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Aegean and Mediterranean Highlights
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Aegean and Mediterranean Highlights tour explanation
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Embark on a 12-day journey through Türkiye’s rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant culture. From ancient cities like Ephesus, Pergamon, and Aphrodisias to stunning coastal towns like İzmir and Kuşadası, this tour offers a perfect blend of exploration and relaxation. With expert-guided tours, delicious local cuisine, and comfortable accommodations, you’ll experience the best of the Aegean and Mediterranean regions. Let the wonders of Türkiye leave you inspired!
Aegean and Mediterranean Highlights TOUR DAY BY DAY
Upon Arrival at Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport, transfer to your hotel downtown Izmir which is the third largest city of Türkiye with almost 5 million population.
- Overnight stay in İzmir downtown
Breakfast: At the hotel. Welcome briefing at the hotel
Izmir old town walking tour, starting from the coastal line along with a visit to
ancient Roman Agora of Smyrna ancient city, lunch on own and Izmir Archeology museum.
- Dinner: included Welcome dinner in local fish restaurant
- Overnight stay in İzmir downtown
Breakfast: At the hotel
Departure for Pergamon ancient city: visiting the Acropolis along with Red Basilica, afterwards we’ll have our included lunch at a local restaurant downtown modern Bergama and then we are going to go through the alleys of Bergama to Asklepion which was the medical treatment center in Antiquity and will return to Izmir city.
- Dinner: On own
- Overnight stay in İzmir downtown
Breakfast: At the hotel
We will depart from the hotel for Ephesus ancient city famous for its unique contribution to Christianity thanks to the Apostles of Jesus and Ancient Greek philosophy thanks to Heraclitus who believed that fire was the fundamental stuff of the world and became famous with his saying: “You can not step into the same water twice”.
Shortly after our walking tour of Ephesus, we can have lunch which is included at a local restaurant near the site, then we’ll enjoy our time in Ephesus museum which is also downtown modern Selçuk.
Following the museum, upon your request, we can also visit the original location of the Temple of Artemis, take a photo break at the same site or postpone it to the following day and continue our journey to Kuşadası which is an Aegean sea coastal resort town.
- Dinner: At the hotel
- Overnight stay in Kuşadası
Breakfast: At the Hotel
In the morning we leave Kuşadası for two ancient cities; Priene; home of Bias the Philosopher (famous for his probity, lived in 6th century B.C.) Some sayings were attributed to Bias such as:
- The naive men are easily fooled.
- Most people are evil.
- All men are wicked.
- Speak of the Gods as they are.
- Do not praise an undeserving man because of his riches.
- Gain your point by persuasion, not by force.” / “Take by persuasion, not
by force. - Cherish wisdom as a means of traveling from youth to old age, for it is more lasting than any other possession.
- Order your affairs as if you were to live long, or die soon.
After we can have our included lunch, afterwards visit Miletus; home of Thales (Born in the seventh century B.C., one of seven sages of Ancient Greek history and cited as the first Mathematician of the West. His most famous idea was that originating principle of nature was a single material substance: WATER, Anaksimenes (according to him Thales’ originating material substance; water
was replaced by AIR) and Anaksimandros (to him the originating substance of universe was Apeiron which meant the infinity, uncertainty. And believed that the universe can not be composed of anything which had a limit).
- Dinner: At the hotel
- Overnight stay in Kuşadası
Breakfast: At the Hotel
Departure from hotel for Şirince village visit which was one of the many villages; subjected to Population Exchange in late 1920’s between Türkiye and Greece.
This subject is still a controversial topic as some believed life would have been more vivid and socially rich if the Greeks had not left and also the Turks in Greece whereas some believed both ethnicities had to change their land as in the future there would not be potential ethnic cleansings between two societies.
After we end our visit and stroll the old alleys of the village, we are heading for our local included lunch in the region and Carpet Cooperative for enjoying lecture on Turkish Carpet culture from an expert.
- Return to the hotel
- Dinner: On own
- Overnight stay in Kuşadası
Breakfast: At the hotel
We will leave Kuşadası in the morning to the east for 2 hour long minivan journey for Aphrodisias ancient city and its museum which are all on the same site.
