Private Tours of Ephesus and Western Turkey with the best local licensed tour guides. Private Shore Excursions from Kusadasi Port. Private Tour Guide Services for Ephesus. Ephesus Walking Tours. Private Ephesus Tours from Kusadasi, Selcuk, Izmir, Alacati, Cesme, Sirince, Pamukkale Hotels and Izmir Airport

Private Tours of Ephesus and Western Turkey with the best local licensed tour guides. Private Shore Excursions from Kusadasi Port. Private Tour Guide Services for Ephesus. Ephesus Walking Tours. Private Ephesus Tours from Kusadasi, Selcuk, Izmir, Alacati, Cesme, Sirince, Pamukkale Hotels and Izmir Airport

Discover Ephesus and Top Destinations in Western Turkey with an expert tour guide and a TripAdvisor Winner for 15 consecutive years.

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Overnight Trip to Akyaka from Kusadasi

This week we went to Akyaka with my wife. We had an overnight trip from Kusadasi. Due to our tours, the only time we had was early November. Early November is a great time of the year since it is not very hot and not cold. The weather was 20 degrees. We had wonderful time and weather.

It took us approximately 2.5 hours drive from Kusadasi. We drove through Aydin and Mugla City centers. There was a small ancient settlement here which was known as Idyma. But only few remains are visible today. It was a small fishing village until 1970s. Now a small but unspoiled resort town. Like all the ancient cities this settlement was also founded by a stream. Azmak stream formed a delta and this marsh land provides a living area for many kinds of birds and animals. There is a beautiful walkway by this river bed, we enjoyed great walks through the bamboo bushes.
kyaka not only has natural beauties but beautiful architecture.There are great works of wooden houses which are pioneered by Nail Cakirhan the famous architect. Today there is a construction code in Akyaka which makes Akyaka a spectacular location. We truly enjoyed walking through the streets of Akyaka and vieving the examples of Nail Cakirhan architecture.

Akyaka is located at the end of Gokova Gulf, by the fertile lands of Gökova plain. Once driving down the hill to Akyaka, you will have the spectacular views of the gulf of Gokova and the plain, approximately 20 minutes after Mugla city center at Sakar Pass. This area is also favorite by paragliders.

Right by the town center there is a protected forest area which provides camping opportunities in the summer times. We enjoyed great walks with great views. There is a small restaurant by the Aegean sea which is run by the local association we enjoyed great lunches here. No dinners because there is not much light here at night. They do not serve any dinners in the off season time.

We assume Akyaka becoming so crowded in the summer times. There are numerous boutique hotels to stay. We stayed in Portofino Hotel which is 2 minutes walking distance to town center. If you enjoy quiteness our recommendation is to go to Akyaka in April, May, October or November. You may enjoy renting a bike and cycling through the forests and Azmak stream. In the summertime there are boat tours through the Azmak and there are also boat trips to nearby bays for swimming. What a great location! Azmak stream and bamboos reminded us our Dalyan visit which was 2 years ago. 
What we enjoyed in Akyaka:
  • Beautiful wooden architecture.
  • Fresh air. 
  • Walking through the forest and by the Azmak stream.
  • Putting the feet in the cold waters of Azmak stream.
  • Quiteness, Akyaka is one of the cittaslow cities.
  • Great views.
  • Having coffee with the sounds of running water by Azmak stream.
We recommend staying in Akyaka. In the summertime there are more opportunities to have more activities. There are so many beaches in the area, that you may enjoy swimming in the clear waters of the Aegean. For us one overnight was enough. We had 2 great days. We relaxed a lot. 

Below we wanted to share some pictures of our trip. If you have any questions about Akyaka and how to go there, please do not hesitate to e-mail us.
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Ephesus Private Tour Review by Harris Armstrong

We have just received the following Ephesus Tour Review by Harris Armstrong whom we served in December:
Dear Denizhan,

We just got home at the end of the week and have finally had a chance to look at our pictures.

We want to thank you again for the fabulous tour of Ephesus. We thoroughly enjoyed visiting your city. We learned so much thanks to your knowledge of history. It was a real pleasure to meet you and we will pass your
contact information on to two travel agents we know.

Everyone enjoyed you as a guide and what you arranged for us to see. They all send best regards. It's too bad we can't clone you and take you as a guide anywhere we go. Anyone would be EXTREMELY fortunate to have you as a guide. You are not just an excellent tour guide, you are a great person! You have truly enriched our
knowledge of Turkish history and culture and we had a great time learning it from you! 

