Greece and Turkish Tour Country 10 Day (Crossing the Border)

(Dinner included)         
Greece and Turkey and meet the Turkish representative. Continue to legendary Troy, immortalised by Homer in the stories of King Priamus, Hector, Paris and the beautiful Helen. Visit the archaeological excavations that have revealed nine separate periods of settlement, including the ruins of city walls, house foundations, a temple, a theatre and a wooden replica of the Trojan horse, commemorating the epic victory 13^th century BCE. Continue to Canakkale.  Overnight in Canakkale.  

(Breakfast and Dinner included)                       
Travel to Pergamum (Revelation 2:12-17), a great Hellenistic capital in a superb mountain top setting. Visit the well-preserved ruins of the ancient city and enjoy a spectacular view of the Aegean Sea from the Acropolis, where a beautiful Altar of Zeus once stood. Continue to Thyatira to visit one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. The Church was set in an ancient commercial town with strong ties to Troy and Sardis. It is here, according to the Book of Acts, Paul encountered the first Christian on European soil. Aigai was the first city and core of the Macedonian Kingdom, the most significant Greek state in the North. Continue to Izmir, the modern face of Turkey, once ancient Smyrna housing another of the Seven Churches of the Book of Revelation, where St. Polycarp was martyred. Overnight in Izmir.

(Breakfast and Dinner included)           
Drive to Ephesus, under Roman rule from 130 BCE, with another of the Seven Churches of the Revelation (Rev.1:11). In antiquity, Ephesus was once a great city, boasting some three hundred thousand residents and a metropolitan center, whose extensive ruins are among the best preserved in the world. Stroll down the Cardo (the main Roman street of Ephesus), imagine the splendour of its ancient buildings and the hustle bustle of daily life. Visit the Library of Celsus, the Agora, the Odeon, Trajan’s Fountain, Domitianus Temple, the Roman latrines, the Theatre and the Stadium in which Paul preached the gospel. Paul stayed in Ephesus for 2 years. He wrote the first letter to the Corinthians here and probably other Epistles. Paul preached in the synagogue and the lecture hall of Tyrannus. After 2 years, everyone in the province had heard the word of the Lord, and God accomplished miracles at the hands of Paul. When pieces of cloth that had touched Paul’s skin were applied to the sick, their diseases left them, and they were healed (Acts 19:8-12). Other well-known disciples preached in Ephesus including Priscilla and Aquila, Apollos, Erostus and John the Apostle.  Continue to Mary’s House, reputedly the true place where Mary spent her last years before she died. Visit the Basilica of St. John, the author of the Book of Revelation, one of the largest churches of its time. Overnight in Kusadasi. 

(Breakfast and Dinner included)  
Travel to the port in Kusadasi, take the ferry to Patmos. Patmos is a beautiful Island in the string of Greek Islands. During the persecution of Christians, in 95 A.D., the Romans exiled St. John to the Island for 16 months. After docking, travel to the Grotto of St. John. According to an early Christian tradition it was here that the Apostle, amidst adversity, heard the voice of God, glimpsed the future, and penned the profound Book of Revelation — the final book in the Holy Bible. The small cave, now known as the Cave of the Apocalypse, has transformed into a place of worship, a must-see pilgrimage destination of profound spiritual significance. Our journey continues through a maze of inspiring lanes leading to the Monastery of St. John the Theologian, a remarkable structure dating back to the 11th century. Here we delve into the essence of monastic life and absorb timeless history through the museum's magnificent ecclesiastical artefacts. Treasures within the monastery include frescoes depicting the founder Christodoulos and miracles of St. John. Then explore Chora, the enchanting city of Patmos as you make your way to the port, Skala, to return by ferry to Kusadasi. Overnight in Kusadasi. Odelia Resort Hotel.

 Alternative Tour : Miletus - Didyma - Priene - Kusadasi.
Visit the Greco-Roman city of Priene. Then visit Miletus theater where Paul spoke to the locals. Last visit to the Apollo Temple in Didyma, the famous oracle center of Asia Minor. Return to Kusadasi.
NOTE : As there are no Kuşadası - Patmos ferry services during the winter months, an alternative tour program will be offered (such as the Miletus - Didyma - Priene).

(Breakfast and Dinner included)  
Drive to Sardis, capital of the ancient Lydian kingdom 6^th century BCE (Rev. 3:1-6), one of the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse, described as being “dead” (Rev, 3:1).  Visit: The marble court of the imperial cult, built in honour of the Roman emperors, the large palaestra. Then stop to see one of the largest ancient synagogues ever built. This unique Synagogue, built in the 4^th century was in continuous use until the 7^th century ACE. Continue to Philadelphia, referred to as the New Jerusalem (Rev. 3:7-13), with one of the Seven Churches, visit the church of St John. Travel to Laodicea, founded in the 2^nd Century BCE by Antiochus II Theos who named it for his wife, where you will visit another of the Seven Churches of the Revelation. Proceed to Pamukkale (cotton balls), a fascinating, unique geothermal terraced hot spring. Overnight in Pamukkale.  

