11 Days Turkey Tour, Cappadocia, Antalya, Pamukkale, Ephesus, İstanbul, Turkey Tour Packages, Best Seller Turkey tours Tour Type Sightseeing, cultural, activity, history, art, shopping Group Size Generally 4 - 16 Restaurants: During the tour we will take you to excellent restaurants in which you will enjoy authentic Turkish cuisine. We know how to avoid the crowds to make your experience more enjoyable. While you are in Cappadocia you are going to have the opportunity to taste the historical Pottery Kebab at lunch on one of the day tours. Turkish Bath: Especially for the night arrival to Cappadocia we recommend you experience the Turkish Bath at a real historical bath (hamam). This is your chance to be treated like an Ottoman Sultan. Reservations can easily be made at one of the baths in Cappadocia-Urgup. Cappadocia Horseback Riding: Horseback riding is another possible activity in Cappadocia. If you have interest in riding a horse please inform us in advance.

Cappadocia Hot-Air Balloon Ride: A Hot-Air Balloon ride in Cappadocia is a once in a lifetime experience for most people. With your reservation we will meet you at your hotel and take you to the pre-launch site. Choose your flight according to your budget and time schedule. All options ensure that you are back at your hotel in time to join a daily tour or just to make the most of your time in this amazing region. Beware: If you do not make your reservation ahead of time you may miss the opportunity take a balloon ride. Make sure your balloon reservations are made for the first flight on the first morning after arriving at your Cappadocia hotel. Jeep Safari Cappadocia: One of the most exciting adventures in Cappadocia is exploring the region in an off-road vehicle. Our Jeep Safari tour offers you the best of the best: open-top jeep vehicles for unobstructed views of the valleys, churches and other cultural highlights. We take you to the hard-to-find places and away from the crowds for spectacular views and the excitement of traveling off-road in the unique landscapes of Cappadocia - all in one day or 2 hour express safari tours.

Rugs and Kilims: Cappadocia is famous as a hand made carpet weaving centre. There are many carpet shops all around Turkey. If you would like to experience carpet weaving, Cappadocia is a great place to do it. If you would like to purchase a real hand made carpet, you should visit the carpet workshop and witness the weaving process so as to get a good idea of the value of the carpets. The big carpet factories have interesting demonstrations which are well worth seeing. Some of the big stores are cooperatives subsidized by the State. If you really want to do your bit to support the local economy, carpet villages are the correct place. At the end of the day, you don't have to buy, you can just have an enjoyable time looking and learning about the art and science of Turkish rugs while enjoying a cup or two of Turkish tea. Pottery: The famous city of Avanos, whose name in old times was Venessa, overlooks the longest river of Turkey, the Kizilirmak (Red River), which also divides Avanos from the rest of Cappadocia.

The most famous historical feature of Avanos, which is still relevant and very visible today, is its production of earthenware pottery. The ceramic trade in this district and its countless pottery factories find their origins with the Hittites and the ceramic clay from the red silt of the Kizilirmak. You can even try your hand at throwing a pot under the tutelage of a master craftsman. Onyx: The word itself means nail in Greek. It is beneficial to the skin, nails, and hair. It belongs to the oxite mineral family and consists of mangan calcium. Onyx is volcanic and from the mineral family stone having 6.5 degree hardness and 2.5 degree instensity. It is mined in Brazil, India, Arabia and Turkey. In Turkey it's found in Bolu, Manisa, Balikesir and especially Cappadocia. Onyx has twelve different colors worldwide and seven of them are from Cappadocia. Cappadocia Dolls: Soganli is a peaceful little village set on a hillside in the Soganli Valley. Sparsely populated by an older generation as the young have moved out.

A beautiful rock cut church lies a short walk away with black frescoes mostly undisturbed by defacement.At the entrance to the village sit old women who make the famous traditional Soganli dolls. They will show you how they make them as well as sell you some - they are well worth it for presents and help support the old people of the village. True Cappadocia is found here, where it has been for a thousand years. Cappadocia Books: You can buy books about Cappadocia when you arrive at any stop or museum in Cappadocia for around 8-10 USD, but they're not as detailed as you might expect. Day-1 ISTANBUL - CAPPADOCIA Arrival in Turkey (Istanbul) and meeting at the airport, continue to Domestic Terminal. Fly to Cappadocia. Transfer to the hotel. Day-2 CAPPADOCIA After breakfast begin tour in Cappadocia. Visit Kaymakli Underground City. It is one of the many underground settlements in Cappadocia, and it was used as a shelter by the Byzantines. Drive to Soganli valley.

Visit rock-cut churches with frescoes dating from the 13th century. Then enter the village which is surrounded by Ôtable top mountains. Lunch in Soganli village at a small village restaurant. Drive to the archaeological site Sahinefendi (Sobesos), a roman town from the 4th to 9th centuries. It was discovered by the local people in 2002. You will see beautiful mosaics and a Roman bath. The tour continues to the Keslik Monastery and a look at the cave community with its frescoes from 9th and 11th century. Next, visit Mustafapasa, an old Greek village. You will see very fine examples of Greek houses and churches. Overnight in Cappadocia. Day-3 CAPPADOCIA After breakfast in the hotel we will visit Devrent Valley to see the lunar landscape and different rock fter breakfast in the hotel we will visit Devrent (Imagination) Valley to see the lunar landscape and fantastic rock formations. We will walk in Pasabag to see the tallest fairy chimneys and the caves where the Christian monks lived in their small communities.

