Lycian Turkey Tour
15 Days / 14 Nights
Day
1 : ISTANBUL
Arrive in Istanbul.
Transfer to hotel. Rest of the day and evening at leisure.
Day
2 : ISTANBUL
In the morning drive to the old town. Visit the Blue
Mosque
and
the Hippodrome
where chariot races were held in Roman times and Hagia
Sophia,
Church built by th emperor Justinian in the sixth century. After
lunch, tour the Topkapi
Palace
museum with its priceless jewelled objects and the Porcelain
Collection and the Mosque
of Suleyman the Magnificent.
Evening at leisure.
Day
3: ISTANBUL
After
breakfast proceed through the commercial area passing Ottoman
monuments to the famous Egyptian Spice Bazaar for
a short visit. Then board your privately chartered motor boat to
start an unforgetable excursion between two continents, Europe &
Asia. The cruise
takes you along the latest palaces of Ottomans, The Dolmabahce Palace
and Beylerbeyi, as well as 19th and 20th century, beautiful wooden
Kiosks. Mansions and modern villas which form the elegant section of
the city. Enjoy the scenery. After lunch Leave your vehicle at
Karaköy, the old commercial harbor of the Ottoman Empire, and
get on the underground train
which connects the shores of Golden Horn to the Pera district on the
hill. Opened for service in 1880, this is the second oldest
underground train in Europe. You will leave the train in the Pera
district which houses a wealth of fascinating buildings including
churches, historical buildings, picturesque arcades, old Ottoman
Hans, consulate buildings, and fine cafés. It is the best
example of Istanbul's rich cultural and ethnic mosaic. After a short
walk on Istiklal Street,
"Grand Rue de Pera," visit the Pera Palas Hotel.
The hotel was opened in 1896 in Istanbul next to the old American
Consulate building, built in order to host the passengers of the
Orient Express train. The train was designed by the French architect
Valloury and was renovated keeping all the valuable and unique
furniture in the original form. The original Orient Express started
its service 120 years ago in 1883. Agatha Christie authored her
famous book "Murder on the Orient Express" in one of the
rooms at Pera Palas Hotel.
Day
4: ISTANBUL
Drive
to the outskirts of the Old Town, a visit is made to the
Church of Chora, one of the most distinctive Byzantine
monasteries. The chapel’s splendid 10th-century
mosaics and frescoes continue to be lovingly maintained. Drive to
visit the Mosque of Suleyman,
the masterpiece of Turkey’s greatest architect, Mimar Sinan.
His patron was Sultan Suleyman, for whom the mosque was named. This
magnificent landmark crowns one of Istanbul’s many hills and
dominates the Golden Horn. The building is breathtaking in size and
pleasing in its simplicity. It features some very fine Iznik tiles
and exceptional stained-glass windows. Drive through Fener and Balat,
neighborhoods midway up the Golden Horn, whole streets full of old
wooden houses, churches, and synagogues date from Byzantine and
Ottoman times. The Orthodox Patriarchy resides here at Fener. Eyup, a
little further up, reflects Ottoman architecture. After lunch proceed
to the Grand Bazaar. Enjoy
some time at the Grand Bazaar for
some shopping. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.
Day 5: ISTANBUL – Nicea (Iznik) – BURSA
Drive Iznik, the ancient Nicea, where the great Ecumenical Council convened in 4th century. See the Church of Hagia Sophia, the city Walls, some Ottoman monuments and visit a tile workshop. Afterwards drive to Bursa., former capital of Ottoman Empire Wander along the old streets exploring the highlights of Ottoman architecture. See the Green Mosque, Green Tomb, the Grand Mosque and the Old Bazaar. Dinner and overnight in Bursa.