If your travels ever bring you to Toronto, please let us know. And good luck with your business endeavor.

Thanks again for everything.

Harris Armstrong

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Ephesus Tour-Bewertung von Andreas Lauko

Wir haben die folgenden Ephesos Tour-Bewertung empfängt nach einen unserer Kunden, die wir im Dezember serviert:
Sehr geehrter Herr Pekoz,

Wir koennen kaum mehr lobende Worte ueber Volkan. Er ist wirklich eine sehr intelligente und professionelle Reisefuhrer und gleichermassen eine angenehme Person.
 
Er fuehrt die meistens kleine Reisegruppe (3-7 Personen) sehr kompetent durch Ephesos, zeigt alle wichtige Sehenswuerdigkeiten und kann jedermanns Frage beantworten. Volkan hat ein sehr breites Wissen ueber alles,
was ein kulturbegeisterter Reisender nur wuenschen kann.
 
Vielen Dank

Istvan Lauko
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Istanbul Walking Tour Highlight: Galata

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Today with my wife. We had a walk through Galata neighbourhood on our own. Once again we were impressed with the beauty of 19th century NeoBaroque and NeoRenaissance style buildings. Once the richest in Istanbul lived. Noble Greeks, Jews, Armenians and Turks lived together happily. Each building has an individual story. Unfortunately so many of them are not in good condition. Some are turned into trendy cafes, restaurants and designer stores.

First settlement to Galata is made by Genoese trade colonies representing Republic of Genoa in 1273 during the Byzantine Era of the city. The Genoese built the famous Galata tower in 1348. After the city, conquered by the Ottomans, Latin and Catholic population continued living in the neighbourhood. Greeks and Jews started moving to the area. In the 19th century Galata and Karakoy became major business center. Gatala became a finance center with its bankers and stock exchange. Karakoy harbor was one of the busiest harbors of Europe.

There are 3 theories regarding the origin of Galata word. According to Italian historians the word is derived from Calata meaning downward slope. According to Greek Historians, the word is derived from Galaktos meaning milk. There is a possibility that the area might be used by the ancient shepherds in the ancient times. According to the last theory Celtic tribe, Galatians may have camped here in the Hellenistic period.

The nearby Grand Rue de Pera (today known as Istiklal Avenue) became a shopping center second only to the Grand Bazaar. An entertainment center with its cafes, theaters, bars, restaurants and pastry shops. 

Galata had a cosmopolitan population. Mainly French, but also almost all other European languages were spoken there. Italians , Germans, French, British, Armenians, Greeks, Jews, Hungarians, Poles and Russians had their own communities. Each community had its own places of worship, not only based on its religion but also based on its different sects. Therefore, many churches and synagouges of different groups were located close to each other. There were quite many Muslim structures at Galata such as Galata Mevlevi Convent, Arab Mosque, Asmali Mosque, and Aga Mosque. 

There were many foreign schools in Galata. French, British, Italians, Germans and Austrians opened high schools in
Galata. All these schools are still running. The rich and noble muslim families also send their children to these schools. Most of the Ottoman and Turkish scholars were educated in these schools.

Below please find some of the must see highlights of the area. During your visit to Istanbul make sure you see these sites besides the historical highlights like Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, St. Sophia, Grand Bazaar... Let us organize you a private walking tour of Istanbul.
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Galata Tower
Original name is Christea Turris, meaning Tower of Christ. Built by the Genoese in 1348. Galata Tower was the tallest building in the city at that time. Used as an observation tower for spotting fires. According to the legend in the 17th century an Ottoman genius Hazarfen Ahmet Celebi flew from this tower with artificial wings over the Bosphorus. Today the tower is running as a night club with Turkish Belly Dance shows. It is possible to see great views of Istanbul from the top balcony. There is an elevator. The cost to take this elevator is 10 Turkish Liras.
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Bereketzade Mosque
First mosque built in Istanbul in 1453 right after the conquest of the city. Named after Bereketzade Ali Efendi who is assigned as the governor of Galata by the Ottoman Sultan Mehmet the Conquorer. In the premises there is a small cemetery.
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Camondo Stairs
Donated by the wealthy Sephardic Jewish banker Abraham Camondo in 1785. Built in baroque style for his children to easily climb the hill from the Banker Street up to the
fashionable 19th century neighbourhoods. Banker Street at that time was named after Camondo Family as Rue de Camondo. Camondo family at that time was among the wealthiest in the city. Abraham Salomon Camondo founded Ottoman Imperial Bank in Karakoy. Unfortunately there is no descendants left from this famous family. Abraham Salomon Camondo died in Paris at the age of 88 and buried at Haskoy, Istanbul. His last descendants were deported and murdered in Auschwitz  Concentration Camps during WW2.
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British Seamen Hospital
It was built by a British artchitect as a quarantine hospital for British sailors during the Crimean War. Looks like a fort and having a tower which can be noticed in a far distance. Today runing by the Turkish government as an Eye Hospital.
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Serdar-i Ekrem Street
The busiest, liveliest and the most popular street in Galata. Has many fancy designer boutiques, vintage shops, cafes,  jewelry stores...
Named after a pasha of Ottoman Empire who has an Austrian origin, served as an high ranking officer for Ottoman State in the 19th century.