Lunch in Avanos and a visit to a traditional pottery workshop for a demonstration. In the afternoon we will visit Goreme Open-Air Museum and see the rock-cut churches and beautiful frescoes and paintings of the 10th through 13th centuries. After the museum we will go to Uchisar rock castle for a beautiful view of Cappadocia's valleys. Overnight in Cappadocia. Day-4 CAPPADOCIA - ANTALYA Take the early morning flight from Nevsehir airport to Antalya. Drive to old city. Check into the hotel. Leisure time at your hotel. Day-5 ANTALYA An excellent day starts with Perge, one of the largest ancient cities in the Pamphylia region. Perge was the capital of Pamphylia. The Roman Baths, the Agora, Colonnaded Street, Nympharium and the stadium are all included on the tour. Then we depart for the Aspendos Ancient Theatre. This incredibly well preserved ancient theatre was built in the 2nd century A.D. It has a capacity of 15,000 people and its still being used for festivals and music concerts.

We will eat lunch at a restaurant on a nearby river then depart for Side (pronounced Seeday). Side is one of the most interesting classical ancient cities in Turkey, it was a port city that served the largest slave market in this region. During Roman times much construction took place in Side including a large theatre, Roman Baths and the Temple of Apollo. Guests will have 1 hour free time here to enjoy the sea and the city. On the way back, time permitting, we will stop at the Kusunlu Waterfall then return to Antalya and transfer back to your hotel. Overnight Antalya. Day-6 PAMUKKALE Check out from the hotel and drive to Pamukkale. Visit the travertine terraces and the ancient city of Hierapolis. The terraces were formed by hot spring water flowing over the surface and down the hill. These are different colors and shapes in the form of terraces with pools. Pamukkale, which means cotton castle, takes its name from these formations. Overnight Pamukkale. Day-7 PAMUKKALE - EPHESUS - KUSADASI Drive to Selcuk. Visit the House of the Virgin Mary.

The Virgin Mary was brought here by St. John after Jesus' crucifixion and lived her final years near the city of Ephesus on an isolated mountaintop. It has been designated a pilgrimage site by the Pope. After visiting the House of the Virgin Mary we will visit Ephesus, the best preserved ancient city of Turkey. Ephesus, where Heraclitus (the philosopher who said "There is nothing permanent except change.") lived, boasted the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. This Temple, which Alexander the Great visited and in which St.Paul preached to the early Christians, was beautiful beyond compare. Lastly, we will visit the Basilica of St.John in which he was buried. Overnight in Kusadasi. Leisurely morning. Afternoon drive to Airport and fly to Istanbul. Arrival in Istanbul. Transfer to hotel. Overnight Istanbul. Day-9 ISTANBUL (OLD CITY) The tour starts with a visit to the ancient Hippodrome. The original building of the Hippodrome was built in the 3rd century A.D by Septimus Severus. The Hippodrome was the civil center for the people.

In the Hippodrome, you may also see the Egyptian Obelisk (Dikilitaş), The Serpentine Column, The Constantine Column and the German Fountain of Wilhelm 2. The tour continues with a visit to The Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camisi). It was built by Sultan Ahmet I in the 17th century. Visitors are fascinated with its beautiful blue tiles. This is followed by a visit to Topkapi Palace which was the second palace in Istanbul for the Ottoman sultans between the 15th and 19th centuries. After lunch the tour continues with a visit to the St. (Hagia) Sophia which was built by the Emperor Justinian. It was the largest church in the world for many centuries and today it is the fourth largest. You will see its beautiful mosaics, exquisite samples of Byzantine art. We will also visit the Underground Cistern which is the largest and most ornate cistern in Istanbul. The tour continues with a visit to the Grand Bazaar. (You will have free time in Grand Bazaar to wonder through the vast maze and see the beautiful crafts.) Overnight in Istanbul.

Day-10 ISTANBUL (BOSPHORUS CRUISE and DOLMABAHCE PALACE) Today we will go to the Bosphorus. First, we will visit the Egyptian Spice Market. It was built in 1664 as part of the Yeni Cami complex. Today, you may buy spices and Turkish delight. The tour continues to the Galata Bridge and Golden Horn. We will visit the incredible 19th century Dolmabahce Palace. The palace was built by Sultan Abdulmecid. It consists of 285 rooms and 46 halls that house approximately 600 paintings. We continue up the Bosporus and cross over to Asia, going up Camlica Hill for a view of Istanbul. After lunch we will visit the Sadberk Hanim Museum, with its well-organized archeological and ethnographical sections. The Bosphorus cruise (ferry) begins in the afternoon. Bosphorus is a narrow strait between Europe and Asia connecting the Black Sea to the Marmara Sea. We pass by the Rumeli Fortress and you will enjoy crossing from continent to continent. Overnight in Istanbul.

3 Nights - Antik Cave Hotel Cappadocıa (Breakfast) 2 Nights - Alp Pasa Hotel Antalya (Breakfast) 1 Night - Doga Thermal Resort Pamukkale (Breakfast & Dinner) 1 Night - Palm Hotel Kusadası (Breakfast & Dinner) 3 Nights - Mina Hotel Istanbul (Breakfast) NOTE : You are free book your own hotel. We can reduce the cost of hotel from entire package. We can also arrange the hotels you wish to stay during your tour. Flights : Istanbul to Kayseri or Nevsehir Airport Nevsehir to Antalya Izmir to Istanbul NOTE : You are free book your own flights . We can reduce the cost of flightd from entire package.

All Transfers from Istanbul, Cappadocıa, Antalya and Returns : 2 Full day Cappadocia tours (entrance fees to the sites, lunches, transportation, and guide) 1 Full day Antalya tour (entrance fees to the sites, lunches, transportation, and guide) 1 Full day Ephesus tour (entrance fees to the sites, lunches, transportation, and guide) 1Full day Pamukkale tour (entrance fees to the sites, lunches, transportation, and guide) 2 Full day Istanbul tours (entrance fees to the sites, lunches, transportation, and guide) Exclusions: Jewish Heritage Tour In Turkey, 8 Days Tour Package Day By Day Itinerary DAY 1: Depart from USA Board your international flight to start your journey back on time to the ottoman empire. 2 Meals will be served on baord of your overnight flight. DAY 2: Arrival to Istanbul & Transfer to Hotel Your Right Travel personal Agent will meet you at Istanbul Airport and you will get the tour documents and briefing about your tour, Overnight in Istanbul.