(Breakfast and Dinner included)                       
Visit the terraced hot springs of Pamukkale a magnificent, unique renowned natural formation. Proceed to the ancient Roman ruins of Hierapolis where Philip the Apostle was martyred in 1 ACE including the magnificently preserved Necropolis (cemetery), Avenue of Tombs, Gates, Thermal Baths, Devil’s Hole and the Masterpiece Theatre. Continue to Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. Overnight in Bursa

(Breakfast and Dinner included)           
Visit historic Bursa Citadel, also known as Bursa Kalesi. This ancient fortress offers panoramic views of the city and is a great spot to learn about Bursa's past. Continue to the Bursa City Museum with fascinating insights into the history and culture of Bursa, and exhibits showcasing artifacts from different periods. Travel to Nicaea, which along with the rest of Bithynia, came under the rule of the Roman Republic in 72 BC. Visit the Roman ruins in the city that later achieved fame as the site of two ecumenical councils, the first in 325 ACE and seventh in 787 ACE.  Later the capital of the Empire of Nicaea following the Fourth Crusade in 1204.  Enjoy a ferry crossing of the Sea of Marmara to Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul. 

(Breakfast and Dinner included)           
We depart at 08.30 for the Istanbul city tour. First visit the Hagia Sophia Museum and the Blue Mosque with its beautiful Iznik tiles. Proceed to and visit the ancient Hippodrome where chariot and horse races were held. Continue to the Chora Church, also known as the Church of the Holy Savior. According to a 10th Century Christian tradition, passed down by Simeon Metaphrates, the graves of Saint Babylas and his 84 students – martyred in the great massacre, during the reign of Emperor Diocletian, 298 A C E – were transferred to the area where Chora Church is today at the beginning of the 4th century. This is roughly the same time as the construction of the original Chora Church! It was built as part of a monastery complex outside the city walls of Constantinople. “Chora” is the Greek word for town, in this case it reflects the church's original rural location. End the day at the Grand Covered Bazaar, one of the largest covered markets in the world with 60 streets and 5,000 shops, the market attracts between 250,000 to 400,000 visitors daily. It is well known for its jewelry, hand painted ceramics, carpets, embroideries, spices and antique shops. The rest of the evening is yours to enjoy Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul.

Please Note: Topkapi Palace closed on Tuesdays. If your 

(Breakfast and Dinner included)           
Pick up at 08:30am from the hotel and depart for the Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise and Shopping Tour. BOSPHORUS BY BOAT a traditional excursion by boat along the waterway separating Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages. During the excursion you will see the magnificent sights of the following attractions from your boat. See Dolmabahce Palace, and further along, the parks and imperial pavilions of Yildiz Palace. On the coastal edge of this park, is Ciragan Palace, 300 meters of its marble facade faces the shore. At Ortakoy a great variety of artists gather every Sunday to display their work along the street. Ortakoy is a symbol of tolerance with a church, a mosque and a synagogue existing side by side for centuries.
RUMELI FORTRESS Built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452 prior to the conquest of Istanbul was completed in only four months to control and protect the infamous Bosphorus passage. It is one of the most beautiful works of military architecture anywhere in the world. BEYLERBEYI PALAS (PALACE) The summer residence of Ottoman sultans exists in its original renovated glory featuring original antique furniture and magnificent gardens with the Harem on the Asian side of Istanbul.
BOSPHORUS BRIDGE enjoy a unique chance to step from one continent (Asia) to another (Europe) 
CAMLICA HILL the highest point in Istanbul. At the top of it you can rest and admire the magnificent panorama of Istanbul and the Bosphorus from the beautiful gardens, landscaped in traditional Turkish Ottoman style. SHOPPING TOUR (after cruise) Experience the traditional silk weaving skills of Turkish women at the carpet weaving courses provided by The Ministry of National Education. You will get the opportunity to see jewellery, handcrafts centre and a modern leatherwear show. Enjoy the experience of shopping whilst gaining the knowledge of the ancient craftsmen, with Murti's Tour's local escort full of knowledge about how to haggle the streets of Istanbul. The rest of the evening is yours to explore Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul.

(Open buffet breakfast included)
After breakfast check out from the hotel. We hope your tour was a memorable one and we look forward to seeing you in the future on another TravelShop Booking Tour. Have a safe trip back home and thanks for choosing TravelShop Booking.