West Turkey 7 Days

Day 1 – Istanbul – Gallipoli – Dardanelles – Canakkale (D)
Morning departure for Gallipoli and visit Anzac Cove ,Chunuk Bair Lone pine cemetery and Gabate War Museum then across the Dardanelles to Canakkale for overnight

Day 2 – Troy – Pergamum – Kusadasi (B.D)
Visit the famous archaeological and mythological site of Troy, home of the “Trojan Horse” and “Helen of Troy”. Return Departure for Pergamon Visit The city of Pergamon in the north of the Aegean of West Anatolia with the frontiers to ancient Mysia, forms a significant part of the Aegean and AsiaMinor history with Acropolis, one of the centres of Helenistic and Roman ages.Departure for Kusadasi Overnight stay in Kusadasi.

Day 3 – Ephesus – Kusadasi (B.D)
Visit to magnificent ruins of Ephesus. We will spend several hours walking in the footsteps of Alexander the Great, Caesar, Cicero, Apostles Paul and John and many other familiar historical names. The recently opened Slope Houses where the wealthiest Romans lived are an excellent example of sensitive excavation and presentation. The mosaics and frescos are spectacular. Tradition has it that Virgin Mary was brought here by St John after the Crucifixion and lived her final years near the city of Ephesus on an isolated mountaintop. A lovely chapel is constructed on the site tended by Franciscans and open to visitors. It has been designated a pilgrimage site by the Pope. Overnight Kusadasi.

Day 4 -Pamukkale- Hierapolis- Laodicea
Drive to Pamukkale, on the way, visit to Laodicea (present name Denizli) yet one of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor. Excavations still going on and an ancient city as beautiful as Ephesus will be uncovered soon. We see the ancient theatres, the remains of basilica which was recently uncovered, ancient stone water pipes, Temple A, agora, monumental fountain. After Laodicea, Discovery of Travertine terraces and Hierapolis. The travertine terraces at Pamukkale are one of the most spectacular natural wonders that you can see from various mineral springs in a vast white cliff side. About 200 m overlooking the plain, calcite-laden waters have dripped down over a series of terraced levels and created a fairyland of bizarre solidified cascades and shell-shaped basins. It looks like creations from snow or like balls from cotton, which gave the scenery the Turkish name Pamukkale (cotton castle): “pamuk” for cotton and “kale” for castle. Moreover the water in the basins is changing its color according to how the light enters. Overnight Kusadasi.

Day 5 – Priene – Miletus – Didyma – Bodrum (B)
Today we will visit Priene, Miletus, Didyma . Ephesus may be the creme-de-la-creme of the Aegean ruins but Priene, Miletus and Didyma though less frequently visited are still important ancient settlements. Priene occupies a dramatic position overlooking the Meander Valley and plain. Miletus preserves a spectacular theater. And Didyma has a Temple of Apollo vaguely reminiscent of the great temples at Karnak in Egypt. Overnight Bodrum.

Day 6 – Bodrum (B)
Free day in Bodrum. Discovery of Bodrum on own. Bodrum is located on a peninsula of the same name, was a fishing village until the 1970s. It is now a lively tourist resort with a long history. The coastline is attractive and the centerpiece is the 15th century crusader Castle of St. Peter. Greeks, Persians and Ottomans settled here from the 11th century BC onward. It’s greatest glory was under Mausolus, who ruled under the Persians in the 4th century BC. When he died his wife Artemisia employed architects and sculptors to construct a monument and tomb for him. It was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient world and gave us the word mausoleum. Alas most of the monument is long gone. A few stones remain. Overnight Bodrum.

Day 7
Leisure morning and transfer to airport for your flight. End of service. (B)

PS: Optional tours to Rhodes island and tours to Cappadocia & Antalya can be added.

Abbreviations

B = Breakfast L= Lunch D = Dinner (Lunch excluded on private tours)

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