|
|
 |
Istanbul
Private tours |
 |
| |
|
Private tours
from Port of
Izmir
IZMIR
No.1
Ephesus + Lunch (6 hours)
Boarding your vehichle at port of Izmir, drive
south to Selcuk Town.. En-route see the cotton fields, vineyards and pine woods
while driving along the blue Aegean shores. Continue to Ephesus where you
start at the Magnesia Gate and walk downhill through the city.Your guide will
point out the sights, bringing the history of Ephesus to life as you pause at
the Odeon, Upper Agora, Town Hall, Fountain of Trajan, Temple of Hadrian and
Domitianus, Memmius Memorial, Roman Baths, Terrace Houses and the extarordinary
Library of Celsus. At the end of a marble street leading from the library, gaze
up at the impressive amphitheater, built to seat 24.000 people. Enjoy a
lunch in the grounds of a country house. Here you will see a private
demonstration of the traditional carpet making process from dying to spinning to
weawing at a school where young girls are trained in the craft. Your last stop
will be the visit to the Isa Bey Mosque, a delicate masterpiece
of Turkish architecture from the fourteenth century. Afterwards drive back to
Izmir.
IZMIR No.2
Half Day Tour of Ephesus
from Izmir (5 hours)
Your journey through time begins with a pleasant drive
along the Aegean Coast. After an hour drive your first stop will be the
Temple of Artemis, one of the 7 wonders of the ancients world.
From here you will have the opportunity to view the Basilica of St. John and the
14th-century Isa Bey Mosque. After a short drive you will arrive to the ancient
city of Ephesus. At one time, the city was the gateway to Asia Minor and boasted
a population of 250,000. Formerly a seaport, it now lies several miles inland
due to deposits of river silt that have collected over the centuries. The region
is steeped in history, The Virgin Mary reputedly spent her last days at nearby
Mt. Pagus. As you walk along the old marble streets, you will pass the Odeon and
Upper Agora. You will also see the ornate Hadrian Temple, the remains of some
Byzantine houses, the beautifully restored facade of the Celsus Library, the
Thermal Baths of Scholastica, the Commercial Agora and the theatre, which
accommodates 25,000 spectators and is still used for occasional performances.
Continue along the colonnaded harbor boulevard, past the gymnasium and the
remains of the stadium, as you head toward the exit gate and the lower parking
area. Return to Izmir.
IZMIR No.3
Fullday tour of Ephesus, House of Mary & Basilica of
St. John (8 hours)
Biblical
sites, including Mary’s last-known dwelling place, the ancient city of Ephesus
and a relaxing luncheon are featured in this fascinating, full-day
excursion. As your vehicle makes its way along the Aegean Coast, you will
pass some of the region’s fertile lands. As you reach the silted valley,
time seems to come to a halt and then reverse. After a steep drive up Mt. Pagus,
you will arrive at a stone chapel. This converted house probably dates from the
1st century and was envisioned by a German nun as the site where the Virgin Mary
spent her last days. Continuing to Ephesus, leave your coach at the parking area
and proceed on foot through Magnesia Gate. As you stroll along the old marble
streets, you will pass the Odeon and Upper Agora. You will also see the ornate
Hadrian Temple, the remains of some Byzantine houses, the beautifully restored
façade of the Celsus Library, the Thermal Baths of Scholastica, the Commercial
Agora and the theatre, which accommodates 25,000 spectators and is still used
for occasional performances. After your visit to Ephesus, re-board
your vehicle for an ejoyable lunch. Afterwards enjoy a lecture about
Turkish weavings , see the girls at the looms knotting carpets and kilims. Learn
about the natural dyes and learn the differences between Silk , flosh , wool and
cotton weavings for handmade rugs. The proprietors will give a fascinating
demonstration of the local traditional crafts. Next is the Basilica of St.
John, one of the seven churches of Asia Minor, is your final stop before your
return to Izmir.
IZMIR No. 4
Fullday Excursion to Pergamum (8 hours)
Boarding your vehicle in Izmir port drive to the north of Izmir,
pass fertile fields and olive trees, to the present day, modern town of Bergama,
once known as Pergamon, a great center of culture. The ancient city was a
capital of the Pergamon Kingdom, and it was here that parchment paper was
invented. Today, Pergamon is one of Turkey's finest archeological sites. Drive up to the Acropolis,
to see the remains of the citadel and the city walls, the foundations of the
Zeus Altar, and the Royal Palace. The famous Pergamon Library once contained
200.000 scrolls which were a gift
to Cleopatra from Mark Anthony. Walk through the Agora and see the restored
Trajan Temple and the remains of the Demeter, Athena and Dionysus Temples. On
the steep slopes of the Acropolis you will visit the Theatre, which once held as
many 15.000 spectators, view the town and its surroundings from this site.
