KUŞADASI- THE HOUSE of V.MARY-EPHESUS-TERRACE HOUSES- EPHESUS MUSEUM-St. JOHN BASILICA – SİRİNCE VİLLAGE –  KUŞADASI                 60 KM

After breakfast ,you’ll drive to Selcuk ,first you’ll visit the house of V.Mary. The House of Virgin Mary beautifully situated in the solmissos Mountain and built in II Century,place for pilgrimage The house of V.Mary is considered by the Vatican to be final resting place of the Virgin Mary.

After the visit the house of V.Mary arrive to Ancient Ephesus, the UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven churches of Apocalypse. walk on the remarkably preserved wide marble streets,flanked by colomns,temples and fountains. We look at all the famous highlights like the Celsus Library,the Odeon magnificent temple of Hadrian, Great Theater for 25000 capacity of spectators which is still used for performances and special events today

You’ll see ın the Ephesus ancıent site the Terrace houses

Ephesus terrace houses are located on the hill, opposite the Hadrian Temple. Also called as "the houses of rich", important for the reason give us information about family life during the Roman period. They were built according to the Hippodamian plan of the city in which roads transected each other at right angels.

There are six residential units on three terraces at the lower end of the slope of the Bulbul Mountain. The oldest building dates back into the 1C BC and continued in use as residence until the 7C AD.

The restoration of the two of the houses have been finished and can be visited today.

You’ll have Lunch in Selcuk ,before you visit the museum of Ephesus

The museum of Ephesus, unlike most of other museums, is not designed according to the chronological order but the galleries are filled with artifacts according to a theme.

Galleries include:

1- Sculptures from the fountains

2- Finds from the Terrace Houses

3-Coins

4-Ephesus through the Ages

5-Courtyard with column capitals and tombs

6- Hall of Mother Goddess cult

7- Hall of Ephesus Artemis

8- Hall of Imperial Cult

9-Museum Shop and Cafe

Before visiting these galleries, one should not miss the 3D simulation video of ancient Ephesus where visitors can visualize the setting of the ancient city and may have an idea about how the buildings used to look like. The video can be watched in three languages; Turkish, English and German and it lasts 10 minutes. The video room is the first room before the fountain statues gallery.

Some of the most remarkable artifacts in the museum are the Ephesus Artemis statue, Priapos statue, the head of Socrates, the Egyptian priest, the Eros with rabbit and the oldest piece – a stamp- found in Cukurici Mound- dating back to 6200 BC.

Our next stop the Basilica of St.John.This site is the burial place of St.John,the writer of the gospel of the same name and the disciple who brought the Vırgın Mary to Ephesus.Built to the shape of a cross it has six large domes.The Byzantine Emperor Justinian and his wife Theodora had the church built over the site of the grave.In the Byzantine period the entrance in the walls had embossed friezes which showed the pursuit of Achilles and for this reason is known as the ‘’Takip kapısı’’(Pursuit Gate). From the courtyard of the church there is a wonderful panorama of the temple of Artemis İsa Bey Mosque and the Aegean at Pamucak.

Then drive to Sirince Village ; It is a beautiful hill town only 8 km east of Selcuk, near Ephesus, in the Aegean hinterland south of İzmir It's famous for its olive oil, fruit wines, other natural products, and its atmospheric boutique hotels. A dozen small restaurants cater to day-trippers, hotel guests, and locals alike.

In the 19th century ,it was a Greek town with 1800 houses,famous for its fig production,especially for export.Population Exchange between Greece and Turkey in 1923 ,result of the departure of the Greeks were settled by emigrants from the village.There are two Greek churges in the quarter.In Şirince no house blocks the vıew of the other.

Some say the Orthodox Christian Greeks who lived here during the Ottoman Empire were famed for the excellence of their wine. The Muslim Turks who moved here from Thessaloniki in 1924 re-started wine-making using local fruits, including apple, apricot, banana, blackberry, blueberry, cranberry, mulberry (black, and white), mandarin orange, melon, orange, peach, quince, sour (Morello) cherry and strawberry. You can taste the results and judge for yourself when you visit. They sell red, white and rosé, dry and sweet. A few local producers have switched from the local vines, which in fact produce table grapes, to Turkey's better wine grapes such as Narince.

You’ll drive back in the evening to the hotel in Kuşadası

KUSADASI-AYDIN ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM-THE ANCIENT CITY of  APHRODISIAS-KUSADASI                310 KM

You’ll drive first the Aydın Archeology Museum which was planned to exhibit the archeological cultural heritage uncovered as a result of scientific excavations within the borders of  Aydın, was established with a contemporary museum understanding on area 15 thousand 769 square meters on Aydın-Denizli highway.The building has been  constructed as Basement + Ground Floor+one floor which has exhibition halls,warehouses,laboratories,library,chıldren’s activity section,conference hall and temporary  display areas and other areas were created by shading with suspended – stretching membrane system.