Aphrodisias has been another ancient city and was famous with its marble sculpture school and sarcophagus export overseas in the Roman Imperial Era. Major places we see are the theater, Sebasteion, Stadium, Senate Building, Propylon (main gate) and its unique museum full of beautiful marble pieces.
After our visit, we will enjoy our included lunch near the site and continue journey to Pamukkale
- Dinner: At the hotel
- Overnight stay in Pamukkale region
Breakfast: At the hotel
On our first day in the region, we will visit Hierapolis ancient city of which the name (“sacred city”) refers to a holy center of Cybele and later Hellenistic times, Apollo Temple and Plutonium, the cult shrine of Pluto with the poisonous gas in a cave and source of thermal hot water.
Also The Martyrium of Philip the Apostle was built as a part of a big church complex in the early 5th Century A.D. on a hilltop. It will take around 3 hour walking on the site with Antique Pool, white Travertines, Archeology museum and Roman Theater which all are highlights of the day. Please bring swimming costumes, towel and slippers as you might want to enjoy the thermal pool where legendary Cleopatra swam at least once.
Entrance fee is to be paid for Antique pool entrance. You’ll need to buy a ticket from its cashier desk on the site.
- Lunch on own at the site
- After spending our day on the site, we will be on the way to our hotel to rest.
- Dinner: At the hotel
- Overnight stay in Pamukkale region
Breakfast: At the hotel
On this second day in the same region we’ll be departing from the hotel for a visit to Laodicea ancient city which will take around 2.5 hours to see the whole site. It was named Laodice by the Seleucid ruler Antiochus II after his wife in the third century BC.
According to historian Pliny the Elder, it was built over an earlier city named Diospolis which was “city of Zeus”. The city reached its heyday during the imperial times especially 1-3 centuries because of the textile business, agriculture and marble sources.
The rich city got several big earthquakes and the last big one was the reason to abandon it completely during the time of emperor Phocas (602-610 AD.) and its people moved to the northern sides of the Mount of Salbakos (Babadağ). The city has two main gates and streets and two big theaters, a stadium and a big temple and bath complexes and agoras.
After Constantine the Great gave freedom to the church groups they started to build their early churches.
Laodecia has very early churches from the times
of Constantine as well with mosaics. Pamukkale University of Denizli excavates and studies under the directorate of Prof. Celal Şimşek who is the Curator of Archaeology department there since 1997 and started the work in Laodicea in 2002.
Before 2009 there were only few remains to visit but with their hard work, a big part of Laodecia can be seen today. Therefore the visit will cost almost 3 hours.
Finishing our visit at the site we’ll drive about half an hour to restaurant for lunch which is not included at Denizli downtown and then
continue our journey to Antalya.
- Dinner: At the hotel
- Overnight stay in Antalya city
Breakfast: At the hotel
Our day begins with old town walking tour in Kaleiçi which means “The Inner Castle”. Because it is the 2200 year old city Attalea. Namesake Attalos II, ruler of Pergamum Kingdom, founded it for gaining access to the Mediterranean Sea and it became another metropolitan port city, just like Ephesus and Perge, and was visited by Apostle Paul to spread the word for evangelization.
Our tour will end at Antalya Archeological Museum, you will have a chance to see magnificent marble artworks, collected from sites around Antalya most of which were from Perge ancient city.
Upon completing our tour you can enjoy your free afternoon either by resting, enjoying the pool, the beach, the small museums in the old town or just have some drink at one of many cafes/restaurants watch daily life.
- Lunch is on own
- Dinner: At the hotel
- Overnight Stay in Antalya city
Breakfast: At the hotel
The Acropolis of Perge city was cited to be settled in the end of 3rd millennium B.C.; more than thousand years before the Trojan War which is 12th century B.C. This chronology is the reason it housed the Anatolian Mother Goddess Cult in the southwest nowadays Türkiye.
Also because of being founded more than 2000 years before Attalea city, Perge became the cultural and financial center of the Mediterranean region and continued its supremacy in the Roman Imperial Period which showed its effect in the workmanship quality of countless number of marble artifacts.
After this unique ancient site, we continue to Aspendos Theatre which is the most well preserved Roman Theatre in Türkiye, from the second century A.D.
After Aspendos Theatre, we will be in our way back to Antalya city for your free afternoon (lunch is included) by resting or taking an unforgettable relaxing Turkish bath which might be a nice final just before the day of departure from our country.
