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A Turkish Adventure

14-day adventure

Detailed, day-by-day itinerary for this adventure!
Accommodations are noted, and meals are coded as B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner

Top: Lycian cliff tombs carved into caves above the Dalyan River (Bill Roberson). Below: The Blue Mosque at night (Wes Walker).

Detailed Itinerary

Days 1-2

Depart USA

Fly from your home city to Antalya, Turkey. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel and checked-in. You'll meet the rest of the group for dinner in a glass-walled dining room.

Marmara Antalya, BD on day 2

Day 3

Phaselis, Myra, Kale, boarding the gulet

We drive south along the coast, stopping for a seaside picnic at the ancient site of Phaselis (690 BC) not far from the ancient site of Olympus. Nearby, the unquenchable Chimaera burns to this day. We continue to Myra to see impressive rock tombs, a fine theater, and the Church of St. Nicholas (Guess who got his start there!).

By mid-afternoon, at the nearby port of Cayagzi, we board the gulet that will be our home for the next five nights. We sail west to Kekova Roadstead to visit the hillside village of Kale, formerly known as Simena.

We explore the remains of a castle located above Kale—the panoramic view is spectacular. You see many sarcophagi from Hellenistic and Roman times. We stroll along the path through nearby Teimiussa, just east of the village of Uçagiz.

You may have a chance to try your hand at rolling out gözleme (börek), a very tasty, traditional, thin flatbread (it looks a lot like a flour tortilla) which is sprinkled with herbs and goat cheese and baked on what looks like an upside-down wok. Making them seems so simple, but you'll discover it's another story when you try to roll one out!

On the yacht our itinerary is flexible, respecting both the weather and our interests. When conditions are right, we put up all the sails and, like the ancient mariners, let the wind drive us onward. We have quiet times, good hikes, and opportunities to swim, read, and just hang out. This is a vacation! Each night we anchor in a sheltered cove or bay. On the aft deck, we will enjoy sundowners and dine under the stars.

Gulet, BLD

Day 4

Kas, Gemiler Island

We sail early, moving slowly along the submerged ruins of the sunken village, then turn westerly towards the charming village of Kas. After a leisurely shore visit we cruise to Germiler Adasi (Island) where the Knights of St. John built a castle and monastery along the route of the Crusades. We explore the remains of several churches and a monastery, and ponder the purpose of a mysterious covered passageway that runs for nearly a thousand meters along the spine of this narrow island. We overnight in its protective anchorage.

Gulet, BLD

Day 5

Kayaköy, Göcek,, Cleopatra's Bath

We have a vigorous hike to the village of Kayaköy that was deserted in the aftermath of W.W.I. Over a cool beverage and a warm gözleme, we'll talk of the post-W.W.I events that led to Kayaköy's abandonment. You may choose to remain on board to read, swim, or snooze instead.

After lunch we sail along the coast to visit the charming village of Göcek. After the visit, we may cruise on to the trailhead at Cleopatra’s Bath where we anchor for the night.

Gulet, BLD

Day 6

Lydae, Ekincik

We disembark for a scenic yet challenging morning hike through the pine forests to the mausoleum at ancient Lydae.

If you choose not to hike, you may remain on board as the gulet cruises around the peninsula to anchor. As you wait for the hikers at the end of the trail at Agalimani you may swim or just relax.

In the afternoon we cruise to a peaceful cove on the Bay of Ekincik where we anchor for two nights.

Gulet, BLD

Day 7

Caunus, Dalyan, Ekincik

This morning we disembark onto an African Queen-style put-put to motor past Iztuzu Beach, a long sand spit, now a protected loggerhead sea turtle nesting site, and meander through the silt marshes and cattails up the Dalyan River to visit the Lycian site of Caunus. On the way we will see the huge rock cut Lycian tombs carved into the cliffs. In Caunus we visit a Roman theater, bath, and agora dating from the 2nd century BC.

The hikers among us will head over the peninsula on a three-hour hike to the lovely Bay of Ekincik. Everyone else will go into the little village of Dalayn for bit of shopping before rejoining the gulet in Ekincik Bay.

Dinner will be on board or you may elect to dine ashore, on your own, at the quite fine restaurant, My Marina, overlooking the bay.

Gulet, BLD

Day 8

Bodrum, Halicarnassus

We leave the gulet and drive west through farmlands and pine-forested mountains, passing bee hives set up to collect the delicious pine honey. We soon turn off the main route and travel southwesterly to the Dorian site of Halicarnassus, in the popular seaside village of Bodrum. There we visit the 15th century Bodrum Castle, built by the Knights of St. John on the site of the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, formerly one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

At the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archeology, we view Late Bronze Age artifacts recently recovered from the 14th century BC shipwreck at Ulu Burun, near the town of Kas.