DAY 3: Full Day City Tour, Jewish sites in Istanbul Your Tour Guide will meet you at your hotel lobby at 09:00 and you will have a full day city tour. (Neve Shalom Synagogue, Ahridda Synagogue, Askhenazi Synagogue, Lunch at local restaurant, Jewish Museum, Balat Jewish Area), After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel at around 18:00. Overnight in Istanbul. (B, L) DAY 4: Full Day City Tour, Byzantine & Ottoman Relics After having breakfast at hotel, you will have a full day city tour. Hippodrome: The former center of sprotive and political activities of Constantinople. You will be able to see the Obelisk from Egypt, Serpentine Column from Delphi and fountain of Willhelm II. The Hippodrome of Constantinople was a circus that was the sporting and social centre of Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine Empire. Today it is a square named Sultanahmet Meydaný in the Turkish city of Istanbul, with a few fragments of the original structure surviving. It is sometimes also called Atmeydaný (Horse Square) in Turkish.

The word hippodrome comes from the Greek hippos, horse, and dromos, path or way. Horse racing and chariot racing were popular pastimes in the ancient world and hippodromes were common features of Greek cities in the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine eras. Blue Mosque: One of the biggest mosques of Istanbul from 17th century architecture is one of the principal adornments on the skyline of Istanbul. Also famous for its blue tiles and 6 minarest. It was built from 1609 to 1616, during the rule of Ahmed I. Like many other mosques, it also comprises a tomb of the founder, a madrasah and a hospice. While still used as a mosque, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque has also become a popular tourist attraction. The design of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque is the culmination of two centuries of both Ottoman mosque and Byzantine church development. It incorporates some Byzantine elements of the neighboring Hagia Sophia with traditional Islamic architecture and is considered to be the last great mosque of the classical period. The architect has ably synthesized the ideas of his master Sinan, aiming for overwhelming size, majesty and splendour.

It has 6 minarets along with 8 domes and 1 main one. The Topkapi Palace is a large palace in Istanbul, Turkey, that was the primary residence of the Ottoman Sultans for approximately 400 years (1465-1856) of their 624-year reign. As well as a royal residence, the palace was a setting for state occasions and royal entertainments. It is now a major tourist attraction and contains important holy relics of the Muslim world including the Prophet Muhammeds cloak and sword. The Topkapi Palace is among the monuments contained within the "Historic Areas of Istanbul", which became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, and is described in Criterion iv as "the best example[s] of ensembles of palaces of the Ottoman period. Construction began in 1459, ordered by Sultan Mehmed II, the conqueror of Byzantine Constantinople. The palace complex consists of four main courtyards and many smaller buildings. At its peak, the palace was home to as many as 4,000 people, and covered a large area with a long shoreline.

The complex was expanded over the centuries, with major renovations after the 1509 earthquake and the 1665 fire. The palace contained mosques, a hospital, bakeries, and a mint. The name translates as "Cannon gate Palace" from a nearby gate which has since been destroyed. From the end of the 17th century the Topkapý Palace gradually lost its importance as the Sultans preferred to spend more time in their new palaces along the Bosporus. In 1856, Sultan Abdul Mecid I decided to move the court to the newly built Dolmabahce Palace, the first European-style palace in the city. Some functions, such as the imperial treasury, the library, and the mint were retained in the Topkapi Palace. Lunch: Full Course Deluxe Menu at a charming restaurant. Continue to Hagia Sophia, Sancta Sophia or Sancta Sapientia is a former Orthodox patriarchal basilica, later a mosque, and now a museum in Istanbul, Turkey.

From the date of its dedication in 360 until 1453, it served as the Greek Patriarchal cathedral of Constantinople, except between 1204 and 1261, when it was converted to a Roman Catholic cathedral under the Latin Empire. The building was a mosque from 29 May 1453 until 1931, when it was secularized. It was opened as a museum on 1 February 1935. Famous in particular for its massive dome, it is considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture[5] and is said to have "changed the history of architecture. It was the largest cathedral in the world for nearly a thousand years, until Seville Cathedral was completed in 1520. The current building was originally constructed as a church between 532 and 537 on the orders of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian and was the third Church of the Holy Wisdom to occupy the site, the previous two having both been destroyed by rioters. It was designed by the Greek scientists Isidore of Miletus, a physicist, and Anthemius of Tralles, a mathematician.

The church contained a large collection of holy relics and featured, among other things, a 49-foot (15 m) silver iconostasis. It was the seat of the Patriarch of Constantinople and the religious focal point of the Eastern Orthodox Church for nearly one thousand years. The Grand Bazaar "Covered Bazaar" in Istanbul is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with 61 covered streets and over 3,000 shops which attract between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily. The Grand Bazaar is located inside the walled city of Istanbul, in the district of Fatih and in the neighborhood bearing the same name. It stretches roughly from west to east between the mosques of Beyazit and of Nuruosmaniye. The Bazaar can easily be reached from Sultanahmet and Sirkeci by tram. Transferred to your Hotel. Overnight in Istanbul. (B, L) DAY 5: Full Day City Tour, Bosphorus & Two Continents After having breakfast at hotel, you will have a full day city tour. Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar), mystical smells of different aromas of various spices.

Shops selling fruits, vegetables, flowers, fish etc. Bosphorus Cruise, through the waterway separating the two continents, Europe and Asia, with a possibility to take photographs of marble palaces, ancient wooden villas of Ottoman architecture besides modern residentials and luxurious apartments. LUNCH: Full Course Deluxe Menu at a charming restaurant. Dolmabahce Palace was ordered by the Empires 31st Sultan, Abdulmecid I, and built between the years 1843 and 1856. Hacý Said Aga was responsible for the construction works, while the project was realized by architects Garabet Balyan, his son Nikoghayos Balyan and Evanis Kalfa. The construction cost five million Ottoman mecidiye gold coins, the equivalent of 35 tonnes of gold. Fourteen tonnes of gold in the form of gold leaf were used to gild the ceilings of the 45,000 square metre monoblock palace, which stands on an area of 110,000 m.

