Istanbul, Bursa & Ephesus

Today marks the beginning of your adventure as you arrive in Istanbul. Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy a Welcome Reception and meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers.

After the breakfast, we depart for a full day tour including a visit to Topkapi Palace Museum, residence of the Ottoman Sultans between 1453–1852. Visit the Hippodrome, which was once the centre of life where chariot racing and other public events took place. Tour the Blue Mosque built between 1609 and 1616, famous for its blue ceramic tiles. Next see St. Sophia, a church built in the 6th century Byzantine capital, converted to a mosque by the Ottomans, one of the world’s greatest architectural wonders. Your last stop will be the famous Grand Bazaar, the world’s largest and oldest covered market with over 60 streets. The rest of the evening is yours to enjoy Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul.

This morning you can join an optional tour starting with a cruise along Bosporus, enjoying the strait that separates Asia and Europe. An unforgettable excursion starts between two continents, the tour will be ended in Asia side and drive for Bursa UNESCO World Heritage and the birthplace of Ottoman Empire, Visit the Green Mosque, Green Mausoleum, and the old Silk Market. overnight in Bursa.

Drive to Kusadasi. Tour the famous ruins of Ephesus, an important cultural center of the ancient world, and explore 2,000-year-old marble streets, a theater, the Library of Celsius, a gymnasium and Hadrian’s Temple. Take a short drive to see St. Mary’s stone cottage where it is believed Virgin Mary spent her last years accompanied by St. John. Continue to a regional rug production center to have a firsthand experience of this unique art form. On the way we will visit one of the famous leather production centers of the region, Dinner and Overnight in Kusadasi

Transfer to the airport of Izmir for your return flight home.