DAY 1 SUNDAY
USA - ISTANBUL
Overnight flight to Istanbul.
DAY 2 MONDAY
ISTANBUL
‘Merhaba’ (hello) is the cheerful welcome of your Alexander and Troy guide who meets you upon your arrival in Istanbul and escorts you to your hotel. In the afternoon, you’ll get acquainted with the rest of your tour members at a welcoming reception. The rest of your day is at leisure to relax or explore Istanbul on your own.
Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 3 TUESDAY
ISTANBUL - GALLIPOLI - TROY - CANAKKALE
Your journey into the past begins with a drive along the European coastline. As you cross the Sea of Marmara by ferry into Asia you will see the memorial to one of the most tragic battles of modern times, the Battle of Gallipoli. You will continue onto the site of one of the most famous wars of ancient times Troy. A reconstructed wooden horse at the entrance pays homage to Homer’ s lliad, but the teams of archeologists from all around the world reflect the excavation that is still going on today.
Overnight in Canakkale.
DAY 4 WEDNESDAY
CANAKKALE - PERGAMUM - SARDIS - IZMIR
This morning drive to ancient Pergamum, the city which was ruled by Alexander the Great and home to the famous physician Galen (120 19O AD). You will visit the remains of the Asclepion, as well as the library which once held 200,000 scrolls. Continue to Sardis, one of the wealthiest cities in the ancient world, with its vast temple of Artemis, ancient synagogue and handsome Roman gymnasium.
Overnight in Izmir.
DAY 5 THURSDAY
IZMIR - EPHESUS - IZMIR
If you’ve ever heard the words “a reading from St. Paul to the Ephesians,”now’s your chance to sit in the same theater where St. Paul preached and Roman dramas were performed. Stroll the marble streets of Ephesus, one of the most complete cities of antiquity past the Library of Celsus, the baths and the Gate of Hadrian and Roman terrace houses. You’ll also visit nearby St. John’s Basilica and the house where the Virgin Mary spent her last days. View some of the treasures excavated in Ephesus and now kept at Selcuk’s Archeological Museum.
Overnight in Izmir.
DAY 6 FRIDAY
IZMIR - APHRODISIAS - PAMUKKALE
Explore the remains of Aphrodisias, the city dedicated to the goddess of love and home to a school of sculpture that made its way across the Roman world. Visit the Temple of Aphrodite and one of the finest ancient stadiums
ever built, which sat 30,000 people. Continue to Pamukkale where immense tiers of white limestone cascade down the hillside. Visit the Roman baths theater and necropolis of nearby Hierapolis.
Overnight in Pamukkale.
DAY 7 SATURDAY
PAMUKKALE-PRIENE-MILETUS-BODRUM
A day filled with meandering through Turkey’s extensive Greco-Roman past from visiting the Roman remains of Priene–located by the River Meander, Miletus-the first Greek city to coin money to Didyma’s colossal Temple of Apollo. Continue to Bodrum, the hometown of the ancient historian Herodotus and now the yachting capital of Turkey. Visit the Castle of St. Peter before boarding your gulet to begin your 3 days Aegean cruise. Serefe
(cheers) is the sound that resounds across the marina as you toast the setting sun and the nautical adventure ahead.
Overnight on board.
DAY 8 SUNDAY
KARA ISLAND-ORAK ISLAND
Anchors away as your gulet leaves the harbor bound for Kara Island. Famous for its hot, sulfur springs, you will have the chance to soak and swim in the narrow, dark cave, which it pours from. Continue to Orak Island for more swimming and snorkeling in the Aegean’s crystal, clear waters.
Cruise on to Kisebuk where you will overnight on board.
DAY 9 MONDAY
SEVEN ISLANDS
As the “rose-tipped fingers of dawn” caress the Aegean you will cruise on to the Seven Islands, a small chain of islands close to the coastline. Actually numbering more than seven, the islands are some of the loveliest in the region with thick pinewoods and an abundance of fish. Plenty of time to lounge on deck or catch fresh fish for the evening meal. Why not spend your last night on board sleeping on deck beneath a canopy of stars?
Overnight on board.
DAY 10 TUESDAY
SERDE-KARACASOGUT-KALKAN
Cruise to Sedre a lovely little bay in an idyllic setting. Lounge on Cleopatra’s beach, where legend has it Cleopatra had galley loads of sand shipped from Egypt to soften the sunbathing for Anthony. All too soon, you will cruise to Karacasogut, the charming village where you will bid farewell to fellow shipmates and crew. Disembark and overnight in Kalkan.
DAY 11 WEDNESDAY
KALKAN - KAS - KEKOVA - KALE - KALKAN
Only a short drive from Kalkan, is the lovely resort town of Kas, a center of local arts and crafts surrounded by Lycian rock tombs carved into the cliffs. Board a gullet for a full day cruise of Kekova Bay (”home of the sun”) stopping along the way at Kale with its ruined castle and Roman theater and Kekova Island famed for the sunken city and necropolis.
Overnight in Kalkan
DAY 12 THURSDAY
KALKAN - DEMRE - ANTALYA
Your scenic drive today takes you to Demre the ancient city of Myra where St. Nicholas served as bishop during the 4th century. Surrounded by Lycian tombs carved into the hillside and a vast Roman theater built directly into a sheer cliff, you will visit the 11th century Basilica of St. Nicolas. Continue to Antalya with time to explore the twisting turning streets of this enchanting city set on the shores of the Mediterranean.
Overnight in Antalya.
DAY 13 FRIDAY
ANTALYA - ASPENDOS - PERGE - ANTALYA
One of the highlights of your Greco Roman quest is sure to be the Roman theater in Aspendos, still in use today where the names of spectators carved into the back of seats in the 2nd century are still visible. A refreshing change of pace will be a visit to the stunning Kursunlu waterfalls. Then on to nearby Perge where a mere scrape of the shoe will reveal mosaic walkways through the ancient agora.
Overnight in Antalya.
DAY 14 SATURDAY
ANTALYA - ISTANBUL
Transfer to the airport for your short flight to Istanbul, the only city in the world that bridges Europe and Asia. Wander through the labyrinth tunnels of the Grand Bazaar. Built in 1461 it is one of the oldest and largest covered market places in the world. Barter for colorful kilims, leather goods and jewelry before visiting the Suleymaniye Mosque built at the peak of the Ottoman Empire and decorated with baroque paintings. The rest of your day is free to enjoy Istanbul as you desire.
Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 15 SUNDAY
ISTANBUL
Today you will explore some of Istanbul’s many treasures that bridge the past and present beginning with the ancient Hippodrome. Next visit the Blue Mosque, named for the beautiful Iznik tiles which give the mosque its color. You II discover the more worldly treasures of the Topkapi Palace. After lunch on the palace grounds overlooking the Bosphorus visit St. Sophia, the first Christian cathedral built in 536 AD and converted into a mosque in 1453. End your day on a classic note as you stroll through the 6th Century Underground Cistern. Overnight in Istanbul. Enjoy a fabulous farewell with traditional Turkish entertainment.
DAY 16 MONDAY
ISTANBUL
Transfer to the airport for your flight home. Or extend your stay in Turkey with a mini tour of Cappadocia or join another Alexander and Troy tour.
LAND TOUR FEATURES
- Best available hotels: Five star where possible.
- Guaranteed departures with minimum 2 people.
- Services of professional, English speaking guide.
- 14 Breakfasts 13 Lunches 12 Dinners.
- All sightseeing and admission fees.
- All transfers to and from airports, ground transportation service charges and taxes.
- Farewell dinner