Famous Dogan Apartment (built 1895) is also located in this street. Many Turkish celebrities live here. The u shape building has breathtaking views of Istanbul.


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Crimea Memorial Church
Built in 1858 in the memory of British soldiers who had participated in the Crimean War. All the stones are supplied from the island of Malta. It is the largest active protestant chuch in Istanbul. Weekly mass services on sundays are provided in this magnificent neo-gothic structure.
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Akyaka ve Dalyan Tarihi Bilgiler

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Akyaka

Akyaka

Akyaka'nın antik dönemdeki ismi İDYMA dır. İdyma bir Karia şehri olarak kurulmuştur. İsmi de Karia dilinden gelmektedir. İlk çağlarda Muğla ilinin içinde bulunduğu alan KARİA olarak bilinir. Karia’nın en önemli kenti Milas’tır (antik dönemdeki ismi Mylasa). Milas, M.Ö, 4. yüzyıla kadar Karia'nın başkenti olmuş daha sonra başkent Kral Mozolos tarafından Halikarnasos'a (Bugünkü Bodrum) taşınmıştır.  İdyma, Karia’nın güney ucunda yer almaktadır. Karialılar yörenin bilinen en eski halkıdır ve bir Anadolu topluluğudur. Gelenek ve kültürleri bilindiği halde, Karia dilinde yazıtlar bulunmadığından, Karia dili çözülememiştir. Bugün orman kampının bulunduğu bölge eski iskele görevini görmüştür. Bugün de denizin içinde halen eski iskele kalıntılarını görmek mümkündür.

Bölge, M.Ö.546 yılında Pers (Iran) orduları tarafından işgal edilir. Pers yönetimi yörenin dini ve geleneksel yaşamında değişiklik getirmez. M,Ö. 5. yüzyılda Pers yönetimine karşı isyan başlar. İsyan, Atina’nın öncülüğünde “DELOS Deniz Birliği” tarafından yönetilir. Birliğe katılım listelerinde İdyma'nın ismi de geçmektedir. Bu kent hakkında en eski belgedir. Akyaka'nın doğusunda bu dönemden kalma ve M.Ö. 4. Yüzyıla tarihlenen İdyma Krallarına ait olduğu sanılan kaya mezarları bulunmaktadır. Akyaka yakınlarında aynı dönemden kalma komşu yerleşimler de bulunmaktadır.

Daha sonra Büyük İskender'in Persleri yenilgiye uğratmasıyla. Bölgede Helenistik dönem başlar. Roma döneminde de küçük bir yerleşim söz konusudur. 3. yüzyılın ortalarında meydana gelen depremlerden ve veba salgınından sonra çevre kentlerin çoğu ve İdyma terk edilmiş ve yok olmuştur. Bizans döneminde orman kampı civarında bir kilise yapısının varlığı bilinmektedir.