Continue to the town en route, see
the Red Basilica which was used as a temple dedicated to the Egyptian godess of
Serapis. Enjoy lunch in local
Restaurant of Bergama and have a taste of Turkish food. In the afternoon, visit the Asclepion, a healing center
from the 4th century BC and one of the most important sites of Pergamon. Here
patients had herbalistic, aquatic and psychological treatment. Visit the Temple
of Asclepios, the theatre, and walk through the sacred corridor and down the
ancient,arcaded, marble-paved boulevard. Afterwards see a private demonstration of the traditional carpet making
process from dying to spinning to weawing at a school where young girls are
trained in the craft. Learn about the natural dyes and learn the differences
between Silk , flosh , wool and cotton weavings for handmade rugs.
IZMIR No. 5
Fullday Excursion to Sardes – (8 hours)
This tour is for those passangers who have previously
visited Ephesus. ,The air conditioned vehicle will depart in the morning for an
hour and a half drive inland to the ancient city of Sardes,
one time capital city of the Lydian Kingdom, and the
home of the fabled King Creosus and his riches. The army of
Alexander the Great camped on the site; and later on, with the arrival of
Christianity, one of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor was built here.
In Sardes, you will visit the ruins of the Temple
of Artemis, the remains of the Byzantine Church,
. Extensive archaelogical exploration and some restoration of
certain structures has been accomplished by teams working under the aegis of the
University of Harvard and Stanford. As you stroll
along the kingsway, you will see the remains one of the
oldest Synagogues in Asia Minor and the
wonderfully restored facade of the Gymnasium where both
scholars and atlethes were trained. Enjoy your
lunch at a local Restaurant Drive back to Izmir Upon return visit
Kemeralti Market area, here see Kizlaragasi Han– The Ottoman
Inn from 18th Century which is a fine example of the architecture.
Browse thru the narrow streets and enjoy shopping before return to the ship.
IZMIR No. 6
Fullday (8hours) Ephesus &
Villages
Meet with your guide in front of the Izmir port passenger
Terminal. Depart the pier for the an hour drive to the magnificent site of
Ephesus. Ephesus is the best preserved of the Greek/Roman cities in Anatolia and
while you are visiting the ancient ruins of this magnificent site and your guide
will bring them alive. You will see the beautiful Celsus Library, restored and
reconstructed according to its original form by the architect Friedmund Hueber
in the 1970's. The most spectacular building of Ephesus is the Grand Theater,
built during the Hellenistic age to hold 25,000 spectators. The city was also
the hometown of great philosopher Heraclitus. After a visit to Ephesus Antique
Site, you will arrive at Sirince Village. This old Orthodox Village, 30 km from
Kusadasi, was once "Cirkince"(ugly). Indeed its inhabitants gave this name on
the purpose as they did not want to be bothered by foreigners nor to share the
beauty of their village. Still after years, visitors understood that the village
was not ugly and called it "Sirince" (pretty). Today the village is a perfect
synthesis of Turkish-Greek culture as of the 1920's; after the Turkish
Independence War, people exchange between Greek and Turks has occurred and all
those typical Greek houses, though they kept their original outside
characteristics, have received the local layout inside. At Sirince Village you
will have chance of seeing the local life at a village and purchasing some small
local souvenirs and handicrafts. The village is also famous for its local grape
and other fruit wines. During the lunch, mingle with the local people of the
village. Have a cup of traditional Turkish coffee at the main coffee house of
the village. Your last stop will be the visit to the Isa Bey Mosque, a delicate
masterpiece of Turkish architecture from the fourteenth century.
"TRANSBALKAN
TAKES PRIDE IN PERSONAL SERVICE AND OVERALL SATISFACTION.
|
| |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
For any information about
private tours in any where in Greece, like
Athens, and the Greek Islands please E mail us
at:
info@greeceprivatetours.com
| |
|
Tel: + 30 22860 28115 |
|
Fax: + 30 22860 28116 |
|
Mob: + 30 6944803339 |
| |
|
|
