In Greek times, the site was dedicated to Aphrodite, the goddess of love and fertility. The site was named Aphrodisias during the 2nd century BC and the great Temple of Aphrodite was built in the 1st century AD.

The cult of Aphrodite at Aphrodisias was distinctive, reflecting the goddess’ ancient origins and commonalities with other Anatolian deities (such as Artemis of Ephesus) while also bringing in familiar Greco-Roman motifs that made her universal.

For centuries Aphrodisias consisted of just the shrine, but when the Romans defeated the Pontic ruler Mithridates in 74 BC, Aphrodisias was rewarded for its loyalty and began to prosper.

Sulla and Julius Caesar were devotees of Venus and favored her city, and the emperor Augustus granted it the high privileges of autonomy and tax-free status, declaring Aphrodisias “the one city from all of Asia that I have selected to be my own.”

Thereafter it became a cultural and artistic hub known for its exquisite marble sculptures made from quarries of beautiful white and blue-gray marble that lay about a mile east of the city. Sculptures produced in Aphrodisias were exported as far as North Africa and Rome.

Aphrodisias remained a pagan stronghold long after the introduction of Christianity to the area, but it was eventually renamed Stavropolis (”city of the cross”) and then Caria after the local region. (The modern Turkish name, Geyre, derives from Caria.)

During the Byzantine era, Aphrodisias/Stavropolis became the seat of the metropolitan bishop of Caria and the Temple of Aphrodite was turned into a Christian basilica. It was a major undertaking, unique among all temple-to-church conversions. Walls and colonnades were dismantled and reused to enlarge and modify the building. The columns of the front and back of the temple were used to extend the side colonnades, creating two long rows of 19 columns each. The cella of the temple was also dismantled, with its stone reused in the construction of new walls on all sides.

The church was renovated in the middle Byzantine era and stood for centuries until was destroyed, possibly in the Seljuk raids of the late 12th century. The city faded into obscurity and today is part of the Turkish village of Geyre.

Remains of the Temple of Aphrodite, a stadium and portions of a bathhouse were always visible at the site without the need for excavations, but, beginning in 1961, archaeological digs also revealed a theater, an odeon, a basilica, a market, houses and baths, a monumental gateway, and a sanctuary for worship of the Roman emperor.

For years, our guests have expressed an interest in seeing “the authentic Turkey.” Since Oba Tours knows Turkey from the inside, we are able to provide our guests with the opportunity to get to know the real Turkey, whether in a big city or a small town. Most Oba Tours offer a balance of venues, yet we do offer a few tours that truly specialize in this order: more relaxed, more rustic, and more “authentic Turkey.”

Duration: 8 days
Group size: Max 12 persons. Min 4 people.
Language: English
Tour Price Uzbekistan part: 750 US$ per person, single supplement – 110 US$.
Departure dates in 2010 :
April 15, 2010 / May 06, 2010 / May 27, 2010 / June 10, 2010 / July 08, 2010
August 19, 2010 / September 09, 2010 / September 30, 2010

Itinerary:

Day 1: Thursday, Arrival in Tashkent
Arrival in Tashkent, transfer to the hotel. Free time.

Day 2: Friday, Tashkent-Urgench-Khiva
Morning flight to Urgench. Arrival to Urgench, transfer to the hotel in Khiva. Guided sightseeing tour program in Khiva: Visit a UNESCO World Heritage site Ichan-Qala fortress. In Ichan-Qala fortress visit Kunya-Arc, Sayeed Alauddin mausoleum, medrese Arab-Mukhamadkhan, mosque Oq-Masjid, medrese Hodjan Berdi-biya, Shirgazikhan, Abdullakhan, Juma mosque, medrese Allakulikhan, Toshkhovli palace, Pakhlavan Makhmud mausoleum, minaret Islom-khodja. Free time in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3: Saturday, Khiva-Bukhara
In the morning depart Khiva and drive to Bukhara (500 km, 7 hours). On the way stop to see Amu-Darya river. Arrival to Bukhara in the afternoon. Check in to the hotel. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4: Sunday, Bukhara
Sightseeing tour in Bukhara. Visit Samani dynasty mausoleum, Arc Fortress, Chashma-Ayub, Kalon ensemble, medrese Miri-Arab, Magoki-Attori mosque, medrese Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan, trade domes, Lyabi Hauz complex, medrese Chor-Minor. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5: Monday, Bukhara-Samarkand
Continue sightseeing Bukhara. Trip to summer palace of Bukhara emirs Sitorai-Mokhikhosa, Chor-Bakr and Bakhoutdin Naqshbandi mausoleum. In the afternoon depart Bukhara and drive to Samarkand. Arrival to Samarkand, check in to the hotel. Free time in Samarkand.