Dolmabahce Palace Clock TowerThe design contains eclectic elements from the Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassical styles, blended with traditional Ottoman architecture to create a new synthesis. The palace layout and decor reflect the increasing influence of European styles and standards on Ottoman culture and art during the Tanzimat period. Functionally, on the other hand, it retains elements of traditional Ottoman palace life, and also features of traditional Turkish homes. It is the largest palace in Turkey, considering that the area of the monoblock building occupies 45,000 m&sup2. Previously, the Sultan and his family had lived at the Topkapý Palace, but as Topkapý was lacking in up-to-date luxury and style, Abdulmecid decided to build the Dolmabahce Palace near the site of the former Besiktas Palace on the Bosporus, which was demolished. Whereas the Topkapý has exquisite examples of Iznik tiles and Ottoman carving, the Dolmabahce palace contains much gold and crystal. Tourists are free to wander Topkapý at their leisure, while the only way to see the interior of Dolmabahce is with a guided tour.

The Bosphorus Bridge, also called the First Bosphorus Bridge is one of the two bridges in Istanbul, Turkey, spanning the Bosphorus strait and thus connecting Europe and Asia (the other one is the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, which is called the Second Bosphorus Bridge.) The bridge is located between Ortakoy (on the European side) and Beylerbeyi (on the Asian side). It is a gravity anchored suspension bridge with steel pylons and inclined hangers. The aerodynamic deck hangs on zigzag steel cables. It is 1,510 m (4,954 ft) long with a deck width of 39 m (128 ft). The distance between the towers (main span) is 1,074 m (3,524 ft) and their height over road level is 105 m (344 ft). The clearance of the bridge from sea level is 64 m (210 ft). The Bosphorus Bridge had the 4th longest suspension bridge span in the world when it was completed in 1973, and the longest outside the United States.

At present, it is the 17th longest suspension bridge span in the world. The idea of a bridge crossing the Bosphorus dates back to antiquity. For Emperor Darius I The Great of Persia (522 BC - 485 BC), as recorded by the Greek writer Herodotus in his Histories, Mandrocles of Samos once engineered a pontoon bridge that stretched across the Bosphorus, linking Asia to Europe, so that Darius could pursue the fleeing Scythians as well as move his army into position in the Balkans to overwhelm Macedon. The first project for a permanent bridge across the Bosphorus was proposed to Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid II by the Bosphorus Railroad Company in 1900, which included a rail link between the continents. Camlica Hill rises up from Anatolian Istanbul in all its brilliance, offering a unique perspective on the city. Popular with Sunday strollers, lovers and those needing some fresh air, Camlica Hill is a dearly loved refuge from the stresses of everyday life. Located about 4km from Uskudar.

Camlica is split into two hills: Kucuk Camlica (&lsquoLittle Pine Hill’) and Buyuk Camlica (&lsquoBig Pine Hill’). Buyuk Camlica is the highest point in Istanbul at 267m above sea level. Not surprisingly, Buyuk Camlica offers the best views, though Kucuk Camlica, with fewer visitors and wonderful gardens, forests and walking trails, is ultimately the more peaceful of the two. The views from Buyuk Camlica are truly amazing, with a panoramic vista of all of Istanbul&rsquos main waterways, the Bosphorus Bridge, the historic Eminonu Peninsula, the Princes’ Islands and even Mount Uludag near Bursa. During springtime, many tulips are planted here in anticipation of the Istanbul Tulip Festival , contributing to the usual mass of brightly coloured flowers. The hills and their surrounding pine forests also attract many different species of birds and other wildlife while the park at the summit has large open spaces from which to enjoy the view. After the tour you will be transferred to your Hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

(B, L) DAY 6: Flight to Izmir & Tour, Jewish sites in Izmir Pick up early from your hotel and transfer to airport to take a flight to Izmir. Upon arrival your Tour Guide will meet you at airport and you will have a full day city tour. (Bikur Halim and Beth Israel Synagogues, Drive to Sardis, Lunch at a local Restaurant, Capital of Ancient Lydia, the world&rsquos oldest Synagogue - Sardes), After the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel at around 18:00. Overnight in Kusadasi. (B, L) DAY 7: Full Day City Tour, Ephesus Your Tour Guide will meet you at your hotel lobby at 09:00 and you will have a full day city tour. Ephesus was an ancient Greek city, and later a major Roman city, on the west coast of Asia Minor, near present-day Selcuk, Izmir Province, Turkey. It was one of the twelve cities of the Ionian League during the Classical Greek era.

In the Roman period, Ephesus had a population of more than 250,000 in the 1st century BC, which also made it one of the largest cities in the Mediterranean world. The city was famed for the Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BC), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Emperor Constantine I rebuilt much of the city and erected new public baths. Following the Edict of Thessalonica from emperor Theodosius I, the temple was destroyed in 401 AD by a mob led by St. John Chrysostom. The town was partially destroyed by an earthquake in 614 AD. The citys importance as a commercial center declined as the harbor was slowly silted up by the Cayster River. Ephesus was one of the seven churches of Asia that are cited in the Book of Revelation. The Gospel of John may have been written here. The city was the site of several 5th century Christian Councils, see Council of Ephesus. It is also the site of a large gladiators graveyard.

