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Highlights
of This Tour: |
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| As archeologists continue to uncover
an ever expanding number of vast ancient
cities on and near Turkey's Aegean
coast, one thing has become increasingly
apparent: No other spot in the world
boasts such a well-preserved and rich
link with the ancient past.
Here, among the olive tree-covered
hills of Western Anatolia, you'll
find a diverse heritage that mixes
the Holy Lands, Greece and Rome. Hellenistic
monuments on a par with anything in
modern Greece stand side-by-side with
Roman cities built by Caeser, Augustus
and Hadrian. Five of the seven great,
early churches of Asia Minor, a 2nd
century synagogue and early Ottoman
mosques stand side-by-side among the
ruins of temples dedicated to pagan
gods. From the winding Meander River,
to sparkling azure coves, from the
snow-white "cotton castle"
travertine terraces of Pammukkale
to the lush valleys and high plateaus
ringed by snow-capped mountains, the
Turkish landscape never fails to inspire
and astonish.
You'll also become acquainted with
contemporary Turkey, as we observe
the time-honored rhythms of rural
life. We provide air-conditioned,
comfortable transport and professional
drivers, accommodations in top hotels,
knowledgeable, friendly guides and
an itinerary that helps you get the
most out of your stay in Turkey. Relax,
marvel at the glories of the Aegean.
And leave the rest to us. |
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Detailed
Itinerary: |
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1st Day... Morning flight
to Izmir (ancient Smyrna), where
we check into our hotel, then
continue on to the extensive
ruins of Bergama (Pergamum).
The Pergamum Acropolis is perched
high above modern Bergama, but
reachable by a short and easy
climb. We also explore the steep
Roman theater carved into the
hillside, the Altar of Zeus
and, in the lower agora, the
largest Roman building in Asia
Minor, the Temple of Serapis.
Lunch in a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, we visit the
Asclepion, an ancient Greek
and Roman medical center that
also has a theater, library
and temples. We then drive back
to Izmir.
Dinner
and overnight in Izmir |
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2nd Day...
After a short one-hour drive,
we reach Sardis, once the capital
city of King Croesus, where
the world's first coins were
minted. We explore a Roman gymnasium,
a 2nd century synagogue believed
to have been given to the local
Jewish community by Emperor
Lucius Verus, and the Temple
of Artemis, built to commemorate
Alexander the Great's liberation
of the city from the Persians.
Next, lunch is served en route
to Alasehir (ancient Philadelphia),
which we visit before proceeding
on to Hierapolis and the unique
geological formations of Pamukkale,
where we stay at a hotel with
a pool heated by natural thermal
waters.
Dinner
and overnight in Pamukkale |
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3rd Day… After breakfast,
we admire the morning view of
pure-white enormous basins and
stalactites created by millions
of years of mineral-rich hot
spring waters spilling down
the hillside. Then, after a
two-hour drive through the scenic
Meander Valley, we arrive at
Aphrodisias, one Turkey's more
isolated and most spectacular
archeological sites. Excavation
continues here, but the almost
fully intact Temple of Aphrodite,
Baths of Hadrian, theaters,
great Agora and 30,000-seat
stadium have been revealed.
We also visit secluded Byzantine
churches and the local museum,
with its extensive collection
of ancient statuary dedicated
to Aphrodite. Then, we drive
back east to the Aegean coast
resort town of Kusadasi.
Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi |
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4th Day… After breakfast,
we head for nearby Efes (Ephesus),
where we spend a busy day visiting
The Chapel of the Virgin Mary,
Basilica of St. John, Ephesus
Museum and the spectacular ruins
of Ephesus, including the Marble
Street, the largest ancient
theater in the world, recently
excavated monuments, the Temple
of Artemis, one of the seven
wonders of the ancient world,
and hillside palaces. We then
take a one-hour drive to Izmir
International Airport for the
return flight to Istanbul, where
we arrange the transfer to your
hotel. |
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