Immerse yourself in Turkey's ancient history during a 3-day excursion to Ephesus, Pergamum, and Pamukkale. Travel back in time at Greco-Roman ruins, soak up the healing powers of Pamukkale's terraced hot springs, and enjoy comfortable overnight accommodation and an easy roundtrip flight from Istanbul.
Day 1
After you're picked up from your hotel in Istanbul, ride to the airport and board a plane for the short flight to İzmir, birthplace of the epic poet Homer. Touch down and board a comfortable shuttle for the ride to the classical city of Ephesus. Check out millenna-old ruins along the Arcadian Way, from the re-erected, colonnaded facade of the Celsus Library to the massive, 25,000-seat Great Theatre.
Head into the mountains to visit the shrine and humble abode where the Virgin Mary is believed to have lived out her later years, and snap photos of the 14th-century architecture of the İsa Bey Mosque. End your day at the Ephesus Archaeological Museum, where you can scope out excavated artifacts and see where the Temple of Artemis—one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World—once stood. Head back to your hotel for dinner and to rest up for the next day's adventures.
Day 2
After breakfast, make your way to Pergamum, a UNESCO-listed site that was a hub of political power in ancient Greece. Hear how Roman citizens and emperors alike sought healing at the Asclepion medical center, where ancient pagan practices intertwined with therapies like meditation and blood transfusion. After lunch, climb up to the hilltop Acropolis, which offers sweeping views over the aqueduct-dotted valleys below. Marvel at the massive marble remains of the Temple of Trajan and learn about the Temple of Athena before going back to your hotel for dinner.
Day 3
Get an early start on your final day, riding out as the sun comes up to reach the stunning terraced travertine hot springs of Pamukkale, whose name means “cotton castle” in Turkish. Take a dip in the soothing waters as you admire the spectacular natural setting. Afterward, visit the archaeological museum in the nearby Roman spa city of Hierapolis before heading to the airport for your evening flight back to Istanbul.
