Ephesus Turkey excursions

 
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* We co-operate with tour operators from all over the world. For tour operator recommendations for destinations such as Greece, Italy, Egypt, Israel and France please e-mail us.

E-Mail us for Private Ephesus Tour Reservation
Association of Turkish Travel Agencies
License number: A-776

 
 
 


Tours organized by Transbalkan

Turkey offers a lot for travellers. There are many reasons why you may like to select Turkey as a destination. Turkey is a country where history and culture blends into nature harmoniously.

A few of the treasures Turkey offers to visitors are:
* The Homeric Troy is in Turkey as well Mount Ararat is.
* St. Paul was born and had his missionary journeys in Turkey.
* St. John the Apostle and St. Philip have their tombs here in these lands whereas Virgin Mary has spent her last days in Ephesus.
* Alexander the Great marched through Asia Minor for his victories against Persians.
* Turkey houses two of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world: Temple of Artemis in Ephesus and the Mauseluem of Halicarnasus.
* Seven churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation are all in Turkey.
* The sufist Whirling Dervishes rooted from middle Anatolia.
* King Midas, King Croesus, St. Nicholas, Diogenes the philosopher, Herodotus the historian and many other prominent names of ancient times had lived in or set foot Turkey.

Just give us the list of the sites you would like to see and let us create wonderful program for you.

If you are a first time traveller to Turkey we suggest the following itinerary. Depending on your time this itinerary can be modified. Tours can be combined with private crewed Gulet cruises.

Day 1 - ARRIVAL IN ISTANBUL - We welcome you at the airport, transfer you to your hotel and give an orientation.

Day 2 - ISTANBUL - Today we visit the Blue Mosque built in 1616 with Iznik tiles and stained glass. Adjacent is the site of the Hippodrome with the Obelisk from Egypt, Serpentine Column from Delphi and fountain of Willhelm II. Next we admire Saint Sophia, built during the reign of emperor Justinian in 535. Afterwards we tour the Ottoman Empire's Topkapi Palace, walk through its rooms full of exquisite art and view its priceless treasures. Later we visit the dazzling Grand Bazaar which houses many artisans and is a shopper's paradise with over 4,000 shops selling precious handmade rugs, jewelry, leather goods, souvenirs, etc. (B, L)

Day 3 - ISTANBUL - In the morning we visit the Spice Bazaar where the five senses are stimulated and merchants offer a variety of natural remedies. Next we take a wonderful cruise on the Bosphorus, passing the Dolmabahce and Beylerbeyi Palaces and many historical and modern mansions. We disembark near the Black Sea village of Sariyer and drive along the strait to visit the Ethnography Museum. (B)

Day 4 - ISTANBUL -air - IZMIR - SARDIS - PAMUKKALE
After breakfast drive to airport for your flight to Izmir. Upon arrival drive through the many centuries old Jewish neighborhoods: See Beth Israel & Signora Synagogues, lively and colorful Havra & Dario Moreno Streets. Afterwards drive to Sardis, the ancient capital of Lydia, once the world's richest city. The first coins were made here. Sites include temple of Artemis, Roman stadium, Roman baths, theater, one of the world�s oldest synagogues with some intact mosaic pavements. Next drive through villages to Pamukkale. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale.

Day 5 - PAMUKKALE - Hierapolis - Aphrodisias - KUSADASI
After breakfast drive to the ancient city of Hierapolis. Meaning 'sacred city', has been a continous healing center since 2nd century BC. A majot Jewsih settlement is noted, aproximately 50.000 jews lived in the city in its peak time in 2nd and 3rd centuries. After visiting the ancient city of Hierapolis drive to Aphrodisias, the city of the godess of love: Aphrodite. From the inscriptions it is noted by the archeolgist that there was also a jewish population in Aphrodisias and a synagogue. Synagogue is not being excavated today. Visit the ancient city see the theather, city council, temple of Aphrodite, breathtaking stadium and many more. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 6 - KUSADASI - EPHESUS - IZMIR - air ISTANBUL
After breakfast drive to Seljuk. Visit Ephesus, the most important and best preserved antique city. Here we walk on marble paved roads and see the sites: Celsus Library, Great Theater, Roman Baths, Agoras, fountains and temples including one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Artemis Temple. Afterwards drive to izmir aiport for flight back to Istanbul. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul

Day 7 - Departure or Extension - After breakfast we transfer to the airport for the trip back home or if arrangements are made we go on another tour or a yacht cruise or a holiday resort.

* For the reservation, kindly advise us the following:
- Your Full Name
- Number of people in your party
- Date of Arrival & Date of Departure
- Name of the sites wanted to be seen

 

 

 

 

 

I wanted to drop you a fast note to thank you for the two days of touring that you arranged for us in Istanbul and Ephesus on October 15 and 18. We returned last night from our three week journey, and I am just now able to write to you.
 