Todays archaeological site lies 3 kilometers southwest of the town of Selcuk, in the Selcuk district of &Yacutezmir Province, Turkey. The ruins of Ephesus are a favorite international and local tourist attraction, partly owing to their easy access from Adnan Menderes Airport and via the port of Kusadas&yacute. Fountains of Trajan Along the Curetes Street, in a wonderful succession of ancient ruins, sculpted pillars decorated with sculptural figurations, we can see reconstruction on a reduced scale ( the original reached a height of 12 meters) of one of the most remarkable Ephesian monuments. The fountain was erected between 102 and 104 A.D. and as the attached inscription reads, was consecrated to the Emperor Trajan. The tympanum which dominates the upper line is supported by Corinthian columns, in the central niche was one located an enormous statue of Trajan, of which only the base with the feet and the globe remain. The many sculptured figurations which once populated this fountain (members of the Imperial Family, Dionysus, Aphrodite, Satry) have been carried to the Museum.

The Temple of Hadrian is a temple to the deified Hadrian on the Campus Martius in Rome, Italy, built by his adoptive son and successor Antoninus Pius in 145 and now incorporated into a later building in the Piazza di Pietra. It was once erroneously known as the Temple of Neptune. Drawing of the Temple by Giuseppe Vasi, c. 1750. Alo Giovannolis 1615 drawing of the Temple. One wall of the cella survives, together with 11 of the 15-metre high Corinthian columns from the external colonnade, on a 4 m high peperino base. The fixing holes for its original marble covering can still be seen. This facade, along with the architrave (reconstructed after antiquity), was incorporated into a 17th century papal palace by Carlo Fontana, now occupied by the Borsa bank. The building was octostyle and had 15 columns on each long side (4 have been lost from the surviving side).

Inside the bank the remains of the non-apsidal naos can be seen, once covered by a barrel vault supported on columns between which were battle-trophies. The base of the columns had reliefs of personifications of the provinces of the empire (some of which are now in the National Roman Museum and Capitoline Museums demonstrating Hadrians less warlike policy than his predecessor Trajan. The temple had a large square arcade surrounded by columns in giallo antico and which opened onto the Via Lata (now the Via del Corso) through a triumphal arch. This arch has been identified as the one called the "arch of Antoninus" in later sources, but has also been called the "arch of Claudius" and the "arch of the Tosetti", from the name of the family that inhabited Piazza Sciarra (now disappeared due to road-widening of the Via del Corso). Despite having fallen into ruin and been demolished, the arch still gave its name in the 18th century to the Via dellArchetto. The library of Celsus is an ancient Roman building in Ephesus, Anatolia, now part of Selcuk, Turkey.

It was built in honor of the Roman Senator Tiberius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus (completed in 135 AD) by Celsus’ son, Gaius Julius Aquila (consul, 110 AD). Celsus had been consul in 92 AD, governor of Asia in 115 AD, and a wealthy and popular local citizen. He was a native of nearby Sardis and amongst the earliest men of purely Greek origin to become a consul in the Roman Empire and is honored both as a Greek and a Roman on the library itself. Celsus paid for the construction of the library with his own personal wealth. The library was built to store 12,000 scrolls and to serve as a monumental tomb for Celsus.

Celsus is buried in a sarcophagus beneath the library, in the main entrance[6] which is both a crypt containing his sarcophagus and a sepulchral monument to him.[7] It was unusual to be buried within a library or even within city limits, so this was a special honor for Celsus The House of the Virgin Mary (Turkish: Meryem ana or Meryem Ana Evi, "Mother Marys House") is a Roman Catholic and Muslim shrine located on Mt. Koressos (Turkish: B&uumllb&uumlldaðý, "Mount Nightingale") in the vicinity of Ephesus, 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) from Sel&ccediluk in Turkey. The house was discovered in the 19th century by following the descriptions in the reported visions of Anne Catherine Emmerich (1774&ndash1824), a Roman Catholic nun and visionary, which were published as a book by Clemens Brentano after her death. The Roman Catholic Church has never pronounced on the authenticity of the house, for lack of acceptable evidence.

It has, however, from the blessing of the first pilgrimage by Pope Leo XIII in 1896, taken a positive attitude towards the site and towards Emmerichs visions. Anne Catherine Emmerich was Beatified by Pope John Paul II on October 3, 2004. Catholic pilgrims visit the house based on the belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was taken to this stone house by Saint John and lived there until her Assumption. The Ephesus Archaeological Museum is an archaeological museum in Selcuk near &Yacutezmir, Turkey. It houses finds from the nearby Ephesus excavation site. Its best-known exhibit is the statue of Artemis retrieved from the temple of the goddess in Ephesus. The other museum with a great number of Ephesus artifacts is the Ephesos Museum in Vienna. After the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel at around 18:00. Overnight in Kusadasi. (B, L) DAY 8: Arrive to Istanbul, Departure Pick up from your hotel and transfer to airport to take a flight to Istanbul. Tour ends upon arrival.

(B) Price Includes Day By Day Itinerary DAY 1: Depart from USA Board your international flight to start your journey back on time to the ottoman empire. 2 Meals will be served on baord of your overnight flight. DAY 2: Arrival to Istanbul & Transfer to Hotel Your Right Travel personal Agent will meet you at Istanbul Airport and you will get the tour documents and briefing about your tour, Overnight in Istanbul. DAY 3: Full Day City Tour, Jewish sites in Istanbul Your Tour Guide will meet you at your hotel lobby at 09:00 and you will have a full day city tour. (Neve Shalom Synagogue, Ahridda Synagogue, Askhenazi Synagogue, Lunch at local restaurant, Jewish Museum, Balat Jewish Area), After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel at around 18:00. Overnight in Istanbul. (B, L) DAY 4: Full Day City Tour, Byzantine & Ottoman Relics After having breakfast at hotel, you will have a full day city tour. Hippodrome: The former center of sprotive and political activities of Constantinople.