Day
6: BURSA – Kutahya – Alzaonoi -AFYON
In
the morning drive to Kutahya. By the 18th century, the ceramic
industry in Iznik had died out completely and Kutahya replaced it as
the leading center in western Anatolia. Indeed, Kutahya had been in
operation as a secondary center along with Iznik since the 14th
century 9 but its production always paled in Iznik's brilliance. With
the exception of Christian liturgical utensils and tiles with
religious themes that were made by Armenian potters for their
churches. Continue on to the ancient city of Aizanoi. The city
experienced its golden age in the second and third centuries A. D.
and became the center of episcopacy in the Byzantine era. The city
has a temple built for Zeus, which is the best-preserved temple in
all of Anatolia. There is also a large theater and a stadium adjacent
to theater. There are two Turkish-style baths, one of them decorated
with mosaics, plus a gymnasium, five bridges on Kocaçay which
are still used Today, an old dam, a trading building, avenues with
columns on sides, necropolis areas and the sacred cave of Meter
Steune. The German Institute is still carrying out excavations in the
city. After lunch in Usak, see the remains of many of those finds at
the Usak Museum including Lydian pieces which were smuggled to the
United States in the 1960s and returned in 1993. Proceed to Afyon.
The afternoon is free to enjoy the wide range of therapeutic services
and Capabilities of Thermal pools Dinner and overnight in Afyon.
Day
7: AFYON – Sardes - IZMIR
After
breakfast drive to Alasehir, Philadelphia
the church of "brotherly
love"
of the apocalpsel. After lunch proceed to Sardes, once the
capital of the Lydians, afterwards of the Roman province Lydia.Here
visits to the temple of Artemis, the Roman Gymnasium, the Synagogue
and the theatre. After the lunch, continue to Izmir. Dinner and
overnight in Izmir.
Day
8: IZMIR - BODRUM
Morning
drive to Ephesus.
Visit the Basilica
of St. John’s,
his tomb and the House
of Virgin Mary.
Afternoon tour Ephesus with its legendary marble streets, the
magnificent amphitheatre, Hadrian Temple and Celcus Library. Reach
Bodrum for dinner. In evening stroll through the shops and overnight.
Day
9: BODRUM
Walk
to Bodrum Castle, known as the Castle of St. John, it sits high on a
rocky peninsula on the site of the original Carian settlement. Its
towers rise majestically, dominating the harbour front. Built of
green stones, masonry and marble slabs from the mausoleum, the castle
offers magnificent views from the ramparts to the town and its
picturesque harbour, as well as your anchored Ship. The castle
complex houses an excellent Museum of Underwater Archaeology where
you will see the displays of findings from the world's oldest known
shipwrecks' along Turkey's Turquoise Coast. See the superb
expositions in various sections of the Castle. Walk through the
castle and see the displays of artefacts such as the Glass Wreck
Hall, Late Bonze Age Shipwrecks, The Carian Princess Hall and the
amphoras. In ancient times amphoras were used for transporting and
storing wine and Olive Oil.
Following your visit walk through the narrow streets of Bodrum to visit the site of the Mausoleum. See the remains of the city walls and the amphitheatre looking over the Harbour. Afternoon at leisure.
Day
10: BODRUM – Kaunos – Dalyan - GOCEK
In
the mroning depart for Dalyan. Venture
through tiny villages and along the Taurus Mountain to pretty little
Dalyan. Approach this peaceful gem via a shaded road lined with
aromatic frankincense trees. Unique in all of Turkey, Dalyan sits on
a natural channel connecting Koycegiz Lake by fresh water river to
the Mediterranean. Board
one of the small, colorful boats lining the channel to explore the
labyrinth of waterways that wind in and out the many islets covered
by tall green grasses. From your watery perch you will have wonderful
photo opportunities of rock-cut Lycian style tombs, fish farms and
colorful local boat traffic along the channel. Continue on to Caunos
where you leave your boat and make your way up the rugged hillside to
the remains of the ancient city. Founded in 9th century
BC, its well-preserved theater still stands atop a hill. Other ruins
include a temple, baths, fountain house and a ancient harbor.
Following
your visit to the ancient city of Caunos reboard your riverboat and
return to Dalyan. Enjoy lunch at a riverside restaurant and immerse
yourself in the charming atmosphere of this quiet spot before driving
Gocek for dinner and overnight.
Day
11: GOCEK – Fethiye – Oludeniz - GOCEK
In
the morning depart for Fethiye. Drive through the streets of Fethiye
and up into the coastal muntains for a visit to the village of
Kayaköy. Once a major settlement with 25.000 inhabitants,
it was deserted in 1922 when the League of Nations organized an
exchange of populations between Turkish and Greek territories.