You will have lunch at the local restaurant before you visit the ancient city of 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.

The ruins are numerous and well preserved. A two mile long Byzantine wall still surrounds the city. The Temple of Aphrodite, eventually converted to a Christian basilica, is excellently preserved. The Tetrapylon, the gate which was leading people to their great temple, was re-erected by Kenan Erim, where he's buried in front of it with a special permission of the Government after his death. The Baths of Hadrian are still partially standing. The theatre and the stadium are one of the best preserved in all eastern Mediterranean. The nearby museum contains many beautiful statues and portrait sculpture.

In 2017 Aphrodisias archaeological site has entered into the List of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

You’ll visit the museum of Aphrodisias.Aphrodisias Museum is one of the rare museums where the artifacts unearthed during the excavations of Aphrodisias Ancient City are exhibited and where the Museum and the ruins are intertwined.

Prehistoric artifacts from the Chalcolitic Period,bronze Age early,middle and late periods,Lydian ceramics excavated from these mounds and around the Temple of  Aphrodite, archaic, Classical , Hellenistic period artifacts and ruins Roman,Byzantine and Early Islamic period artifacts found in excavations on site are exhibited.

The Aphrodisias Museum is very rich in terms of the sculptural Works it displays.In this respect,it is an important archeology museum.A different aspect of Aphrodisias sculpture is exhibited in each hall with these Works made by sculptors of Aphrodisias,made of White,blue-gray marbles extracted from the slopes of Baba Mountain .These halls ; the Imperial Hall ,teh Melpomene Hall,the Odeon Hall,the Showcase Exhibition Gallery with the Glazed Window,the Penthesilia Hall and the Goddes Aphrodite Hall,which gave the city its name,as well as the sarcophagi found in the city in the inner garden and courtyard are exhibited.

End of the tour you drive back to the hotel in Kusadası

KUSADASI- DOMATIA VILLAGE-PRIENE-MILETOS ANCIENT CITY AND  MUSEUM- BODRUM                180 KM

You’ll drive to the historical greek village of Domatia (Doganbey) and Karina bay.The old village of Doğanbey ,formerly Domatia village,BC.It has a history extending from the 7th century to the present .In the immediate vicinity are Karina,where there are old customs buildings,ancient settlements Thebes and Lade Island.It is known that the Domatians come from Samos ,Chios, Dodecanese and Cyprus .In the past ,houses were built in a large forest as seperate rooms ,each with large courtyards and these rooms were called Domatia in greek.When the settlement developed a little more and the village was formed ,this name also became the name of the village.

The Greek houses in Domatia have been restored with the condition of staying true to the original.This place aimed to preserve the historical texture in time and became a village where the natüre-loving wealty people lived.Architectural wonder stone houses leaning on the mountain also have a seaview.The streets are cobblestone,the gardens are well -maintained After strolling  through the streets of our charming village ,we take lots of photos.

Then drive to the ancient city of Priene

The ancient city of Priene is one of the important ancient cities established on the southern slope of Samsun Mountain,15 km southwest of Söke district.370 m.Establishment on a steep rock at a heıght has provided an advantage in resisting attacks.In addition ,its being in a high place allows the city to be seen from different directions.the first information about Priene ,who is considered to be a member of the Ionian League like Miletus,is BC.It is found in ancient sourches in the middle of the 7th century.

The ancient city of Priene,known as the Pompei of Anatolia,is in the Priene section,especially the finds of its rich houses.In the interior showcases,coins from various periods, ornaments, glass fragrance bottles ,bronze items and figurines,terracotta items,and the Ilyas bey Mosque from the Menteseogulları Principality period are among the Works on display.In addition,tomb steles from the Archaic period and an unfinished scuplture group are in the exhibition space.The Miletus Museum is a technically ,visually and scientifically exemplary museum

Next stop is the ancient city of Miletos .You’ll visit by informing our guide,it was seaside port city when it was first established ,but today it is 10 km from sea.The first settlements in the ancient city of Milet started in the middle of 2000 BC,continued with the Mycenaean colony ,and then re-established by the Ions.It is one of the four important city ports of the Ionians.Milet Ruins is known for its grid plan applied in the foundation of the city That’s why the city is very well organized .the ancient city of Miletus acquired its autonomy in 38 BC thanks to the special interest of the roman emperors and reached the metropolitan level among other Ionian cities.After listening to our guide,we also took our photo shoots ,drive to the museum of Milet.

