Breathing new life into the Trojan Horse

Itinerary

Day 1

Morning check in at Heathrow for flight to Istanbul. Overnight at the Sultanahmet Palace Hotel in the heart of the old city.

Day 2

Walking visit to the "old city" of Constantinople - the Byzantine Hippodrome and the Agia Sofia, built during the reign of Justinian in the 6th century AD. Also visit the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace where the treasures of the Ottoman Empire are on display. Overnight Sultanahmet Palace Hotel.

Day 3

Visit the impressive Byzantine Cisterns followed by a visit to the collections held at the Istanbul Archaeological Museum. After an early lunch you will have free time to explore one of the greatest cities of the world. Overnight Sultanahmet Palace Hotel.

Day 4

Drive past the Land Walls of Theodosius and the Aqueduct of Valens. Continue to the Church of the Chora, decorated with exquisite mosaics. Afternoon drive along the Sea of Marmara to the Hellespont, scene of the story of Hero and Leander. Cross over the Dardanelles and overnight in Çanakkale.

Day 5

Visit the museum in Çanakkale which contains some of the finds from Troy. We will then continue to complex remains of ancient Troy, scene of the conflicts depicted in the epics of Homer. The site was excavated by Schliemann over one hundred years ago. The city is an inter-layering of nine different periods, from the beginning of the Bronze Age 3200 BC to the Roman Period. The recent excavations are adding greatly to our knowledge of the site. Drive to Behramkale for lunch. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at the Karavansaray hotel in Behramkale.

Day 6

After breakfast we will visit the ancient site of Assos, a Hellenistic site overlooking the Island of Lesbos, situated on the terraces of the mountain lying behind Behramkale. After the visit we will drive to Ayvalik and overnight at the Haliç Park Hotel.

Day 7

Visit the ancient city of Pergamum. Pergamum was the city that invented parchment after Egypt cut off its supply. The city dates back to the Attalids who ruled during the height of artistic and scientific discoveries in the third and second centuries BC. Also visit the Asklepieion, famous centre of healing. After lunch we will drive onto Kusadasi to embark our yachts. Overnight on board in or near the harbour.

Day 8

Visit Ephesus with its vast theatre, commercial and State agora, Celsus library, bath houses, temples and colonnaded streets. Parts of the city have been reconstructed which gives a good impression of Ephesus in the Roman period. We also hope to visit the separate exhibition of the well preserved private houses. Return to yachts at Kusadasi for lunch. Afternoon cruise south to the bay of Altinkum for dinner and overnight.

Day 9

Early coach journey to the beautiful Hellenistic city of Priene, with its superb Ionic Temple of Athena Polias. Continue to the sacred site of Didyma and the oracular temple of Apollo, one of the largest temples ever constructed. Return to the yacht for a late lunch on board and cruise to the inlet of Kazikli or similar for swimming and relaxing. Overnight on board in the bay.

Day 10

Cruise to the ancient city of Iasos and moor in the classical harbour. Travel by coach to Euromos to see the almost complete temple of Zeus Lepsynos and continue through dramatic mountain scenery to Labraunda, a Hellenistic city set amongst the pine forests. Return to the yachts for a late lunch on board and overnight on board in the harbour.

Day 11

Walk ashore to the ancient city of Iasos, visiting the acropolis, well-preserved bouleterion and attractive agora picturesquely set in an olive grove. This afternoon we will cruise round the coast to a small bay for swimming, perhaps raising the sails if the wind is with us. Cruise onwards to a small harbour such as Gündogan for overnight on board.

Day 12

Sail to the pretty fishing village of Gümüslük where we will have free time to wander around the small collection of shops and cafes. Afternoon cruise round the Bodrum Peninsula, stopping at a quiet inlet near Bodrum for overnight on board.

Day 13

Last swims before cruising into the harbour of Bodrum. We visit Bodrum museum, housed in the 14th Century Crusader castle of St Peter and famous for its underwater collections from ancient wrecks. Afternoon visit to the remains of the Tomb of Mausolus (the Mausoleum), one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Time for last minute shopping, then overnight on board in Bodrum harbour.

Day 14

Morning road transfer to Bodrum Airport for flight to Istanbul & London.

Tour Details

DATE:

18 September - 1 October 2011

PRICE:

£2295 from London*

INCLUDES:

Airfare from London, twin or double bedded rooms/cabin with private bathroom, all excursions with local guides including entrance fees, UK departure tax, transfers, full board, expert leader. Single supplement £650.

