private guided Western Turkey Archaeology Tours

private tours in Turkey with an archaeologist tour guide

home

my resumé

transportation

accommodations

letters from clients

suggested tours

prices

contact me

site map

links

 

 

Western Turkey Cappadocia Tour Itinerary Route

 

Western Turkey Blue Voyage Cappadocia Tour 15 Days

Day 1 Istanbul - Izmir - Ephesus Arrive in Izmir. Visit Izmir. The third largest town and an important sea port town located on the shores of the Aegean Sea. We will go for an orientation tour which will include the Kadifekale castle, Konak and the Archaeological Museum. Overnight in Izmir.

Day 2 Ephesus - Priene - Miletus - Bafa; Drive to Ephesus and visit Ephesus, the ancient metropolis of the Roman Empire in Asia Minor. In this town where lived approximately 200.000 people during the Roman times and therefore it is full of beautiful monuments. Agoras, Temples, Fountains, Ancient Marble Roads, An exceptionally big theater and the famous Celsius library is waiting to be discovered. After Ephesus we will drive to Priene. Visit Priene and drive to Miletus. Priene and Miletus were two ancient Ionian cities by the Aegean and they played an important role in the development of the positive sciences. Overnight by the Bafa Lake.

Day 3 Bodrum Drive to Bodrum. This morning we will visit the remains of the tomb of King Mausolus. The Mausoleum which was one of the seven wonders of the world, in the Hellenistic period, was built by his widow Artemisia. After this visit we will proceed to the fortress of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, which houses today the unique underwater archaeological museum of Turkey. The towers of this fortress offer a wonderful view of the town and the sea. This evening we will have a promenade in the streets of Bodrum. This singing, dancing, swinging town with its Mediterranean ambience is a dwelling place of artists, celebrities and intellectuals of Turkey. Overnight in Bodrum.

Day Dalyan - Kaunus - Gocek - Gulette; Early departure in the morning. Driveto Dalyan, take a smaller boat excursion on the Dalaman river for a remote discovery of the area. See Kaunus, and the fascinating rock carved Lycian style tombs. The golden sand beach which is at the mouth of the river is an endangered loggerhead turtle conservation area. During this visit our mission will be to collect litters which might be found on the beach. In the afternoon we will embark our Gulette and overnight in Bodrum Harbor.

Blue Voyage Day 5 To Day 11 - Day 5 Orak Island, overnight in Cokertme, Day 6; Cruising to Cati, overnight in Cati. Day 7; Yediadalar, overnight in Kufre Bay Day 8; Visiting Cleopatra Island (Sidera), overnight in Karacasogut, Day 9; English harbor, overnight in Ballisu, Day 10; Kerme Bay, cruising to Kara Island, overnight at Bodrum Harbor.

Day 11; Termessos - Antalya Leaving the yacht in the morning and end of the Blue Cruise -  Drive to Termessos visit Termessos and proceed to Antalya for the overnight.

Day 12 Antalya - Perge - Aspendos - Antalya; This morning our first visit will be to the Hadrian Gate in Antalya. After a short photo stop there we will go to the waterfalls on the way of Lara beach. A fantastic picture will be offered to us in that very area by those waterfalls called "Karpuzkaldiran" meaning "Watermelon Lifter". Then we will proceed to Perge which is another interesting ancient site having a charisma of it's own. Famous with its waterway networks to provide fresh air to it's inhabitants. Continue to Aspendos, visit the best preserved theater of the antique world. Coming back to Antalya our next stop will be the archeological museum of Antalya which houses the most beautiful statues and objects found during the excavations carried out in the area. Overnight in Antalya.

Day 13 Antalya - Konya - Cappadocia; Drive to the ancient capital of the Seljuk Empire, Konya. Visit the monastery of Mevlana from the 13 th century. Mevlana 1207-73 was a poet, scholar, and philosopher and the founder of the order of whirling dervishes who, while performing their dance consisting of turning around themselves, were getting closer to God. Karatay school will be next. After this visit we will make an orientation tour in this beautiful town where there is an mystique oriental ambience. Overnight in Konya.

Day 14 Cappadocia; Drive to Cappadocia. Early arrival to scenic and historic Cappadocia. Uchisar village and pigeons valley will be our first stop. Visit Cappadocia. The dwelling place of the first Christians. Many Christians who had been chased away from Jerusalem and the neighboring lands, immigrated to Cappadocia for their safety. In Cappadocia they to dug caves and underground cities to protect themselves from the pagans. In the 4th century as Christianity became an official religion throughout the Roman Empire they started to spread the religion by means of  pictures they drew onthe walls of their rock dug churches. Visit Avcilar village, the so called fairy chimneys which are strange looking rocks looking like chimneys or mushrooms, Zelve valley, and  a Seljukian Caravanserai. Proceed to Red Valley to catch the sun set. Sleep in a small Cappadocian village. During your stay in this beautiful region we will invite you to whirling dervishes ceremonies, local art workshops, rock dug cabarets to dance and see Turkish folk dancing.

Day 15 Cappadocia; After having breakfast at the hotel visit the underground city of Derinkuyu which having a depth of 85 meters, could accommodate 2’000 families, roughly 10’000 people. Continue to discover this amazing region. Kizilvadi, churches, monasteries and the Göreme Valley. Most of the rock dug churches with beautiful frescoes are located in the Göreme valley. Christian monks living here were able to produce good wine from vineyards in the valley. Transfer to the airport and end of my services.