You will be able to see the Obelisk from Egypt, Serpentine Column from Delphi and fountain of Willhelm II. The Hippodrome of Constantinople was a circus that was the sporting and social centre of Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine Empire. Today it is a square named Sultanahmet Meydaný in the Turkish city of Istanbul, with a few fragments of the original structure surviving. It is sometimes also called Atmeydaný (Horse Square) in Turkish. The word hippodrome comes from the Greek hippos, horse, and dromos, path or way. Horse racing and chariot racing were popular pastimes in the ancient world and hippodromes were common features of Greek cities in the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine eras. Blue Mosque: One of the biggest mosques of Istanbul from 17th century architecture is one of the principal adornments on the skyline of Istanbul. Also famous for its blue tiles and 6 minarest. It was built from 1609 to 1616, during the rule of Ahmed I. Like many other mosques, it also comprises a tomb of the founder, a madrasah and a hospice.

While still used as a mosque, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque has also become a popular tourist attraction. The design of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque is the culmination of two centuries of both Ottoman mosque and Byzantine church development. It incorporates some Byzantine elements of the neighboring Hagia Sophia with traditional Islamic architecture and is considered to be the last great mosque of the classical period. The architect has ably synthesized the ideas of his master Sinan, aiming for overwhelming size, majesty and splendour. It has 6 minarets along with 8 domes and 1 main one. The Topkapi Palace is a large palace in Istanbul, Turkey, that was the primary residence of the Ottoman Sultans for approximately 400 years (1465-1856) of their 624-year reign. As well as a royal residence, the palace was a setting for state occasions and royal entertainments. It is now a major tourist attraction and contains important holy relics of the Muslim world including the Prophet Muhammeds cloak and sword.

The Topkapi Palace is among the monuments contained within the "Historic Areas of Istanbul", which became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, and is described in Criterion iv as "the best example[s] of ensembles of palaces of the Ottoman period. Construction began in 1459, ordered by Sultan Mehmed II, the conqueror of Byzantine Constantinople. The palace complex consists of four main courtyards and many smaller buildings. At its peak, the palace was home to as many as 4,000 people, and covered a large area with a long shoreline. The complex was expanded over the centuries, with major renovations after the 1509 earthquake and the 1665 fire. The palace contained mosques, a hospital, bakeries, and a mint. The name translates as "Cannon gate Palace" from a nearby gate which has since been destroyed. From the end of the 17th century the Topkapý Palace gradually lost its importance as the Sultans preferred to spend more time in their new palaces along the Bosporus.

In 1856, Sultan Abdul Mecid I decided to move the court to the newly built Dolmabahce Palace, the first European-style palace in the city. Some functions, such as the imperial treasury, the library, and the mint were retained in the Topkapi Palace. Lunch: Full Course Deluxe Menu at a charming restaurant. Continue to Hagia Sophia, Sancta Sophia or Sancta Sapientia is a former Orthodox patriarchal basilica, later a mosque, and now a museum in Istanbul, Turkey. From the date of its dedication in 360 until 1453, it served as the Greek Patriarchal cathedral of Constantinople, except between 1204 and 1261, when it was converted to a Roman Catholic cathedral under the Latin Empire. The building was a mosque from 29 May 1453 until 1931, when it was secularized. It was opened as a museum on 1 February 1935. Famous in particular for its massive dome, it is considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture[5] and is said to have "changed the history of architecture.

It was the largest cathedral in the world for nearly a thousand years, until Seville Cathedral was completed in 1520. The current building was originally constructed as a church between 532 and 537 on the orders of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian and was the third Church of the Holy Wisdom to occupy the site, the previous two having both been destroyed by rioters. It was designed by the Greek scientists Isidore of Miletus, a physicist, and Anthemius of Tralles, a mathematician. The church contained a large collection of holy relics and featured, among other things, a 49-foot (15 m) silver iconostasis. It was the seat of the Patriarch of Constantinople and the religious focal point of the Eastern Orthodox Church for nearly one thousand years. The Grand Bazaar "Covered Bazaar" in Istanbul is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with 61 covered streets and over 3,000 shops which attract between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily.

The Grand Bazaar is located inside the walled city of Istanbul, in the district of Fatih and in the neighborhood bearing the same name. It stretches roughly from west to east between the mosques of Beyazit and of Nuruosmaniye. The Bazaar can easily be reached from Sultanahmet and Sirkeci by tram. Transferred to your Hotel. Overnight in Istanbul. (B, L) DAY 5: Full Day City Tour, Bosphorus & Two Continents After having breakfast at hotel, you will have a full day city tour. Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar), mystical smells of different aromas of various spices. Shops selling fruits, vegetables, flowers, fish etc. Bosphorus Cruise, through the waterway separating the two continents, Europe and Asia, with a possibility to take photographs of marble palaces, ancient wooden villas of Ottoman architecture besides modern residentials and luxurious apartments. LUNCH: Full Course Deluxe Menu at a charming restaurant. Dolmabahce Palace was ordered by the Empires 31st Sultan, Abdulmecid I, and built between the years 1843 and 1856.

Hacý Said Aga was responsible for the construction works, while the project was realized by architects Garabet Balyan, his son Nikoghayos Balyan and Evanis Kalfa. The construction cost five million Ottoman mecidiye gold coins, the equivalent of 35 tonnes of gold. Fourteen tonnes of gold in the form of gold leaf were used to gild the ceilings of the 45,000 square metre monoblock palace, which stands on an area of 110,000 m. Dolmabahce Palace Clock TowerThe design contains eclectic elements from the Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassical styles, blended with traditional Ottoman architecture to create a new synthesis. The palace layout and decor reflect the increasing influence of European styles and standards on Ottoman culture and art during the Tanzimat period. Functionally, on the other hand, it retains elements of traditional Ottoman palace life, and also features of traditional Turkish homes. It is the largest palace in Turkey, considering that the area of the monoblock building occupies 45,000 m&sup2.

