DAY 1

Upon meeting in the lovely port city of Antalya, dramatically situated at the base of the 9,000-ft Taurus Mountains, you drive 45 minutes to Termessos, a wild mountain-top settlement of the ancient Pisidians at an elevation of 3,455 feet with spectacular views of the mountains and the Antalyan coast. Protected by geography from the attacks of Alexander the Great, it later became an ally of Rome, eventually declining due to an earthquake that destroyed the city’s aqueduct and water supply. The path climbs steadily to the natural platform on which the ancient city was built, and leads to the site’s highlight, the well-preserved theater, perched on the mountain’s cliffs as if hanging in mid-air. You descend following the same trail part of the way, and past several cliff tombs. The van takes you to a charming restaurant where lunch is served in the shade of full-grown pine trees, with pools and water channels gurgling in the background. You indulge in your first assortment of local specialties that may include hibesh, an appetizer flavored with tahini, yogurt, cumin and paprika, or perhaps lamb stewed with onions, tomatoes, peppers and herbs, followed by a baked pumpkin dessert.

This afternoon a visit to the Antalya Archaeological Museum is included. Turkey's largest museum, it features an open-air gallery and 13 exhibition halls that illuminate the history of the Mediterranean and Pamphylia regions in Anatolia. Time-permitting, amble through the cobbled streets of the old town and discover the famous clock tower and several mosques.

This evening enjoy a dinner of local specialities which may include a variety of meze (appetizers) and freshly caught fish.
Tuvana Hotel, Kaleici

DAY 2

After a bountiful buffet breakfast of fresh and preserved fruit, cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, cheeses, yogurt, and baked goods, you transfer 45 minutes to the morning walk starting at the secluded bay of Alacasu. Within Olympos National Park, a beautiful trail takes you over three coves under Aleppo pines, and to your final destination, the beachfront ruins of ancient Phaselis, founded in 700 BC. Because of its location on an isthmus, the city features three harbors and was once a major trade center. You walk the short and wide main street, passing Roman baths, agoras, theaters, and numerous sarcophagi, and end at the impressive Hadrian Waterway Gate.

After lunch at a local restaurant, you begin a walk that initially takes you along a stream on a well-established dirt trail. After crossing the stream (this may require taking your boots off depending on the water level) you walk uphill in an open forest spotted with bright pink bougainvilleas in the spring, before reaching an open viewpoint. You start descending a somewhat rocky trail within a much drier landscape of rust-colored soil and rubber plants. The day culminates at the sacred site of Chimaera, where “eternal flames” have literally been coming out of the rocks for 3,000 years. According to Book 6 of Homer’s Iliad, it is here where Bellerophon, riding Pegasus, slays the Chimaera, the monster with the head of a lion, the body of a goat, and the tail of a serpent. Those who prefer can opt for a more relaxed afternoon, transferring directly to the entrance of the Chimaera site to follow a smooth trail up and down (approximately 30 minutes each way) to the “flaming rocks."

The nearby coastal township of Finike is where the beautiful gulet awaits. You board the traditional boat and, time-permitting, sail to Karaloz Cove for the first of many starlit tranquil nights.
Aboard the gulet

DAY 3

Today’s adventure starts with sailing in Kekova Sound. Dock at Sicak Bay, and ancient Simena (today known as Kaleköy). This place can only be reached by foot or sea. A crusader castle crowns the hilltop and you walk up the stairway to reach this timeless place. The flanks of the walls are littered with dozens of 1st-century Roman sarcophagi—stone coffins often adorned with ornate carvings.

Aperlae, with some of its monuments buried under the sea due to a 5th-century earthquake, is an ancient Lycian city dating to the 4th century BC. It is most remarkable for its 1,300-year life span, declining only as late as the 7th century AD during the Byzantine period. The ancient economy of this town was the valuable Tyrian dye, derived painstakingly from a type of marine snail; archaeological excavations have uncovered huge vats where the snails were kept and processed to produce the deep purple dye, prized by the Romans for use in ceremonial robes. It is here where we stop for a buffet lunch, which may consist of consist of mixed salads, stewed vegetables, and grilled chicken. Once lunch is over and you have had a chance to swim in the crystal blue waters and view the Sunken remains, you then sail to Kas, a quaint town once known for its sponge divers, and now a lovely seaside resort. This evening dinner is on your own in Kas.
Aboard the gulet