NOT INCLUDED:

Regional connecting flights if not departing from London, Airline taxes other than UK Departure tax (these are currently about £80 but will fluctuate until final payment), insurance, drinks, tips to crew, drivers and local guides.

*May be joined without flights. Ask us for the land-only price.

ACCOMMODATION:

3-4 star. We are using some of the best available accommodation throughout this tour, based on our years of experience offering holidays to this part of the world, however in a few places the hotels will be comfortable but not luxurious and have been chosen because of their location. We shall be using a superior class gulet for the cruise portion of your tour, a comfortable and relatively spacious traditionally-designed motor-cruiser with en-suite shower rooms for each cabin. The cabins have proper full length beds and storage for your clothes and possessions.

FITNESS LEVEL:

Moderate - We have graded the fitness level required for participation in this tour as Moderate. This is a relatively full itinerary, particularly on the land portion, with some long days and lots of travelling by road. In Istanbul much of the sightseeing is on foot. Once on board the boat the pace will be much more leisurely and you can choose to stay on board and relax instead of sightsee if you wish.

There are no hikes in this tour however many of the sites are large, with steps, an incline or frequent uneven ground. We may be out on site visits for several hours at a time without the possibility of returning to the hotel/boat. Participants need to be able to keep up with the group.

Access to the gulets is via a gangplank and this can be steep and wobbly. Disembarking from the gulets whilst in a bay requires a climb down the narrow side steps of the boat into a dinghy which will be moving with the swell of the sea. Steady balance is important. For these reasons we feel that this tour is unsuitable for the frail or for anyone who routinely uses a walking aid. Unfortunately the gulets are not wheelchair accessible. If unsure whether this tour is for you, please check with us.

Trip Lecturer

This tour is accompanied by Dr Gillian Shepherd lecturer in Classical Archaeology at the University of Birmingham's Institute of Archaeology and Antiquity.

Dr Shepherd specializes in Ancient Greek colonization, and is the author of several books on her subject. She is also the curator of the Institute's Museum. Dr Shepherd has accompanied several prestigious group tours before but this is her first for the University of Birmingham.

Fast facts

• Sovereignty: Turkey is a Republic
• Language: Turkish. English is widely understood
• Currency: New Turkish Lira (YTL)
• Timezone: Turkey is 2 hours ahead of the UK all year round
• Immunisations: NHS Fit for Travel advises that all travellers to Turkey Confirm primary courses and boosters are up to date as recommended for life in Britain - including vaccines given to special groups because of risk exposure or complications (e.g. hepatitis B for health care workers, influenza and pneumococcal vaccines for the elderly). Additional Courses or boosters usually advised: hepatitis A; diphtheria; tetanus. Vaccines sometimes advised: typhoid; hepatitis B; rabies. Although Malaria is present in some parts of Turkey, the areas we are visiting on this tour are considered low to no risk and antimalarials are not usually advised.
• Visas: A visa is required by most nationalities. US, UK and other EU passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival for a fee which varies by country (i.e. £10 for UK, US$20 for USA, free of charge for French and German passport holders) Check with your local Turkish consulate before you travel.
• Flying time: 3 hours to Istanbul from London. Connecting flight from Bodrum 1 hour.
• Will my phone work: Turkey uses the 900 and 1800 MHz bandwidth so almost all UK phones will work there as long as your provider has authorised its use abroad. Reception is widespread.

Extensions in Turkey

There are several other extensions in Turkey available on a private basis either before or after the tour, including fabulous Cappadocia. Please see itineraries below or enquire for more details.

Cappadocia extension

Cappadocia is the heart of Anatolia and preserves some of the finest Byzantine frescoes in Turkey. There are over 300 churches preserved here carved from the pink and white volcanic ash. Stay in an atmospheric converted troglodyte 'cave' hotel whilst you explore the region. For a truly unforgettable experience, we highly recommend adding a balloon flight over the 'fairy chimneys' to the itinerary.

NOTE: as this is a private extension, the hotels and excursions mentioned are suggestions and we will be pleased to suggest alternatives to suit your taste and budget.

Day 1

Whether you are adding Cappadocia before or after your tour, fly into Istanbul then connect onwards to Kayseri or Nevsehir airport. On arrival you will be met and transferred to Urgup. Check into the Gamirasu Cave Hotel for a three night stay.

