On a full day trip, you would get the chance to explore one of the best preserved cities with Hellenistic character, Priene... The city used to be an active port in the Ionian Federation and the grid-like system of its streets introduced in the fourth century B.C. by Hippodamos of Miletus is still a superb and early example of town planning.

Next stop would be at Miletus. Like Priene, it was a great Ionian port city with four harbors as well as the birthplace of several philosophers and sages. Thales, Anaximandros, Anaximenes were all from this city and Miletus founded a lot of colonies in the Ionian period as being seafarers.  

Last to see would be the great oracle center at Didyma, Temple of Apollo. Although Didyma would only boast of a single monument, it is nevertheless a marvelous site. The Temple of Apollo was one of antiquity's most sacred places. Many times looted and burned, the sanctuary still impresses with its elegant beauty.

Places to see on this tour are:

-the ancient city of Priene with its Hellenistic character
-the ruins of Miletus with its beautiful theater and baths
-the temple of Apollo at Didyma which used to be a very important oracle center

The following rates are "flat fee", including the guidance and transportation costs.

GUIDANCE:

*Full Day private guidance service :  160,00 USD per day

TRANSPORTATION: 

*Full Day Minivan with driver :  180,00 USD including VAT plus 20 USD parking fees = 1 to 6  people / per day

Full Day private tour cost : 360,00 USD total for max. 6 pax

For other rates over 6 pax, please contact us for a customized tour offer and program.

The above rates include:

INCLUSIONS
Complimentary water on board the van throughout the tour
Local transportation by a private chauffeur driven deluxe van with A/C
Services of professional English-speaking tour guide who licensed by the Turkish Ministry of Tourism and expert on Turkey's history and culture.
V.A.T

EXCLUSIONS
Any entrance fees to the sites and museums, lunches and/or dinners, alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages, personal expenses and gratuity to guides & drivers.

Priene - Miletus - Didyma

In the morning, you will be met at the pier by your guide and be transferred to Priene. Priene is an important and fascinating ancient Ionian city, dramatically overlooking the fertile plains of the Meandre Valley. It used to be an ancient harbor city, however probably had to change its location when the harbor was threatened by the silt of the Meander River. Priene was laid out on a Hippodamian system of grip plan and contained many examples of Hellenistic art and architecture including the Temple of Athena Polias, the Bouleterion, the Theatre etc...
The second ancient site to be visited is Miletus which used to be one of the largest cities in Anatolia. Due to the importance of its location on the trade routes, it was a highly prosperous, commercial harbour city. It was also the home town of famous Thales, the town planner Hippodamus, the philosophers Anaximander and Anaximenes and famous architect Isidorus. Most noteworthy among the scattered ruins are the Great Theater and Faustina Baths. Eventually, you will explore Didyma, the cult center of Miletus, which was famed as a prophecy center dedicated to Apollo, with the great temple of Apollo, a sacred place of pagan worship.  It was one of the most colossal temples in the Hellenic World, venerating the God Apollo. Didyma was a sanctuary linked to Miletus with 12 mile sacred road and was inhabitated only by the priests and the suppliants who came to consult the famous oracle.

The site of Priene requires some walking uphill on uneven ground and taking steps to go up to the center of the city. Be sure to wear comfortable walking or hiking shoes. 

Do not miss to see the theater and the Temple of Athena overlooking the beautiful Meander Valley. It is hard to imagine Priene as being a port city before.  The Bouleterion of the city, with its square shape, is a distinguished example.

In Miletus, be sure to walk through the vomitorium of the grand theater and take a look at the swampy harbors of the city which were silted up by the deposits of the Great Meander river. Walk through the well-preserved Roman baths named after Faustina, the wife of Marcus Aurelius, the Roman emperor. Also take some time to visit the small, but rich museum of Miletus on the way to Didyma.

In Didyma, be ready to be amazed by the grandiose pillars of the Temple of Apollo which has been one of the most important oracle centers of Anatolia.