Fep 29 Thu Depart OKC – Fly Istanbul
Mar 1 Fri Arrive Istanbul Airport
Your tour guide will meet you after the customs and baggage claim with “RYAN BUSLER – TUTKU” sign. Meet and transfer to hotel for dinner and overnight. *If time permits, Bosphorus Boat Tour. (D)
Mar 2 Sat Istanbul
Full day Istanbul Tour; Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia, Archaeology Museum, St Irene Church, Grand Bazaar. Overnight Istanbul. (B,D)
Mar 3 Sun Istanbul – Nicaea – Overnight Bursa
Drive to Iznik, ancient Nicaea. Two ecumenical councils were held here; 1st counsil of 325, and the 7th council of 787. Visit Hagia Sophia Church (now a mosque) where the 7th council was held. Overnight Bursa.(B,D)
Mar 4 Mon Thyatira - Pergamum – Izmir
Drive to Akhisar to visit the remains of Thyatira Church. Drive to Bergama. Take cable car up to Acropolis. Continue South to Izmir, ancient Smyrna. Overnight Izmir.(B,D)
Mar 5 Tue Smyrna – Sardis – Philadelphia - Pamukkale
Visit the Smyrna Agora in the morning including Graffiti section (if possible). Drive to Sardis to visit the Gymnasium, Synagogue, and the Temple of Artemis with a small Byzantine church. On the way to Pamukkale, we will visit the remains of the Philadelphia St John Church. Overnight Pamukkale. (B,D)
Mar 6 Wed Hierapolis – Laodicea – Kusadasi
Visit Hierapolis and the tomb of Apostle Philip (according to the Italian excavator). Then, visit Laodicea and its latest excavations. Drive west to Kusadasi. Overnight Kusadasi. (B,D)
Mar 7 Thu Patmos - Kusadasi
Early transfer to Kusadasi port for ferry to Patmos. Meet the Greek bus and guide. Visit Basilica of John and Cave of Revelation. We will take the 3:00 pm ferry back to Kusadasi. Arrive Kusadasi at around 7 pm. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Kusadasi. (B,D)
Mar 8 Fri Ephesus – Fly Istanbul
Full day Ephesus tour. First we will visit the ancient city of Ephesus including the Terrace Houses. (if possible Tutku will arrange a special visit to the Cave Church of Paul and Thecla). In the afternoon, we will visit the Basilica of John. Early dinner at a local restaurant in Selcuk.Transfer to the airport for TK2335 19:50 /21:10 flight to Istanbul. Overnight at Yotel in the airport. (B,D)
Mar 9 Sat Walk to the terminal for departure - Fly back OKC
Flight Details
POSSIBLE FLIGHT SCHEDULE: *can be changed
DL2873 29FEB OKCATL 1113 1410
DL9622 01MAR AMSIST 1130 1655
DL8353 06MAR ISTCDG 0725 0910
DL8504 06MAR CDGATL 1040 1425
DL2862 06MAR ATLOKC 1635 1752
Including
- International flights between Oklahoma City OKC - Istanbul, and Izmir-Oklahoma City OKC
- 2 Nightsat Movenpick Golden Horn in Istanbulor similar
- 1 Night at Almira Hotel in Bursa or similar
- 1 Night at Kordon Cankaya Hotel in Izmir or similar
- 1 Night at Doga Thermal Hotel in Pamukkaleor similar
- 2 Nightsat Korumar Hotel in Kuşadasıor similar
- 1 Night at Yotel at the Istanbul Airport
- Daily breakfast at the hotels
- 8 Dinners at the hotels
- English speaking Licensed Tour Guides in Turkey& Patmos
- All transportation and airport-hotel-port transfers with private AC Bus
- All Parking fees
- All Entry fees to the sites and museums
- Service charges and local taxes
- TUTKU GIFTS (travel bag, map, t-shirt)
Excluding
- Turkish Visa fee to be obtained online before arrival evisa.gov.tr
- US citizens do not need a visa to enter Greece (Patmos island) – Other citizens must check on their own.
- Tips to Tour Guides – Bus Drivers
- Travel and health insurance, all kind of insurances
Hotels
- February 29, 2024 - March 01, 2024 Mövenpick Istanbul Golden Horn, Istanbul, Turkey