Previously, the Sultan and his family had lived at the Topkapý Palace, but as Topkapý was lacking in up-to-date luxury and style, Abdulmecid decided to build the Dolmabahce Palace near the site of the former Besiktas Palace on the Bosporus, which was demolished. Whereas the Topkapý has exquisite examples of Iznik tiles and Ottoman carving, the Dolmabahce palace contains much gold and crystal. Tourists are free to wander Topkapý at their leisure, while the only way to see the interior of Dolmabahce is with a guided tour. The Bosphorus Bridge, also called the First Bosphorus Bridge is one of the two bridges in Istanbul, Turkey, spanning the Bosphorus strait and thus connecting Europe and Asia (the other one is the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, which is called the Second Bosphorus Bridge.) The bridge is located between Ortakoy (on the European side) and Beylerbeyi (on the Asian side). It is a gravity anchored suspension bridge with steel pylons and inclined hangers. The aerodynamic deck hangs on zigzag steel cables.

It is 1,510 m (4,954 ft) long with a deck width of 39 m (128 ft). The distance between the towers (main span) is 1,074 m (3,524 ft) and their height over road level is 105 m (344 ft). The clearance of the bridge from sea level is 64 m (210 ft). The Bosphorus Bridge had the 4th longest suspension bridge span in the world when it was completed in 1973, and the longest outside the United States. At present, it is the 17th longest suspension bridge span in the world. The idea of a bridge crossing the Bosphorus dates back to antiquity. For Emperor Darius I The Great of Persia (522 BC - 485 BC), as recorded by the Greek writer Herodotus in his Histories, Mandrocles of Samos once engineered a pontoon bridge that stretched across the Bosphorus, linking Asia to Europe, so that Darius could pursue the fleeing Scythians as well as move his army into position in the Balkans to overwhelm Macedon.

The first project for a permanent bridge across the Bosphorus was proposed to Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid II by the Bosphorus Railroad Company in 1900, which included a rail link between the continents. Camlica Hill rises up from Anatolian Istanbul in all its brilliance, offering a unique perspective on the city. Popular with Sunday strollers, lovers and those needing some fresh air, Camlica Hill is a dearly loved refuge from the stresses of everyday life. Located about 4km from Uskudar. Camlica is split into two hills: Kucuk Camlica (&lsquoLittle Pine Hill’) and Buyuk Camlica (&lsquoBig Pine Hill’). Buyuk Camlica is the highest point in Istanbul at 267m above sea level. Not surprisingly, Buyuk Camlica offers the best views, though Kucuk Camlica, with fewer visitors and wonderful gardens, forests and walking trails, is ultimately the more peaceful of the two. The views from Buyuk Camlica are truly amazing, with a panoramic vista of all of Istanbul&rsquos main waterways, the Bosphorus Bridge, the historic Eminonu Peninsula, the Princes’ Islands and even Mount Uludag near Bursa.

During springtime, many tulips are planted here in anticipation of the Istanbul Tulip Festival , contributing to the usual mass of brightly coloured flowers. The hills and their surrounding pine forests also attract many different species of birds and other wildlife while the park at the summit has large open spaces from which to enjoy the view. After the tour you will be transferred to your Hotel. Overnight in Istanbul. (B, L) DAY 6: Flight to Izmir & Tour, Jewish sites in Izmir Pick up early from your hotel and transfer to airport to take a flight to Izmir. Upon arrival your Tour Guide will meet you at airport and you will have a full day city tour. (Bikur Halim and Beth Israel Synagogues, Drive to Sardis, Lunch at a local Restaurant, Capital of Ancient Lydia, the world&rsquos oldest Synagogue - Sardes), After the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel at around 18:00. Overnight in Kusadasi. (B, L) DAY 7: Full Day City Tour, Ephesus Your Tour Guide will meet you at your hotel lobby at 09:00 and you will have a full day city tour.

Ephesus was an ancient Greek city, and later a major Roman city, on the west coast of Asia Minor, near present-day Selcuk, Izmir Province, Turkey. It was one of the twelve cities of the Ionian League during the Classical Greek era. In the Roman period, Ephesus had a population of more than 250,000 in the 1st century BC, which also made it one of the largest cities in the Mediterranean world. The city was famed for the Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BC), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Emperor Constantine I rebuilt much of the city and erected new public baths. Following the Edict of Thessalonica from emperor Theodosius I, the temple was destroyed in 401 AD by a mob led by St. John Chrysostom. The town was partially destroyed by an earthquake in 614 AD. The citys importance as a commercial center declined as the harbor was slowly silted up by the Cayster River. Ephesus was one of the seven churches of Asia that are cited in the Book of Revelation. The Gospel of John may have been written here.

The city was the site of several 5th century Christian Councils, see Council of Ephesus. It is also the site of a large gladiators graveyard. Todays archaeological site lies 3 kilometers southwest of the town of Selcuk, in the Selcuk district of &Yacutezmir Province, Turkey. The ruins of Ephesus are a favorite international and local tourist attraction, partly owing to their easy access from Adnan Menderes Airport and via the port of Kusadas&yacute. Fountains of Trajan Along the Curetes Street, in a wonderful succession of ancient ruins, sculpted pillars decorated with sculptural figurations, we can see reconstruction on a reduced scale ( the original reached a height of 12 meters) of one of the most remarkable Ephesian monuments. The fountain was erected between 102 and 104 A.D. and as the attached inscription reads, was consecrated to the Emperor Trajan. The tympanum which dominates the upper line is supported by Corinthian columns, in the central niche was one located an enormous statue of Trajan, of which only the base with the feet and the globe remain.

The many sculptured figurations which once populated this fountain (members of the Imperial Family, Dionysus, Aphrodite, Satry) have been carried to the Museum. The Temple of Hadrian is a temple to the deified Hadrian on the Campus Martius in Rome, Italy, built by his adoptive son and successor Antoninus Pius in 145 and now incorporated into a later building in the Piazza di Pietra. It was once erroneously known as the Temple of Neptune. Drawing of the Temple by Giuseppe Vasi, c. 1750. Alo Giovannolis 1615 drawing of the Temple. One wall of the cella survives, together with 11 of the 15-metre high Corinthian columns from the external colonnade, on a 4 m high peperino base. The fixing holes for its original marble covering can still be seen. This facade, along with the architrave (reconstructed after antiquity), was incorporated into a 17th century papal palace by Carlo Fontana, now occupied by the Borsa bank.

