PRIENE–MİLETOS–DYDİMAE - Step back into...

Max number of persons: 3

Type of vehicle: BMW 3.18 sedan

Step back into ancient Greek and Roman times during this tour. Your driver/guide will pick you up at Izmir hotels or Kusadasi Pier and take your party to Priene, via Soke and Gullubahce. Upon arrival at Priene, we will take a break and enjoy Turkish coffee before visiting its ruins. Priene dates back to 350 BC and German archaeologists began excavations during the 2nd half of the 20th century. The archeologists have unearthed several Hellenistic buildings from the time of Alexander the Great. Among the sights to see are the bouleuterion (council chamber), the Temple of Athena, a theater, agora, sacred Stoa, city gates, and walls. Streets and avenues meet at a 90 degree angle, according to the city plan of Hippodamus.

Priene, a member of the Ionian Confederation, was the smallest of the 12 cities. When Ionian cities fought the Persians in 499 BC, Priene sent 12 ships to the battle, which took place at the Isle of Lade. Your guide will detail the history and explain the archaeological facts during this 2-hour visit.

From there, we will drive to Miletos, 20 minutes’ away, to first visit Miletos’ magnificent Roman amphitheater, which seated approximately 12,000 people. The amphitheater is well preserved. And next we see the Faustina Baths, including its Frigidarium, Tepidarium, and Caliderium. From the foot of Theater Hill, there is a view of many of the city’s important city sights. Visiting time of Miletos: 60 minutes.

Afterward, we will head to Dydimae, a 30-minute drive from Miletos, where you will be amazed by huge Ionic columns and architectural fragments of the Temple of Apollo, one of the most magnificent buildings in Asia Minor. Here, we will stop for lunch at one of the restaurants opposite the temple.

Late in the afternoon, we will return to the Kusadasi Pier and/or Izmir, where our tour ends.