7 Days Istanbul Travel Tour

Upon your arrival at Istanbul airport, our representative will warmly welcome you. Subsequently, you will be escorted to your hotel, ensuring a seamless transfer for your comfortable stay in Istanbul. Take this opportunity to unwind and rejuvenate during your overnight stay at the hotel.

After enjoying a delightful breakfast, start your day with an extensive city tour. Our first destination will be the iconic Hagia Sophia, an extraordinary architectural marvel and one of the most recognizable landmarks in Istanbul. Not only is it among the largest churches globally, but it is also held in high esteem and greatly admired. Moving on, we will explore the Topkapi Palace, which was the official residence of sultans from 1478 to 1856. This magnificent complex is not just a single building; rather, it encompasses a vast network of pavilions, gardens, and areas that stretch from Istanbul's historic center to the tip of the Golden Horn.

Continuing our journey, we will visit the renowned Blue Mosque. This impressive structure showcases six majestic minarets and domes that form a visually striking centerpiece. The architect's pursuit of perfection is evident in every intricate detail of this architectural masterpiece. In the afternoon, we will proceed to the Roman Hippodrome, a historic site that entertained the people of Constantinople for over a thousand years with thrilling chariot races and circus performances.

To conclude the day, we will explore the vibrant Grand Bazaar, a covered market where you can immerse yourself in the bustling atmosphere and enjoy some free time. Afterward, we will return to your hotel in Istanbul for an overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast

After enjoying breakfast, we will begin a full-day excursion. Our first destination will be the Sveti Stefan Church, which is also referred to as the Bulgarian Orthodox Church or the Iron Church. This incredible building is famous for its use of prefabricated cast iron elements in the Neo-Byzantine style. It serves as a place of worship for the Bulgarian Christian community in the city. Following that, we will visit the Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarchate and then proceed to the Süleymaniye Mosque, a magnificent architectural creation designed by the esteemed architect Sinan. In the afternoon, we will explore the Egyptian Bazaar, also known as the Species Market, and take a leisurely walk along Istiklal pedestrian street. If desired, there will be an opportunity to attend mass at the Church of Saint Antonio. Finally, we will return to our hotel in Istanbul for an overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast

After enjoying our morning meal, we will depart from the hotel in Istanbul and board a flight to Izmir. Our first destination upon arrival will be Pergamon, an ancient Roman city that was once incredibly prosperous and known as the birthplace of parchment. We will have the opportunity to explore the ruins of the Acropolis, which sits atop a mountain in present-day Bergama. Here, we can marvel at various historical sites, including the world's steepest theater, the Temple of Trajan, the Temple of Athena, and the remnants of the Altar of Zeus, famously mentioned as "The Throne of Satan" in Saint John's Letter. Moving on, we will visit the Red Basilica, originally a temple dedicated to Egyptian deities but later converted into a basilica by the Byzantines. Pergamon is also renowned as the hometown of Galen, one of the most distinguished physicians of ancient times. We will have the opportunity to explore the ruins of his El Asclepeion hospital. Continuing our journey, we will proceed to Thyatira, now known as Akhisar, a city famous for its production of purple dyes. Here, we will explore the remnants of a Byzantine-era basilica before returning to Izmir. The day will conclude with a delightful dinner at your hotel and an overnight stay in Izmir.

The day begins with breakfast, followed by the start of the tour in Sardes, which is now known as Salihli. Sardes, the former capital of Lydia, was a prosperous city and holds the distinction of being the place where the first gold coins were produced. The famous myth of King Midas is set in Sardes, with its origins in the gold-rich sands of the Pactolo River that flows through the city's ruins. It's worth mentioning that the Temple of Artemis, the Gymnasium, and the Synagogue are all connected to Philadelphia. One of the highlights is a visit to the Church of Saint Juan, which was a rectangular structure with six pillars made from recycled stone and a brick upper section. After exploring Philadelphia, we will continue our journey to Pamukkale, specifically to Laodicea, where Saint John wrote his final letter to the city. In Laodicea, we will have the opportunity to visit the Basilica, the Temple, and the theaters. Finally, we will transfer to our hotel in Pamukkale for dinner and an overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After savoring a delectable morning meal, we will embark on a journey to Pamukkale, which is also referred to as the Cotton Castle. This extraordinary destination presents a mesmerizing landscape, featuring a mountain adorned with white calcareous formations that give rise to stunning semicircular pools. Within this majestic backdrop lies the ancient city of Hierapolis, where we can delve into remarkable attractions like the Theater and the largest necropolis in Anatolia. Additionally, we will have the opportunity to pay a visit to the Matrium of Saint Felipe, a significant location where the Apostle Felipe met his martyrdom during the persecutions led by Domitian.
After our exploration of Pamukkale, we will proceed with our adventure to Ephesus, which is home to one of the most well-preserved ancient cities in Asia Minor. This remarkable city boasted a thriving population of 250,000 inhabitants during the first and second centuries. During our visit, we will have the privilege of marveling at architectural wonders such as the Hadrian Temple, Roman Baths, Library of Celsus, and the Odeon, an impressive theater capable of accommodating up to 24,500 spectators.

As our time in Ephesus comes to an end, we will transfer to Izmir airport for a flight back to Istanbul. Upon arrival in Istanbul, we will be transferred to our hotel for a comfortable overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Istanbul airport to take your departure flight.
Meals: Breakfast