1970li yıllarda bölgedeki bataklıklar kurutularak turizm önem kazanmaya başlamıştır. Mimari özellikleriyle ön plana çıkan ahşap Akyaka evlerinin her biri diğerinden güzel bahçelere sahiptir. Begonvillerin sarmaladığı bu şirin evler dantel gibi işlenmiş ahşap oymalarla süslüdür. Akyaka evlerinin mimari tarzı Ula’lı ressam ve sanatçı Nail Çakırhan’a aittir. Sağlık sorunlarından dolayı dinlenmek üzere 1970 yılında Akyaka'ya yerleşmiştir. Burada geleneksel mimariyi günümüz şartlarıyla buluşturan ve çevre ve doğa ile bütünleştiren bir ev inşa etmiştir. Nail Çakırhan, Ula’nın eski evlerini örnek alarak Akyaka’da bu mimari özellikteki ilk evi kendine yapmıştır ve bu çalışmasıyla birçok ödüle layık görülmüştür. 1983 yılında dünyanın en saygın mimarlık ödüllerinden Ağa Han Uluslararası Mimarlık Ödülü’nün de sahibi olan Nail Çakırhan, mimarlık eğitimi görmediği halde bu ödülü alan ilk kişidir. Nail Çakırhan 2008 yılında vefat etmiştir.

  • Kadın Azmağı, 1200 m uzunluğunda, doğal akvaryum görünümünde, teknelerle Azmak Turu yapabilirsiniz. Nehre 400 farklı noktadan gelen suyun sıcaklığı 8-12 derece arasında değişmektedir.
  • Sakartepe Seyir Terası, 900 m yükseklikte Gökova Körfezi’nin ve çevresinin eşsiz doğal güzelliğini gözler önüne sermektedir.
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Dalyan

Dalyan

Efsaneye göre Apollon'un oğlu olan Karya Kralı Miletos'un biri erkek biri kız olmak üzere ikiz çocukları dünyaya gelir. Erkek olana Kaunos,kız olana Byblis adi verilir. İkizler birbirini çok sever. Byblis'in erkek kardeşine olan sevgisi o kadar büyüktür ki onu biran görmese huzuru kaçar. Byblis'in bu sevgisi artik kardeş sevgisini aşmaya başlamıştır. Bir gün Byblis dayanamaz kardeşine bir mektup yazar ve sevgisini açıklar. Bu durumu öğrenen Kaunos çok üzülür ve utanç duyar, en çıkar yolu kenti terk etmek olduğuna karar verir ve yandaşlarından bir grup ile beraber, bugün kalıntılarını gördüğümüz Kaunos kentinin bulunduğu yere yerleşir ve burada bir kent kurarak kente kendi adını verir. Byblis ise bir daha ikiz kardeşini görememenin üzüntüsü ile çılgına döner, onu aramak için dağlara doğru koşar, gözyaşları sel gibidir. Kardeşini bulamayacağını anlayan Byblis, hayatına son vermek ister ve yüksek bir kayanın üzerinden kendini atar. Nympeler (Su Kaynağı Tanrıçaları) ona acır ve Byblis'i bir pınara dönüştürürler. Efsane bu ya, derler ki, Calbis Nehri ( Dalaman Çayı ) Byblis'in gözyaşlarından oluşmaktadır.

Kaunos antik kentinin kuruluşu M.Ö. 10. yüzyıla kadar dayanmaktadır. Araştırmalar sonucunda Kaunos'ta Klasik, Helenistik, Roma ve Bizans dönemlerine ait kalıntılar bulunmuştur.

Antik çağda önemli bir liman konumunda olan şehir, Dalyan Deltasının oluşması nedeniyle bugün deniz kıyısından uzaklaşmıştır. Antik çağın önemli coğrafyacısı Strabon "Kaunos kıyıdadır ve Calbis yanında akar." demiştir. Kaunos coğrafi durumu göz önüne alındığında Karya'nın güney kıyısında Rodos'un karsısındadır. Çevresi, kuzeyde Menderes ovasına açılan dağlarla, bati yönde ise denize bakan Kaya mezarları ve vadileriyle Karya'nın öteki kısımlarından ayrılmış, yüzünü doğuya ve güneydeki Likya'ya çevirmiştir. Kaunos'un Karya-Likya sınırında kurulduğu söylenir. Antik Kaunos Kenti, denizden 152 metre yükseklikteki Akropolu ile bir yarim ada üzerinde kurulmuştur. Kaunos'un adi İlk kez Herodot'un tarih kitablarinda bahsedilir. Tarihçi Heredot, 12 ciltlik tarih kitabında Kaunosluların tuz ve tuzlu balık ticareti yaptığını yazmıştır. Tarihçi Plinius ise Kaunos tuzunun antik çağlarda göz merhemi yapımında kullanıldığını söylüyordu. Kaunos, Perslerin Güneydoğu Anadolu'yu ilk istilası sonrası Pers idaresine girmiştir. Persler iç işlerine karışmamışlar ve fazla vergi almamışlar. Buda kentin çabuk kalkınmasına neden olmuştur. Asya'nın Büyük İskender tarafından istila edilmesi ile Persler'in bölgedeki yönetimi sona ermiştir. Kaunos, Roma döneminde Kaunos antik kenti, 5000 kişilik tiyatro, Roma Hamamı, Agora, dükkanlar, liman ve çeşmeleriyle millattan sonra 1. yüzyıla kadar ufak bir liman kenti olmuştur, bugünkü Dalyan Kanalı da o tarihe dek, gemi girişine elverişli olmuştur. Ama çağlardan beri toprak taşıyan su, limanlarını gemi barındıramaz hale getirince Kaunoslular da kentlerini terk etmiş, belki de deniz kenarında, kanalı olmayan bir yere kaçmışlardır. Kaunos, 15. yüzyılın baslarından itibaren Mentesoğulları'nın hakimiyeti altına girmiştir. Fatih Sultan Mehmet zamanın da, Menteşe Beyliği'nin de ortadan kalkması ile tüm Batı Anadolu, Osmanlı idaresine girmiştir.