Located in a beautiful valley, Kayaköy is now a
whitewashed ghost twon of extraordinary proportions. Climb through
its silen streets to see the old Greek Orthodox church, its small
courtyard is paved with black and white pebbles. Explore its former
houses and businesses or just relax and enjoy this serene spot.
Rebord your coach and head south through fertile fields and pine
forests to Sakl?kent,
a ten mile long river gorge with steep and narrow walls. Walk through
a wooden boardwalk fixed to one side of the gorge until it opens out
onto a series of wooden platforms suspended over the churning waters.
Here you may enjoy a box lunch from the ship, while overlooking the
swift, icy blue water of the river below. After lunch, continue on to
Tlos, one of the oldest and most important cities of ancient Lycia.
Dramatically set high up on a rocky outcrop, it is an imposing sight.
Then make your way back to Oludeniz through tiny villages and farms
for a glimpse of local color. End of the day return to Gocek for
dinner and overnight.
Day
12 : GOCEK – Xanthos - PATARA
Breakfast
and then on to see the "Lycian Triangle". Visit
Xanthos, the capital of Lycia, famous for its twice-repeated mass
suicide in the face of foreign invasion. See its amazing unique
monumental and pillar tombs, obelisk with the longest Lycian
inscription, Byzantine church with beautiful mosaics, amphitheatre
and acropolis overlooking the fertile plain of the Xanthos Valley
where locals today grow delicious tomatoes. Next we head on to Tlos
which was also a major city within Lycia dating back to 12th c. BC.
The amphitheatre and the bath/church complex with a dramatic set of
seven arches overlooking a lush valley (the “Seven Gates”)
are particulary worth a visit. Some of Lycia’s finest
rock-tombs can be seen around the acropolis overlooking the Xanthos
Valley. After lunch in a local restaurant, visit Patara where
you can enjoy either the ruins of this once-prosperous Lycian city
uncovered in recent years or spend the rest of the day on
beautiful 18km long sandy Patara Beach right next to the ruins.
Dinner and overnight in Patara.
Day
13 : PATARA
– Kekova – Myra – Demre – Phaselis -
ANTALYA
In the morning depart for
Kekova. See the picturesque islands, numerous bays and ancient sunken
cities. Afterwards conrinue to Myra to see the finest examples of
Lycian funerary architecture. Continue to Demre which houses the
world famous St. Nicholas church. Finally visit the ancient seaport
city of Phaselis. Dinner and overnight in Antalya
Day
14 : ANTALYA
Board
your motorcoach this morning and journey back in time to the ancient
city of Perge, founded by Greek settlers following the Trojan Wars.
Alexander the Great used by Perge briefly as a base of operations,
and St. Paul visited the city during his missionary journeys. The
site was abandoned during the Arab invasions of the 7th century.
As
you approach, the 2nd century Roman amphitheater comes into view.
Visit the stadium, one of the best preserved in all Eastern
Mediterranean, as well as the city ramparts and the Roman city gate
complex, the most fascinating part of the city. Also see the
Nymphaion, the Propylaion, the baths and the agora. Continue by coach
to Aspendos, which boasts a complete aqueduct system, parts of which
are still standing and the most well-preserved ancient Roman Theater
in the world is here. As many as 20,000 people can be seated here and
the acoustics is so good that a whisper or even a pin drop can be
heard from the very top gallery. The theater is still used today for
concerts and theatrical presentations. After lunch drive back to
Antalya, the ancient Attalia. Visit the Antalya Archeological Museum.
See the artifacts from the excavations at the ancient sites of the
region and the ethnographic collection of the nomads of Anatolia.
Later drive through the modern day town and the old town. Dinner and
overnight in Antalya
Day 15 : Departure
Transfer to the airport for your transfer back home or your next destination.
About Turkey | About Us | Services Offered | Reference Letters
| Reference List
Recommended
Itineraries |
Scheduled Tours
| Selected Hotels | Selected Restaurants
D M C |
P C O | Blue Cruises & Gulet Charters
| Limousine Services
| Transportation & Guide Arrangements
Shore Excursions
| Bus Charters
| Contact Page
| General
Conditions
| E-Mail
| Links
