ITINERARY DETAILS
DAY 1
Istanbul
Welcome to the enchanting city of Istanbul, where East meets West in an unforgettable blend of history, culture, and timeless beauty. Upon arrival, a private driver will be waiting to take you to your selected hotel in the city. Afternoon at leisure so you can refresh and unwind and refresh after your journey.
DAY 2
Full Day Istanbul Tour
Today’s tour will allow you to uncover some of the most renowned sites in Istanbul. You will start by visiting the Hippodrome and the remains of the giant arena that functioned as the site for sporting events and political activities of the old city in the Roman and Byzantine eras. From there, you will head to the Blue Mosque. Just opposite St. Sophia, this exquisite mosque built in the name of Sultan Ahmet is famous for its blue Iznik (Nicean) tiles and is unique for having six minarets. You will also explore St. Sophia (the Church of Divine Wisdom) one of the greatest marvels of architecture. You will then continue to the Topkapi Palace, the former location of the Imperial offices and residence of Ottoman Sultans and now a magnificent museum exhibiting the imperial treasury, Chinese porcelain, weapons, calligraphy, and countless other artifacts. Your last stop for the day will be the Grand Bazaar, a historical shopping center that ranks as the biggest souk in the world, with nearly 4000 shops featuring antiques, gold, carpets, and leatherwear. During the visit to the Grand Bazaar, you will taste Turkish coffee in Sark Kahvesi, a 400-year-old Turkish Coffee House.
DAY 3
Bosphorus Cruise and Spice Shop
Experience the true essence of Istanbul with a yacht cruise on the Bosphorus, the narrow strait of water separating the Asian and European continents, and the lifeblood of Istanbul. Passing along the shores of the Bosphorus you will view magnificent palaces, restored Ottoman villas, impressive fortresses, and the waterside residences of Istanbul’s elite. Enjoy soft drinks tea and coffee on the motor yacht and see a different perspective of Istanbul. You will end the tour with a visit to the Spice Market. Built in 1664, this large, old stone building includes many vibrant shops selling everything from exotic spices to dried fruits, nuts, seeds, and other local delicacies. While at the Spice Market, you will have a short break at Ali Muhiddin Haci Bekir’s shop – the inventor of Turkish delight.
DAY 4
Fener and Balat Tour
Explore Fener and Balat, two historically rich neighborhoods of Istanbul nestled along the Golden Horn, and get the feel for the authentic, off-the-beaten-path Istanbul lifestyle. Here the houses are painted in a myriad of colors, washing lines are strung between buildings, kids play in the streets, and traces of Jewish, Armenian, and Orthodox communities still stand. You will visit the extraordinary Greek Orthodox Church, Hagia Blacherna or Mary Blachernae, built on a sacred water source and the only church in the whole world where there’s a service on Friday mornings. St. Stephens of the Bulgars church is another noteworthy site in the area, renowned because it is made entirely from iron. From there, you will continue inland to visit the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, and up the steep hill to the imposing red brick Phanar Greek Orthodox College. Also located on top of the hill is the terracotta walled Church of the St Mary of the Mongols, the oldest church in Istanbul that has not been converted into a mosque and the only functioning Byzantine church. And since both Fener and Balat are very famous for their antique shops, a visit to the Balat Marketplace is the perfect way to conclude this tour.
DAY 5
Istanbul to Izmir
After breakfast and the hotel check-out formalities, your private driver will be ready to transfer you to Istanbul Airport for your morning flight to Izmir. After landing, you will once again meet a driver who will take you to your selected hotel in Izmir. Afternoon at leisure, ask your Travelive advisor for their favorite restaurants and places of interest within the city.
DAY 6
Full-day tour of Ephesus with Wine Tasting
Discover the myths, legends, and stories of the ancient city of Ephesus as you explore its vast ruins. This ancient city is believed to have been settled in the 10th century BC by Ionians, Ephesus changed hands many times before becoming a Roman dependency in 133 BC during the reign of Emperor Augustus. Unearthed ruins give a clear picture of the life in Ephesus including roads used by chariots; mosaic pedestrian walkways; the famous 2 story facade of the Celsus Library, constructed from 117-125 AD which contained rectangular niches to hold papyrus scrolls; and an amphitheater which could seat 24,000 people. From Ephesus, you will head to an established winery, where you will get acquainted with their distinct wines. At the Seven Sages (Yedi Bilgeler), you will have an overview of the estate and learn about the property, its history, and the inspiration behind it. In the production area, you will also learn about the wine-making process. You will then continue to the restaurant to sample five different wines.
DAY 7
Full-day tour of Pergamon, Acropolis and Asclepion
Today’s tour will take you to Pergamon, a city that boasts a rich history dating back to the Hellenistic period, and a cultural epicenter of the East Roman Empire. Here you will see the Acropolis, the site that features the impressive Temple of Trajan, the Altar of Zeus, and the Theater of Pergamon, showcasing the advanced engineering skills of its ancient builders. The Library of Pergamum was one of the most important libraries of the ancient world, second only to the Library of Alexandria. The ruins of the library sit on a hilltop near the Sanctuary of Athena and other buildings of the Pergamon Acropolis. Then, you will visit the ancient Asklepion, a renowned healing center dedicated to Asclepius, the god of medicine. The innovative medical practices carried out here contributed to the development of modern medicine.
DAY 8
Travel to Bodrum
After meeting your driver, you will start your private transfer to Bodrum and your selected hotel. Spend your afternoon at leisure, explore the hotel facilities, relax on the beach, and enjoy a traditional meal in one of the local restaurants.
DAY 9
Market Visit and Cooking Class
If you are a foodie and would like to expand your culinary knowledge, you can join your English-speaking guide and visit the farmer’s market where you will mingle with the local food producers selling homegrown olives, wild seasonal greens, vegetables, jams, pickles, breads, and cheeses. Once you have bought all the necessary ingredients, you will drive to Erenler Sofrasi in an olive garden. Your final stop is the Erenler Sofrasi Restaurant where your hosts will guide you through the delicious secrets of regional Aegean cuisine. After all the dishes are prepared, you will enjoy the food family-style before returning to your hotel.
DAY 10
Day at Leisure
Relax and unwind during your day at leisure. Explore the promenades, beaches, and wonderful traditional restaurants in the city.
DAY 11
Departure
Your driver will meet you at the hotel to transfer you to Bordum Airport for your flight back home.
