Handling Agency for Tours to Turkey since 1985

1- TOUR of EPHESUS Daily from Istanbul (private)

Itinerary;

08.00 a.m. morning flight from Istanbul to Izmir. Arrive in Izmir Airport at 08.00 a.m. Met by you tour guide and drive to Ephesus ( 45 minutes drive ) First visit the Artemission Temple where is one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World. Continue to Ephesus.visit Ephesus, one of the 12 cities of Ionia (an ancient Greek district on the western coast of Asia Minor) is located near Izmir. As a port city at the mouth of the Cayster (modern Küçükmenderes) River, it was a major departure point for trade routes into Asia Minor. Known in antiquity for its sacred shrines, notably a famous temple (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World) to the goddess Artemis, or Diana, the city was also an important center of early Christianity.

Already a great trading and religious center during the time of the Greeks, Ephesus grew in importance after the Romans assumed control, becoming a provincial capital with traders and Christian pilgrims coming from all parts of the known world. One of the major sites at Ephesus is the beautiful Celsus Library; 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 columns at the sides of the façade are shorter than those at the center, giving the illusion of the building being greater in size. Between 1973 and 1977, an earthquake proof reconstruction of the façade was completed. The Grand Theater is one of the most impressive buildings in Ephesus. Built in the 6th century B.C. it was later expanded in the 1st century A.D. by the Romans to hold a capacity of 24,000 people. The theater was the place where St. Paul preached. Opposite is the Temple of Hadrian built in the 2nd century A.D. and renovated in the 4th century in the name of Emperor Hadrian.

After Ephesus, lunch will be served in the garden of a local handicrafts center. Here you can see some of the traditional carpet weaving techniques used and enjoy viewing some splendid displays of beautiful carpets.

After Lunch visit House of Virgin Mary. This house is located on the Aladag Mountains 5 miles from Ephesus. At the third Ecumenical Council of 431 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 it a place of pilgrimage in 1892. On July 26, 1967, Pope Paul VI visited this place and prayed here.

17.00 Drive to Izmir airport for our flight back to Istanb ul at 18.30. after 1 hour flight arrival in Istanbul at 19.30 and the end of our services.

This package includes ;
- Professional licensed English speaking guide
- Istanbul – Izmir – Istanbul domestic return flight tickets including airport tax
- BBQ lunch,
- Transportation with private AC vehicle
- All entrance fees to the sites stated above the itinerary

This package excludes
- Personal expencess
- Any other meals than lunch and drinks

Private Shore Excursions

* FROM ISTANBUL PORT * FROM KUSADASI PORT

1- TOUR EPHESUS Daily from Istanbul ( everyday ) : Ephesus, The House of Virgin Mary, Artemission Temple, return flight, A/C transfers, professional tour guide, entrance fees

2- TOUR ISTANBUL 2 nights & 3 day ( everyday ) : Topkapi Palace, St. Sophia, Ancient Hipodromme, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, 2nights BB accomodation, A/C transfers, professional tour guide, entrance fees,

3- TOUR ISTANBUL 3 nights & 4 days ( everyday ) : Topkapi Palace, St. Sophia, Ancient Hipodromme, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, Chora Museum, Underground Cistern, Egyptian Market, 3 nights BB accomodation, A/C transfers, professional tour guide, entrance fees,

4- TOUR ISTANBUL 4 nights & 5days ( everyday ) : Topkapi palace, St. Sophia, Ancient Hipodromme, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, Chora Museum, Underground Cistern, Egyptian Market, Bosphorus Cruise, 4 nights BB accomodation, A/C transfers, professional tour guide, entrance fees,

5- TOUR ISTANBUL & EPHESUS 4 nights & 5 days ( everyday ) : Topkapi Palace, St. Sophia, Ancient Hipodromme, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, Chora Museum, Underground Cistern, Egyptian Market, Ephesus, The House of Virgin Mary, Artemission Temple, return flight, 4 nights BB accomodation, A/C transfers, professional tour guide, entrance fees,

6- TOUR ISTANBUL & CAPPADOCIA 4 nights & 5 days ( everyday ) : Topkapi Palace, St. Sophia, Ancient Hipodromme, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, Chora Museum, Underground Cistern, Egyptian Market, Goreme Open Air Museum, Uchisar Citadel, Underground Cities, Zelve, Avanos, Ceravanserails , return flight, 4 nights BB accomodation, A/C transfers, professional tour guide, entrance fees,

7- TOUR ISTANBUL & CAPPADOCIA & EPHESUS 5 nights & 6 days ( everyday )

5 nights & 6 days ( everyday ) : Topkapi Palace, St. Sophia, Ancient Hipodromme, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, Chora Museum, Underground Cistern, Egyptian Market, Goreme Open Air Museum, Uchisar Citadel, Underground Cities, Zelve, Avanos, Ceravanserails , Ephesus, The House of Virgin Mary, Artemission Temple, all flights, 5 nights BB accomodation, A/C transfers, professional tour guide, entrance fees,

What some of our guests said after their tour;

It's been two months since you arranged our day tour in Kusadasi.  I've been wanting to write you to tell you how much we enjoyed our short stay there.  It was so nice to meet you there at the dock.  We could immediately tell we were well taken care of.  The van was nice and very roomy and our guide, Tunc, was amazing.  He was so friendly and knowledgeable. His love of Turkey was very apparent and very infectious.  If you have an email address for him I'd appreciate it.  We were all so impressed with your beautiful country and would like to return again someday soon.  If we do we will definitely call you to make the arrangements.  We have friends who travel quite a bit.  We'll be sure to tell them about Mr. Turhan at Ekol Travel.  Again, thank you for a wonderful trip.  Good luck in all you do! Sincerely,

Just wanted to let you know how pleased we were with our guides in Izmir and Istanbul.  Tunj, in Izmir and Taner in Istanbul, were so knowledgeable. They made our 2 days in Turkey the most memorable.  If we ever return to Turkey we will be sure to contact you.  Thank you for running such a professional and pleasant tour. Sherry and Ed Teran

Dear Ekol travel,

I just wanted to thank you for making our Turkey trip so marvelous--everything you planned went beautifully.  We both fell in love with your country, and if I ever return, I will definitely contact you immediately.

THANK YOU!
Cheers Alisa

It was a pleasure to meet everyone in person and we sincerely appreciate your lovely gift.  This will be displayed proudly in my home.  I look forward to visiting Kusadasi again next week. I think that I will simply stay with the group again as already planned as I think it is important to spend this time with my clients.  Thank you once again, you did a fantastic job.  Ngaire
 

Hello Fevzi,

We have now returned to Australia and I would like to take this
opportunity to thank you for organising our trip to Turkey.
My wife and I had an excellent holiday and the effort you and your
company made to ensure all the details were correct and that the holiday
would run smoothly was excellent. The accommodation , guides, route
taken through Turkey and support during the trip made our holiday one we
will not forget.
We are pleased to have chosen your company and will recommend  you to
our friends and any body who is planning a trip to Turkey.

Regards
Phillip Andrews

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Cultural , Biblical, Budget Tours to Turkey operated by Ekol Travel Ltd. Since 85