Our tour starts with Hippodrome Square where used to take place for chariot races and the Byzantine riots during Roman & Byzantine period. Only a short walk away, reaches Hagia Sophia built in 532 AD by Roman Emperor Justinian I. and Blue Mosque, has its fame from its beautiful blue Iznik tiles. We will continue walking to Topkapi Palace, was not only the residence of the Ottoman sultans, but also the administrative and educational center of the state. It was constructed between 1460 and 1478 by Sultan Mehmed II, the conqueror of Constantinople. We will visit the Topkapi Palace including Harem, treasury, Chinese Porcelain, weapons section.
Walkthrough history along marble streets lined with wonderful public buildings, among them the Baths of Scholastica, the Library of Celsus; it was built in the beginning of the 2nd century A.D. by Gaius Julius Aquila to be a memorial to his father Gaius Julius Celsus Polemanus, the proconsul of Province of Asia. , the Temple of Hadrian and The Grand Theater are two of the most impressive buildings in Ephesus. Grand theatre was built in 3rd century B.C and it was later expanded to 24.000 spectators by the Romans in the 1st century A.D. The theater was the place where St. Paul preached. After Ephesus, we will have our lunch.
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. We will stop at Artemission Temple where used to be one of the seven wonders of the ancient world as our last stop before drive back to Izmir. Overnight at Kusadasi
Drive to Pamukkale, on the way, visit to Aphrodisias. Aphrodisias was primarily known as a center for the arts, specifically sculpture. The Aphrodisias School of Sculpture had a distinctive style and was very well circulated throughout the Greek and Roman world. Discovery of Travertine terraces and Hierapolis. The travertine terraces at Pamukkale are one of the most spectacular natural wonders we ever have seen from various mineral springs in a vast white cliff side, about 200 m overlooking the plain, calcite-laden waters have dripped down over a series of terraced levels and created a fairyland of bizarre solidified cascades and shell-shaped basins. It looks like creations from snow or like balls from cotton, which gave the scenery the Turkish name Pamukkale (cotton castle): Moreover the water in the basins is changing its color according to how the light enters. Overnight Pamukkale
Drive to Konya, visit to Mevlana Sufi temple. Mevlana is the founder of Sufism and whirling Dervishes. visiting the Mausoleum of Mevlana, the world-wide famous mystic, proceed to Karatay Theological School in which beautiful tiles are on display. Overnight in Konya
Drive to Cappadocia. Visit to Sultanhani Caravanserai, roadside inn where travelers could rest and recover from the day’s journey. Caravanserais supported the flow of commerce, information and people across a network of trade routes of Asia, North Africa and South-Eastern Europe on the legendary Silk Road and the Spice road. Overnight in Cappadocia
Lunch in Avanos, center of terra cotta work of art since 3000 BC. and a demonstration in a traditional pottery workshop. Afternoon, visit the famous Goreme Open Air Museum and see the best examples of Byzantine art in Cappadocia in rock-cut churches with frescoes and paintings (10th to 13th century). Continue to Uchisar Rock-Castle to have a panoramic view of the valleys of Cappadocia. Overnight Cappadocia
Transfer to Cappadocia airport and take the Turkish Airlines noon flight at 12.00 from Cappadocia to Istanbul Ataturk airport. Arrival at 13.25 and transfer to Hotel. Free afternoon for a last chance to complete your visits. Overnight Istanbul
Inspired by the extravagance of 20th-century costume, these Cynthia slipper loafers from Boden will bring a decadent touch to your looks.Hand-embroidered in India using time-honoured techniques and luxurious materials, this velvet shoe is lavishly encrusted with gold sequins and delicate metalwork, and neatly edged with grosgrain trim. The pair is lined in soft gold-spotted leather for sheer comfort.The Boden Icons range offers expertly crafted pieces that can be treasured for generations. This collection is inspired by the lavish dressing of the early 20th century.Wear with anything from a shift dress to rolled up jeans.Brand:BodenHeel Height:FlatHeel Type:FlatMain Shoe Material:FabricMaterial:Upper: Velvet, Sole: LeatherShoe Style:Loafers