Eski inanışa göre insanın mezarı ne kadar yüksekte olursa o kadar tanrıya yakın olurmuş ve o yüzden kayalara kazılırmış kralların ve önemli insanların mezarları. Perslerin veya Büyük İskender'in istilası üzerine yarım kaldığı tahmin edilmekte olan en büyük mezarla birlikte izleyenleri büyüleyen altılı grup Kaya Mezarları, Kaunos'taki mezar tipleri içinde şüphesiz en önemlisidir. Tapınak cepheli bu kaya mezarı tipinin yanı sıra, yine kayaya oyulmuş "güvercin yuvası" ismiyle tanınan dikdörtgen derin Oyuk Mezarlar, Nişler ve Lahitler, yerleri özel olarak seçilmiş anıt mezarlar ve daha çok şehir surunun dışında kalan yamaçlar üzerine açılmıştır. Milattan önce 4. yüzyıla tarihlenen kaya mezarları içinde en önemli grup, tapınak cepheli olanlardır: Yan duvarların arasındaki sütunlann taşıdığı üçgen alınlıktı cephenin gerisinde, basamaklarla çıkılan bir ön oda ve bir kapıyla açılan mezar odası. Kareye yakın mezar odalarının arka ve yan duvarları önünde ölü yataklan yapılmıştır; Yakılan ölüden arta kalanların içine konulduğu kapların dik yerleştirildiği küçük nişler de, tapınak cephesi biçiminde şekillendirilen birer plakayla kapatılmıştır. 

1940'lı yılların sonlarına kadar Dalyan ve çevresinin sıtma tehlikesi altında bir bölge olduğu bilinmektedir. Bu yıllarda yapılan sivrisinek mücadelesi ile burada sivrisineklerin değilse bile, sıtma hastalığının kökü kazınmıştır. Bu demektir ki, Kaunos, bütün tarihi boyunca sıtma hastalığının ıstırabını çekmiştir.  Yeşil benizli ve hastalıklı denilmiştir Kaunoslulara.

Dalyan el değmemiş doğal güzellikleriyle, Ege denizinin,Akdenizle buluşup kaynaşmasına tanıklık eden,yüzlerce çeşit balık ve diğer deniz canlılarını içinde barındıran,dünyaca ünlü caretta carettaların yuvasıdır. Dalyan deniz kenarında değil ama hem denizi hem de gölleri olan bir yerdir. Kenarında kurulduğu yoğun sazlıklarla kaplı Köyceğiz iskelesinden İztuzu pılajına 8 kilometre uzunluğunda labirenti andıran doğal su kanalıyla, hem denizde hem de göllerde yüzme olanağı sunmaktadır. Dalyan doğal su kanalı 180 çeşit kuş türüne ev sahipliği yapmaktadır. 

