Travel Agency
LAND COST
(13-15 members)
(10-12 members)
(6-9 members)
Single supplement:
OVERVIEW
archaeology expedition with easy dayhiking and minivan sightseeing excursions over varying terrain, with some long driving days
LODGING
first-class or "best available" country hotels and inns
MEALS
all meals included except one dinner and one lunch
FOR FURTHER INFO;
alpino@alpino.com.tr
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TOUR PROGRAM 2
TREASURES OF ASIA MINOR ( 15 DAYS )
Much of "the glory that was Greece and the splendor that was Rome" is actually found in present-day Turkey, a fascinating country where a dozen great cultures have flourished--Hittite, Hellenic, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, and others. The wonders left behind, coupled with Turkey's natural beauty and friendly people, could easily make a traveler linger here for months.
Striking a balance between dayhikes and overland touring, we'll scramble among the ruins of classic archaeological sites from Troy to Ephesus, swim in the Aegean, visit unspoiled villages, learn about the mystical Whirling Dervishes, and explore the incredible cave churches in the lunar landscape of Cappadocia.
OUTLINE ITINERARY
Days 1-3 Istanbul
Days 4-5 Gallipoli/Troy/Pergamon The narrow strait of the Dardanelles was made infamous in World War I; we'll visit the monument to the thousands of soldiers who fell at Gallipoli. We then explore the Hellenistic and Roman ruins at Troy, site of the 13th-century BC battle chronicled in Homer's Iliad, and the beautifully restored classical site at Pergamon on Day 5. Overnights in Assos, Day 4, and Kusadasi,
Day 5.
Days 6-8 Ephesus/Priene/Aphrodisias We explore Ephesus, the best preserved classical city in the world, with its magnificent library and streets of marble. Next day we tour Priene, an ancient Ionian city in a dramatic setting, and Didyma's awe inspiring Temple of Apollo. On Day 8 we visit Aphrodisias, one of the loveliest and most complete ancient sites in Turkey. During Roman times, this city was home to a famous school of sculpture. We end the day in a traditional Anatolian village, Yesilyurt.
Day 9-10 Bodrum We'll spend the better part of the next two days visiting Bodrum--once ancient Halicarnassus--the south Aegean's prettiest resort town.
Days 10-13 Cappadocia Fly to Kayseri, the gateway for two terrific days of hiking in otherworldly Cappadocia, with its unique geography of fantastically eroded landforms--and its equally compelling local culture and history. We'll explore the beautiful Ihlara Valley, where the ruins of painted churches survive, carved directly into the local stone. We will also visit the incredible underground city at Derinkuyu and Goreme's open-air museum of tufa cones and cave churches.
Days 14-15 Istanbul/Return to US
A more detailed version of this itinerary and further information about the trip, is available;
TO BOOK THIS TRIP: for questions or comments? E-mail us now.
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