Oct 2 - Day 2: Morning walking tour to see the major sites of Istanbul. Much of this is on cobblestone streets so hiking boots are a good idea. We start at the Haggia Sophia, a vast Byzantine church turned into a museum and then to the Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome which was the centre of sporting and political activity during the Roman and Byzantine periods. Monuments decorating the Hippodrome include the 3500-year-old Egyptian Obelisk brought to Constantinople by Emperor Theodosius in 390 AD. This is followed with a visit to the Grand Bazaar with its intriguing maze of shops. Lunch included.  In the afternoon there is an optional Bosphorus Cruise and visit to the underground cistern of Yerebatan.  Overnight in Istanbul. Dinner at a traditional restaurant in the Kum Kapi Market district included.

Oct 3 - Day 3: Morning short flight to Nevsehir in the Cappadocia region. Cappadocia is generally regarded as the plains and the mountainous region of Anatolia. It was here that several ancient  highways (including the Silk Road) crossed and different cultures came into contact with each other. It was also the land of the Hittites. Over the millenia, forces of erosion shaped an incredible and unique tufa-coned landscape with fairy chimneys and mushroom-shaped hobbit houses. For thousands of years men dug into this soft rock to create dwellings, monasteries, churches and underground cities.  At Uchisar we walk up to the "castle", a volcanic rock outcrop riddled with Troglodyte dwellings and rock-cut churches. The Open Air Museum at Goreme contains early Christian churches hewn out of the rock and decorated with colourful frescoes. Many are in good condition after a thousand years because of the dry climate. Basilius the Great (329-379 AD) Bishop of Caesarea inspired many religious colonies and for a thousand years an active monastic way of life endured throughout Cappadocia.. Dinner included.  Overnight in Cappadocia at the Hotel Peri Tower.

Oct 4 - Day 4: Today we have a choice of walks (one easy and one a little more challenging) in the spectacular Cappadocia regions filled with canyons, vineyards and orchards. There are many beautiful valleys and charming villages to explore. Some of the more famous valleys are the Honey Valley and the Pigeon Valley. Villages like Zelve, Cavusin, Urgup are fascinating to explore and as we walk through countryside we see tiny farms. Life here at first seems primitive but one notes that, after a day of traditional labour using horse-drawn carts, these farmers go home to their Flint-Stone like cave houses where a satellite dish outside their cave door brings the latest TV soap operas.  Cappadocia is famous for its wines and we may have a chance to stop and sample. Dinner included. Overnight in Cappadocia.

Oct 5 - Day 5: Depart from Cappadocia by private bus and head for Konya. Along the way we stop to see the underground city of Kaymakli which was carved by early Christians who escaped to these 
underground dwellings and lived for extended periods ten stories underground. This is followed by a delightful two hour walk in the lovely Ilhara Gorge. Here, the warm-toned rock walls are honey-combed with monasteries and churches from the early Christian era. Their religious and artistic interest is magnified by the contrast of the beautiful natural surroundings. In the middle of our walk we have a picnic by a pretty stream amid poplar and willow groves. There are more rock-cave churches along the sides of the gorge. They have names like the Church That Smells and the Church of the Serpents - named for the scene showing serpents in the act of punishing four female sinners. (Women as the source of evil was a common theme among monks that once inhabited the remote community). 

We continue on to see the old Sultanhani Caravanserai. A caravanseria was an inn where camel caravans once stopped along the Silk Route from the east. At the end of the day we reach Konya, home of the mystic sect of Whirling Dervishes started in the 13th century by the mystic poet Rumi. Here, we visit the Mevlana Mausoleum, an important Muslim pilgrimage destination. Dinner included. Overnight in Konya.

Oct 6 - Day 6: Morning departure for a spectacular drive by private bus through the snow-capped Taurus Mountains heading for Antalya. We enter a region that was once called Pamphylia and has a history  dating back to the 12th century BC. We stop to visit Aspendos where we find the best preserved Roman theatre in existence in all of the Mediterranean. It was built in the 2nd century AD and is still used today for concerts and operas.  After that we visit Perge, one of the most beautiful archaeological sites in Turkey with an acropolis dating back to the Bronze Age.   Late in the afternoon we reach the charming Mediterranean walled city of Antalya to stay in a boutique hotel in the heart of the old quarter. The hotel consists of three restored Ottoman houses arranged around a flower-filled courtyard and fountain.  Dinner included. Overnight in Antalya at the charming Hotel Aspen.