We have lunch in the lovely patio of the Kocadon restaurant. After a walk around the town, After a stroll through town, we check-in to the Marmara Bodrum Hotel for an overnight. Dinner is on your own.

Marmara Bodrum Hotel, BL

Day 9

Euromus, Didyma, Priene

We leave the Bodrum Peninsula and turn north on the main highway heading for a visit to the lesser known Temple of Zeus at the Carian site of Euromus. After a brief visit, we continue on to the Aegean coast to explore the magnificent Temple of Apollo at Didyma, that dates from the 3rd century BC. The gigantic columns reach far into the blue Aegean sky. The sculpted face of Medusa looks just like her photos that always make one think she might be having a "bad hair day!" The tiny tortoises crawling around these immense ruins provide sharp contrast. In its heyday, everyday folks and political and military leaders worth their salt would always consult the Oracle here before taking any major action.

The Oracle "went out of business"" in 385 AD when Emperor Theodosius I decreed that consultation with oracles was "not acceptable guidance" for Christians. Through the centuries, earthquakes, fires, and building material scavengers have reduced this magnificent structure to rubble. However, recent restoration activities give us some sense of its former splendor.

We continue north up the coast to the Menderes (ancient Meander) River delta and Miletus. We visit impressive Priene, an important Graeco-Roman site overlooking the Menderes River delta and the ancient Greek city of Miletus.

KoruMar Hotel De Luxe, BLD

Day 10

Ephesus, Selçuk, Istanbul

This morning we explore Ephesus, the largest Graeco-Roman site in the world. Entering through the Magnesia Gate, we stroll leisurely down Curetes Street past the Odeum (a small theater) to the reconstructed Library of Celsus. Along the way we peek into interesting corners and enjoy a private visit to view the rich mosaics inside the recently excavated hillside houses. Afterwards we mosey through the village of Selçuk to visit the museum displaying treasures from the Temple of Artemis and Ephesus.

We stop in the countryside for lunch before going on to the Izmir Airport and our mid-afternoon Turkish Airline flight to Istanbul, a crown jewel among cities, where we begin our wonderful days exploring legacies of Greek, Byzantine, and Ottoman civilizations.

We travel along the massive Byzantine walls that span the peninsula from the Sea of Marmara to the Golden Horn. These walls both defined and protected Constantinople until breached by the Turks in 1453.

Time permitting we will pass through a narrow portal in the thick walls to visit the magnificent, restored mosaics and frescos of the Kariye Cami'i or Church of St. Savior in Chora. From there we head for the Four Seasons Hotel-Istanbul where we will luxuriate in the heart of old Istanbul, the Sultanahmet, for four nights.

Four Seasons Istanbul, BLD

Days 11-13

Istanbul

We keep a flexible schedule with respect to the order of events in our exploration of Istanbul. Weather, group interest and energy are all taken into consideration. Here are our best intentions and we usually do them all—and then some!

During the next three days, we’ll explore the Sultanahmet, visiting the Blue Mosque, Aya Sophia, and the site of the ancient Hippodrome where we see the great obelisk brought from Egypt by the Romans. We enjoy a cruise on the Bosphorus, and visit Taksim Square—one of the highest points in Istanbul. We stroll down Istiklal Caddesi, a historic commercial and residential street open only to pedestrians and its cute little red trolleys. For a sweeping 360° view of Istanbul, including the Asian side, we climb the Galata Tower, built by the Genoese in 14th century.

We drive through an old gate in the triple Byzantine wall to visit the Kariye Cami’i or Church of St. Savior in Chora, renowned for its magnificent mosaics and frescoes. We will explore Topkapi Palace, the seat of the Ottoman Sultans for 400 years, and visit the Suleymaniye Cami’i—a vast religious and educational complex built for Suleyman the Magnificent by the great Turkish architect Sinan.

In the Spice Bazaar, we will find a cacophony of sights and sounds as we stroll through its warren of passages. The marvelous Rustem Pasha Mosque, located in the heart of a bustling marketplace, is one of the finest examples of the architecture of Sinan.

We’ll take you through the Grand Bazaar where you’ll have some time on your own to shop, visit the splendid Archeological Museum, Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, the Mosaic Museum, have a Turkish bath, or just wander around savoring the aromas and sights.

Four Seasons Istanbul, BL, D on day 17

Day 14

Depart for home

Transfer to the airport with check-in to your homeward bound flight, unless you are remaining for more adventures.

B