Istanbul Ephesus 4 Days

DAY 1: ISTANBUL
Arrival in Istanbul and transfer to your Hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

DAY 2: ISTANBUL OLD CITY CLASSICS AND HIGHLIGHTS
09:30 Departure from your Hotel. We continue to the Blue Mosque, which was built in the 17th century and is the only imperial mosque with 6 minarets, then the Hippodrome, a stadium and meeting place in Byzantine times, the Serpent Pillar from Delphi and the Egyptian Obelisk, with the Fountain of Wilhelm. Visit the Caferaga Medresesi which was designed by the architect Sinan and built in the 16th century, now used as a learning center for traditional Turkish arts. We will then explore the Topkapi Palace. It was the home of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th-19th century A.D. We see the Imperial Treasury with the famous Spoonmaker Diamond. (Harem section is optional and due an extra entry fee). The tour ends in the Grand Bazaar, which has over 4000 shops full of treasures. Overnight in Istanbul. (B.)
This tour may be done completely as a walking tour.
Notes: Sunday the Grand Bazaar is closed - On Tuesday the Topkapi Palace is closed

DAY 3: ISTANBUL – EPHESUS – HOUSE OF VIRGIN MARY
Transfer from your Hotel to Istanbul Airport. Take the morning flight to Izmir. Arrive and start our tour with a visit to the house where the Virgin Mary allegedly spent her last days, which is a pilgrimage site. We continue to Ephesus, which was one of the largest and most interesting ancient cities of Asia Minor. The tour of Ephesus includes the Library of Celsius, Temple of Hadrian, Agora and fantastic Greco-Roman theater. After lunch in a local restaurant, a visit is made to a cooperative weaving center to see how the Turkish carpets are made by hand. We will also see the Isabey Mosque which is a beautiful example of Selcuk architecture and the remains of the Temple of Artemis, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Overnigh Izmir. (B)

DAY 4: IZMIR - ISTANBUL
Transfer to Izmir airport and take your flight to Istanbul or another destination. (B)

***Meal Plan: (B = Breakfast L= Lunch D = Dinner)