Guided walking & holiday
packages
Touring: France, Bhutan, Turkey & Patagonia
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STARTS IN ISTANBUL
SAT 1 SEP: ISTANBUL – Upon arrival you are
met and transferred to your hotel. The balance of the
day is at leisure.
SUN 2 SEP: ISTANBUL – We spend a full
day exploring the sites including the celebrated Haghia
Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Basilican cistern (Yerebatan
Saray). In the afternoon we explore
the splendid Topkapi Palace, seat of the Ottoman Empire
for over 400 years. (B)
MON 3 SEP: ISTANBUL – In the morning we
visit the stunning Mosque of Rustem Pasha and then
walk across to the Egyptian Bazaar. Later we head up
through older parts of the city to the Grand
Covered Bazaar where the balance of the day is free
to explore. (B)
TUE 4 SEP: ISTANBUL-GALLIPOLI-CANAKKALE –
We drive south to Gallipoli and spend the afternoon
visiting Anzac Cove, Lone Pine and the Allied and Turkish
cemeteries. Overnight Canakkale. (BL)
WED 5 SEP: TROY-PERGAMUM-SELJUK – After
a short visit to Troy, city of Homer’s Iliad. We
continue to Pergamum where we visit the stunning Acropolis,
perched 1,000 feet above the town,
the Asclepion (medical centre) and the Red Basilica
- one of the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse. We reach
Selçuk for the night. (B)
THU 6 SEP: EPHESUS – Ephesus is one of
the great cities of the classical world. St. Paul lived
and
preached here, and we spend the morning exploring all
the major sights including the magnificent
theatre, Hadrian's temple and the Library of Celsus.
In the afternoon we visit the Archaeological
Museum in Selçuk, and the 6th century Basilica
of St. John. (B)
FRI 7 SEP: SELJUK-CAUNOS-OVACIK – A longish
drive brings us to the southwastern corner of
Turkey, where the Aegean meets the Mediterranean. Caunos
was an important ancient city built
where the freshwater delta meets the sea. We enjoy a
boatride followed by an afternoon walk
through magnificent scenery before driving to Ovacik
for the night. (B)
SAT 8 SEP: OVACIK-KAYAKOY-KABAK – We walk
through the deserted Greek village of Kayakoy and then
head down, with stunning views of the coast, to the
beautiful beach at Oludeniz. We then
travel by boat to Kabak, to stay at a resort/camp beautifully
located next to the Aegean. (B)
SUN 9 SEP: KABAK-FARALYA – Today we walk
from Kabak to Faralya, through verdant pine forests
hugging the steep mountainside, with beautiful views
of the coast. Our destination is a delightful little
resort in the village of Faralya. (B)
MON 10 SEP: AKBEL-PATARA-KAS – We drive
to Akbel, where we commence our pretty and varied day’s
walk along the route of an old aqueduct, which, once
upon a time, supplied the city of Patara. We finish
at the impressive ruins of an ancient amphitheatre in
the Patara National Park and time allowing, there is
the option of going to the beach for a swim. We then
head to the charming coastal village of Kas, our base
for the next three nights. (B)
TUE 11 SEP: KAS/KEKOVA – Taking to sea-kayaks
we paddle out into Kekova Bay to see the remains of
the famous sunken city. Although it is no Atlantis,
you can clearly make out the harbour walls. Later we
paddle to the village of Simena, overlooked by a hilltop
Ottoman castle with excellent views of the whole bay.
A boat trip is available for those not willing/able
to kayak. (BL)
WED 12 SEP: KAS/ARYCANDA – We travel inland
to visit Arycanda. It the most impressive Lycian city
and its setting is one of the most outstanding in all
of southern Turkey. (B)
THU 13 SEP: KAS-OLYMPOS – Leaving Kas
we drive to the ancient city of Olympos. As well as
its impressive ruins it is known for its rare butterflies
and exotic plants. In the early evening we hike up to
the legendary Chimaera, where flames have emerged from
the hillside for thousands of years. We sleep at small
hotel or pansion in Çirali, close to Olympos
beach. (B)
FRI 14 SEP: OLYMPOS-ANTALYA-ISTANBUL –
We drive to Antalya airport for our flight to Istanbul
(flight ticket not included). On arrival we are transferred
back to our hotel. (B)
SAT 15 SEP: BOSPHORUS CRUISE - Istanbul and
the Bosphorus are as inseparable as Venice and the Grand
Canal. We enjoy a full day on the local ferries, with
a visit to the excellent Sadberk Hanim Museum. (B)
SUN 16 SEP: DEPARTURE – Our tour ends
after breakfast. (B)
Print
Friendly Page: Turkey Itinerary
Turkey: Classical Turkey & the Lycian Coast
Dates and costs
1-16 September 2012
A$3600 per person twin share, joining in Istanbul. Single
person supplement A$575.
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