DAY 4

Today you sail 2½ hours to the whitewashed and bougainvillea-clad coastal village of Kalkan. Here you board your van for a 45-minute transfer to the mountain village of Bezirgan at just over 2,000 feet in elevation, where you are treated to a traditional lunch with a local family. Tucked in a fertile plateau, villagers tend their fruit orchards, fields of chickpeas, and herds of sheep. You remove your shoes as you enter the house, and observe your hostess as she prepares “katmer” on a wide metal sheet over an open fire—a savory flatbread filled with greens, onions, cheese, olive oil, and spices. Another version of katmer has tahini and sugar, which she may also prepare for you. Various other traditional dishes follow, such as homemade dolmas stuffed with eggplant, peppers, or zucchini, homemade yogurt, and tomato salad. If you still have room, dessert might be delicately flavored rice pudding and fresh fruit. Lunch is served according to custom on wide floor trays, sitting cross-legged around the trays on the carpeted wooden floor (with cushions available if floor seating is uncomfortable). Afterward, hot tea is served on the terrace.

After exploring this timeless farming community, you drive 35 minutes to the ruins of Xanthos, once the legendary capital of Lycia. Late afternoon finds you at the vast and remote 8-mile sand beach of Patara, the birthplace of St. Nicholas, where a Roman theater remains half-buried beneath the fine sands of the beach. Following a swim, you drive 15 minutes to the start of a trail for a 45-minute descent on foot to your boat, anchored in the turquoise waters of Firnazlar Cove. En route you pass through the arches of a magnificent relic, a secret Roman aqueduct. The trail is narrow and rocky, but punctuated by silvery olive trees and a natural herb garden of thyme, oregano, sage, and rosemary. You may have time for a final swim before you rendezvous with the gulet, and retire to a satisfying dinner on board.
Aboard the gulet

DAY 5

This morning sail the Seven Capes to Gemiler Island where, weather permitting, you can explore the Byzantine ruins. A short van ride, following a swim and lunch brings you to the trailhead, which heads towards the ruins of the Affouli Monastery. Walk along a pine-shaded path that is mostly smooth except for the last short section, which is a steep downhill with loose rocks and gravel. The dramatic cliffside monastery offers sweeping views of the blue expanse of the Mediterranean (not recommended for those with vertigo or fear of heights).

Next visit the astonishing Greek ghost town of Kayakoy. The inhabitants of this 600-home ghost city were subjects of the mass population exchanges of the 1920s. Today’s unsettled state of the city offers moving flashbacks of a past human drama. After spending time discovering this remarkable place begin a two-hour hike to Soguk Su Cove where you rendezvous with your gulet and enjoy another starlit night aboard the boat in a wilderness cove.
Aboard the gulet

DAY 6

After another sumptuous breakfast, swimming, and cove-hopping, dock in Gocek. Here you can take a walk over sublime terrain reminiscent of biblical times, to the ancient site of Lydea. A very remote location, there are no roads or villages nearby. Goat bells from a nearby flock, and the whistle of a lonesome shepherd, make this walk complete with a sense of discovery and an appreciation for the beautiful remote countryside. En route there maybe the opportunity to visit with a nomadic family. The walk concludes at the “Sunken Baths of Cleopatra” where the gulet awaits.

This evening dinner is served aboard the gulet once more. You private chef prepares something fresh and mouthwatering.
LaVista Boutique Hotel and Spa, Kusadasi

DAY 7

This morning you make the most of your last morning on the gulet. You can sunbathe on the deck, swim in the clear turquoise waters, snorkel, or read the last few pages of your novel.

After a final swim, disembark in Gocek, a small town in the Fethiye district. It was named Kalimche area that Icarus landed in the sea after his famous flight trying to escape from the tower where he was imprisoned. Gocek was used as a harbor for ships unloading cargo from mines in the nearby mountains in the Ottoman period. Today, Gocek hosts six magnificent marinas and has a very secluded bay. Find a local restaurant or café on the promenade where you can enjoy lunch before transferring to Kusadasi (approximately 3.5 hours).

