Private Izmir Sardes and Ephesus Tour

We present you our tour called Private Izmir Sardes and Ephesus Tour, which is one of the Turkey package tours from Istanbul.

Duration: 2 days 1 nights
Tour Style: Private Tour
Pickup Point: Istanbul-Turkey
Highlights: Beth Israel Synagogue, Dario Moreno and Havra (Synagogues) Streets, Kizlaragasi inn, Clock tower, Kadifekale (Velvet Castle), Elevator, Agora of Izmir, and Kemeralti Bazaar, Krezus, Bin Tepeler, Hermus, King way, Gymnasion, Sardis Artemis Temple, Synagogue, Gold Refining Workshops, Sardis Agora (Bazaar) and Sardis Acropolis, The Temple of Artemis, Ephesus Archaeological Site, The House of Virgin Mary

05:30 Early morning transfer to Istanbul airport with the private transfer
07:00 Direct Flight from Istanbul to Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport
08:10 Arrive at Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport, and meeting with your guide, and transfer to Izmir center with private transfer
09:30 Arrive in Izmir Center

WHY SHOULD YOU SEE IZMIR, SARDES AND EPHESUS?

Of the original Hellenistic city-states along the Aegean coast of Asia Minor,only Smyrna, now Turkish Izmir,survived the catastrophes that befell the region. Also It is thought that Homer, the author of the Iliad and Odyssey epics, lived in the region of Smyrna (Izmir). Other than that, It is impossible not to mention the Historical Elevator in the list of places to visit in Izmir. In addition, the Beth-Israel Synagogue, which is an important point for Jews, and the Saint Polycarpe Church, which is important for Christians, are places that must be visited.

Sardis is 80 km from the center of Izmir and takes about 1 and a half hours by car. The Ancient City of Sardis (Sardis) was the capital of the Lydian State in ancient times. It is known as the place where money was first printed under the guarantee of the state in history. The Ancient City of Sardis and the Thousand Hills Lydian Tumulus are on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List. One of the 7 churches in Anatolia, which played an important role in the spread of Christianity to the west in the ancient city, is a monumental Bath-Gymnasion, Sardis. In addition, the Temple of Artemis, the Synagogue, the Gold Refining Workshops, the Agora (Bazaar) and the Acropolis (Upper Campus) should be seen in Sardis.

Ephesus is one of the most chosen destination in Turkey. Also Ephesus has the most famous ruins of Turkey. Ephesus is the city that hosts the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Ephesus is one of the First Seven Churches of Christianity mentioned in the Bible. Also it is one the best preserved ancient Greek-Romans city of Turkey. The House of Virgin Mary was declared a place of pilgrimage by the Vatican in 1961.

DAY1: Izmir Center Tour and arrive Sardis City within the same day

You will be picked up from the hotel or pick-up point at 05:00 am, and we’ll be on our way to the airport. You will travel towards Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport with a 07:00 flight from Istanbul. After landing at the Izmir Adnan Menderes airport, our transfer staff will meet you. Afterwards, You will begin your journey to places where we will visit.

We start this tour with the Beth-Israel Synagogue, the construction of which was started in 1905 with the edict of Sultan Abdulhamid II in the Karatas district of İzmir and opened to service in 1907. This synagogue is the Biggest synagogue in Izmir. Afterwards, we will go to place called ‘’Elevator’’ by passing the Dario Moreno street, which is named after the Dario Moreno who is Izmir lover and artist of Jewish origin. Our next stop is Havra Street, where Small Synagogues are located.

Some of the synagogues on this street are 400 years old. This place is close to the Historical Kemeraltı Bazaar and there is a transition from the Havra Street to the Kemeraltı Bazaar. We will visit another historical place, Agora of Izmir. Founded in the 4th century BC, the Agora was rebuilt with the support of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius after the earthquake in 178 AD. Our last stop in Izmir is Kadıfekale, which is also a historical place.

Afterwards We will visit Sardis Ancient City which takes 1 and half an hour from Izmir. When we arrive at the ancient city of Sardis, we start our program with a visit to the Temple of Artemis (Sardis), one of the 7 holy temples of Christianity in Western Anatolia. Afterwards, we visit the Gymnasion Complex, which consists of 3 main sections: the bath, the courtyard and the sports area, which has become the symbol of the ancient city. After visiting this place, we pass the Sardis Synagogue, which is considered one of the most important places for Jews. Sardis Synagogue is known as the third synagogue in the world and its history dates back to 200 BC. We end our tour by visiting Sardis Acropolis and Bin Tepeler respectively. We are on our way to the hotel where you will spend the evening in Kusadasi.

DAY2: Ephesus Tour

We will pick you from the hotel around 9 am and our Ephesus Tour begins. First, We will pass through the verdant and picturesque countryside before arriving at our first stop which is The House of Virgin Mary. Afterwards we reach House of Virgin Mary. It is known that St. John brought the Virgin Mary to Ephesus 4 or 6 years after the death of Jesus.

Second, After The House of Virgin Mary, we will then head on to the next destination which will be the Ancient City of Ephesus; the tour here shall be a walking tour and will take you through one of the most magnificent archaeological sites in the entire world. You will be able to see the Odeon, The Fountain of Trajan, the steam baths of Scholastic, the Temple of Hadrian, and course lets’ not forget the very impressive library of Ephesus.
The library is adorned with columns and statues. The Grand Theatre, where Saint Paul preached, is the largest in antiquity with a capacity of 24.000 seats. Then We will pass through the Arcadian Way where Mark Anthony and Cleopatra once rode in procession.

Finally, Then we will continue on the tour and head on for our next stop which is the Temple of Artemis (Diana), this outstanding temple was built in honor of the Greek Goddess of hunting, wild nature, and fertility, deemed as one of the Seven wonders of the ancient world. The temple of Artemis used to be the largest marble temple in the ancient Greek world since it was four times as big as the Parthenon in Athens, Greece.
When our tour called Private Izmir Sardes and Ephesus Tour is completed, we will transfer you to Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport to take a flight to Istanbul. Afterwards we take you to hotel in Istanbul with private transfer.

Notes

If you wish, you can extend the Turkey Package Tour for 1 or 2 days.

Contracted Hotels

Kusadasi: Korumar Hotel, Lavista Hotel, Pine Marina Hotel, Ilayda Hotel

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE TOUR?

• One night accomadation
• Domestic Flight Tickets
• Private Transfers to and from Istanbul Airports
• English-speaking tour guide during the tours
• 2 Local Lunch (Vegetarian lunch option available upon request)
• Entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary
• Local taxes and service charges

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOUR?

• Drinks
• On personal expenses
• Tips to Guide and Driver

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