Oct 7 - Day 7: We start this morning with a walk though old Antalya with its lovely Harbour. This area has been settled since the Paleolithic Age. Since there are names of this region mentioned in Homer's Illiad, it is obvious that there were indigenous people called Pamphilio, living here around 1200 B.C. Later, the region was ruled by the Lydian Kingdom, followed by the Persians and then by Alexander the Great. Pamphillia was acquired by the King Attalos II of Pergarnon in the 2nd century B.C., and the king founded a city and gave his name to the city, 'Attalia' (today's Antalya).   Today, Antalya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Leaving the charming historic centre, we pass through Hadrian's Gate and drive to the award-winning Antalya Archaeological Museum. Here we find masterpieces from all the archaeological sites in South-western Turkey. The sculpture gallery is marvelous. The ethnographical section showcases art and craft from Ottoman times, a gallery of Greek and Roman gods and a section on spell-binding charms.  This is a museum where visitors want to spend more time.

In the afternoon there is a choice of exploring this lovely old town on your own or an optional short 2 km hike (uphill) to a site outside Antalya in a lovely mountain setting at Termessos. Termessos is an interesting old Psidian city built at a height of 1050 meters in the Taurus Mountains. Alexander the Great surrounded Termessons in 333 B.C. but failed to conquer it.

For those who would prefer to stay in Antalya for the afternoon there will be a transfer back to the hotel available. This is a good time to try a genuine Turkish Bath in a historical "hamam". Men can try a real Turkish barber and get a "bride-groom shave".  For those who prefer to explore, old Antalya has narrow, maze-like streets with delicately carved over-hanging balconies. One can explore secret walled gardens, quaint tea shops, historic mosques. 
Dinner at an elegant restaurant in the Roman Harbour included. Overnight in Antalya.

Oct 8 - Day 8: Depart for a drive along a spectacular route through forests with snow-capped mountains on one side and the turquoise Mediterranean on the other.  This is the beginning of the Lycian Region. Lycia meant "Land of Light" and this is the start of the "Lycian Way". Over the next few days our  walks will be on parts of this 500 km ancient route. This morning our first walk on the Lycian Way starts at the romantic, pine-shaded Roman and Byzantine ruins of Phasalis. In antiquity, the harbour of Phasalis was wealthy because of trade in rose-oil and perfume. Today one can see the ruins of this major trading city which was founded in 700 BC.  We stroll through the ruins then our walk takes us along a coastal trail to flower-filled Tekirova.  We continue by bus to Cirali to spend one night in a hotel located in a remote canyon. It was from here that came the ancient legend of the Chimera, the dragon that terrorized Lycia and was was slain by Bellerophon. Legend says that on the site where the Chimera was slain a flame burst from the ground and will burn eternally. The flame still burns although it seems that there may be a scientific explanation. We do a 10 km walk through citrus and pomegranate orchards to see the flame (it is an easy walk except for a steep 1km up to the flame). It is possible to shorten the walk by taking the bus back to the hotel thus giving time to enjoy the lovely beach.    Dinner included. Overnight at the charming Hotel Canada.

Oct 9 - Day 9:  We have a morning walk through a lovely canyon to discover the lost city of Olympos,  a legendary pirate lair whose ruins are now almost hidden under vines, oleander and wild figs. From here we continue to the tiny village of Ucagiz to begin a stroll on an ancient Lycian road to the Byzantine castle of Simena which was built around the ruins of an ancient Greek theatre. Here we board a private boat for an hour cruise in a quiet bay to see the remains of the ancient sunken city of Kekova. Little is known about Kekova except that it probably sunk into the sea at least three thousand years ago. From here we continue along the coast to Kalkan. Along the way we view the postcard perfect sparkling waters of Kaputas Beach and we also see many "rock tombs".  The ancient people here seem to have held a belief that the souls of their dead would be transported from the tombs to the afterworld by a winged siren-like creature and so they often placed tombs on cliffs to ease the flight. The 5th century BC elaborately decorated and carved tombs are still seen on many cliffs today.  Late in the afternoon we reach the stylish resort of Kalkan where we spend the night. Dinner included. Overnight at the exquisite Patara Prince Hotel.

Oct 10 - Day 10: Today we have a full day of walking in this beautiful area (with a choice of an easier or more challenging walk). One of the highlights of the area is the ruins of what was once the ancient city of Patara. Legend says the city was founded by Patarus, a son of the god Apollo, and we know there was a Temple of Apollo in the city. The oracle at this Temple of Apollo was said to rival the famous oracles at Delphi and Delos. The ancients believed that Apollo lived at Delos during the summer but spent his winters at Patara. We know it was a very wealthy city due to trade. Following its capture by Alexander the Great, it became an important naval base as well. Around 138 BC Patara had a population of about 20,000 and ranked among the top cities of Anatolia after Ephesus. Today, its ruins sit among fields with goats grazing. Its monumental gate still stands and we do an easy 5 km walk to the magnificent white sand Patara Beach. 

