Lycie and Istanbul

For sheer beauty and ancient history, few places on earth rival Turkey’s captivating eastern Mediterranean coast-line the Turquoise coast, known to the ancients as Lycia this fabled coast of clear turquoise blue water is rich with archaeological sites. Fragrant pine forests tumble down a back clothes of mountain slopes to end abruptly in red cliffs, secret coves and sandy beaches. We visit splendid Greco-Roman ruins of the lycian period: Caunos, Letoon, Pinara, Olympos. With its excellent climate, guaranteed sunshine, this delightful coastal offers to spend holidays trekking in a culture, history and nature combining area. Istanbul is the only city in the world which embraces two continents, one arm reaching out into Asia, the other into Europe. Considered as a leading metropolis in the world, for culture, arts, history, trade and business. The former capital of three successive empires- Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman- the city is a fascinating mixture of past and present, old and new, modern and traditional. Christianity became the official religion of the state and the empire got the earlier name of the city, Byzantium. As you recline on the shores of the Bosphorus at sunset contemplating the red evening light reflected in the windows and on the slender minarets on the opposite shore you understand, suddenly and profoundly, why so many centuries ago settlers chose to build on this remarkable site.

Itinerary : 8 Days

Day 1 : Dalaman - Dalyan
Meet the group at the airport and transfer to Dalyan. Overnight at hotel.

Day 2 : Dalyan – Caunus -Kayakoy- Fethiye In the morning , a small canoe will take us other side of the river where the ancient civilisations of Caunus were known for their sickness and poor health. Despite its unhealthy reputation, Caunus went through a long series of different cultures. The extensive ruins include a huge Roman Bath, Persian City walks, a Carian fortress, a Greek theatre and a Byzantine basilica. After visiting of the monuments we drive to Kayakoy to explore the uninhabited town of Kaya, the largest Greek ghost town in Asia Minor. After the foundation of Turkish republic, the governments of Turkey and Greece chanced the population. And then we arrive to Oludeniz, its beach takes its eerie name from the secluded lagoon at the beach's western end. Protected by hills and entered by a narrow channel, the lagoon is calm during even the worst storms. From here transfer to Fethiye, some 2400 years ago, Fethiye (FET-hee-yeh) was the prominent town of Telmessos, but earthquakes have left only a few Lycian stone sarcophagi from the old town, along with the dramatic Tomb of Amyntas carved into the sheer rock cliff high above the town. Overnight hotel

Day 3 : Fethiye – Pinara – Saklikent – Xanthos - Kas
In the morning our bus take us till Minare village that next to Pinara ruins. Most of the rock tombs here are house-type and one of them is eye-catching with reliefs on the pediment and on the inner surface of the ante wall. On the eastern slope of the lower acropolis, beyond the city walls, there are remains of a Roman bath which was quite popular throughout the Lycian area. And the theatre, leaning against a natural slope, opposite the acropolis and the bath. From here we drive to Saklikent, is a huge valley and a canyon which goes inside 14 km. It is unbelievably high and narrow between two mountains. You'll have to walk through an ice cold waters to get to the other side of the river, is a very cold natural spring which comes out just where you walk through. After visiting we drive to Xanthos. When the people of Xanthos, who had bravely tried to defend their city, realised that they could not repulse the invasion, they first killed their women committed mass suicide by throwing themselves into the flames. About 80 surviving families and people who immigrated there rebuilt the city. And thus Xanthos became "a city of disasters". The city itself consists of the Lycian acropolis and the parts remaining outside it, as well as the Roman acropolis. The most interesting building is the Roman theatre and the edifices of the theatre's western shoreline. Of these the most famous is the Harpy Monument, which is a family sarcophagus situated on a rock. After visit Xanthos city we continue transfer to Kas (1h). The ruins of Antiphellos are spread around the town of Kas, which lies at the neck of a small peninsula in the Mediterranean. Overnight hotel.

Day 4 : Kas – Kekova – Olympos
In the morning transfer to Kekova ( Ucagız) . The 'three mouths' of Ucagiz are the two openings east and west of Kekova island and the channel to the village itself. As trade between the Lycians and the other Hellenistic Greeks increased so did piracy and many harbors and ports were fortified in the same way that Kekova is. We take a boat through Mediterranean and we visit Sumela castle. the medieval castle sitting high on the hill is surrounded by the remains of the ancient city and the climb to the summit, through the little village where is worth it just to sit in the little theatre . After visiting we take our bus and transfer to Olimpos. Overnight hotel

Day 5 : Olympos – Phaselis – Antalya
In the morning we visit Olympos which was a port city established in the 2nd century and which continued to flourish until the 15th century A.D. The famous myth of Bellerophontes is said to have taken place here. The antique city is on two sides of a beautiful valley. A sandy beach is found where the town and the valley meet the sea, into which a mountain stream flows. An hour's walk from Olympos brings you to the natural phenomenon of Cirali. Known by the local inhabitants as the " burning mountain " (Yanartas), it is a result of escaping natural gas, whose flames have been shooting heavenwards for centuries. From here we drive to Phaselis, was founded in the seventh century by colonists from Rhodes. It was a Lycian city and had three important ports which were m constant use, two of which were connected by a road lined with statues (some inscriptions can still be seen) and porticoes where artisans worked and traded. After visiting driving to Antalya principal holiday resort of Turkey at the Mediterranean sea , is an attractive city with shady palm-lined boulevards. Kaleici where we will stay is narrow, winding streets and old wooded houses abut the ancient city walls. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 6 : Antalya – Istanbul –Topkapi –St Sophie –Blue Mosque
In the morning, transfer to the airport and fly to Istanbul is the only city in the world which embraces two continents, one arm reaching out into Asia, the other into Europe. After installation to the hotel , we commence our tour with visiting of Topkapı Palace, is administrative palace of the Ottoman Dynasty, that rule on three continents for centuries. Amaze of buildings at the centre of the Ottoman Empire between the 15th and 19th centuries. In these opulent surroundings, the sultans and their court lived and governed. Then we pass to St. Sophia now called Ayasofya Museum. It is really one of the finest buildings of all time. Built by Constantine the Great and reconstructed by Justinian in 6th century. Its immense dome rises 55 meters above the ground and its diameter spans 31 meters. we will absorb the building’s majestic serenity and admire the fine Byzantine mosaics. Continue to visiting with Sultanahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque) is more familiarly known as Blue Mosque because its interior gleams with a magnificent panelling of blue. It has 6 minarets and very nice cupolas. it was built by architect Mehmet between 1609 and 1616. Overnight at hotel

Day 7 : Bosphorus tour
After we have our breakfast we will walk down to Eminonu (15 min) to embark our boat. The Bosphorus is a water pass, that spans 36km between Black sea and the Sea of Marmara and 700m. Wide at the narrowest point. At this location, on the either side of the strait, stands the two medieval castle built by the Ottoman Turks for the conquest of the city Anadolu hisari (14th century) in Asia, and right across, the awesome Rumelihisari constructed in the 15th century. The winding strait that separates Europe and Asia. Its shores offer a delightful mixture of past and present, grand splendour and simple beauty. we will see all the wooden villas ,marble palaces abut rustic stone fortresses and elegant compounds neighbour small fishing villages. Overnight at hotel.

Day : 8 Return
Transfer to the airport and fly home

Season : April to December

For price details and more information, please contact us