Aegean Pearls & Istanbul Tour - 7 Days/6 Nights

Arrive at Istanbul Airport and transfer to your hotel. You’ll have free time after check-in. If you arrive earlier in the day, you can explore the vicinity of the hotel and try Turkish coffee at a local cafe. Accommodation in Istanbul hotel.

We’ll start our tour of Istanbul, the only city that spans two continents, at 09:00 with our guide. 
First, we’ll visit the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque) a 17th-century Ottoman mosque famous for its six minarets and magnificent interior with blue tiles. 
Then, we’ll explore the Hippodrome Square which was used as a meeting place and for chariot races during the Byzantine period. Here, we will see the Serpent Column brought from Delphi, the Egyptian Obelisk, and the German Fountain of Wilhelm ll. Next, we’ll visit the great Hagia Sofia (Saint Sophia) which was built by the emperor Justinian in the 6th century AD as a church and was later converted into a mosque. 

We will have lunch at a local restaurant and continue our tour with the Topkapı Palace, a giant walled complex that from where Ottoman sultans ruled their great empire for more than 420 years. 
Afterward, we’ll visit the Grand Bazaar, one of the biggest and oldest markets in the world, home to more than 4000 shops full of hidden treasures and authentic items. It is one of the best places in town to shop for handicrafts, jewelry, carpets, leather, and clothing.  
End of the tour, return to our hotel. Accommodation in Istanbul hotel. (Breakfast - Lunch )

Istanbul – Izmir – Istanbul by Plane economy class
Transfer from hotel to Istanbul Airport for your domestic flight to Izmir Airport. Upon arrival, your guide will meet you at the Izmir Airport and you’ll start your tour of the day right away. 
First, we’ll drive to Ephesus (approx. 1 hr), and start our tour of the ancient city of Ephesus. Here, we’ll see Curetes Street and the ruins of the 25,000-capacity Grand Theater, the State Agora, the magnificent Celsus Library, Odeon, Temesos, Prytaneion, Magnesia Gate, Grotto of the Seven Sleepers, and the Harbor of Ephesus.

After our visit, we’ll take a lunch break at a local restaurant and visit the Temple of Artemis, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Our next stop will be the House of the Virgin Mary, a Christian pilgrimage site where the Virgin Mary spent her last years. 
At the end of the tour, we will visit local leather wear factory stores in the area.
Arrival and accommodation in Kuşadası. (Breakfast – Dinner )

After breakfast, we’ll depart for Pamukkale, the most magnificent city of Ionia via Aphrodisias (approx. 270 km). Upon arrival, we will visit the ancient Aphrodisias, named after Aphrodite, whom we know as the goddess of love and beauty in mythology. The Aphrodisias Temple, which still survives today, was used as a temple during the Roman period and was later turned into a Christian basilica. We will admire the magnificent Aphrodisias Temple, the 30,000-seat stadium, the Roman bath, the Odeon, and the Ancient Theater of Aphrodisias.

We’ll continue on our way to Pamukkale, which means cotton castle due to its famous white travertines. In Hierapolis, we’ll see the Martyrium of Apostle Philip where he was martyred during the persecutions ordered by Domitian, ancient city ruins including the Gate of Domitian, the Arcadian Way, Grand Theatre, the Nymphaion, the Temple of Apollo, the Plutonium, and the Necropolis. Afterward, we’ll enjoy walking on the white travertines.  
We will have lunch in a local restaurant and free time in thermal pools or the Ancient Cleopatra Pool (extra cost). Afterward, we’ll depart for Kuşadası.
Dinner and accommodation in Kuşadası. (Breakfast – Dinner )

Today, we will visit some ancient Ionian cities. The Greeks (Ionians) who migrated to the Aegean Region after the attacks of the Dorian Tribe in Northern Greece in 1000 BC, took refuge in the Aegean region. The Ionians, who fled from Greece and the islands, mixed with the Lelegs, Carians, and Lydians living in the region.
And today, we will visit 3 legendary Ionian cities.

First, we will visit Priene. The ancient city of Priene, which was established 2500 years ago at the foot of the Mykale Mountain, was a port city at that time. There are many works of art and architecture belonging to the ancient Greek period such as the marble streets laying parallel to each other and water channels. The Priene Theater and the Temple of Athena Polias were built by Alexander the Great as a gift. 
After a 20 km ride, we will visit the Miletos ruins. We will see the ancient theater with a capacity of 15,000, the Miletos Museum, the Temple of Serapis, and the Faustina Bath, built by Marcus Aurelius in the name of his wife. There is a 20 km-long sacred marble road between the Temple of Serapis in Miletos and the Temple of Apollo in Didim. Miletos people used to go to the temple of Apollo for pilgrimage and religious rituals through this holy path. Then, we will continue on our way towards Didyma (30 km).
Nowadays, Didyma is a tourism center thanks to its golden sand beach. The Temple of Apollo built in 600 BC here was a sacred religious center in ancient times. We will visit the temple that features magnificent marble columns.

After a lunch break at a local restaurant, we will head for Izmir Airport for your flight back to Istanbul. Upon arrival, you’ll be transferred to your hotel. Accommodation in Istanbul hotel. (Breakfast )

Today, we’ll start the tour of the day after breakfast at 08:30 and head for the Spice Bazaar, also known as the Egyptian Bazaar, which is a very colorful market with an oriental atmosphere that specializes in typical products such as spices, desserts, nuts, and small souvenirs. Next, we’ll drive to Golden Horn for a cruise along the Bosporus Strait which separates Europe and Asia and connects the Black Sea with the inland Marmara Sea. Some of the important landmarks you’ll see on this trip are the Dolmabahçe Palace, Çırağan Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, Kuleli Military School, Beylerbeyi Palace, Rumeli Fortress, beautiful historic wooden mansions as well as the Maiden Tower on the sea.

After the cruise, you’ll have the rest of the day free. You may discover some of the most popular shopping centers including Akmerkez, İstinye Park, Zorlu, Kanyon, and Cevahir, or explore the Şişli area and the Osmanbey neighborhood. Accommodation in Istanbul hotel. ( Breakfast )

Free time until your airport transfer. Our tour concludes with your final private transfer to Istanbul Airport.
Hope to see you on another tour. ( Breakfast )

Customized Tours
We can create a tour program on your request and offer an itinerary that suits your personal, educational, cultural, and budgetary requirements. Please contact us with your requests.