Weave through the Turkish hinterland as you make your way to Ephesus and Pergamum to scope out Greco-Roman ruins and holy sites on this 2-day excursion. Stay in a 4-star hotel and spend the majority of your travel time relaxing on a comfortable overnight bus.

Day 1 After a late night departure from Istanbul, reach Kusadasi and join up with your guide to make the quick ride to Ephesus, an ancient Ionian League city home to an incredible array of ruins that date back to the time of Homer. Snap photos of the seats surrounding the stage of the Great Theatre, stroll down the column-lined stones along the Arcadian Way, and imagine poets debating philosophy beneath the Gate of Magnesia.

On your way to Selçuk for lunch, stop off at Mount Solmissos for a look at the site where Catholics believed the Virgin Mary spent her final days. Wrap up your day touring the displays at the Ephesus Archaeological Museum, learning about the centuries-old minaret at the Isa Bey Mosque, and visiting the site where the great Temple of Artemis once stood.

Day 2 Start your day with a drive to Pergamum for a morning spent learning about traditional healing methods at the Aesculapium. Find out what god of medicine this ancient healing centre was devoted to, scope out the remnants of the Pergamum Acropolis, and grab a tasty lunch of Turkish specialities before you work your way back to the bus station for a final overnight ride to Istanbul.