Milet Museum exhibition areas; It consists of two main parts: the garden display and the indoor display.In the garden display ,lion sculptures ,inscriptions ,tomb steles, sarcophagi , architectural  elements and column heads,which are the city of Miletus ,are exhibited

Closed exhibition area is located in the administarive building of the museum.The finds of the Ancient City of Miletus,Priene Ancient City and the Temple of Apollo in didim are exhibited in an area of approximately 600 m2.Belonging to the ancient city of Milet ; There are animation of the Minoan Period (20-15 centuries BC) Kitchen,Minoan Period finds,Zeytintepe Archaic Aphrodite Sanctuary finds,Gacartepe Tomb finds.Findings of the sacred road Miletus Ancient City to the Temple of Apollo in didim and the votive objects of the Temple of Apollo are located in the exhibition hall. The Miletus Museum is a technically ,visually and scientifically exemplary museum

You’ll have Lunch at the local restaurant nearby Karina Golf.

End of the day you arrive to the hotel in Bodrum

BODRUM- BODRUM CASTLE AND ARCHEOLOGİCAL UNDERGROUND  WATER MUSEUM -MAUSELEUM AT HALICARNASSUS, EUROMOS  ANCİENT CİTY, MILAS HEKATOMNOS MAUSELEUM AND   GÜMÜŞKESEN MONUMENT-IASOS ANCIENT CITY-BODRUM                160 KM

First you’ll visit Bodrum Castle(St.John castle) .Bodrum Castle was builted by Saint Jean Knights in 1406-1522. When they were building this castle, they used the stones from Bodrum Mausoleion. There are French, Italian, British, Germany, Spanish towers. When Turks attached Rhodes island in 1522, Saint Jean Knights was started to leave here in 5 january 1523. The castle was using for prison in 1895. Here is bombed by English and French millitary in first world war, in 1915.

The castle grounds include a Museum of Underwater Archaelogy and hosts several cultural festivals throughout the year.

The first underwater scientific excavations in the world took place at Turkish coasts in the 1960’s and the Castle was arranged, in 1964, as Bodrum Museum in order to ensure the protection and preservation of the findings. Due to its rich underwater collection that includes artefacts from 14th century B.C. to 16th century A.D., in 1981 the name of the museum was changed to Bodrum Underwater Archaeology Museum. Bodrum Underwater Archaeology Museum received the European Museum of the Year Award in 1995.

You will see the world's oldest known shipwrecks Uluburun , a hall of recovered glassware and the Carian Princess exhibition which evokes the last days of the ancient greatness of Halicarnassus. Glass Wreck Hall, Late Bronze Age Shipwrecks, The Carian Princess Hall and the amphoras . In ancient times amphoras were used for transporting and storing Olive Oil and wine

Next explore the site one of the seven wonders of the ancient world , The Mauseloum was built by Artemisia, the sister and the wife of King Mausolos, B.C. 355.The mauseloum was destroyed in an earthquake; and the ruins were used in building of the Halikarnassus Castle

Then we drive to Milas to the ancient city of Euromos where we visit the Temple of Zeus.

It's one of the best preserved classical designed temples in the country and dates back to  the 6th century BC.

Then you’ll drive to Milas to the ancient city of Euromos where we visit the Temple of  Zeus. It's one of the best preserved classical designed temples in the country and dates  back to the 6th century BC.

Next stop is the Mausoleum of Satrap Hekatomnos, pointed as the discovery of the century in the archaeological world, was built at a position dominating the ancient Mylasa  city and can be seen from any point of the settlement.

The Mausoleum is the predecessor of Halicarnassus Maussolleion, accepted as one of the  seven wonders of the ancient world, and is included in Temporary World Heritage List of  UNESCO.

Finally you visit the ancient city of Iasos.In Iasos archaic city that is located in Kıyıkışlacık Village at a distance of 26 km to the District centre. Roman monumental grave that is one of the biggest buildings of the archaic city and that is known as Balıkpazarı .

Iasos (or Iassos depending on the source) is over 4.000 years old, according to archaeological finds. It was a wealthy little town, with an income generated mostly from the flourishing fishing trade, which still thrives up until the present day. The Carian settlement was a colony of Argos and was founded with the help of Miletus. As a member of the Delian League, Iasos got caught up into the Peloponnesian War (431–404 BC).

From remains dating back to the Bronze Age to a wealth of ceramics with Minoan  influence, and then, of course, bigger structures such as the Bouleuterion, The Customs Building, or the Mausoleum, now home to the Iasos Museum.