Pat Atherton
Insignia
Oceania Cruises
 
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We are now back from our trip, and I wanted to let you know that we thoroughly enjoyed the tours that you arranged for us in both Istanbul and Kusadasi. I will gladly recommend your services, and we wish to thank the very knowledgeable and professional guides you arranged us.
 
Martin King
Royal Princess
Princess Cruise Line 
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Just a wonderful reminder of the wonderful time we had with you. It was delightful meeting you and the dinner was like none other we have ever had. You were so gracious and we certainly appreciated all you did to make our trip to Turkey so terrific. 
 
Jolton Family
Wind Spirit
Wind Star Cruise Line 
 
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Tour was great. The driver, Oughz (spelling ??) (name is in our cabin) was great. We had very nice talk on the way. Willl definitely recommend your service when we get back and on the internet. Thank you very much for arragning this tour
 
Stan Vermeers 
Nautica
Oceania Cruise Line
 
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We will highly recommend your services. Our tour guide was excellent and very knowledgable. Thanks for the superior service.   
 
Melissa Kimble 
Insignia
Oceania Cruise Line
 
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We were all pleased with our tour of Ephesus and Kusadasi. Ayshayn (spelling?) did a marvelous job. She was very knowledgeable and articulate, with a wonderful command of the English language. We would all be very happy to recommend your company to 
 
Jennifer Cleeton 
Seabourn Spirit
Seabourn Cruise Line
 
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We were most pleased with the services of your tour company. Both Oz and Erol were true professionals who knew exactly what to take us to see and what to tell us about. They were both delightful.
 
Joanne and Alan Feldman 
Seven Seas Voyager
Radisson Seven Seas Cruise Line
 
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We all thoroughly enjoyed our trip and think that Hankan (or similar - Im very bad at remembering names!) was the best guide we have had. He was very, very informative and took great care to ensure we kept out of the hot sun as much as possible.
 
Julie Dofort 
Wind Spirit
Wind Star Cruises
 
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Thank you for your wonderful service. Your guide was very professional and knowledgable, and we had an amazing time touring Ancient Ephesus with him! Wed definitely recommend him to anyone we know who will be travelling to Turkey.
 
Rudy Gonzalez 
Wind Star
Wind Star Cruise Line
 
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I was very pleased with the tour. Thank you for all your help. I will be sending notes to Cruise Critic.com recommending your services. 
 
Melinda Steffey. 
Star Princess
Princess Cruise Line
 
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We just returned from our cruise this morning. I plan to post cruise reviews on several boards and will say that our tour of Ephesus with Mr. Oz ( I apologize for the bad spelling) was the very best excursion of our entire trip.
 
Ashley Richardson
Emerald Princess
Princess Cruise Line
 
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I wanted to take this opportunity to express my deep satisfaction. We just returned from an East Mediterrean cruise on Legend of the Seas. You arranged for our private tours in Ephesus. The guide we had on the trip was very knowledgable, personable and very accomodating to our needs. Your prices beat the cruise ship everytime and we had our own private van for four which was such a treat. We were able to stay as long as we wanted at each site and walked at our own pace. We never felt rushed!!
I have recommended you to all my friends and travel agent. We plan to return someday to your spectacular country on a land tour so we can concentrate on Turkey which has so very much to offer its visitors. We will definitely be contacting you for our future plans. I wish you continued success in your endeavors. Keep up the great work!!

Wilf Rothstein
Legend of the Seas
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
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Greetings. Just to say thank you very much for organising our tour. We had a wonderful time in your beautiful country and would just like to say that our guide and driver were superb, courteous, very reliable and exceedingly helpful for our mission – filming at relevant places in Ephesus. I would highly recommend you to anybody. So many thanks again. 
David Wilde
Brilliance of the Seas
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
May 2007
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Just wanted to thank you and your professional guide for a wonderful tour….We will continue to refer your services and try other guides in different regions. Professional, knowledgeable, courteous and efficient

Larry Goldberg
Galaxy 
Celebrity Cruises
Sept. 2007

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I wanted to let you know what a great tour we had to Ephesus. Our tour guide was fantastic and he brought everything to life! I can't remember his name but it started with a S.
Elizabeth Desmond
Cristal
Louise Cruise Line
August 2007
 
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We just got back Friday needing some sleep after the conclusion of our cruise. I'd like to express my sincere thanks to you and your excellent and knowledgeable guides for giving us an interesting experience of Turkey. Both were wonderful and real prefessionals and gave us a well-conducted tour. Although we did not really explore Kusadasi and Istanbul especially, more extensively, because of time constraints my group was satisfied and has a new knowledge about your wonderful country.