Two-day trip to Turkey

Day 1: Smyrna

Gathering at Chios customs office at 7:30 am. Checking passports (or new type of IDs), registration on the passenger lists (check in), boarding the ship and departure to Chesme at 08:15. Arrival at the port of Cesme after 35 minutes and immediate boarding of a coach bound for the City of Smyrna, the third largest city in Turkey, where for tens of centuries the heart of Asia Minor Hellenism beat. Passing through Alatsata, a purely Greek Orthodox village before 1922, which still preserves the traditional Aegean architecture and Vourla, also an important cradle of Hellenism in Asia Minor, arrival in Smyrna after about 1 hour.

Starting from Kokargiali, Karadina (Enopi) and Karatasi, we arrive at Konak Square, where we will see the clock – symbol of the city and the Government Palace with the Ionic elements on its facade, where Metropolitan Chrysostomos was martyred. Then we will pass in front of the railway station of Kasamba (19th century), the classical style building of the Hellenic Central Girls' School and the once-named Hatzifragou street in the area of the hospitals. We continue the English railway station of Aedini in its area Puntas, with the few Levantine houses that are still preserved to end up at the beach of the new <<Kai>>, where we will distinguish the Kapetanaki house, an impressive neoclassical building, which once again houses the Greek Consulate after 15 years.

Stop and walk in its former quarter Fragomahala, the most important and largest of all the Frankish districts of the East, which was overrun in the second half of the 19th century by Greek and Armenian populations. Tour of the narrow alleys, where typical examples of Smyrna's urban residence still stand today with the classical elements emphasized in their architecture. Among the Frankish churches and mansions, they give the visitor the opportunity to compose an image of the glamor and multi-ethnic character of the city before the destruction. Then boarding the bus and crossing vertically the parallel road to the waterfront (The Parallel of Smyrnia), we will pass in front of the classical style building of the National Bank of Greece (branch of 1919) and the old customs office (Eiffel project). Then, we ascend from Konak Square to the foot of Mount Pagos and the Turkish mahalades, a route that offers a panoramic view of the city. Continuing inland, passing through the ancient market of Smyrna, we reach Agios Vukolos, the only Orthodox church saved from the destruction of 1922, dedicated to the first bishop of Smyrna Vukolos. The temple has recently been restored and bears witness with its presence to the beautiful but also the tragic moments of Hellenism in the city. Accommodation in a 4* hotel in the city center. The afternoon is free to visit the bustling city Bazaar of Smyrna, Kemerlati, where the old Ottoman neighborhood of the city is located with winding alleys, old Ottoman houses and a restored inn from the 18th century. It is also worth wandering through the picturesque alleys of Alsancak and having your coffee or drink in one of the many cafes and restaurants located on the beach of Izmir (a beautiful promenade that stretches from Alsancak to the old customs house which today has converted into a modern shopping center – Konak Pier). Dinner at the hotel and overnight stay.

2nd Day: Ephesus – Kusadasi

After breakfast at the hotel, departure for Ephesus which for more than 1000 years was one of the great cities of the ancient world and one of the seven churches of the Apocalypse. It is the most well-preserved and busiest archaeological site in Turkey. Tour of the ancient city, whose foundation dates back to the 10th century BC. as an Ionian colony. However, the main monuments, which are preserved today, refer to the Hellenistic, Roman and early Christian periods. Among them stand out the Bouleuterion, the Temple of Hadrian, the Temple of Domitian, Koureton Street, the library of Celsus, the Baths, the markets and one of the largest theaters in the Ancient world (24,000 spectators). Then, passing by the site of the remains of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, we arrive at Selçuk (Old Ephesus).

Here we will visit Basilica of Saint John the Theologian. According to tradition, the Saint withdrew to the top of the castle and lived there, where he wrote the Gospel according to John. This hill was an important place of pilgrimage from early on, as a place of sleep and burial of Christ's beloved disciple. Originally a church was built there by Constantine the Great, which Justinian replaced in the 6th century with a magnificent Basilica, the ruins of which are still preserved today. Then, departure for the cosmopolitan Kusadasi. Free time and in the afternoon departure for the port of Tseme, where we will arrive after about 2 hours. Boarding the ship and departure to Chios at 19:00.

Price per person: 110€

Single charge: €20

Child (7-12 years old): €70 (In a triple room with parents)

The price includes:

1. Boat tickets Chios – Cesme – Chios (and port tax 2 euros per person)

2. New and air-conditioned coach for trips and excursions according to the program.

3. 1 night in a selected 4* hotel in Izmir with breakfast and dinner (buffet)

4. Local Greek-speaking guide

Not included:

1. Entrance tickets to visiting areas

2. Lunches during excursions at local restaurants

3. That is not expressly mentioned in the Program

**For Greek citizens, the trip to Turkey can take place with passports with a minimum validity of 3 months or identity cards with Latin characters.