ISTANBUL-EPHESUS 1 WEEK

Immerse yourself in the historic heart of Constantinople/Istanbul and discover its most prominent Byzantine and Ottoman monuments: the Hagia Sophia Museum, a spectacular sixth-century church constructed by Emperor Justinian and crowned with a magnificent dome; the Ancient Hippodrome; the Blue Mosque, celebrated for its exquisite blue Iznik ceramic tiles; the Mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent, a masterpiece of Ottoman architectural design; and Topkapi Palace, the grand residence of the Ottoman sultans. Return to the hotel and an overnight stay.

Journey across the Thracian plains—the European sector of Turkey—as you make your way toward Canakkale. Cross the Dardanelles Strait to the Asian side by new bridge to explore the ancient city of Troy, where Greek and Trojan heroes clashed over the beautiful Helen. In many respects, a visit to Troy serves as a spiritual pilgrimage to the very origins of Western literature. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Canakkale.

Continue your journey south into the Aegean territory with a stop at Pergamum, historically renowned as one of the Mediterranean basin's greatest cities for its remarkable commercial and cultural feats. The citizens of Pergamum invented parchment, originally named “pergaminus”. Explore the celebrated Acropolis of Pergamum, which was rebuilt using the Acropolis of Athens as its architectural blueprint, alongside the Asklepeion, one of the earliest known hospitals in human history, dedicated to the Greek God of healing, Asklepios. Proceed along the scenic Aegean coastal road via Izmir (ancient Smyrna) toward Kusadasi. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Kusadasi.

Explore Ephesus today, recognized as one of the largest and most legendary metropolises of antiquity, making it a definitive highlight of any journey through Turkey. Ideally situated at the crossroads of vital maritime and overland trade networks, Ephesus accumulated the immense wealth of the Orient. Conclude your daily excursion with a visit to the Ephesus Archaeological Museum, the House of the Virgin Mary, and the Basilica of St. John. Return to Kusadasi for dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.

En route to Bursa, enjoy a stop in Izmir (ancient Smyrna), the historic birthplace of the legendary poet Homer according to ancient sources. Today, Izmir thrives as Turkey's premier port city on the Aegean Sea. Take a leisurely stroll along the city’s beautifully refurbished waterfront promenade. Continue the drive toward Bursa. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Bursa.

Discover Bursa, the inaugural capital city of the Ottoman Empire, nestled on the scenic slopes of Mount Uludag. A groundbreaking style of Ottoman art emerged right here in Bursa, beautifully showcased in the Green Mosque and Green Tomb complex. See the monumental Great Mosque of Bursa and wander through the historic covered market, where fine silk products are traded to this day. In the afternoon, travel back toward Istanbul by bus cross the bridge and arrive in Istanbul. Overnight stay at the hotel in Istanbul.

After breakfast at hotel, transfer to Istanbul Airport.