Myterious Ionia and Pamphylia Tour Izmir to Antalya - 8 Days/7 Nights

Arrive at Izmir airport and meet with your guide. Izmir, Turkey's third-largest city, is a modern and beautiful multicultural city with a population of over 4 million. Upon your arrival, we’ll have a sightseeing tour by bus and visit Alsancak, Agora, Konak Square, Izmir Clock Tower, and the Kemeraltı Bazaar. After shopping and a coffee break at Kızlar Ağası Han, we’ll head to the hotel.
Dinner and overnight stay in Izmir. (Dinner)

Today, we will start the day with a short trip (approx. 90 km) to the legendary Pergamon, the capital of the Kingdom of Pergamon Kings in 282-133 BC. We will visit the Acropolis, which is the administrative center of the city, the Temple of Zeus, Dionysus, Athena, Demeter, and the famous Pergamon Library of 200,000 rolls. The Altar of Zeus, excavated during the Pergamon (Bergama) excavations, is now on display at the Pergamonmuseum in Berlin. The Great Theatre of Pergamon here is the world's steepest theater and it could entertain up to 10,000 spectators in ancient times. We will also visit the Gymnasium and the Red Basilica (St. John’s Church), which is one of the sites of the Seven Churches of Revelation. After our visits, we’ll have lunch in a local restaurant and head to Kuşadası (approx. 190 km). Kuşadası is one of the most famous resort towns in Turkey. Overnight stay in Kuşadası. ( Breakfast - Dinner )

Today, we’ll immerse ourselves in history in Ephesus, the most beautiful ancient city of the Ionia region. After seeing the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, we will visit the ancient city of Ephesus. You will feel the mystical atmosphere of Ephesus as you walk on Curetes Street and see the ruins of the 25,000-capacity Grand Theater, the State Agora, the magnificent Celsus Library, the Odeon, Temesos, Prytaneion, Magnesia Gate, Grotto of the Seven Sleepers, and the Harbour of Ephesus.
Afterward, you visit the House of Virgin Mary and Artemis Temple one of the seven wonders in the world.  We take lunch in a local restaurant.
After our Ephesus ruins, we will go to an old Greek Village where you can taste local dishes and delicious fruit wines. Rug and carpet weaving has long traditions in Turkey and at this carpet village, we will learn how the carpets are made by hand and what determines their value. At the end of our Şirince tour, we will go to Kuşadası.  Dinner and overnight stay 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 Legs, 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 (Didyma). 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 with 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 set out for Aphrodisias. 
The ancient Aphrodisias, located in Aydın Karacasu, was named after Aphrodite, whom we know as the goddess of love and beauty in mythology. The Aphrodisias Temple here, which still survives today, was used as a temple during the Roman period, and later was turned into a Christian basilica. During this tour, we will admire the magnificent 30,000-seat stadium, the Roman bath, the Odeon, and the Ancient Theater of Aphrodisias. End of the tour. Overnight stay at a thermal hotel in Pamukkale.  (Breakfast – Dinner )

After breakfast, we’ll start our tour in Pamukkale. In Hierapolis, we’ll visit the Martyrium of Apostle Philip where he was martyred during the persecutions ordered by Domitian. We will see the Gate of Domitian, the Arcadian Way, the Grand Theatre, the Nymphaion, the Temple of Apollo, and the Plutonium and the Necropolis. Afterward, we’ll enjoy walking on the white travertines.  
Next, we’ll visit Laodicea, one of the Seven Churches of Revelation of Asia Minor. We’ll see the ancient theatre, the remains of basilica and ancient stone water pipes. 
We’ll have lunch in a local restaurant, and continue towards Sagalassos which is on the UNESCO tentative list. Here, we will admire the 5000-year-old ancient city at an altitude of 1750, known as the "city of love and emperors" in the Ağlasun district of Burdur. This magnificent city is home to the Antonin Fountain, agoras, Roman baths, Macellum structures, Heroon adorned with dancing girls, a library, and a theater. 
The Antonin Fountain, built by Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius in 161 AD, is the most magnificent of all. Up until today, water from the mountains still flows from its marble gutter. End of the day’s tours. We’ll drive to Antalya (approx. 120 km).
Overnight stay in Antalya. ( Breakfast - Dinner )

Today, we will start our Antalya tour after breakfast. First, we’ll visit the archeological site of Perge Ancient City, one of the chief cities of Pamphylia. 
Saint Paul, also known as Paul the Apostle and his companion St. Barnabas visited Perge twice during their missionary journeys. We will explore Perge’s extensive ruins, including a well-preserved theatre, the Agora, Roman baths, the Great Gymnasium, and the Necropolis. 
Then, we’ll visit the ancient Greco-Roman city of Aspendos to see the well-preserved theatre of antiquity, the Aspendos Theater. The city of Aspendos in the Pamphylia region is considered among the richest and most beautiful cities in the ancient world. Concerts and art events are still held in the magnificent Aspendos Theater today. Afterward, we’ll head to Kurşunlu Waterfall that pours from a height of 18 meters, interconnecting small ponds with its small cascades. We’ll have a relaxing time at the waterfall, which is located in a two-kilometer-long canyon surrounded by greenery and beautiful flowers. 
Next, we’ll have lunch in a local restaurant and head to Antalya’s Old Town (Kaleiçi) where we’ll see the ancient Hadrian’s Gate with its three doors, one of the most beautiful structures of the Roman period, the Clock Tower, Fluted Minaret, and the Ancient Harbor. You will enjoy the narrow streets of the old city. In the Old Town, you’ll have the opportunity to look for and buy souvenirs from the local shops. 
End of the tour. Return to our hotel. Overnight stay in Antalya. (Breakfast - Dinner )

After breakfast, we’ll set out on a beautiful, coastal, scenic drive to Demre. First, we’ll visit the St. Nicholas Church. Saint Nicholas, also known as Santa Claus, was a bishop here before he became a legendary and historic figure all over the world.  
Lycia had big cities such as Perge, Aspendos, Side, Phaselis, Kekova, Termessos, Kurşunlu, Myra, and Demre. Saint Paul went to Rome from Myra by ship for his missionary journey. We will visit ancient Myra to see its rock tombs, Roman theatre, and Roman ruins.
Next, we'll go to the sunken city of Kekova via Simena. Kekova is another ancient Lycian city, which served as one of the most important port cities of the region. Part of the city was flooded as a result of a major earthquake. 
The ruins seen in Üçağız Village belong to the Theimussa ancient city. After seeing Lycian Rock tombs and the Simena Castle, we’ll take an exquisite yacht tour in the sunken city of Kekova. At the end of our tour, we will return to Antalya via the wonderful coastal road.
Overnight stay in Antalya. (Breakfast – Dinner )

You are free until your transfer time to the airport. Our tour concludes with your private Antalya Airport transfer.
We hope to see you on another Turkey tour. (Breakfast)

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