Iztuzu plajı, 5kmlik bir alanı kaplar. Caretta Carettaların yumurtalarını bırakabilmelerine çok uygun olan ince kuma sahiptir. Bu kumsala Caretta Caretta (Loggerhead) türü deniz kaplumbağaları yumurta bıraktıkları için Mayıs’tan Eylül'e akşam 20.00’den sabah 08.00’e kadar plajdan yararlanılamamaktadır. Antik çağlarda bu bölgede bir kumsal bulunmamaktaydı. İztuzu'ndan 4 kilometre içerde kalan Kaunos, bir liman kenti idi. MÖ 226 veya 227'de büyük Rodos depremi ile birçok yer yıkılmıştır. Bu deprem, Dalaman Çayı'nın yatağını değiştirmiş ve İztuzu plajı bu olay sonucu oluşmuştur. Dalaman Çayı olmayınca, bu defa kumların sürüklenmesi terse dönmüş. Dalgalar kumları kıyıya sürüklemeye başlamışlar. İztuzu Kumsalı önündeki kayalıklar, dalgaların hızını kestiği için kumlar şimdiki yerinde birikmiştir. 
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Visitas guiadas privadas a Efeso com guias turísticos que falam portugues.

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Oferecemos excursões guiadas de Éfeso com guias de língua portuguesa. Estes passeios podem começar a partir de Kusadasi, Izmir, Selcuk e Sirince. Todos os nossos guias são licenciados pelo governo turco. 

Nossa reputação foi estabelecida com a confiabilidade ea qualidade de nossos guias. 

Acreditamos que a nossa empresa oferece o maior número de excursões profissionais e completas a Éfeso. 

Para mais informações sobre nós mesmos e excursões, por favor visite: http://www.ephesustravelguide.com/excursoes-privadas-de-efeso.html 
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Ephesus private excursion from Istanbul with licensed tour guides

We have been receiving numerous requests for Ephesus Excursions from Istanbul. We provide private Ephesus tours from Izmir airport. We meet our guests at Izmir Airport and drop them at the end of the day at the airport.

For day trips to Ephesus from Istanbul we recommend the guests to take the following flights:

Atlas Jet : http://www.atlasjet.com/
Istanbul > Izmir : KK20 depart Istanbul at 7.20am
Izmir > Istanbul : KK4021 depart Izmir at 7.40pm

Pegasus : http://www.flypgs.com/
Istanbul > Izmir : PC2811 depart Istanbul at 9.10am
Izmir > Istanbul : PC2816 depart Izmir at 6.15pm

Onur Air : http://www.onurair.com.tr/
Istanbul > Izmir : OHY150 depart Istanbul at 7.45am
Izmir > Istanbul : OHY155 depart Izmir at 6.45pm

Turkish Airlines : http://www.turkishairlines.com/tr
Istanbul > Izmir TK2312 depart Istanbul at 8.00am
Izmir > Istanbul : TK2329 depart Izmir at 6.00pm

For more information about private Ephesus excursions from Izmir airport, please contact us.
Terrace Houses in Ephesus

Terrace Houses in Ephesus

Grand Theater of Ephesus

Grand Theater of Ephesus

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Wonderful Istanbul Tour with Hall Family

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Today we had wonderful tour with Hall Family. I picked them from Istanbul Port where Norwegian Jade docked. Since the family had 2 adults and 2 kids to give us more freedom and cost effective I offered them a guide only service.

After meeting them from the Port of Istanbul we took a cab and went to Sultanahmet district. (We paid 10 Turkish Liras to the cab). Our first stop was the Hipodrome, Saw the obelisk, Serpentine column. Continued to Blue Mosque and afterwards Church of Hagia Sophia. One of the recent movies Argo was scened in this magnificent building.

After the visit to the Church of Hagia Sophia we stopped at a pastry shop. Had a liiitle rest and sampled Simit (Circle Bread with sesame seeds) and enjoyed some Turkish Tea. Walked througn some old Ottoman Royal Family cemetery and visited Grand Bazaar. Walked through the colorful shops and maze streets of Grand Bazaar.

Continued through Mahmutpasa Street. Saw where the locals shop. Showed them some of the buildings scened in the last James Bond movie: Skyfall. Visited Spice Market. Stopped at one of my high school friends shop and tasted Turkish Delight. Walked around Spice Market saw the Ottoman pet shops that has been running over 400 years. Stopped and enjoyed Baklava with wallnuts.

Crossed over Galata Bridge. Saw the boats making fish sandwiches and fisherman catching sardines. Walked through the 19th century bank neigbourhood and Jewish residential area of Karakoy. Took pictures of the narrow streets and Genoise Tower of Galata.

