Escorted
Tour of Anatolia
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| Anatolia, often called “The cauldron of nations” has the most diverse history among holiday destinations and is the richest place on Earth in archeological sites. It is a land of mystery and deep historical significance, the birthplace of some of the most ancient cultures on Earth, dating back to the dawn of civilization, more than 12,000 BC. The land of the ancient
Greeks,
Carians,
Lycians,
Lydians, the Persians, Romans, the Crusaders and the
Byzantines is ever fascinating, no matter how many times you come to explore. Anatolia’s Aegean coastline abounds in vast and pristine beaches, idyllic fishing harbors and the remains of ancient civilizations surrounded by olive groves, rocky crags and pinewoods. Further south the turquoise sea serves as a Riviera of antiquity inspiring travelers by timeless beauty. ITINERARY Day 1. Izmir. Arrive Izmir, the ancient Smyrna, birthplace of Homer, the greatest Greek poet. Transfer to your 4 star Best Western Konak Hotel or similar. Rest of the day is free. Dinner and overnight. (D) Day 2. Izmir - Pergamon - Izmir Visit the Archaeological Museum in Izmir housing a superb collection of antiquities. Drive to Pergamon, the ancient Hellenistic city of Lychimachus renowned for the enormous Zeus Altar some of you have seen in Berlin. Visit the steepest theater of ancient times and the Asklepion, the oldest ancient healing center and hospital in the world. Return to Izmir. Dinner and overnight. (B, D) Day 3. Izmir - Sardes - Izmir. Drive to Sardes, the capital of ancient Lydia and legendary King Croesus famous for his tremendous wealth. The Lydians devoted themselves to trade and art and developed the Lydian musical modes of calm, reflective and somewhat effeminate character. Visit the Gymanasium, the ancient shops and the Temple of Diana as well as the 3rd century synagogue. The Jews had settled in Sardis around 547 B.C. and the city is mentioned as Sepharad in Obadiah 20. Return to Izmir. Dinner and overnight. (B, D) Day 4 Ephesus - Kusadasi Drive to Ayasuluk. Visit the Basilica of St John sheltering the tomb of St. John, the apostle, a popular pilgrimage site during the middle ages. Learn about the legend of the Seven Sleepers at nearby Mt. Pion. Visit the local museum with its perfectly preserved statues of beautiful Artemis, the ancient Anatolian Goddess of Cybele. Continue on to Ephesus. Visit the House where the Virgin Mary spent the last years of her life. Afternoon guided visit of ancient Ephesus, the largest and best-preserved Greek-Roman city of the world. Here, at the famous Celsus Library you will be able to climb the same stairs once used by Cicero, the great Roman philosopher and orator. The city whose wealth and patronage supported its splendid architectural program was dedicated to the Goddess Artemis. Her enormous temple was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Continue on to the seaside resort of Kusadasi for dinner and overnight at the 5 star Korumar Hotel or Adukule Hotel overlooking the Aegean Sea. (B, D) Day 5. Kusadasi - Aphrodisias - Pamukkale Drive through the lush green landscape of the Meander Valley to Aphrodisias, the beautiful city of the goddess Ishtar-Astarte, the later Aphrodite, located in bucolic surroundings. Some of the richest treasures of ancient times were uncovered here during the excavations. The public buildings are handsomely adorned with marble carved with astonishing skill, producing remarkable temples, monuments, baths and a magnificent stadium, the best-preserved stadium of antiquity. Proceed to the calcified waterfalls of Pamukkale and the Roman spa town of Hierapolis where you can swim in curative thermal waters covering ancient ruins. Dinner and overnight at the Special Class Pamuksu Boutique Hotel in Pamukkale. Swimming is also possible at the modern hot spring pool of the hotel. (B, D) Day 6. Pamukkale - Miletus - Bodrum Drive to Milas in the Kingdom of Caria and to Euromus with some of the best-preserved ancient temples and Carian tombs half-hidden in a grove of olive trees. Continue on to the port city of Miletus, the birthplace of many Greek philosophers, a Mycenaen colony founded in 1500 B.C. Visit the Baths of Faustina named after the wife of Marcus Aurelius. In the afternoon proceed to the Oracle of Apollo at Didyma, patronized by King Croesus. Continue to Bodrum for dinner and overnight at the 4 star Marina Vista hotel. (B,D) Day 7. Bodrum Half day sightseeing in Bodrum, the charming sea-side resort of chalk-white houses, including the impressive Crusaders Castle guarding a dazzling blue bay. This is the place where the Aegean and the Mediterranean Seas meet. Known as Halicarnassus in ancient times, Bodrum played a part in several civilizations. It was the home of the famous historian, Herodotus. The imposing St. Peter’s Castle was built by papal order in 1402. The builders used the stones of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Tomb of King Mausoleus – the original “mausoleum”. We’ll visit the castle museum with its marvelous collection of underwater archeology displaying riches from the many shipwrecks of the area. The shoreline of this ancient land was a popular hiding place of pirates throughout most of recorded history. Afternoon free. Dinner at the hotel. (B,D) Day 8. Bodrum - Dalyan (Caunos ) - Kalkan Drive to Dalyan. Behind the main street of the town the Dalyan river flows deep and fast between its reed-lined banks. We’ll take a relaxing boat ride to ancient Caunus, site of many Carian rock-tombs carved in steep hill side. Optionallunch at the shores of the river, then proceed along the famous “Turquoise Coast to the quaint resort city of Kalkan, built at the foot of a steep mountain with charming white houses facing an azure sea. Rest of the day at leisure. Dinner and overnight in Kalkan at the Harpy Hotel. (B, D) Day 9. Kalkan - Xantos - Letoon - Patara - Kalkan From your base in Kalkan excursion to Xantos, the “greatest of all Lycian cities” mentioned in the Iliad, the heroic town that sacrificed all of its citizens during a resistance to the Persian conquest in 540 B.C. Continue on to Letoon, once the shrine of Leto, the principal Carian goddess, the place where Alexander the Great received a famous prophecy about the destruction of the mighty Persian empire. Drive to Patara, the real Santa Claus’, St. Nicolas’ birthplace. Return to Kalkan. Rest of the day free. Dinner and overnight. (B, D) Day 10. Kalkan - Myra - Antalya Drive to Myra via Kas, where the road enters a wild, picturesque and inhospitable land of rocky promontories, with several long forgotten small cities and settlements. Ruined walls, silent theaters and desecrated tombs bear mute witness to past glories among scattered olive trees. Arrive at Myra, the site of many Lycian rock-tombs. The city was once dedicated to Artemis Eleutheria, a manifestation of Cybele, the ancient Mother Goddess of Anatolia depicted with many “breasts”. Myra acquired new and widespread fame in the 4th century during Byzantine times because of the miracles performed by its bishop, St. Nicholas, who survives to our age as the beloved Santa Claus. See the Byzantine church and the sarcophagus of St. Nicholas, and then continue along the “Coast of Light” to Antalya. Dinner and overnight at the charming Aspen Hotel. (B, D) Day 11. Antalya—North America. Transfer to the airport to board your flight. Tour includes:
Excluding; Lunches, drinks, flights, visas, tips to tour guide
and driver.
*Euro rate varies depending on
exchange rates.
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