AEGEAN DISCOVERY (08 Days)

Rumeli Fortress is built in 1452 with order from Mehmet 2nd the Conqueror to stop any support coming for Byzantium through the Bosphorus. The architect is Muslittin Bey and the construction is completed in such a short time of only 4 months.

Pergamum was a major city in western Asia Minor in New Testament times. It lies in a spacious valley, sixteen miles from the Aegean Sea in what is today the country of Turkey.

The famous Ephesus Library was situated to the south of the Agora. This elegant monument was built in A.D. 135 by Julius Aquila in memory of his father, Celsus Polemaeanus of Sardis, Roman Senator and Proconsul of the province of Asia.

"Sacred Pool" of ancient times, where you can swim amidst the historical remains of Hierapolis.

Highlights: Istanbul, Pergamum, Aphrodisias, Pamukkale, Didyma, Miletos, Priene, Ephesus
Operates: All year-around / By flight
Package Rate: Please fill the form and tell us your travel dates & choice of hotels
Optional Tours: Turkish Bath (Hamam), Turkish Night Show & Whirling Dervishes Performance
Note: Aegean Discovery tour is insuranced by TURSAB (Association of Turkish Travel Agencies)

DAY 01 – Arrival in Istanbul
Upon arrival in Istanbul, the city of two continents, you will be greeted by Veni Vidi Travel representative with Turkish hospitality & accompanied during your transfer to the hotel, where you will be briefed by your travel consultant with the remainder of day at leisure to relax &/or check out the city. Overnight in Istanbul.

DAY 02 – Garden of Emperors Tour (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch)
Your day will commence with a visit to the ancient Byzantine Hippodrome where you will tour the Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column, Fountain of Wilhelm II, the elegant Blue Mosque famous with its heavenly six minarets and finally the Hagia Sophia Museum, built during the reign of Emperor Theodosius and burned down in the fire of Nika Revolt in 532 A.D. Then you will have a visit to the Underground Cistern, which known as the Basilica Cistern during the Roman period, as there was a Stoa Basilica above the pre-existing one at the time. Lunch will be served at Topkapi Palace, in a restaurant with panoramic view of the Bosphorus, Asia & Europe. After lunch you will be guided to visit the residence and administrative center of the Ottoman Sultans. Historical tour of Istanbul will conclude with a visit to the Grand Bazaar, exploring a labyrinth of streets and passages housing more than 4,000 shops. After the tour you will be leaded back to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul. 
 
DAY 03 – Bosphrous Cruise & Asian Istanbul Tour (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch) 
Today begins with a drive to Eminonu to explore the bustling Egyptian Spice Market of 17th century origin - a colorful bazaar heaped with spices, Turkish sweets, dried foods & much more. You will then board the ferry which has become one of the icons of Istanbul. The Bosphorus is a narrow, navigable strait between Europe & Asia, connecting the Black Sea to the Marmara Sea where you will admire the shoreline of beautiful mosques, lavish palaces and decadent villas. After lunch you will drive over the Bosphorus Bridge by coach which will take you to Camlica Hill on the Asiatic side of Istanbul for breathtaking views of two shores. Before driving back to Europe, you will stop at Beylerbeyi Palace, which was the summer residence of the late royal Ottoman family. Overnight in Istanbul.

DAY 04 – Flight to Izmir / Pergamum Tour (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) 
After check-out you travel on a one hour flight to Izmir. Upon arrival you will be met and driven to the Ancient Greek city of Pergamum which was built on the top of a cone-shaped Acropolis, rising over a thousand feet above the surrounding valley. You will be escorted to The Sanctuary of Trajan, Sanctuary of Athena, Library, Royal palaces, Temple of Dionysus, Upper Agora, Roman baths complex and Asklepion, which was the Sanctuary of Asclepius (also known as the Asclepieion), the god of healing. At the conclusion of your day tour, you will be driven to Kusadasi. Overnight in Kusadasi.

DAY 05 – Aphrodisias & Pamukkale Tour (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) 
Early this morning, you will be driven to Aphrodisias, named after Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of Love. Here you will see the Temple of Aphrodite, the monumental Tetra Pylon Gateway, the ancient Gladiator Stadium and the Archaeological Museum. After lunch you will continue to Hierapolis meaning "sacred city’’, famous for its hot springs. The large necropolis of Hierapolis is filled with sarcophagi. Next to the ruins of Hierapolis, you will visit Pamukkale meaning ‘’Cotton Castle’’. After some relaxation time in the calcium pools famous for the healing properties. Overnight in Kusadasi.

DAY 06 – Diyma, Miletos, Priene Tour (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Today you will depart for Priene which in its time was one of the most spectacular of all the Ancient Ionians Cities. After the visit here, you then travel on to Miletus with its magnificent theatre and the Byzantine fortress on the acropolis above. Last, but not least, visit Didyma. Here you will find the largest Ionic Temple in the world, that of Apollo. Lunch. Also in Didyma lies the huge, cracked head of Medusa which long ago fell from the frieze. Overnight in Kusadasi.

DAY 07 – Ephesus Ancient City Tour (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch) 
Upon check-out, your guide will escort you for a full day of sightseeing, including Ephesus Ancient City, which was the most prevalent city in Roman Asia with as many as 500,000 citizens around 100 AD>  You will also visit The House of Mother Mary, Temple of Artemis, St. John’s Basilica and Ephesus Museum. After completing your tour, you will be transferred to Izmir Airport for the return flight to Istanbul for your last night in Turkey. Overnight in Istanbul.

DAY 08 – Istanbul / Departure (Meal: Breakfast)
Breakfast, check-out & transfer to Istanbul International Airport as per your onward flight schedule.

Please take note of the following:
* We aim to respond to all requests within 24 hrs. We are happy to modify the itinerary upon request
* Smoking is not permitted in our tours but all tours make frequent stops

What's Included:
* Hotel accommodations in choice of preferred class
* Professional Guide licensed by the Ministry of Tourism
* Noted sightseeing tours on regular group or private guided basis
* Main entrance fees to sights mentioned by the itinerary
* Meals mentioned by the itinerary - Vegeterian meals available
* Required land transport including roundtrip airport transfers with A/C minivans
* Required internal flight tickets
* Local taxes & handling services

What's NOT Included:
* International flights to/from Turkey and personal travel insurance, any other expenses not noted in the above included section or airport tax, visa for Turkey (if required), any tips to guide, driver or staff at hotels, items of a personal nature, hotel extras (minibar, telephone/internet usage, laundry, etc), drinks with meals (except the drinks served with breakfast) and medical services.