Reached the crowded local shopping street of Istiklal. Stopped by the Church of St. Anthony. Sampled hot halva by Koska and had lunch in Pera Diner Cafe at Nevizade. Kids were tired but they did very well. Mr. Hall wanted to continue to the tour but wanted to drop the kids back to the ship to the kids club. We took a cab back to the ship and dropped the kids to the kids club and continued to our tour.

We walked to Kabatas and took a public ferry to Uskudar. Enjoyed a 15 minute cruise on the Bosphorus passing by Dolmabahce Palace. Walked in Uskudar Market and Antique stores. Sampled Sahlep (White Chocolate Taste Hot Drink with Cinnamon). Walked by the Maiden`s Tower which is one the symbols of Istanbul and scened in James Bond World is Not Enough Movie. Had great pictures of Bosphorus, Norwegian Jade and Maidens Tower. Finally we took a public boat back to Kabatas and walked bavk to the ship.

The Hall Family enjoyed the tour very much. By walking they saw much more than their fellow passengers and by getting a guide only service they paid much less than their fellow passengers.

If you would like me to do a smillar walking tour of Istanbul for you. I will be in Istanbul till April 21, 2013. My Fullday (8 Hours) Guide only charge is 100 Euro. Please click here to contact me.
Mr Hall`s tour review on tripadvisor:
Denizhan was our tour guide in both Ephesus and Istanbul, and was much more than we expected a tour guide to be.  "Knowledgeable" about the places we went (or anything else we asked about) doesn't do him justice - he was an encyclopedia of information about anything Turkish.  In addition, he was very personable, and went out of his way to make sure that we and our two little girls were comfortable and satisfied.  If he's available for your trip, make sure and grab him.
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Birgi is located at western part of Turkey. A town founded on the slopes of Mt. Bozdag.

It takes approx. 2 hours to drive from Kusadasi to Birgi. Travellers feel like being in an open air museum during their walks through the historical streets of Birgi.

First inhabitance dates back to 2000BC, Phrygians, Persians, Romans, Byzantines, Aydinogullari Emirate and Ottomans ruled the town. The town had many names. During the Roman period the name of the town was Pyrigion (meaning fort in Ancient Greek). The word Birgi is derived from this name.

In the 14th century, Birgi became the capital of Aydinogullari emirate. During this time many mosques, baths and schools were built in the town. Majority of these builidngs were made of local stone and still standing. 

The most attractive building in the town is Cakiraga Konagi. 250 years old mansion with ornate wall paintings. This house is one of the highlights to be visited in Birgi. 

Travellers may enjoy walking through the streets of Birgi. A lunch at a local restaurant which serves home-made Turkish food can also be enjoyed.

Since 1996, Birgi is under preservation of Turkish Government and also a candidate to be a Unesco Heritage site.

Visit to Birgi town can be combined with Ancient City of Sardis. Sardis is an hour drive from Birgi or if it is tuesday, Tire Farmers Market can be visited. 

For custom private tours of Birgi, Sardis and Tire, please contact us.
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Touring Cakiraga Mansion in Birgi

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Cakiraga Mansion in Birgi

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Enjoy home-made Turkish lunch at a local restaurant.

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Ornate decorations of Cakiraga Mansion

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Ephesus Tour Review by Alan J Rew

Just received the below e-mail from a client that we served last month. We are very gald that our guests are pleased with our services.

Hello Denizan,

Firstly I would like to say how pleased all our group were with Sam
(Sami) as our tour guide on September 28th. He was very knowledgeable on subjects we talked to him about and on the  sites themselves.  He was also a lot of fun to be with.

The bus size was perfect for our 12 and it was in excellent
condition.  Also it was punctual. Ephesus, was a real surprise and a highlight to the group, we talked
about it a lot. We had a lovely Gozleme lunch at a small village which everybody
enjoyed.

And we got back in time for the girls to spend some time shopping in
the bazaar. Some may even want to return to Turkey, at varying times, as a result
of the visit and the service we received.

Please pass on our expressions of thanks, from all of our group to Sam
(we had to teach him Aussie, Aussie Aussie), and let him know that if he is in
Perth (which I believe he may be) he is welcome to contact us.  My details
below.  We would be happy to recommend your company to any fellow
travellers.  I also did a review on Trip Advisor per below.

Kind Regards

Alan J Rew
Financial Controller
Galaxy Resources Limited