Day 2

Your guide will meet you today for a visit the Göreme valley, a fantastic landscape of pink and white "fairy chimneys", vast pinnacles of eroded volcanic ash. This whole area was the centre of a late Byzantine community and today preserves some of the finest Byzantine frescoes in Turkey, some virtually unaffected by the passage of time. The most important churches, with spectacular frescoes, are the Karanlik Kilise (Dark Church) with most vivid colours, Elmali Kilise (Apple Church) with stunning paintings, Yilanli Kilise (Snake Church) with painting of St Onuphrius, and Çakirli Kilise (the Church with Sandals). Overnight at the Gamirasu Cave Hotel.

Day 3

After breakfast visit the Byzantine underground "cities" of Kaymakli and Derinkuyu. These honeycombed subterranean dwellings were built as a refuge against marauding hordes. The cities are a maze of underground passages and rooms hewn out of the soft rock. The scenery here is equally fascinating, with fairy chimneys naturally eroded from the pink volcanic ash of the region, interspersed with green fields of grape vines. Afternoon visit to the Church of John the Baptist and other churches at Çavusin and Zelve. Overnight at the Gamirasu Cave Hotel.

Day 4

Full day in the Ihlara Valley in south-western Cappadocia. The scenery is once again superb, as one descends into the Peristrema Gorge. Once inside, there are a number of well preserved churches with beautiful frescoes, including Yilanli Kilise (Snake Church) Sümbüllü Kilise (Hyacinth Church), Egritas Kilise (the Crooked Stone Church) and a number of others. Final night at the Gamirasu Cave Hotel.

Day 5

After breakfast check out of the Gamirasu Cave Hotel and catch a flight back to Istanbul with connecting service to London.

2 nights in Ankara

Add 2 nights in Ankara before this itinerary if you would like to visit the excellent Hittite museum containing the Neolithic material from Catal Huyuk. This an also be added afterwards where you would visit Cappadocis first then drive to Ankara and fly back to Istanbul from there

Day 1

Fly from Istanbul to Ankara. Transfer to the Dedeman Hotel for overnight.

Day 2

Visit the Hittite Museum, which contains some of the finest artefacts excavated in Anatolia, including the Neolithic material from Çatal Höyük and the Hittite material from Bogazköy. Drive past the Salt Lake to Cappadocia, stopping en route at one or two of the Selcuk Caravanserais for which the region is famous. Overnight at the Gamirasu Cave Hotel, a restored troglodyte cave house near Urgup.

3 nights Catal Huyuk, Konya and ancient Pisidia

Add 3 nights after the Cappadocia extension if you would like to add Catal Huyuk, Konya and ancient Pisidia.

Day 1

After breakfast at the Gamirasu Cave Hotel check out of your hotel and start your journey to Konya, famous for both its religious traditions and its association with Mevlana (the mystic Jalal ad-Din ar-Rumi) whose tomb many still come to visit. On the way, we stop for lunch and then visit the ancient site of Catal Hoyuk, the most important Neolithic site in Turkey. Overnight in Ozkaymak Park hotel in Konya.

Day 2

Morning visits to the museums of Konya including the famous Mevlana and two of the Medrese, one of which has been turned into a museum of stone and wood carving, the other a tile museum. Drive onwards to Beysehir where you will visit Eflaton Pinari, a very elegant Hittite water monument (dated to the 13th Century BC) in the tranquil setting of the surrounding countryside. Then on to Esrefoglu Camiithe, one of the most refined examples of the Selcuk 'forest mosques', with its 39 soaring wooden pillars and beautiful blue-tiled mihrab. It was finished in 1299. Drive on to Egirdir situated on Turkey's fourth largest lake and overnight in hotel Mavi Gol on Yesil Island.

Day 3

Drive to the splendid ruins of Sagalassos, the largest city of ancient Pisidia, which was conquered by Alexander the Great in 333 BC. Its spectacular location in the mountains really gives the site a dramatic atmosphere. Then on to Ariassos, a small but beautifully situated ancient site. Continue to Fethiye for overnight.

Day 4

You will be transferred from Fethiye to Dalaman Airport for a flight to Istanbul either to start the tour (if this is a pre-tour) or for and onward connections to London (if this is a post-tour).

NOTE: This can also be done in reverse and used as a method of getting to Cappadocia after the cruise portion of your tour. After disembarkation in Bodrum, you would be driven to Fethiye for the night (4.5 hour drive), and then you would make your way to Yesil Island, Konya and Urgup.