Day 1 BODRUM
On arrival at Bodrum Airport, we welcome you and arrange your transfer to your comfortable hotel for the next three nights.
Day 2 BODRUM
Your first day is spent exploring the sites of Bodrum, ancient Halicarnassus. You will visit the 15th century Crusader Castle of St Peter which has become established as one of the world’s foremost museums of Underwater Archaeology thanks to the large number of ships which were wrecked in this area of the Mediterranean in ancient times. The museum provides us with a unique insight into the cargoes and trading routes of the period and is especially famous for its collection of Roman glass. You will also visit the sight of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World- the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus as well as the Roman theatre. Enjoy your second night in Bodrum.
Day 3 IASSOS AND LABRANDA
Today we take a leisurely drive away from Bodrum to visit Iassos, the atmospheric sight of ancient Euromos hidden away amongst olive groves, where you will visit one of the best preserved Hellenistic temples in Turkey. In the afternoon, enjoy Labranda, a delightful site built over a series of man made terraces. A visit here will need to involve a certain amount of climbing but it is made worthwhile by your opportunity to visit a range of fascinating remains including the Sacred Way, bath complex, Byzantine Church and the Temple of Zeus. Return for your last night in Bodrum.
Day 4 HERACLEA AND DYDIMA
In the morning, we will drive to Heraclea, built at the foot of Mount Latmus. Your tour here will allow you time to enjoy a site which boasts a fine collection of both Hellenistic and Roman remains including the theatre and Agora, Temple of Athena and city walls. In the afternoon, you will visit the site of Didyma, home to the most famous Oracle of Asia Minor and the magnificent Temple of Apollo. You will stay overnight in modern Didim.
Day 5 MILETUS AND PRIENE
Your first visit today takes you to the site of Miletos where the beautiful Graeco Roman theatre played host to many famous actors and orators including St Paul during the 1st century AD. From Miletus, journey on across the Meander valley to the beautiful sight of Priene, a perfect example of ancient Greek town planning! In the afternoon, there is time to visit the site of Magnesia ad Meander with its magnificent altar before settling into your hotel in Aydin for the evening.
Day 6 HIERAPOLIS AND PAMUKKALE
A varied and interesting day where you have chance to appreciate not only the ancient history of the area but one of the most remarkable natural sites in Turkey. Travel via Alinda and Alabanda, visiting Nysa on the way to the town of Pamukkale, famous since ancient times for its natural spring waters. Your visit to the superb site of Heirapolis begins with a chance to visit one of the most fascinating necropolises in the ancient world, on to the Roman and Byzantine gates, a perfectly preserved example of a Roman theatre and then a chance to swim in the healing waters amongst ancient columns and to walk on the brilliant white limestone terraces of the famous Travertines. Overnight in Pamukkale.
Day 7 LAODICEA AND APHRODISIAS
Today’s tour takes you first to Laodicea, a marvellous Roman site which drew its wealth from textiles and banking and was home to one of the seven churches of Revelation. Here you will see the remains of two theatres as well as a magnificent main street, Agora and baths. After a pleasant drive through beautiful countryside, visit the breathtaking site of Aphrodisias. This city, dedicated to the goddess of love, in its heyday produced the finest marble sculptures of the ancient world. You will see many examples of this sculpture as well as a perfectly preserved stadium, theatre and Bouluterion, the Baths of Hadrian and Agora. Arrive in Kusadasi in the late afternoon for two night’s stay.
Day 8 EPHESUS
The most famous archaeological site in Turkey deserves plenty of time so we are devoting the whole day to your visit. Walk with your guide through the ancient streets to experience life as it might have been lived in the time of St Paul. The most famous treasures are the library of Celsus and the ancient theatre but you will see lawyers offices, fountains, temples, gymnasia and even brothels! Time is also allowed for the Archaeoloical museum and St John’s Basilica. After your visit, relax again in Kusadasi.
Day 9 SARDIS AND PERGAMUM
Sardis once sat on the royal trade route between Persia and Ephesus and still reveals today many fascinating insights into what life in a prosperous city, designed to provide travellers and merchants with whatever they needed was like. You will see blacksmiths, paint shops and bars as well as a magnificently restored Gymnasium and the temple of Artemis. In the afternoon, continue on to Pergamum, site of the famous Altar now on display in Berlin as well as the home of the second largest ancient library after Alexandria where you will visit not only the breathtaking Greek theatre, library, temples and Agoras but also the less well known but fascinating Asclepion, dedicated to the god of health and used as a healing centre of the ancient world. Tonight you will stay in Ayvalik.
Day 10 ASSOS AND TROY
Two sites famous for very different reasons will be the subject of today’s visits. In the morning, Assos, perched high on the rocks above the charming fishing village of Behramkale is home to one of the best preserved 6th C BC Doric temples in Turkey and is famous for its school of Philosophy where Aristotle himself resided for three years as head of the school. In the afternoon you will visit the legendary site of Troy, site not only of the battle recorded by Homer but of a rich and varied culture stretching for many centuries. Continue on for an overnight stay in Canakkale.
Day 11 GALLIPOLI
Today you will have a chance to appreciate the history of the First World War by visiting the sites of the Gallipoli Peninsula. Your tour will include the landing sites, trenches and war memorials which eloquently portray the moving history of this significant battle. This afternoon you will continue on to Istanbul, ancient Constantinopolis where you check into your hotel for a stay of three nights.
Day 12 ISTANBUL
Begin the day by visiting the Hippodrome, the original venue for Roman chariot races and, latterly, an open air museum for the Byzantian Emperors whose collection included the Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine and Constantine Columns. Proceed to the Blue Mosque, created by Sultan Sutan Ahmet I in 1609 and famous for its interior decoration of blue and white Iznik tiles. After this, you will enjoy the magnificent Haghia Sophia Museum, built as the church of “Divine Wisdom” by the Emperor Justinian in the 6th Century AD.
Continue on to the Topkapi Palace, home to 25 Ottoman Sultans during almost 400 years. Today this world famous museum hosts a renowned collection of china and porcelain as well as the breathtaking treasury of the Ottoman Sultans, which includes the infamous Topkapi dagger and the 84 carat Spoonmaker diamond.
End the day in Istanbul’s 400 year old Grand Bazaar. Now beautifully restored it offers not only a superb range of souvenirs and bargains but also stylish handicrafts.
Day 13 ISTANBUL
A chance in the morning to enjoy the sites and sounds of the Egyptian Spice market before boarding your private boat for a cruise between the European and Asian shores of the Bosphorus. As you enjoy the cruise you will see beautiful 19th century wooden houses, the Rumeli and Anadolu Fortresses, the magnificent Dolmabahce palace. Tonight there will be a special farewell dinner served at one of the best restaurants in the city.
Day 14 DEPARTURE
Today your guide will assist you with your transfer to Istanbul Ataturk airport for your return flight.
|
