pamukkale. Visits of Leodikia one of the Seven Churches, Colessea where st. Paul wrote his letters to Christianity, The travertines of world-unique Pamukkale, its ancient city Hierapolis and the Martyrium of St. Philippe. Check-in to the hotel.
After breakfast departure for Demre where the Church of St. Nicholas (Father Christmas.) located and the ancient city of Myra where St. Nicholas gave his preaches and its famous rock-thombs. Drive to the hotel in Kemer and check-in.
After breakfast departure for Konya; visits of the Mevlana Museum where famous philopher Mevlana burried and had a school, the Tile Museum where Seljuk and Ottoman Tiles exibited. Check-in to the hotel. After dinner optional Whirling Dervishes show.
After breakfast departure for Antiochos. Visits of St. Paul’s Gate in Tarsus where St. Paul born, St. Pierre was first said here. So that, Pope VI. Paul declared here a pilgrimage center. Every year holy masses are being held here on 29th of june. Check in to the hotel.
After breakfast departure for Cappadocia. Visits of the Derinkuyu Underground City which dated to Hittitian Period (beginning of the second milenium B.C.) Ihlara Valley and its churces with frescoes. Check-in to the hotel in Cappadocia.
After breakfast visits of Göreme Open-air Museum and its its carved-out churches with frescoes dated to 11th century, Zelve Open-air Museum with its carved-out settlements. (Both museums are in the list of UNESCO World Heritage)Optional lunch in Pigeon Valley,Uçhisar Castle which offers us a bird-eyed panoramic view of the region, Ürgüp and Paşabağ Fairy Chimneys, lecture and free taste in Ürgüp wine production center, lecture and demonstration about pottery and tiles. After dinner optional Cappadocian night with unlimited local drinks,belly dancers, folk dances.
After breakfast early departure for İznik. Visits of the Haghia Sophia where the VII. Council held in 787. First council was held here in 20th of may 325 (the senatos is under the lake waters.) and other council held in 728. Niceae was the capital city 3 times in its history.(for Seljuks, Byzantines between 1204-1261 during the latin occupation and the capital of Ottomans.)Check in to the hotel.
After breakfast departure for İstanbul. Crossing the Bosphorus from Asia to Europe. Visits of Topkapı Palace which is the most extensive and fascinating monument in Ottoman Architecture and the palace of Ottoman Sultans.Haghia Iriene where the ecumonical council was held.Check in to the hotel.
After breakfast visits of Haghia Sophia; the center of regilous life in Byzantine period and the 4th biggest church of the world, Hippodrome with its monuments, Blue Mosque the only six-minareted mosque of the world, the Underground Cistern; the water supply system of Byzantine Palaces and the Covered Bazaar, the 15th century built sopping center with over 4500 shops, the Chora Church with the mosaic depictions of Virgin Mary’s and Christ’s life.
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