Upon arrival into Izmir, you will be met by a local Yampu representative who will transfer you to your Izmir hotel. The rest of the day is free.

Izmir is a city on Turkey's Aegean coast. Known as Smyrna in antiquity, it was founded by the Greeks, taken over by the Romans and rebuilt by Alexander the Great before becoming part of the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century. Today, its expansive archaeological sites include the Roman Agora of Smyrna, now an open-air museum. The hilltop Kadifekale, or Velvet Castle, built during Alexander's reign, overlooks the city.

Note: Check-in is normally after 2 pm. Early check-in may be granted subject to availability (not confirmed).
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Private Full Day Ephesus Ancient City Tour

After breakfast at the hotel, meet your guide and driver for your private sightseeing tour of Ephesus. Drive about an hour to the House of Virgin Mary, which is the place where Mary might have spent her last days. The Life of "The Blessed Virgin Mary", was a small stone house, built by the Apostle John who, according to popular belief, brought Mary with him from Jerusalem to Ephesus. The house had a fireplace, apse, round back wall, a bedroom for Mary, and a spring that ran into her bedroom. After Mary was taken to heaven, said Emmerich, the house was turned into a chapel.

After the visit which takes approximately 45 minutes, drive down to the Upper Gate of Ephesus for our main tour. Ephesus was one of the twelve cities of the Ionian League during the Classical Greek era. We will see the Odeon, the stream baths of Scholastika, the temple of Hadrian and impressive library of Ephesus. The library is adorned with columns and statues. The Grand Theater, where Saint Paul preached, is the largest theater in antiquity with a capacity of 24000 seats.

A very special visit to the Terrace Houses; opposite the Hadrian Temple and also called as "the houses of rich". It gives a magnificent picture of the daily life of the Romans and the wealth of Ephesus.
The last stop will be the Temple of Artemis (Diana), built in a honor of the Greek Goddess of hunting, wild nature and fertility, which was one of the Seven wonders of the ancient world.
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Private Full Day Pergamum and Asklepion Tour

A step back in ancient times today with a visit to the hilltop ruins of Pergamum which once boasted the greatest library of the ancient world which once held 200,000 scrolls. The Asclepion and Acropolis of Pergamum are world famous. Pergamum is where parchment was first invented. It boasted the contents of a fabulous library, given by Anthony to Cleopatra and later lost in a fire at Alexandria. The Temple of Zeus was another ancient marvel although much of it is now in a specially constructed museum in Berlin. The Asclepion was the centre of healing and one of its great doctors was Gelen (120-190AD). We will also explore one of the famous colourful weekly food markets of Bergama, the modern name of Pergamum.

At the end of the tour, you will be transferred to Izmir airport to take your flight to Istanbul.
Domestic Flight from Izmir to Istanbul

Upon arrival into Istanbul, you will be met by a local Yampu representative who will transfer you to your hotel. Evening at leisure.

Note: Check-in is normally after 2 pm. Early check-in may be granted subject to availability (not confirmed).
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Private Full Day Classical Istanbul & Food Tour

Go on a guided tour exploring the ancient city of Istanbul. The tour includes a visit to the Topkapi Palace, the main residence of Ottoman Sultans. See the Saint Sophia Basilica, an ancient seat of the Byzantine Church. Marvel over the Blue Mosque, still a functioning mosque and one of Istanbul biggest attractions. Walk through the Roman Hippodrome that was once used for chariot races. Finish the day wandering through the seemingly never-ending Grand Bazaar. The Grand Bazaar is filled with many small shops offering the best in Turkish goods including jewelry, carpets, and ceramics.

In the evening, go a walking food tour. Start the tour from a Spice Market area learning about spices which dominated Ottoman cuisine. Try sherbet (spice juice), Turkish Delight and nuts. Experience the smells and the colors of Istanbul. Then walk through Galata Bridge to Galata area. Stop to taste ethnic dishes from all regions of Anatolia. Galata district is becoming a cultural center with design shops, cultural designers, wine cellars, and boutique hotels. Taste Turkish coffee cooked on charcoal, maybe a sesame pretzel and roasted chestnuts on the way to Beyoglu. Beyoglu has little labyrinth like streets with hidden tastes of different Greek mezes, Black Sea style Turkish pizza, fried mussels, pickles, tripe soup etc. Conclude the tour with desert, either mastic rice pudding or elastic ice cream or Beyoglu chocolate. Taste all of them if the traveler has a sweet tooth.
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At the appropriate time you will be met at your hotel to transfer back to the Istanbul airport for your departing flight.

Please note that hotel check out time is typically around 11am. After this time, the hotel will gladly hold your luggage until the time of your transfer.

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