- Dinner: Included Farewell dinner
- Overnight stay in Antalya city
Breakfast: At the hotel
Check out the hotel and transfer to the Airport.
The tour ends !
See you in another adventure :))
TouR info
The minimum number for the tour to be run is 6 and the maximum number is 10.
- Tour Guidance
- All entrance fees to the sites
- Four small bottles of water per person per day.
- 10 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 8 dinners
- Tips for the service staff at the included lunches and dinners
- 2 local alcoholic / non alcoholic drinks at the Welcome dinner and Farewell
Dinner - Water at all lunches and dinners
- Tips for receptionists, and bellboys at the hotels.
- All the vehicle parks, highway toll fees, Mercedes minivan with A.C. and all the expenses of the driver including hotel accommodations.
- Transfer to the Antalya Airport.
* We have:
- 3 nights stay in İzmir
- 3 nights stay in Kuşadası
- 2 nights stay in Pamukkale
- 3 night stay in Antalya
- Flight tickets from the U.S. to the beginning of the tour (Izmir) and the Flight
tickets from the end of the tour (Antalya) to the U.S. via Istanbul. - Your personal spending during the tour and at the hotels (minibars, spa etc…)
- Travel&Health insurance during the entire tour in Turkey.
- Tips for the bus drivers and the housekeeper room services at hotels.
** Unexpected occurrences along the way, though rare, could result in a change in
the order in which scheduled stops are visited. We will always have Plan B and C.
need to know
Rules & Tours
Türkiye is a vibrant country rich in history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes. To make the most of your visit while respecting local customs and traditions, it’s essential to follow some basic guidelines. This guide will help you navigate the country with confidence and courtesy.
- Explore Historical Sites: Türkiye is home to stunning landmarks like Ephesus, Pamukkale, and Cappadocia. Always respect these sites by following the rules and refraining from touching or climbing on ancient structures.
- In Turkiye emergency number is 112
- Taste the Cuisine: Enjoy local delicacies like kebabs, baklava, and Turkish tea. Visiting authentic restaurants and trying street food is highly recommended.
- Use Public Transport: Türkiye’s public transport, including buses, metros, and trams, is efficient and affordable.
- Learn Basic Phrases: Knowing a few Turkish words like “Merhaba” (Hello) and “Teşekkür ederim” (Thank you) can go a long way in showing respect.
- Do not pick up ancient stone pieces, even if they look like small useless marble or brick from the sites! They will definitely be confiscated from you and you might be detained at the airport before your flight.
- In Istanbul and touristic bazaars, shop assistants of the vendors invite you to their shops. If they attempt to hustle you, just ignore them and do not communicate with them!
- Please be careful in crowded public transportation just like any other metropolitan cities in Europe for pickpocketing.
- Do not drink tap water, purchase bottle water for drinking.
- Avoid Loud Behavior: Respect local customs by keeping noise levels low in public places, especially around mosques and residential areas.
- Do Not Litter: Littering is frowned upon. Dispose of trash responsibly, particularly in natural and historical areas.
- Don’t Bargain Aggressively: While bargaining is common in markets, always do so politely without being too forceful.
- Avoid Political Discussions: Steer clear of controversial topics, especially regarding local politics or sensitive historical events.
- Plan Ahead: Book tours to architectural landmarks, popular restaurants, and hotels in advance to avoid last-minute hassle.
- Respect Dress Codes: When visiting religious sites, dress modestly. Carry a scarf or shawl to cover shoulders and head if required.
- Stay Hydrated: Türkiye can get quite hot, especially in summer. Drink plenty of water and wear sunscreen.
- Ask for Help: Locals are generally friendly and willing to assist tourists. Don’t hesitate to ask for directions or recommendations.
- Transport Etiquette: Whether using taxis or public transport, respect the vehicles and keep them clean. Give up your seat to the elderly or disabled as a sign of courtesy.
- Dining Out: When dining in restaurants, tipping is customary. Around 10-15% of the bill is standard.
- Photography: Seek permission before photographing people, especially in rural areas or during cultural ceremonies.
- Shopping: Visit local bazaars for unique souvenirs, but always remain respectful in your interactions with vendors.
