Where the Ruins Meet the Sea
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Overview
Leaping off the side of your boat and into the sparkly waters of the Mediterranean is super fun. Two things: don’t hold your nose or you’ll blow out an eardrum, and make sure your bikini bottoms or speedos are securely fastened before you jump.
(Was Turkey Land & Sea)
Itinerary
Day 1-2 - Istanbul
The must-sees: Blue Mosque, Hippodrome and Aya Sofya. The must-eats: Kebab, balık ekmek (fish sandwich) and steamed corn from a street vendor.
Day 1
- Arrive in Istanbul and perhaps visit the Grand Bazaar and Spice Market
- Meet the tour guide and fellow travel companions at an evening welcome meeting
- Head out on an optional group dinner, a good introduction to some fabulous Turkish cuisine in a street-side cafe
Day 2
- Take a guided tour of the treasures of the Old Town including the the iconic Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome
- Explore under your own steam in the afternoon
- Perhaps barter for a bargain, enjoy a cruise on the Bosphorus or indulge in a traditional hamam (Turkish bath)
BreakfastDay 3 - Istanbul - Gallipoli - Eceabat
A sobering visit to Gallipoli today. Then you’ve got time to reflect during a long bus trip to Eceabat.
- Head for the shores of Gallipoli, a place of immense significance for Australians and New Zealanders
BreakfastDay 4 - Eceabat - Ayvalik
The town is famous for olive oil, but we suggest finding the nearest seaside cafe and ordering Ayvalik tost - toasted sanga stuffed with sausage, pickle, tomatoes, salad and chips, slathered with tomato sauce and mayonnaise. Stop drooling on the brochure please.
- Optional excursion to Troy, where you can explore the ancient ruins
- Take an orientation tour of Ayvalik and view its Greco-Ottoman houses, cobblestone streets and lively cafes
- Perhaps enjoy a drink and the sunset at the harbourside bar
BreakfastDay 5 - Ayvalik - Selçuk
Get your local guide to point out secret messages that ancient Christians carved into the rocks to direct worshippers to their next meeting.
- Take a local bus to Selçuk
- On arrival we explore nearby Ephesus - perhaps the greatest Greco-Roman site in the world
- Walk the marble streets once trodden by Antony and Cleopatra and marvel at the gymnasium, baths and the restored Library of Celsus
BreakfastDay 6 - Selçuk – Pamukkale
Live out your Cleopatra fantasies today with a dip in her old pool. Although back in the day she didn’t have to share it with fat dudes and screaming kids.
- Travel to Pamukkale with its natural pools, shelves and ridges
- Perhaps explore the ancient city of Hierapolis, known for its abundance of temples and religious structures
BreakfastDay 7 - Pamukkale – Fethiye
We’ll stop at Oludeniz on the way. This big lagoon is so luminously blue is should have an Instagram filter named after it.
- Head for the coast and take a local bus to Ölüdeniz, described as 'the Eden bestowed by God to the world'
- Plenty of time to enjoy a swim at the three-kilometre-long beach
BreakfastDay 8-9 - Southern sailing cruise
Tough couple of days ahead: swimming, exploring sunken cities, sunbaking and eating fresh seafood. Grin and bare it.
- Board a boat for a memorable voyage along the Turquoise Coast and view some of the most stunning coastal scenery in the world
- Cruise to the sunken cities around Kekova Island from where remains of mysterious civilisations can be viewed
- Walk up to nearby Simena Castle, which offers spectacular views of the surrounding bays and islands
- Perhaps explore some of the numerous Lycian rock tombs
- Spend some time on the azure waters of the Mediterranean Sea
- Swim and explore the natural and historical sites along the way
- Indulge in feasts before being lulled to sleep by Mediterranean breezes
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 10-11 - Cirali - Antalya
Squeeze in one last bit of history with a trip to Olympos. Then see the Chimaera, heaps of little fires bursting spontaneously from the side of a mountain. They never go out. You have permission to sing Eternal Flame by the Bangles here.
Day 10
- Disembark the boat in Uçagiz and head to Antalya
- Stop by Olympos en route and see the flames of Chimera
- Press on to the ruins of ancient Lycian city of Phaselis
Day 11
- The trip ends today after breakfast
Breakfast -
What to Know
What's Included
Local tour guide, all transportation, accommodation and sightseeing and entrances fees as indicated.
Not Included
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Map
Map Itinerary
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Dates
Trip Dates and Prices
Show more departures...Start Date – End Date Trip Status Price 25 May 2013 - 04 Jun 2013 7 Closed US $995 Closed 08 Jun 2013 - 18 Jun 2013 5 Request US $995 Book Now 15 Jun 2013 - 25 Jun 2013 7+ Request US $995 Book Now 22 Jun 2013 - 02 Jul 2013 7+ Request US $995 Book Now 29 Jun 2013 - 09 Jul 2013 7+ Available US $995 Book Now 13 Jul 2013 - 23 Jul 2013 1 Available US $995 Book Now 27 Jul 2013 - 06 Aug 2013 3 Available US $995 Book Now 03 Aug 2013 - 13 Aug 2013 7+ Available US $995 Book Now 17 Aug 2013 - 27 Aug 2013 7+ Available US $995 Book Now 24 Aug 2013 - 03 Sep 2013 6 Available US $995 Book Now 31 Aug 2013 - 10 Sep 2013 7+ Available US $995 Book Now 07 Sep 2013 - 17 Sep 2013 7+ Available US $995 Book Now 14 Sep 2013 - 24 Sep 2013 7+ Available US $995 Book Now 21 Sep 2013 - 01 Oct 2013 7+ Available US $995 Book Now 28 Sep 2013 - 08 Oct 2013 7+ Available US $995 Book Now 05 Oct 2013 - 15 Oct 2013 7+ Available US $995 Book Now 12 Oct 2013 - 22 Oct 2013 7+ Available US $995 Book Now 19 Oct 2013 - 29 Oct 2013 7+ Available US $995 Book Now 26 Oct 2013 - 05 Nov 2013 7+ Available US $880 Book Now 02 Nov 2013 - 12 Nov 2013 7+ Available US $880 Book Now 09 Nov 2013 - 19 Nov 2013 7+ Available US $880 Book Now 15 Mar 2014 - 25 Mar 2014 7+ Available US $880 Book Now 29 Mar 2014 - 08 Apr 2014 7+ Available US $880 Book Now 23 Apr 2014 - 03 May 2014 7+ Available US $1,101 Book Now 23 Apr 2014 - 03 May 2014 7+ Available US $1,101 Book Now 26 Apr 2014 - 06 May 2014 7+ Available US $995 Book Now 03 May 2014 - 13 May 2014 7+ Available US $995 Book Now 10 May 2014 - 20 May 2014 7+ Available US $995 Book Now 17 May 2014 - 27 May 2014 7+ Available US $995 Book Now 24 May 2014 - 03 Jun 2014 7+ Available US $995 Book Now 07 Jun 2014 - 17 Jun 2014 7+ Available US $995 Book Now 14 Jun 2014 - 24 Jun 2014 7+ Available US $995 Book Now 21 Jun 2014 - 01 Jul 2014 7+ Available US $995 Book Now 28 Jun 2014 - 08 Jul 2014 7+ Available US $995 Book Now -
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What to know
The 23 Apr 2014 departure ties in with ANZAC day at Gallipoli and the night of Day 2 will be spent camping in Anzac Cove. This departure has a surcharge.