Smyrna – Coast of Asia Minor from Thessaloniki

Breakfast at the hotel, then departure for the center of Izmir, where we will immediately begin our guided tour of this charming coastal city with a rich historical past—and the third-largest city in TWe will visit Konak Square, the heart of the city, featuring the Clock Tower, a symbol of Izmir. Next, we will see the Hisar Mosque, the city’s oldest mosque, dating back to 1592, admiring the courtyard with its fountain, the seven domes, and the stunning interior decoration of the mosque. Then we will climb up to the “Velvet Castle,” the Kadi-Kale, built during the time of Alexander the Great and said to have been a gift from the great Macedonian general to the local inhabitants for their support in the war against the Persians. Immediately afterward, we will visit Kultur Park, a vast green space that marks the boundaries of the old Greek quarter, which was burned down in 1922. Smyrna was founded in 3000 B.C., and the Greek presence flourished in this region for centuries until the Asia Minor Catastrophe and the expulsion of the Greeks in 1922. Smyrna evokes mixed emotions in us, ranging from the pain of memory to the joy of returning to the lands where many of our ancestors lived and thrived. After finishing our tour, we will have free time for lunch and coffee. Then we will depart for Vourla, the most important commercial, economic, and educational center of Ionia. Vourla had flourished since Byzantine times, and the area was home to 30 – 35,000 residents (of whom 5,000 were Turks and Jews, and the rest Greeks). It is located 35 kilometers from Smyrna. Upon arrival in Vourla, we will immediately begin our tour of the area, visiting Panagia Vourliotissa and learning about the main occupations of the inhabitants, which were viticulture, raisin production, and small-scale tobacco farming. We will also learn about the Anaxagoras School, founded in 1760 and rebuilt in 1862 with a capacity of 2,500 students. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to see any of the things we’ll learn about and discuss, as the entire city was burned down in 1922. Free time in the city, where we’ll enjoy wonderful food and coffee by the beach. We will then depart for Alatsata, 42 kilometers west of Vourla. Arrival in the village, which was founded in the 17th century and was inhabited exclusively by Greeks. We’ll begin our tour by strolling through the picturesque alleys, admiring the beautiful mansions and charming neighborhoods, which give us the feeling that we’re in Greece. The village of Alatsata flourished economically, intellectually, and culturally in the late 18th century, becoming one of the most important centers on the western coast of Asia Minor under the name Agrilia. Return to Smyrna and free time in the city.

After breakfast, we have two suggestions for you today. The first is to spend the day however you like in this great city. The other suggestion is to join us on an optional excursion to the famous Pamukkale, the Cotton Castle, where the thermal baths are set against a snow-white backdrop of travertine, easily justifying its name. It is one of Turkey’s most remarkable tourist destinations, which, due to the uniqueness and therapeutic properties of its hot springs rich in calcium carbonate, has attracted countless visitors since ancient times. We will continue on to Hierapolis, the city of the god Apollo, where we will tour the marketplace, the baths, the necropolis, and the ancient theater. We will also see the Martyrdom of Philip, a sanctuary dedicated to the Apostle who was martyred there during the reign of Domitian. Return to the hotel, overnight stay.

We’ll enjoy a hearty breakfast at the hotel, leave Izmir, and head to the famous city of Pergamon, where we’ll admire the Acropolis and its renowned Library. We will see the base of the Altar of Zeus, the Temple of Athena, and the ruins of the Temple of Dionysus. This is followed by a guided tour of the Asclepieion, where Asclepius, the god of medicine, was worshipped. We continue on to Ayvalık. The city was a symbol of the 1922 refugee crisis. Today it is a growing urban center that still retains many of its Greek elements. It is also the commercial hub of the region after Adramyttium. Many of the city’s elderly residents still speak Greek, while many Turkish mosques are former Greek Orthodox churches. Notable is the beautiful beach at its headland, once called "Faliro," with lovely baths, as well as the suburb "Genitsarochori," where the former inner harbors of Agia Paraskevi and Pasalimani were located. Return to Smyrna in the afternoon.

All good things must come to an end, so our last day has arrived. However, our flight is in the evening, so we have plenty of time to spare. You can spend your time in the historic city or join us on one last optional excursion. We’ll head south, to the heart of Ancient Ionia. We’ll visit Ancient Ephesus, which for over 1,000 years was a major city of the Hellenistic world. The birthplace of the philosopher Heraclitus was known throughout the ancient world for the cult of Artemis of Ephesus. By the early Christian era, it was already a major city and is mentioned in the well-known Epistles to the Ephesians by the Apostle Paul, as well as one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. At the archaeological site, we will see the Bouleuterion, the Prytaneion, the Public Agora, the Nymphaeum, the Library of Celsus, the Theater, the Gymnasium, and the Stadium; and on our way out of Ephesus, we will visit Kirkintze, the Greek village mentioned by Dido Sotiriou in “BLOODSTAINED SOIL,” and the cosmopolitan resort of Kusadasi. Free time in its bustling market. Return to Izmir Airport for the return flight. We’ve seen, experienced, and captured so much in our memories and photographs, so we’re looking forward to our next wonderful trip together.