Day 1 THURSDAY 02 MAY
THESSALONIKI - SMYRNA
(City tour)
Meeting at the airport ''MAKEDONIA'' of Thessaloniki at 2.30 am and very morning departure directly with charter flight of AEGEAN AIRLINES at 4.30 am - arrival at the modern airport of the legendary city at 5.35 am. Transfer and check-in at our hotel (early check- in) and after the necessary rest time we start the city tour. Our first thought is to get to know its geographical terrain, moving from one side to the other, from Kordeli (Karsiyaka) to Karatas (Karatas). Crossing the coastal front, we come across the great mansions, the churches, the places where the first Greek cultural clubs were organized, such as Panionios and Sporting, Punta, Bairakli (the new city now with high-rise buildings and skyscrapers), Kai, Pasaporti, Skala tou Papa, Bournova and Konaki. We will visit the famous "ASANSER" and admire the unforgettable view of Izmir. We continue to the closed market Kemeralti with its countless shops, traditional folk art, the magnificent synagogue buildings, an authentic experience not to be missed! We enjoy our tea or coffee in the traditional cafes of the area. Early afternoon transfer to our hotel. Free time in the afternoon to walk along the beautiful coastal boulevard with its spectacular views. Dinner - Overnight.
2nd day FRIDAY 03 MAY
SMYRNA - AFRODISIADA - HIERAPOLIS (08:30 - 18:30)
(Optional excursion)
After breakfast (optional) we will start an excellent full day excursion to the ancient cities of Aphrodisiada and Hierapolis, with their stunning historical wealth and unique exhibits (sites of UNESCO). Our route moves eastwards towards the hinterland of the Ionian land and passes by Manisa and Aydin, modern cities today, which with their large residential development and developed road network, are satellites of Smyrna. Magnesia always reminds us of a great figure of the ancient Greek world, the famous Themistocles from Athens, who committed suicide here in 466 BC, as his host Xerxes asked him to act against his fellow Greeks (as described by Plutarch).
We know Aydinis, on the northern side of the valley of the Meander, from Strabo, who described its rich agricultural production (olives, wheat, cotton, citrus fruits), its culture (inhabited jointly by Lydians, Cares, Ionians, Milesians, Mysians and Aeolians) as well as by the greatest mathematician of late antiquity, Anthemius, who was born just outside the city, in Trallies, and in 532 AD. Χ., by order of Justinian and with Isidore as his partner, he designed the Hagia Sophia of Constantinople. Bypassing the main road, we will move for a few kilometers in a particularly beautiful landscape that will lead us to the archaeological site of Aphrodisiada. One of the most stunning sites you will encounter in the world. It is no coincidence that it has been called the "Florence of the East" as it is dotted with monuments and structures that leave the visitor speechless. Some of them: The Temple of Aphrodite, the Odeon, the Agora, Hadrian's Baths, the Tiberius' Entrance Hall with its unparalleled Ionic colonnade, the Gate of the Agora, the Mausoleum of Augustus Sevastoy (Sevastion), the theatre and one of the largest and best preserved stadiums of the Greco-Roman era, with a capacity of 30. 000 people and of course the modern archaeological museum, a jewel of architecture, which presents all the findings of the area, dating back to the Chalcolithic era (3000 BC).
Aphrodisiada is one of the most beautiful cities in the East and after we finish our tour we will understand why the Emperor Augustus preferred it among all the other cities in Central Asia that were part of the Roman Empire. After the necessary stop for tea or coffee, we continue to Hierapolis (Pamukale), one of the most unusual landscapes in the world! A peak on an eroded plateau with hot springs that cascade down the side of the cliff creating shallow pools, sinkholes with calcareous rocks (white as cotton - hence the name pamuk (cotton) - kale (castle). Hierapolis was founded in the 2nd century BC by the inhabitants of Pergamum during the reign of Eumenes II, numerous exhibits impress the visitor and create a pleasant sensation as his eyes are drawn to the theatre, the bathhouse, the Temple of Apollo, Hadrian's Gate and the Necropolis. At the same time, Christian tradition states that Ap. Philip died here in martyrdom in 80 AD. Free time will follow for lunch and a walk in the small community next to the artificial lake created by the end of the hot springs. Late afternoon return to Izmir. Dinner - Overnight.
3rd day SATURDAY 04 MAY / SMYRNE - VURLA - CHESME - ALATSATA - SMYRNE (09:00 - 17:30)
After breakfast we will enjoy a beautiful nature drive in the south of Izmir, visiting communities, now suburbs of the city and holiday resorts with excellent architecture and views of the unique Aegean landscape. We start from Vourla and the summer residence of the greatest George Seferis, the picturesque little harbour and its once great commercial location. We continue towards the Erythraean peninsula and Cesme (fountain) where we will admire both the old impressively well-kept town with the church of Ag. Charalambos standing out in its centre, and the luxurious modern marina and its port, with countless choices of cafes and shops. We leave at the end, not coincidentally, the greatest example of the redevelopment of a historic settlement with traditional architecture, ALATSATA, where it is absolutely essential to wander the cobbled streets, the narrow alleys, the Orthodox Church, the bougainvillea lush streets where we will admire the entire settlement for preserving the architecture with an honest modern (and ultra-luxurious!) approach. Return in the afternoon to Izmir. Transfer to the church to attend the Resurrection Mass. Dinner - Overnight.
