Journey to the Land of Myth, Beauty & History

Información

Day 1: Istanbul, Troy and Pergamum.
On the first day of your journey, you will visit Troy, the site of the Trojan War and Pergamum, the birthplace of parchment. Your tour will start with an early morning departure from the hotel at 6am. You will drive along the European shore of the Marmara Sea, seeing some lovely summer houses on the sea side, with vast sun flower fields on the land side.

As you cross the Dardanelles by ferry, and drive the last 25 minutes to the site of Troy; you will become a part of Homer’s legends; seeing the symbolic Trojan horse, the city walls, The Athena Temple and the Odeon. After the visit, you may opt for lunch in a local restaurant. Then you will follow the route taken by those who have escaped the fall of Troy, fleeing from the wrath of Agamemnon, to the city of Pergamum.

It is believed that the word parchment is a derivative of Pergamum. According to Pliny the parchment was invented under the patronage of Eumenes of Pergamum, as a substitute for papyrus. Pergamum had hosted one of the biggest libraries of ancient ages, before it was destroyed. Pergamum is also the original home for the The Great Altar of Pergamon, on display in the Pergamon museum in Berlin, Germany. Still in its original site, is the base of the altar, believed to have been dedicated to Zeus, and the "Satan's Throne" as referred by John of Patmos in his Book of Revelation.

You will once again walk through the ages at this site; visiting the Acropolis and the Asklepion, which indeed has been an inspiration, as well as a prototype for the modern healthcare center of our day.

Dinner and overnight in one of the best hotels in modern Pergamum.

Day 2: Pergamum, Ephesus and Pamukkale.
The second day of your tour will start with a drive, via the Aegean city of Izmir, to Selcuk area. You will then visit the ancient city of Ephesus, the Roman capital of Asia Minor. Your tour will include the Odeon, the Marble Street, the Hadrian Temple, the Celcius Library and the Great Theatre. You may opt for lunch in a local restaurant, before paying a pilgrimage visit to the House of Virgin Mary. This Christian and Muslim shrine is located in the vicinity of Ephesus; and it is believed by many that Virgin Mary, was taken to this stone house by Saint John and lived there.

After a drive to Pamukkale town, you may wash the fatigue of the day (actually, the millenia) away, by taking a quick swim in a thermal bath before dinner .



Meeting/pick-up point: Hotel pick-up.
Duration: 3 days.
Start/opening time: At 6am on day 1. At 9pm on the last day, depending on the flight.
End/closing time:
Languages: English.
Others: Rates for tours out of Istanbul that has overnight stay include half board accommodations in a 4* hotel. Rates are per person with double occupancy. Upgrades are available upon request for an additional fee.
Included: transportation by air conditioned vehicles, English-speaking tour guide, airport transfers, accommodation (4* hotel), domestic flight tickets.
Not included: drinks and all personal expenses, admission fees, lunches.
Please note that, despite being clean, welcoming and having friendly staff, the service offerings of the hotels in the area are bound to 3* standards.
All passengers must bring their own passport.