You’ll discover the top attractions in western Turkey on this tour, which includes visits to Pamukkale, Hierapolis, Laodicea, Ephesus, and Kuşadası. Additionally, there are two more significant sites you’ll explore during your journey. The terrace houses of Ephesus will back you to the 1st century AD, these multi-story homes showcase intricate mosaics, frescoes, and advanced architectural techniques. Archeology museum of Ephesus, showcases artifacts from the ancient city of Ephesus and its surrounding areas. The travel package provides a great opportunity to link your travels in Western Turkey with Cappadocia, another key destination in the country. Also, on this semi-private tour with a maximum of 10 travelers offers a more personalized experience while still enjoying the company of others. It strikes a balance between intimacy and group dynamics, enhancing the overall adventure.
This trip package offer you several pick-up (departure) and drop-off locations for you may create more advantageous travel plans. You may start this trip from Istanbul by a domestic flight or with a transfer from Antalya, Fethiye, Marmaris by private car. Also you may connect this trip package to Cappadocia instead of return back to Istanbul at the end of trip. Please check the descriptions for use these beneficial options.
✈️ Departures from Istanbul : The services of this travel package will begin with a transfer from your hotel (or at your Airbnb address if parking is available) to the airport. Your driver will meet you at your pick up place and then transfer to the airport for your flight from Istanbul to Denizli. Upon arrival Denizli Cardak Airport, your tour guide and another driver will meet you at the exit gate of the arrival terminal, and then you will start today’s semi-private guided tour.
Departures from Antalya, Fethiye, Marmaris : The services of this travel package will begin with a private transfer from your hotel (or at your Airbnb address if parking is available) to the Pamukkale Natural Park. Upon arrival Pamukkale, your tour guide and another driver will meet you, and then you will start today’s semi-private guided tour.
Pamukkale Natural Park, a must-visit destination for Nature and History lovers. For centuries, people have been coming here and going home restful. This natural park provide you experiences at the white travertenies of Pamukkale, Cleopatra Pools and ancient city of Hierapolis which are located in Pamukkale Natural Park.
The highlights of the Hierapolis Ancient City are Roman Baths, Domitian Gate, Latrina, Oil Factory, Frontinus Street, Agora, Byzantium Gate, Triton Fountain, Cathedral, Apollon Temple, Plutonium, Theater and Antique Pool. During visits to these ancient ruins, you can take some photos from the nicest corners of the Pamukkale.
After visited the Hierapolis Ancient City, you will have free time for about 60-75 minutes to explore the natural beauties of the Pamukkale, and swim at white travertines - thermal pools (or antique pool - Cleopatra’s pool with extra fee).
Situated above the Pamukkale white travertine pools is one particularly spectacular location fed by the same hot springs. Here you can bath in the same waters in which Cleopatra once swam! A professionally run modern spa facility allows you to enjoy these historical healing waters. Unlike the white water of the lower pools the Antique Pool favored by Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, is pure clear warm water. Once it was surmounted by a Roman Temple to Apollo with ornate roof held up with Doric columns. Imagine how Cleopatra must have experienced this when you imagine it in it's glory day.
You will stop at a local restaurant for your lunch. Today’s lunch is included during guided tour. After the lunch, you will have experience traditional handcraft workshop for get lecture about the special stones/metals of Pamukkale.
Pamukkale Paragliding Adventure (Optional Attraction – You can add this attraction to your experiences with extra cost.) : See Pamukkale’s glistening white travertine and ancient Hierapolis, including the enormous theater, from the air on this short-but-sweet paragliding experience with a seasoned pilot. You will race off the edge of a slope about 1,300 feet (400 meters) up, then glide on the breezes over the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
After today’s semi-private guided tour in Pamukkale district, you will be transferred to your hotel in Kusadasi.
This small castle is picturesque Byzantine fortress stands on the causeway-connected Guvercin Adasi (Pigeon Island) and has recently been renovated. *** There is no any visit to this place on tour. You can visit there by your own after we dropped you to your hotel in Kusadasi.
This caravanserai was built by the Grand Vizier Okuz Mehmed Pasha to support maritime trade in the region. This historical building is opposite to Kusadasi cruise port. *** There is no any visit to this place on tour. You can visit there by your own after we dropped you to your hotel in Kusadasi.