Day 4 EASTER SUNDAY 05 MAY
SMYRNA - FOKEA - SMYRNA
After breakfast we will spend the day touring an exceptional area in the northern arm of Smyrna, Phocaea. Foglia Nuova (Foglia Nuova) for the Genoese Benedetto and Manuel Zacarias, those who built the fortified enclosure that still survives today on its coastline. Phocaea of the Ionians and their alliance founded in the 8th century BC. The first Greek city to organize overseas expeditions and founded with the Milesians, Amisso (today's Samsun) but also Marseilles, Antipolis (today's Antip), Nice (today's Nis) in France, Alalia in Corsica, Reggio Calabria in Italy and Cadiz in Spain. We will walk through its traditional, narrow streets and arrive at the waterfront, a rare sight of an authentic, Asia Minor, coastal landscape with exceptional architectural features. Free time to enjoy our walk. Return to Izmir. Dinner. Overnight.
Day 5 MONDAY 06 MAY
DAY TRIP TO SKI (CAMPOS / MESTA / TOWER / MASTIC MUSEUM / NEW MONASTERY)
(Optional excursion)
Early in the morning, after breakfast, we depart for the port of Fountain (Cesme) where we will board the ferry that will take us to the enchanting island of Chios in 45 minutes. We will start our tour with a visit to the neighbouring ''Toscani'' of the island, the unique settlement of Kampos. It is well-known for its great nobility of its myroboreal and fruitful citrus orchards. Then you will visit Armolia, a settlement famous for the manufacture of clay objects with pottery shops. A few kilometres away, there is Pyrgi, the painted village, one of the most ornate on the island. The geometric patterns on the facades of the houses impress the visitor! Immediately afterwards we will meet Mesta, a unique traditional stone-built settlement, where we will have the opportunity to enjoy our coffee in the central square.
We will complete our route at the Mastic Museum, one of a kind, where we will learn about the whole process of production and processing of this unique Greek natural product. Just before we arrive at the port to catch the return ferry, we will complete our full day excursion to Nea Moni, an OUNESKO World Heritage Site, widely known for its mosaics. Return to Izmir. Dinner. Overnight.
Day 6 TUESDAY 07 MAY
SMYRNA - PERGAMOS - AIVALI - SMYRNA - RETURN FLIGHT
After breakfast, we will set off for the northern route on the borders of the Aeolian land, with the final destination being historic Pergamon. This is the most important city and center of the homonymous kingdom during the Hellenistic times. We will start the tour from the building of incomprehensible architecture known as the "Red Church", right next to the Silino River of antiquity. The site dates back to the time of Hadrian 117 BC. It dates back to AD 117 AD, and was scattered with statues until 400 AD when it was converted into a church dedicated to St. John the Theologian, essentially serving as the cathedral of Pergamum. It is one of the seven churches of the Apocalypse as mentioned in the Revelation of John. We will continue towards the Acropolis, where it is located about 400 meters from the sea level, which literally ''takes the breath away'' to the visitor, due to the wonderful view of the open plain of Kakos. The sensational historical account of Attalus and his successor Eumenes, who reigned until 138 BC, is a fascinating historical account of the spectacular view of the Kakiko area. The fascinating and impressive story of the Greek emperor and his successor, Atelos, who lived to 138 BC, presents a multitude of imposing buildings such as the famous library and a set of actions that made Pergamum one of the important centres for the rise of Hellenism in Asia Minor. In fact, one of the buildings he bequeathed to Athens is well-known and is the famous Stoa of Attalos. The temple of Athena, the altar of Zeus with its famous avenue (over 2 meters high and 118 meters long) are some of the great exhibits of the Berlin Museum (removed from the site in 1871...). The altar is referred to in John's Revelation as ''the throne of Satan''. The visit to the great archaeological site will be completed with a visit to the Asclepion and the Via Tec- ta (Sacred Way) where we will mention Galen (129 AD), the great physician of antiquity who studied in Pergamum and was a unique healer (even of Roman emperors) using psychotherapeutic methods, eighteen centuries before Freud! ... The circular street, a small elegant Roman theatre, the baths and more, are just some of the impressive exhibits of the area, which was a precursor to the spa towns, where those who stayed received excellent services but also arena shows and drama performances!
We will continue to the much-sung Aivali (Kydonies), home of Elias Venezis and Fotis Kontoglou, one of the most beautiful, traditional settlements of Asia Minor, with its magnificent Moschonisia, its picturesque market and its unique architecture. Return to Izmir. Transfer to the airport for the return flight.
