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Itinerary
DAY
1 - ANTALYA
After
our flight, we transfer to our first night's accommodation and check in.
Antalya, an ancient city, Antaly dating back to the 1st century BC. This evening
we shall head down to the old part of town to enjoy the first of many fantastic
Turkish meals. (BB)
DAY
2 - ANTALYA - OLYMPOS
Leaving
Antalya behind, we drive along the coast, past magnificent mountain scenery
towards the protected area known as Ulupinar. It is from here that we begin our
walk to Olympos, steeping in mythology and history. Olympos was an important
Lycian city whose inhabitants worshipped Hephaestos (Vulcan to the Romans), the
god of fire and blacksmiths. The veneration of this god must have been because
of the perennial natural flame, which has burned here since antiquity. The
Chimera was mentioned in Homer's 'Iliad'. Bellerophon and his winged horse,
Pegasus, killed Chimera, the son of Typhon, by pouring molten lead into its
mouth. However, the monster still breathes today and the flames burn
continuously, day and night. After lunch we have time to laze on the nearby
beach beneath the ancient ruins of the city of Olympos. (BB)
DAY
3 - OLYMPOS - PAMUKKALE
The
coastal road rises steeply after Finike, first passing through Arycanda, site of
an ancient Lycian city, then to the west of the Beydaglari mountains, which
reach a height of 3,070m. As we climb higher the scenery changes dramatically -
steep sided valleys with pine forests all around. We arrive in Pamukkale as the
setting sun turns the terraces from startling white to ivory then pink. (BB)
DAYS
4 - PAMUKKALE - SELÇUK
Pamukkale
translates as 'cotton castle' - a wonderful description of this amazing
geological formation. Over millions of years the calcium-laden waters have built
up a series of rocky pools, forming a series of cascading waterfalls. Indeed in
Roman times the area was, as now, a popular resort. The whole area is dotted
with springs, many of which are thermal. In one hotel you can swim amongst
fallen Roman columns which lie at the bottom of what was once their Sacred Pool,
in water as warm as bath water. This afternoon after visiting the ruins of
Hierapolis we drive to Ephesus. (BB)
DAY
5 - EPHESUS
Early
start to visit the beautifully-preserved ruins of the fascinating ancient city
of Ephesus, the former capital of the Roman Empire in Asia. Today's tour also
includes visits to the Ephesus Museum at Selçuk and the House of the Virgin
Mary. (BB)
DAY
6 - SELÇUK - DALYAN
This
morning we drive to Dalyan via two seldom visited sites, Miletus and Didyma.
Miletus' 'Great Theatre' is the most significant reminder of a once-great city.
The 15,000-seat theatre was originally a Hellenistic building and then
reconstructed by the Romans in the first century. (BB)
DAY
7 - DALYAN - KAS
Early
start to visit Letoon, Xhantos and Patara. Patara is famous for its 16 km sweep
of beach, ends in sand dunes that rise to the edge of the antique city and spill
into a well preserved Amphitheatre. Perhaps a stop at Kaputas Beach for a swim
on the way to Kas. (BB)
DAY
8 - TRANSFER TO ANTALYA AIRPORT
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