The building was octostyle and had 15 columns on each long side (4 have been lost from the surviving side). Inside the bank the remains of the non-apsidal naos can be seen, once covered by a barrel vault supported on columns between which were battle-trophies. The base of the columns had reliefs of personifications of the provinces of the empire (some of which are now in the National Roman Museum and Capitoline Museums demonstrating Hadrians less warlike policy than his predecessor Trajan. The temple had a large square arcade surrounded by columns in giallo antico and which opened onto the Via Lata (now the Via del Corso) through a triumphal arch. This arch has been identified as the one called the "arch of Antoninus" in later sources, but has also been called the "arch of Claudius" and the "arch of the Tosetti", from the name of the family that inhabited Piazza Sciarra (now disappeared due to road-widening of the Via del Corso). Despite having fallen into ruin and been demolished, the arch still gave its name in the 18th century to the Via dellArchetto.

The library of Celsus is an ancient Roman building in Ephesus, Anatolia, now part of Selcuk, Turkey. It was built in honor of the Roman Senator Tiberius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus (completed in 135 AD) by Celsus’ son, Gaius Julius Aquila (consul, 110 AD). Celsus had been consul in 92 AD, governor of Asia in 115 AD, and a wealthy and popular local citizen. He was a native of nearby Sardis and amongst the earliest men of purely Greek origin to become a consul in the Roman Empire and is honored both as a Greek and a Roman on the library itself. Celsus paid for the construction of the library with his own personal wealth. The library was built to store 12,000 scrolls and to serve as a monumental tomb for Celsus.

Celsus is buried in a sarcophagus beneath the library, in the main entrance[6] which is both a crypt containing his sarcophagus and a sepulchral monument to him.[7] It was unusual to be buried within a library or even within city limits, so this was a special honor for Celsus The House of the Virgin Mary (Turkish: Meryem ana or Meryem Ana Evi, "Mother Marys House") is a Roman Catholic and Muslim shrine located on Mt. Koressos (Turkish: B&uumllb&uumlldaðý, "Mount Nightingale") in the vicinity of Ephesus, 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) from Sel&ccediluk in Turkey. The house was discovered in the 19th century by following the descriptions in the reported visions of Anne Catherine Emmerich (1774&ndash1824), a Roman Catholic nun and visionary, which were published as a book by Clemens Brentano after her death. The Roman Catholic Church has never pronounced on the authenticity of the house, for lack of acceptable evidence.

It has, however, from the blessing of the first pilgrimage by Pope Leo XIII in 1896, taken a positive attitude towards the site and towards Emmerichs visions. Anne Catherine Emmerich was Beatified by Pope John Paul II on October 3, 2004. Catholic pilgrims visit the house based on the belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was taken to this stone house by Saint John and lived there until her Assumption. The Ephesus Archaeological Museum is an archaeological museum in Selcuk near &Yacutezmir, Turkey. It houses finds from the nearby Ephesus excavation site. Its best-known exhibit is the statue of Artemis retrieved from the temple of the goddess in Ephesus. The other museum with a great number of Ephesus artifacts is the Ephesos Museum in Vienna. After the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel at around 18:00. Overnight in Kusadasi. (B, L) DAY 8: Arrive to Istanbul, Departure Pick up from your hotel and transfer to airport to take a flight to Istanbul. Tour ends upon arrival.

(B) Notes : Air & Land Rate is based on the airfare price on the day we publish the prices, updated rate will be provided at the time of booking. Can be customized as needed. You may request any desired hotels, transfer options, and we will re price the package based on your hotel selection. Domestic flights within Turkey have a weight limit of 15 Kilogram (33 pounds) per person, and they charge $3 for each additional kilogram. Right Travel is not responsible for any additional cost applied by the domestic carrier due to additional weight. TURKEY - Visa required. Effective April 10, 2014 an advance e-visa is required and "sticker type" visas can no longer be obtained on arrival at the airport in Istanbul. See Non-U.S. citizens should check the e-Visa link or with the appropriate consular general to determine if they are eligible for the e-Visa. Eligible travelers should complete the online application with payment and will receive the visa electronically. After successful application, the e-Visa must be printed to be shown to airport officials and customs officers.

It must be carried at all times during travel in Turkey Special Features Bikur Halim and Beth Israel Synagogues Capital of Ancient Lydia Temples of Hadrian and Domition Library of Celcius Bouloterion and the Great Theatre House of the Virgin Mary Archaeological Museum $2,989 Notes : Air & Land Rate is based on the airfare price on the day we publish the prices, updated rate will be provided at the time of booking. Can be customized as needed. You may request any desired hotels, transfer options, and we will re price the package based on your hotel selection. Domestic flights within Turkey have a weight limit of 15 Kilogram (33 pounds) per person, and they charge $3 for each additional kilogram. Right Travel is not responsible for any additional cost applied by the domestic carrier due to additional weight. TURKEY - Visa required. Effective April 10, 2014 an advance e-visa is required and "sticker type" visas can no longer be obtained on arrival at the airport in Istanbul. See Non-U.S. citizens should check the e-Visa link or with the appropriate consular general to determine if they are eligible for the e-Visa.

Eligible travelers should complete the online application with payment and will receive the visa electronically. After successful application, the e-Visa must be printed to be shown to airport officials and customs officers. It must be carried at all times during travel in Turkey Not Included

Question: Selcuk (pronounced SELCHOOK) - a Turkish town, is home to one of the seven ancient wonders of the world. What was the city's name in ancient times?
Answer: EPHESUS