Turkey: Istanbul & Ephesus 5-Day Tour
ID: GYG216042-349167
Category:
Country: Turkey
Duration:
5 days
Description
Explore the culture and history of Istanbul & Ephesus on a 5-day, 4-night tour. See highlights of Turkey like the Grand Bazaar, Hagia Sophia, and the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, and the Artemis Temple, the Celsus Library, and the Grand Theatre in Ephesus.
Day 1: Arrive in Istanbul
Welcome to Turkey. On arrival at Istanbul Ataturk Airport, a tour representative will meet you at the airport holding a sign with your name on it. You'll have a private transfer to your hotel in Istanbul.
Day 2: Full-Day Istanbul Tour
After breakfast, you'll be picked up from your hotel to begin your tour of Istanbul, the only city in the world situated on two continents. Byzantium, Constantinople, Istanbul – its three names span more than 2600 years of history. You'll visit the Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Hippodrome, where chariot races and the Byzantine riots took place. Visit the Grand Bazaar for shopping. Then overnight in Istanbul.
Day 3: Full-Day Istanbul Tour
After breakfast and pick up from your hotel, you'll visit the Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar). The air here is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other conceivable herb and spice. Then enjoy a boat trip on the Bosphorus River. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages. In the afternoon, visit an underground cistern. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 4: Istanbul – Ephesus Tour – Istanbul
You'll be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the Istanbul airport for your flight to Izmir. Your guide will meet you at the airport for the 45-minute drive to Ephesus. First, you'll visit the Artemis Temple, one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World. Then you'll walk through history along the marble streets of Ephesus to see the State Agora, the Odeon, the Temple of Domitian, the Trajan Fountain, the Baths of Scholastica, the Gate of Mazues and Mithridates, the Grand Theatre and more.
You'll enjoy lunch in the garden of a local handicrafts center where you'll see some of the traditional carpet weaving techniques still used today. After lunch, visit the House of Virgin Mary. This house is located in the Aladag Mountains near Ephesus is claimed to be where Mary lived from 37 A.D. until her death in 48 A.D. Then you'll head back to the Izmir airport for your flight back to Istanbul. A tour representative will meet you at the Istanbul airport to transfer you back to your hotel for the night.
Day 5: Home
After breakfast check out from the hotel and enjoy your private transfer back to the Istanbul Airport or Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport for your flight home.
Highlights
- Visit Topkapi Palace, the main residence of the Ottoman Sultans
- Learn the complex history of Hagia Sophia
- Marvel at the Blue Mosque which was built in 1609 A.D.
- Walk through ancient streets of Ephesus
- See the Temple of Hadrian and the Fountain of Pollio in Ephesus
Guiding languages
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
• To visit holy places of worship such as churches, monasteries, mosques, and synagogues both women and men need to wear appropriate clothing that covers the shoulders and knees
• When visiting mosques, you'll need to remove your shoes
• The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays. When day 2 falls on a Sunday, the Grand Bazaar will be visited on day 3.
Hotel pick-up and drop-off
When should I book?
To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.
Cancellations
Cancellation is not possible. If you cancel it anyway or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity and the money you paid will not be refunded.