After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, the tour guide will pick you up around 09:00am for a full-day tour to Ephesus and its surroundings.
Today’s first visit will be the last home of the Virgin Mary. Once you arrive there you will be thrilled by the natural beauty that surrounds the monument. The House of Virgin Mary is located on the Aladag Mountains 5 miles away from Ephesus. At the third Ecumenical Council on 431 AD in Ephesus, it was claimed that Mary came to Ephesus with St. John in 37 A.D. and lived there until her death in 48 A.D. After the discovery of the house, the Archbishop of Izmir declared there as a place of pilgrimage in 1892. On July 26, 1967, Pope Paul VI visited this place and prayed there.
Ephesus was one of the most important harbor cities in antique world and also it is mentioned in the book of Revelations as one of the seven churches. Also Celsus Library and theater in Ephesus are the other highlights. You will see and visit the Celsus Library, Temple of Hadrian, the fountain of Trajan, Grand Theater, Hercules Gate, Odeon, Ancient Toilets and many important historical buildings in this UNESCO-listed ancient city.
Ephesus Experience Museum, where you will travel back in time and immerse yourself in the mystical atmosphere of the ancient world. With innovative approach of this amazing museum, we offer an entirely mesmerizing experience where time breaks free from its static confines and dances in perpetual motion, bringing historical artifacts to life and presenting interactive visual spectacles that will leave an indelible imprint on your memory.
You will be walking from front of Terrace Houses during your tour, and your guide will provide information about the Terrace Houses of Ephesus Ancient City. (There will not be any visit to this place during guided tour.)
You will stop at a traditional Turkish restaurant for your lunch. Today’s lunch is included during guided tour. After the lunch, you will have experience in a traditional handcraft co-operative for get lecture about the special arts of Turkish villagers.
Another visit of this tour is Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, standing today next to Ephesus ancient city.
At the end of tour, you will be dropped back to your hotel in Kusadasi.
After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, the tour guide will pick you up around 08:30am for a full-day tour to Ephesus and its surroundings.
Stratonikeia, which hosted many civilizations from antiquity to modern times, is one of the significant archaeological sites in Asia Minor and has unique characteristics. The city continuously developed during the Classic, Hellenistic and Roman Imperial periods and gradually became a center of trade, art and culture. Stratonikeia has been known as the city of eternal love and gladiators throughout the ages. It was a center where gladiators were trained, did demonstrations and spent their life after retirement. Sport was clearly important to Stratonikeans, who built what might be the largest gymnasium in antiquity in the 2nd century B.C. just west of the north gate.
Lagina was connected to the ancient city of Stratonikeia by a sacra via, approximately 8.5 km long and 3-3.5 meter wide. Regular festivities were held every year in Lagina, and grand festivities were held every four years on behalf of Hecate. How these festivities would take place and what to do were arranged according to certain rules. During the annual festivities, there were "Key Carrying" ceremonies that were held regularly and lasted for a few days. Thus, the ceremonies continued annually in a certain order. In the key-carrying ceremony, a choir of young girls was singing hymns, leaving Lagina, reaching Stratonikeia, declaring their devotion to the city, and coming back to the sanctuary. After this choir entered the sanctuary, religious ceremonies in the place began. The gates of the temple were opened by the attendant girl carrying the key. People who came to the sanctuary sat on the steps arranged along the western edge of the sanctuary and watched the ceremony.
Etrim, one of the best examples of a typical Turkish village, is a wonderful village surrounded by nature. You will have your lunch in this incredibly beautiful village while immersing yourself in the daily lives of the local people. Also,you will continue for Weaving is a significant aspect of Turkish culture, with roots that trace back to Central Asia. This ancient tradition is still alive in this village today. During our tour, we’ll take a brief visit to a cooperative where world-renowned Turkish carpets are crafted, offering you the chance to learn about the intricate details of this age-old art form.
At the end of the tour, you will be transferred to airport for your flight to Istanbul or Cappadocia. Upon your arrival at the airport in Istanbul, your driver will be waiting to meet you and transfer you to your hotel. (If you preferred flight to Istanbul.)
Upon your arrival at the airport in Cappadocia, your driver will be waiting to meet you and transfer you to your hotel in Goreme or Urgup, Uchisar, Cavusin, Avanos, Ortahisar. (If you preferred flight to Cappadocia.)
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If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
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