Day 6: Tuesday, Samarkand
Sightseeing tour in Samarkand. Visit Registan Square, ruins of Bibi-Khanum Mosque, Shakhi-Zinda necropolis, Gur-Emir mausoleum, Ulugbek observatory, and central bazaar in Samarkand. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7: Wednesday, Samarkand-Tashkent
In the morning depart Samarkand and drive to Tashkent. Arrival to Tashkent, check in to the hotel. In the second half of the day sightseeing Tashkent. Visit center of Tashkent, Amir Temur Square, Independence Square, Old City part of Tashkent with Khast-Imom Complex and Chor-Su bazaar, Applied Arts Museum.

Day 8: Thursday, Tashkent-departure
Transfer to the airport, departure.

Accommodation
Accommodation based on twin room sharing at 3* hotels, breakfast included:
Tashkent: Rovshan, Grand Tashkent
Samarkand: Malika Classic, Kamila, Orient Star
Bukhara: Minzifa, K.Komil, Sasha&Son, Amelia, Old City
Khiva: Issakhoja, Islambek, Zafarbek, Arkanchi

Transporation
Transportation on comfortable air-conditioned:
10 seats minivan up to 6 people
20 seats bus up to 12 people

Price includes
- Transportation throughout the tour, incluiding airport pick-up and drop-offs;
- Sightseeing with local English speaking guide in each city;
- Entrance tickets to the museums, mausoleums and other sights;
- Air-ticket Urgench – Tashkent;
- Visa support letter for Uzbekistan visa;
- Dinner with folklore show program at Nodir Devan Begi Madrassah in Bukhara.
- English speaking tour leader from Advantour to accompany the group from 6 persons;

Price does not include
- Charges in hotels for additional services;
- Consular fees for Uzbekistan tourist visa;
- Camera fees, charged separately by museums;
- Personal insurance;
- International Air tickets;
- Full board.

Built in the 15th century, the legendary Topkapi Palace was the former residence and seat of government of the Ottoman sultans till the 19th century. The palace is laid out as a series of courtyards and stone made turkish tents linked by ceremonial gates. If you pushed for time, the must-sees are the Palace Kitchens, the Treasury and the Sacred Relics.

The Egyptian Bazaar, also called the Spice Market, is only a fraction of the size of the Grand Bazaar. Stacked high with bags of spices, nuts, and dried fruits, this bazaar opened for business in the 17th century to generate revenue for the Yeni Camii (the New Valide Mosque) next door in Eminonu. Outside the Spice Market, there is a wonderful flower and bird market.

These European and Asian Fortresses can be found along the Bosphorus river, approximately 40 minutes drive from the old city of Istanbul. Each is famous for its local specialty – Emirgan for tulips, which bloom in a hillside park, and Kanlica for yogurt, served in several waterfront cafes.

This sixth-century church is located within the Court of the Janissaries of the Topkapi Palace. Now, Church of Saint Irene functions as a concert hall in Istanbul.

The Covered Bazaar was built in the 15th century.  The Grand Bazaar has several gates: the most popular ones are Nuruosmaniye and Beyazit. Istanbul’s mysterious bazaar is a labyrinth of over 4,000 little shops and is everything you dreamed an oriental market could be. All kinds of Turkish treats are available in rich abundance at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul.

This cruise stops at various fishing villages on the way to the Black Sea in the north. Dividing European Istanbul from Asian Istanbul, the river is also a direct artery between the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara.