A fascinating mix of modern and ancient, where East meets West, Turkey is one of the most incredible countries in the world. As such it has plenty of European and Asian influences from all sides. With close proximity to Africa too, it is a cultural melting pot where people of all beliefs and faiths can feel at home. Turkey is one of the most popular holiday destinations for Indian travelers, and it truly has something to offer everyone’s tastes: white sandy beaches, ruins of ancient civilizations, world-class sights, delicious food, cosmopolitan feels, and holiday spirits. Turkey is truly a country that leaves you breathless.
John F.K. International Airport (Google Map)
3 Hours Before Flight Time
Meet and assist then transfer to Hurghada (5hr drive)
Meet and assist at the airport then transfer to the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel. Start visiting the Blue Mosque, the most important landmark of Istanbul.
Continue to Hagia Sofia, the Byzantine church that the government converted into a mosque.
Here you can see the cluster of both religions in one building. Continue to Basilica Cistern,
known as “Subterranean Palace, built in the 3 rd century, located under a large public square.
Continue to te great grand bazaar, the oldest spicy bazaar. Overnight Istanbul
After breakfast at the hotel, we will start our tour to visit the Topkapi Palace, known as “Cannon
Gate Palace”, which served as the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire and the residence
of its Sultans. The female members of the Sultans lived in the Harem. Drive to Ephesus and
overnight.
Breakfast at the hotel and start visiting Ephesus ancient theatre with a capacity of 25 thousand
people with 65 rows. Many performances were to honor the god of wine. The ancient city of
Ephesus is one of the most fertile lands in Anatolia and had a port that connected the East with
the West. Temple of Artemis was nominated as one of the Seven Wonders of Ancient Worlds.
Continue to the house of the Virgin Mary, when Jesus was crucified, he entrusted his mother to
his apostle St. Jean who brought Virgin Mary to the most peaceful and biggest city of the age,
Ephesus, to spend her last days. Library of Celsus, named after Tiberius Celsus the powerful
Senator and a book lover. It had 12-15 thousand scrolls of parchments and ranked as the 3 rd
biggest library in the ancient world built by the Roman Empire in A.C 135. Celsus’s tomb is
under the ground of the west wing of the library. Shelves and cabinets in rectangular niches were
built on these interior walls to prevent damage to the books. Thus, they are protected from
excessive heat, humidity, and insects.
Breakfast at the hotel then visit Pamukkale “cotton castle” the pearl-white terraces with pools of
spring water. Wander the travertines, bathe in the pools and admire the views of the village and
surrounding plains. At the nearby Cleopatra Pools, you can swim in crystal clear thermal water
among ancient columns and other ruins.
The island has the shape of a bird’s head. Basilica of St. John the Baptist was built in the 6 th
Century by Justinian and John the Apostle was buried there.
Isa Bey Mosque was built in 1374 and its design is based on the Great Mosque of Damascus.
Breakfast at the hotel the transfer to the airport
