Itinerary: 8 days
Day 1: Izmir
Reception at the airport and transfer to the hotel for the night.
Day 2: Izmir – Ephesus – Pamukkale
On the way to Ephesus and visit. It is the most important city of antiquity and one of the highlights of any visit to Turkey. The city is adorned with magnificent monuments, theatres, temples, agoras, gymnasiums, libraries etc. Artemis, whose temple is considered the 7th wonder of the world, is its protector. Then visit the house of the Virgin Mary, a tradition says that St John brought Mary there to Ephesus after the death of Christ.
We will continue to Pamukkale, an extraordinary natural wonder.
Pamukkale is one of the most interesting places in the world, rightly famous not only for the haunting beauty of its unique geological formations, but also for its historical remains. The well-preserved theater of Hierapolis offers a magnificent view of the plain below. Visit of the Ancient City and installation at the hotel for the night.
Day 3: Pamukkale – Fethiye
In the morning we discover the natural wonder of Pamukkale (the cotton castle): the limestone waters rise from the ground and descend the mountain from a height of 100 m, forming a myriad of white pools.
Road to Fethiye. Fethiye which is a popular seaside resort of Turkiye. A hill crowned by the ruins of the Crusader fortress built by the Knights of Rhodes overlooks the small port. Above the city (called Telmessos in antiquity), many Lycian rock tombs, reproducing the facades of ancient buildings, have been dug into the cliff. The tomb of Amyntas, which probably dates from the 4th century BC. is the most remarkable.
We visit Kayakoy, originally named “Karmilassos”. It is an ancient Greek village abandoned at the beginning of the 20th century. in accordance with the Treaty of Lausanne which provided for an exchange of population between the two countries. Two admirable churches still stand among the ruined stone houses.
Overnight at hotel in Fethiye.
Day 4: Fethiye – Kas
In the morning, we walk through the remains of Pınara. We will visit this ancient Lycian city, created by settlers from Xanthos which was then overpopulated. Between 2 steep-sided valleys stands the acropolis. On the north face, a natural section of wall, you will see an extraordinary accumulation of rock tombs. We walk in a grandiose mountain setting, between the necropolis, the Greek theater, the Roman baths, the agora, the public square and the church.
Road to Letoon and visit of the ruins. The excavation site covers an area containing three temples placed side by side. The first of them, of an Ionic order, is dedicated to Leto.
We will go to Xanthos to visit the remains of a civilization, which ended in collective suicide
Then visit the ruins of Patara. We know that this city, called “Patara” in the Lycian language, having existed in the 5th and 6th centuries BC. and had been saved from destruction by opening the city gates to let Alexander in.
We arrive at the charming town of Kaş, a very beautiful place surrounded by mountains on 3 sides.
Night at the hotel.
Day 5: Kaş – Kekova Island – Kaş
The opportunity for a pleasant boat trip to discover archaeological sites that are well preserved because they are not easily accessible. Along the northern coast of the island of Kekova (Apollania), some of the old houses were completely submerged by earthquakes during the Byzantine period. By boat, we go around the island, where you will see up to 1 to 2 m deep, in the bluish light, remains of the seabed. On foot we climb to the castle of Simena which rewards us with a panoramic view of many necropolises.
Return to Kas for the night at the hotel.
Day 6: Kas – Kemer
On the way to Myra. The ancient city of Myra is now called Demre and was inhabited as early as 500 BC. Many beautifully carved rock tombs dating back to the 4th century BC. AD overlook the magnificent Roman theatre. It is also where Saint Nicholas was bishop in the 4th century AD.
Kemer. On the way, we stop at the site of Çıralı, where according to legend, Chimerae, the fire-breathing monster was killed by the Lycian hero “Bellepheron”. Today, located 300 m above sea level, flames can be seen escaping between the rocks.
Then Departure to Phaselis, of which we will visit the ruins. Dominated by Mount Tahtalı, the three ports of Phaselis testify to its role as a historic trading center. We discover the theater, Hadrian’s Gate, the acropolis and many ruins of aqueducts, agoras and thermal baths, which fit perfectly into a generous nature in vegetation.
We arrive in the afternoon in Kemer, a very pleasant vacation spot.
Hotel for the night.
Day 7: Kemer – Antalya
Departure for Antalya, a major seaside resort in Turkiye.
Attalus II, King of Pergamon, who gave it the name Atteleia, founded Antalya in the 2nd century BC. Then Antalya was colonized by the Roman, Byzantine and Seljuk civilizations before finally being occupied by the Ottomans.
Today, Antalya is an attractive city with its palm-shaded boulevards, marina and picturesque old quarter, called kaleiçi, with narrow, winding streets and old wooden houses. Free afternoon.
Night at the hotel.
Day 8: Antalya – Return
Transfer to the airport for the return flight.