On arrival check into your hotel and time-permitting you may be able to take advantage of its spa services and wonderful pool.
LaVista Boutique Hotel and Spa, Kusadasi

DAY 8

You rise for a hearty breakfast to fuel you for the 3-hour walking tour of Ephesus, the Greco-Roman city and UNESCO World Heritage site that contains the largest collection of Roman ruins in the eastern Mediterranean region. The visible ruins provide a glimpse into the size and wealth of the city, and it is estimated that only 15 percent of the site has been excavated. The tour includes landmarks such as the Roman Library of Celsus (125 AD), baths, a brothel, temples, and the main Harbor Street dominated by the Great Theater, believed to be the largest outdoor theater in the ancient world. In addition to Greek and Roman history, the site has strong associations with early Christianity. Saint Paul lived and was imprisoned here, and the Gospel of John is believed to have been written here around 100 AD. Similar to Ancient Priene, Ephesus was once situated on a harbor, which also became filled with silt over the centuries. The most prosperous period for the city was around the 1st and 2nd century AD, when it was a major trading center and the largest city in Roman Asia.

After concluding the tour, you join the locals for lunch in the city center, at a simple family-owned restaurant known for its excellent liver flavored with mint and accompanied by a refreshing cucumber-and-yogurt dish. You are free to order à la carte, and indulge in freshly baked desserts directly from the pastry shop across the street.

You are then transported to Izmir Airport for an afternoon flight to Istanbul. The tour ends on arrival of the flight at Istanbul Airport.

Itinerary Changes

Please bear in mind that this is a typical itinerary, and the actual activities, sites, and accommodations may vary due to season, special events, weather, or transportation schedules. We reserve the right to alter the itinerary since tour arrangements are made up to a year in advance, and unforeseen circumstances that mandate change may arise. Itinerary changes are made to improve the tour and your experience.

Night 1

Tuvana Hotel
Kaleici, Turkey

An oasis ensconced in the heart of the historical Mediterranean metropolis of Antalya, this grand old manor building has been transformed into a distinguished boutique hotel and has an outdoor pool, and gardens with fruit trees, such as pomegranate, orange, and tangerine.

Nights 2-5

Aboard the Gulet (Traditional Sailboat)
Turkey

A traditional yacht with a crew of three and guest cabins with private baths. Each cabin is approximately 10 ½ feet by 6 ½ feet—excluding the bathroom. The boat is also equipped with a professional kitchen, TV set, stereo system, VHF radio, mobile phone, windsurfing equipment, snorkeling and fishing gear.

Nights 6 & 7

LaVista Boutique Hotel and Spa
Kusadasi, Turkey

Every room in this brand-new boutique hotel (built in 2010) has a large balcony and clear views of the Aegean Sea. There may be time to enjoy the hotels spa services and to relax by the pool during your stay.

Please note that this is a sample hotel itinerary for this tour. While these exact hotels are featured on most departures, we occasionally reserve other hotels of similar style and quality. If you are currently booked on a Country Walkers adventure, a hotel itinerary has been sent to you for your exact departure date. Please call Country Walkers at 800.464.9255 if you have any questions about the exact hotels selected for any of our tours.

Sunay Ethemoglu

A former German language teacher and translator, Sunay is passionate about archaeology, art history, and theology. She has guided professionally for many years and is very keen to share her extensive knowledge of Asia Minor and love of nature on our Turkey tour.

Serdar Akerdem

Serdar is a classical archaeologist who has participated in many famous excavations, including the Temple Tombs at Patara, and the underwater excavations at the Leto Sanctuary of Kaunos. He has been guiding tours for over fifteen years and brings his enthusiasm for astronomy, Roman architecture, and maritime archaeology to our tour. He is currently living in Izmir.

Mahmut Turhanoglu

Since 1992 Mahmut has been a professional guide and enjoys sharing with his guests the nature, history, and culture of this beautiful country. Before discovering his love of guiding he worked for a broadcasting company as a producer of television commercials in Istanbul. He resides in Antalya on the Turquoise Coast.

Yunus Ozdemir

Yunus combines his passion for walking with his education in classical archeology in guiding walking tours in his native Turkey. His archeological background and experience in walking route design were a perfect match in developing and marking the historic Lycian Way, the long-distance trail along the Turkish coast. With further training and acumen in the tourism business, he is now working on a book about the Carian Way, a network of trails in the Caria region of southwest Turkey.

Murat Tiryaki

A native of Ankara, the capital of Turkey, Murat brings his lifelong love of Turkish history, art, and music, to his walking tours. With many years of guiding, Murat shares his extensive knowledge and his own enthusiasm for travel in his position as a university instructor in tourism and guiding, and further was the founder and long-time president of the Tourist Guide Association in Ankara. He especially enjoys playing both the guitar and the “baglama,” an instrument unique to Turkey and Anatolia.