Istanbul • Ephesus (5 Nights / 6 Days)

Day 1: Arrival at Istanbul Ataturk airport
Private transfer to your hotel; orientation walking tour of the neighborhood with your private guide. Some good local restaurants can be pointed out for dinner this evening.

Ortakoy mosque and Bosphorus bridge - Istanbul

Wooden houses, mansions - Bosphorus strait - Istanbul

Topkapi Palace - Istanbul

Celsius library - Ephesus - Selcuk

Sirince old Greek village - Selcuk

Lunch - Sultankoy - Selcuk

Day 2: Istanbul
Private sightseeing includes the Roman Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, and the Grand Bazaar.
If you feel energetic enough, we are happy to expand the tour to include other interesting aspects hidden in the less touristy areas of the district. (B)

Day 3: Istanbul
Private sightseeing includes Topkapi Palace and The Harem, the Spice Market, a boat ride on the Bosphorus Strait for about an hour and a backroads walking tour. (B)

Day 4: Istanbul / Ephesus and Sirince old Greek Village – Flight to Izmir
After departing from Istanbul in the morning, we arrive in Izmir and begin our drive to Kusadasi. We visit a beautiful village located on top of a hill and have lunch. Originally a Greek-Orthodox village, Sirince is now the pretty example of Turkish-Greek culture. In the afternoon, just before entering Kusadasi, we visit the old Basilica of St. John. (B, L)

Day 5: Kusadasi / Ephesus
Visit the ruins of Ephesus, including the Roman period villas known as the Terrace Houses. After this visit, we drive to the local village of Sultankoy. Here we break for a grilled lunch and have the opportunity to learn about some local crafts, such as rug-weaving. We may also be able to see demonstrations performed by local craftsmen. Our final stop of the day will be in the town of Selcuk where you can visit the Museum of Archaeology. (B, L)

Day 6: Kusadasi / Izmir / Istanbul - Homebound Departure
After breakfast, we drive to Izmir airport for the return flight to Istanbul. (B)

1. Accommodation:
   3 nights Istanbul: Hotel Ottoman Imperial (in the historic Sultanahmet neighborhood) or similar
   2 nights Kusadasi: Hotel Kismet or similar

2. Domestic flights in coach class within the program (Istanbul – Izmir - Istanbul).

3. Meals as indicated by (B, L, D) - B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
   7 Meals: 5 breakfasts, 2 lunches include bottled water.

4. Services of a private licensed, professional English-speaking guide throughout your trip.

5. All transfers and travel by private, modern, air-conditioned, chauffeur driven vehicles, appropriate to the size of your group.

6. All entrance fees to the sites and museums mentioned in the program.

7. Parking, ferry, and toll road fees. Not applicable if you are driving a rental car.

8. Gratuity at restaurants where a meal is included in the program.

9. Porterage fees at airports when our guide travels with you.

1. Airfare for international flights.

2. Beverages other than water during included meals.

3. Optional gratuities to the tour guide(s), driver(s). Also the Gulet crew when applies.

4. Tipping for porters at hotels.

5. Travel insurance.

6. Visas, laundry, and personal items.