End of the day you drive back to the hotel in Bodrum

BODRUM- BOAT TRİP - BODRUM 40 KM

Today you’ll start to visit the bays of Bodrum by boat depending od the weather conditions. The boat trip will start app. At 10:00 and finisched app. At 16:00 o’clock.you’ll have lunch on the boat .you’ll visit app 4 bays with swimming breaks.

You’ll set yourself free to enjoy some of the area’s most beautiful and spectacular beaches. This full day boat trip excursion is an ideal activity for all as it combines a relaxing setting, excitement, adventure and spots of unparalleled natural beauty. In addition, this Boat Trip forms the perfect opportunity to get away from the crowds and swim into refreshing, crystal clear waters and visit some unspoiled and breath-taking beaches.

You’ll have lunch on the boat

End of the day you arrive to the hotel in Bodrum

BODRUM – THE ANCIENT CITY OF HERAKLEIA -DIDYMA ANCIENT CITY- DIDIM                        140 KM

You’ll drive first to the ancient city of Herakleia

Herakleia ruin place that is located in Kapıkırı Village at 40 km distance to the District centre  covers a very large area. Besides the Hellenistic Period buildings such as Athena Temple,

the Theatre, Agora, city walls, Endymion, because of its being the centre of episcopacy in  the Byzantine period, there are many church ruins on the islands in Bafa Lake. Dr. Annelise

Pejchlow from German Archaeology Institute still continues surface researches in Herakleia  ruin place.

You’ll have lunch at the local restaurant before you visit the ancient city of Didyma

Then you’ll see the ancient city of Dıdyma.You move towards Didim.We go to the Temple of Apollo,which is considered to be the largest and most magnificent temple by the ancient geographer Strabon.the temple ,which is famous as one of the most important prophecy centers of the ancient World,is surrounded by 124 columns on a platform that is climbed by steps on all four sides.The temple was destroyed in 494 BC by the Persian army attacking Miletus.Its reconstruction begins with Alexander the Great’s liberation of the region from Persian rule.The construction of MS. The magnificent temple ,which lasted until the middle of the 2nd century,was not fully finished.The temple ,which took its current from during its reconstruction ,is approximately 109 x51 meters .Located in the middle of the building ,the 53x21 m.’’Sella Sanctuary ‘’ in size is worth seeing

End of the day you arrive to the hotel in Didim

DİDİM – BOAT TRİP -DİDİM 20 KM

Today you’ll start to visit the bays of Didim by boat depending of the weather conditions.

The boat trip will start app. At 10:00 and finisched app. At 16:00 o’clock.you’ll have lunch on the boat

Didim Boat Trip will help you a great deal to get rid of your stress accumulating all over the year. As you know, getting in touch with nature is the best known way to reduce stress on people. As you can see the lush nature of Didim while lying down on your sun bed, seeing the turquoise color of the bays will give you peace of mind. Being away of the traffic and stress of the big cities even for a short time and spending time with your family and your loved ones

End of the tour you arrive to the hotel in Didim

DİDİM- THE ANCIENT CITIES of ALABANDA and ALINDA- ÇİNE – THE ANCIENT CITY of LABRAUNDA - DİDİM                                260 KM

You’ll drive today to the ancient city of Alabanda

According to ancient mythology, the city was founded by the local Carian heros Alabandos. In the early Seleukid period, Alabanda was part of the Chrysaoric League, a loose association of Carian cities, including Alinda, Mylasa and Stratonikeia, which was primarily intended to coordinate joint trade, but also defence tasks.

After the visit of Alabanda you’ll see the ancient city of Alinda

Alinda is one of the important Karia cities, and was founded at Karpuzlu village in Çine  District of Aydın Province. When Ada, the daughter of Hekatomnos, had been driven away  by her brother Pixadaros from Halikarnassos, she went to Alinda in B.C. 340 and made this city her capital. The most important structure still remaining intact in Alinda is the agora. A theatre lies at the southern-west side of the acropolis. There are the foundations of two tempels at the acropolis. Karia style tombs between Karpuzlu houses are the indicate that the Alinda necropolis lay on the southern side of the city.

Then you’ll drive to Çine for lunch,you’ll have lunch at the local restaurant

After lunch you’ll see the ancient city of Labraunda.

Labraunda or Labranda is an ancient sanctuary of Zeus Labraundo in Caria. It is located about 14 kilometres from Milas, the ancient Mylasa, in the mountains of Besparmak Daglari, the ancient Latmos Mountains.

Labraunda was famous for its medicinal spring water. It was also the site of a fish oracle: The prophesying "media" swam in a square water basin and could answer questions with "yes" or "no", depending on whether they accepted or refused the food offered (see also the fish oracle of Apollo in Lycian Sura). The fish are said to have worn gold collars and rings.

End of the day you arrive to the hotel in Didim

TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT OF IZMIR    150 KM