Aegean Gems : Travel to Ephesus, Pamukkale, Aphrodisias, Priene

Day 1 Flight from Istanbul to Denizli – Pamukkale, Hierapolis, Aphrodisias Tour - Overnight at Kusadasi

1. 1

   Istanbul

   1 hour

   The travel services will begin with a transfer from your hotel to the airport. Your driver will meet you at the reception of your hotel or at your Airbnb address if parking is available. You will then be transported to the airport for your flight from Istanbul to Denizli.

2. 2

   1 hour

   Upon arrival Denizli Cardak airport, your tour guide and another driver will meet you at the exit gate of the arrival terminal, and then you will start the full-day tour to Pamukkale Natural Park, Hierapolis Ancient City, Aphrodisias Ancient City.

3. 3

   Hierapolis & Pamukkale

   1 hour Admission ticket not included

   The highlights of Hierapolis Ancient City are Necropolis, Roman Baths, Domitian Gate, Latrina, Oil Factory, Frontinus Street, Agora, Byzantium Gate, Triton Fountain, Cathedral, Apollon Temple, Plutonium, Theater and Antique Pool. During visits to these ancient ruins, you can take some photos from the nicest corners of the Pamukkale.

4. 4

   Pamukkale Thermal Pools

   1 hour

   After visited the Hierapolis Ancient City, you will have free time for about 60-75 minutes to explore the natural beauties of the Pamukkale, and swim at white travertines - thermal pools (or antique pool - Cleopatra’s pool with extra fee). Then meet again with your guide, start walking in the middle of travertines from up to down without shoes and socks.

5. 5

   Cleopatra Pools

   30 min Admission ticket not included

   Situated above the Pamukkale white travertine pools is one particularly spectacular location fed by the same hot springs. Here you can bath in the same waters in which Cleopatra once swam! A professionally run modern spa facility allows you to enjoy these historical healing waters. Unlike the white water of the lower pools the Antique Pool favored by Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, is pure clear warm water. Once it was surmounted by a Roman Temple to Apollo with ornate roof held up with Doric columns. Imagine how Cleopatra must have experienced this when you imagine it in it's glory day.

6. 6

   Pamukkale

   1 hour

   You will stop at a local restaurant for your lunch. Today’s lunch is included during guided tour.

7. 7

   Karahayit

   30 min

   After the lunch, you will have experience traditional handcraft workshop for get lecture about the special stones/metals of Pamukkale.

8. 8

   30 min Admission ticket not included

   Pamukkale Paragliding Adventure (Optional Attraction – You can add this attraction to your experiences with extra cost.) : See Pamukkale’s glistening white travertine and ancient Hierapolis, including the enormous theater, from the air on this short-but-sweet paragliding experience with a seasoned pilot. You will race off the edge of a slope about 1,300 feet (400 meters) up, then glide on the breezes over the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

9. 9

   Aphrodisias

   1 hour Admission ticket not included

   This ancient city is located in southwestern Turkey, in the upper valley of the Morsynus River, the site consists of two components: the archaeological site of Aphrodisias and the marble quarries northeast of the city. The temple of Aphrodite dates from the 3rd century BC and the city was built one century later. The wealth of Aphrodisias came from the marble quarries and the art produced by its sculptors. The city streets are arranged around several large civic structures, which include temples, a theatre, an agora and two bath complexes.

10. 10

    Kusadasi

    2 hours 30 min

    After your tour to Pamukkale Natural Park - Hierapolis Ancient City – Aphrodisias Ancient City, you will be transferred to your hotel in Kusadasi.

11. 11

    Kusadasi Castle

    2 hours 30 min

    This small castle is picturesque Byzantine fortress stands on the causeway-connected Guvercin Adasi (Pigeon Island) and has recently been renovated. *** There is no any visit to this place on tour. You can visit there by your own after we dropped you to your hotel in Kusadasi.

12. 12

    Okuz Mehmet Pasa KervansarayI

    2 hours 30 min

    This caravanserai was built by the Grand Vizier Okuz Mehmed Pasha to support maritime trade in the region. This historical building is opposite to Kusadasi cruise port. *** There is no any visit to this place on tour. You can visit there by your own after we dropped you to your hotel in Kusadasi.