 Our hotel is across the bay from Kalkan either a 1 km walk or a short boat ride. Late in the afternoon it is worth going in to explore this charming white-washed fishing village with quaint balconies dripping with bouganvillea. Overnight at the Patara Prince Hotel. Dinner included 

Oct 11 - Day 11: We continue by private bus along the Lycian coast to the remote ruins of the village of Kayakoy. This town played a part in more recent Turkish history. In 1923 there was an "Exchange of Population" between Greece and Turkey. This was the setting for the best-selling novel "Birds Without Wings". With little notice, Turkish Christians who had lived in Turkey for generations were deported to Greece while Muslims in Greece had the same fate and were sent to Turkey. We see the sad remains of a Christian ghost village that today has become a conservation site. 
From here we walk to a cove on Gemiler Bay that was once a stop for Crusaders on their way to the Holy Land. We then continue by bus to the gorgeous Bay of Fethiye with its dream-like panorama of islands and peninsulas. There is free time to explore the town of Fethiye with its ancient theatre and rock cut tombs.  Overnight at Fethiye at the Yacht Boutique Hotel at the edge of the yacht marina. Dinner included at the terrace restaurant overlooking the harbour.

Oct 12 - Day 12:  We start early and travel to Gocek where we board a private boat to cruise the Twelve Islands area with its spectacular scenery. According to legend, it is in the Göcek area that Icarus landed in the sea after his famous flight trying to escape from the tower where he was imprisoned. We disembark from our boat in a remote area and walk through the ruins of ancient Lydea on a 3 hour hike that is off the beaten track where the only other people we see are a few shepherds. This hike ends at the Cove of Cleopatra's Bath. Legend says that Cleopatra bathed here and so can you - it is possible to swim into the submerged ruins of the baths if you wish. We board our boat to return to the coast and continue by bus to the town of Kusadasi where we stay in a lovely hotel overlooking the Aegean Sea. Dinner included. .

Oct 13 - Day 13: Today is one of the highlights - the ruins of the Ionian City of Ephesus which dates from the 1st century B.C. Ephesus and is considered to be the best preserved classical city on the Aegean. As the capital of Roman Asia Minor and the second largest city in the Roman Empire, it was richly endowed with marble temples and beautiful mosaics which have been recently uncovered. The carefully reconstructed facade of the Celsus Library, built c. 125 AD, the Agora and a theatre which seated twenty-eight thousand patrons are fascinating. Ephesus was a hot-bed of Christianity in the first century. Legend has it that the Virgin Mary came here at the end of her life. From AD 52–54, the Apostle Paul lived in Ephesus, organizing missionary activity into the hinterlands.  Our tour includes the “Terraced Houses” which paints us a vivid picture of the sophisticated life of the wealthy during the Roman and Byzantine periods. There are six residential units on three terraces, the oldest of which dates back to 1 BC. Here we find the "theatre room". Its name is based on the theatrical subjects of its frescoes and one must suppose that the owner of the house may well have overseen theatre performances in Ephesus since the walls clearly depict scenes from various Greek plays. Leaving Ephesus, we walk to the Temple of the Goddess Artemis (the temple was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World). 

As time permits, additional walks may be added.   Dinner included.

Oct 14 - Day 14:  Drive to Izmir Airport (about an hour) for a short flight back to Istanbul. Here we transfer to our hotel and in the afternoon we tour the fascinating Topkapi Palace, home of the Ottoman sultans. Our tour includes the palace's vast treasury filled with jewels, imperial robes and priceless objects that were gifts to the Ottoman sultans. We also visit the mysterious harem where women were trained in the art of being royal wives. In another area of the palace we find sacred religious relics. Among these are items which are said to be the cloak of the Prophet Mohammed, the sword of David, the staff of Moses and a cooking vessel of Abraham. The boxes, cases and cloths in which the Holy Relics are kept are each in themselves dazzling masterpieces made of gold, silver, and decorated with diamonds, rubies, and emeralds. These important religious relics are on display in a room in which the Koran is read aloud 24 hours a day by a mufti (no photographs allowed).  

Tonight we have a farewell dinner. Overnight in Istanbul.

Oct 15 - Day 15: Tour ends after breakfast - transfer to Istanbul airport.

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