Luxury Istanbul Ephesus Pamukkale Tour

Transfer with VIP exclusive class vehicle to the hotel: You will be taken to your hotel, and after check-in, you will have time for leisure, and the rest of the day is yours.
Overnight stay in Istanbul.

Today you will explore the following highlights of Istanbul.

Hippodrome: An ancient Roman and Ottoman square where the chariot races were held. Within the square is some Roman remains, an Egyptian Obelisk, Serpent Column, and Constantine Columns.

The Blue Mosque: An Ottoman Imperial mosque built by Sultan Ahmet I in 1609-1616 CE, famous for the blue Ottoman tiles.

Hagia Sophia: Once the largest cathedral of Christianity when it was built in 532-537 CE by the Roman Emperor Justinian; later converted into a mosque by the Ottomans.

Topkapi Palace: The Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II built the palace after the conquest of Constantinople. Topkapi Palace was the home of the royal family and the headquarters for the Ottoman Empire’s administrative center.

Basilica Cistern: Was built by the Roman Emperor Justinian in 6C CE. The Basilica Cistern was the main water supply to the Roman Palace and the churches. It has over three hundred columns within and houses the head of the ancient Greek figure Medusa. The head is the base of two columns and is viewed upside down and right-side down.

Grand Bazaar (Covered Market): The largest and oldest functioning shopping center in the world. The Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II built the Grand Bazaar in the 15th century. The market consists of 5,000 stores, 66 streets, 24 gates, and much more eye-pleasing architecture. Your guide will be more than happy to assist you in finding your masterpiece of Turkish art upon your request.

After the Private Istanbul Old City sightseeing tour, you will be driven back to the hotel.
Overnight stay in Istanbul.

Today you will be exploring the following highlights of the Bosphorus:

Spice Market ( Egyptian Bazaar): The Ottomans built the market in the 17th century. Unlike the Grand Bazaar, the Spice market is much smaller but full of beautiful fragrances of mixed spices, herbs, and traditional sweets. It consists of around 100 stores, 2 streets, and 5 gates.

Bosphorus Cruise: The channel divides Istanbul into two continents and stretches about 32 km between the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara. Along the Bosphorus, there are many settlements to see, such as great Palaces, hotels, yali (private houses), etc. While you are on the boat, you will see the highlights of the Bosphorus including the Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, Çırağan Palace, Bosphorus Bridge, Rumeli Fortress, Küçüksu Palace, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge ( the second bridge on the Bosphorus), Maiden’s Tower to name a few.

Dolmabahce Palace: the Palace was built by the Ottoman Sultan Abdulmejid between the years 1843-1856 as the residential palace for the royal family. The Bosphorus locates at Dolmabahce Palace. The palace consists of 285 rooms, 43 halls, 6 baths, and gardens.

After the Private Bosphorus Cruise & Sightseeing Tour, drive back to the hotel.
Overnight in Istanbul.

Today you will explore the following highlights of Ephesus Ancient City.

We will drive to Virgin Mary’s House, upon the dream of German nun Anna Katherina Emerich, the Lazarist priests followed the descriptions and the signs and then discovered the house in 1891 CE. According to Catholic belief, Mary was taken here by St. John, and she spent the rest of her earthly life there.  After the Virgin Mary’s House, we proceed to Ephesus Ancient City, the capital city of Asia Minor during the Roman era. According to myth, Ephesus was founded by the Greek commander Androculos around 1,000 BCE. Moreover, Alexander the Great, Lysimachus, Coressus, and Antiochus II either invaded or ruled in this city. While the excavations are still going on, you will see the ancient remains such as the State Agora (a marketplace and meeting point), Odeon (Bouleuterion) concert house and council, Town Hall and Artemis Sanctuary, Domitian Square, a complex consisting of temple fountain and a bath, Curetes Street colonnaded and monumental Street in Ephesus, The Hadrian Temple dedicated to Emperor Hadrian dating to 200 BCE, Latrines the public toilets, Celsus Library proves us that how Ephesians were intellectual and dates back to 200 BCE with the library having had 12,000 scrolls, Forum a commercial center located by the port and finally The Great Theater the largest ancient theater with 25,000 capacity.

After Ephesus ancient city, we drive to lunch at a local restaurant, and thereafter the next stop is Isa Bey Mosque, built-in 1375 by the Anatolian Seljuks. Unlike Modern Ottoman architecture, it has a geometrical architecture roof and two minarets. The mosque is still functioning today for the five-time prayers. After Isa Bey Mosque, we drive to the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven ancient wonders of the World.

After the Private Ephesus sightseeing tour, drive to the hotel.
Overnight in Kusadasi.

Pamukkale also has an ancient city which is called Hierapolis. This city was founded by the Pergamon king Eumenes in 2 BCE. When the city passed to the Romans, they built ancient theatres, baths, forums, agora, and many waterways. Hierapolis has the largest ancient cemetery of all time. After the apostle Philipe was martyred in 80 CE, the city became a pilgrimage center for Christianity. Today, apostle Philipe has a monumental tomb in Hierapolis/Pamukkale. After the Private Pamukkale tour, drive back to your hotel.

After completing the amazing 6 Days Luxury Istanbul & Ephesus & Pamukkale Tour Package, Romos Travel wishes all guests a very healthy and wonderful life ahead…