Day 2 Guided Tour to Priene and Its Surroundings - Overnight at Kusadasi

1. 1

   10 min

   After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, the tour guide will pick you up around 10:00am for a full-day tour to Priene and its surroundings.

2. 2

   1 hour 15 min

   The old village of Doganbey, formerly known as Domatia, was inhabited by Greeks until the 1924 population exchange. Following this, the village was settled by Turks but was eventually abandoned after some time. Today, the village serves as an open-air museum, showcasing exquisite examples of both Turkish and Greek architecture and reflecting the legacy of past civilizations. It features several original buildings, including the Information and Visitor Center, as well as a chapel and a church.

3. 3

   1 hour 30 min

   You will stop at a local seafood restaurant for your lunch. Today’s lunch is included during guided tour.

4. 4

   Priene Antik Kenti

   1 hour 15 min Admission ticket not included

   Priene originally lay along the Maeander River’s mouth, but about 350 bc the citizens built a new city farther inland, on the present site. The new city’s main temple, of Athena Polias, was dedicated by Alexander the Great in 334. The little city grew slowly over the next two centuries and led a quiet existence; it prospered under the Romans and Byzantines but gradually declined.

5. 5

   Kusadasi

   30 min

   At the end of tour, you will be dropped back to your hotel in Kusadasi.

Day 3 Guided Tour to Ephesus and Its Surroundings - Flight from Izmir to Istanbul – or Flight from Izmir to Cappadocia

1. 1

   10 min

   After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, the tour guide will pick you up around 09:00 AM for a full-day tour to Ephesus and its surroundings. *** At the end of the tour, you will be directly transferred to Izmir Airport for your flight back to Istanbul (or a flight from Izmir to Cappadocia if you prefer connect this trip to Cappadocia. The flight ticket from Izmir to Istanbul or to Cappadocia will be included for both options). Please remember to check out of your hotel and collect your luggage before heading out for the Ephesus tour.

2. 2

   Kusadasi Gazi Begendi Park

   15 min

   Before drive to Ephesus area, you will stop at the Gazi Begendi Park (Hill) for you can take photos of the amazing Kusadasi Bay.

3. 3

   Meryemana (The Virgin Mary's House)

   45 min Admission ticket not included

   Your first visit will be the pilgrimage point claimed to be the last home of the Virgin Mary. Once you arrive there you will be thrilled by the natural beauty that surrounds the monument.

4. 4

   Ancient City of Ephesus

   1 hour 30 min Admission ticket not included

   Your next visit will be the Ephesus Ancient City. Ephesus was one of the most important harbor cities in antique world and also it is mentioned in the book of Revelations as one of the seven churches. Also Celsus Library and theater in Ephesus are the other highlights. You will see the Celcus Library, Temple of Hadrian, Fountain of Trajan, Odeon, Agora, Fountain of Domitian, Hercule Gate, Grand Theater, Nike, Ancient Toilets and more during tour in this ancient city.

5. 5

   Selcuk

   1 hour

   You will stop at a traditional Turkish restaurant for your lunch. Today’s lunch is included during guided tour. After the lunch, you will have experience in a traditional handcraft co-operative for get lecture about the special arts of Turkish villagers.

6. 6

   Saint John Kilisesi

   45 min Admission ticket not included

   You will visit this ancient Basilica dedicated to the author of Revelation St. John. According to the legend St. John died in this church after having written the Fourth Gospel and the Basilica was built by the Emperor Justinian over St. Johns burial place.

7. 7

   1 hour

   At the end of the tour, you will be transferred to Izmir airport for your flight to back to Istanbul.

8. 8

   1 hour

   Upon your arrival Istanbul, we will meet you at the airport and then you will be transferred to your hotel in Istanbul.

9. 9

   Cappadocia

   1 hour 15 min

   If you would like to connect this trip to the Cappadocia district, that option will be available for you, and flight ticket from Izmir to Cappadocia will be included instead of the ticket for flight from Izmir to Istanbul. Upon your arrival at Cappadocia airport, another driver will meet you at the exit gate of the arrival terminal and transfer you to your hotel in Cappadocia.