October 7-17, 2023 with Taylan
Join us for a exotic journey on the coasts of Eastern Mediterranean. This is where cultures of the Middle East and West melts into a whole new lifestyle. Discover the ancient world of Lycians, Carians and Romans around the turquoise coasts of Turkey. We’ll trace the life of a roman merchant in the lagoons of Caunos and the greatest city of the Romans, Ephesus the sacred port city dedicated to fertility for many ages. Experience the daily life of the eastern Aegean villages while comparing the grapes of ancient vineyards where wine was first fermented and traded all around the old world from Greece to Egypt. A land where east melts into west, Turkey’s Turquoise Coastline..
Tour Leader: Taylan Tasbasi
Day One
Overnight: Fethiye
This morning we will have a brief outline of our tour, day by day, and start exploring the city with several visits to places like an abandoned Greek village that was subject to a population exchange and our afternoon will end with a short hike to get us to the shores to meet with our boat to transport us back to the city with a sunset meal.
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Day Two
Overnight: Bodrum
Leave Hotel after breakfast for Bodrum. Tour of the fascinating Dalyan Lagoon. It will be a combination of driving, lagoon cruising on small boats, walking, history sweeping, nature loving and possibly beach. Things to see might vary from rock cut tombs to endangered animals.
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Day Three
Overnight: Bodrum
Time to explore villages and get a sense of the local life in detail. Today will be an introduction to regional crops, meals, crafts and carafes. End of the tour will be by the beach but before we’ll make sure to taste some of the full bodied, ancient grapes from the local vineyards.
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Day Four
Overnight: Bodrum
It is time to live the Turkish style “Dolce Vita”. In the morning, a visit to Castle of St.Peter, a Crusader stronghold where the whole discipline of “Underwater Archaeology” started in late 60’s. Step out and hop on a hand made wooden yacht, made in Bodrum. The rest of the day is going to be as the way you like it with some down time in the city for yourself.
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Day Five
Overnight: Sirince village
Today we start going North, deep into the Roman presence in these lands. Both of the temples we visit will be the best preserved of all among many. First the mighty Zeus, surrounded by olive orchards of Euromos, later the major oracle centre of Apollo at Didyma will be crowning the day until we reach our hotel.
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Day Six
Overnight: Sirince
This is the day we will devote to Ephesus and surroundings. Whole morning at the Ancient Site and the rest of the day exploring whats around like the House of Mother Mary and other smaller but interesting sites.
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Day Seven
Overnight: Assos
Heading North on the Aegean cost, we have to stop at the lovely town of Ayvalık, a small vacation spot for the locals. After a short walk and local lunch in the town we hit the road to catch the sunset at Athena Temple of Assos, with wine overlooking the island of Lesbos.
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Day Eight
Overnight: Assos
A day to remember…
Visiting the small island of Bozcaada where there are few local wineries to explore. Besides, it is a cute little town with a lot local produce to enjoy. / If the weather is not good to take the ferry to the island, we will explore the local family run olive oil and wine production in the neighboring villages with amazing masonry architecture.
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Day Nine
Overnight: Izmir
Back on the road to one of the most underestimated Ancient Roman City, along the coast of Turkey, Pergamon. Visiting the centre of the city will let us enjoy the great views looking towards the Aegean and later the ancient healing centre will be highly relaxing as we gaze into the medical life of ancient psychology. Driving South to Izmir, our final city along the coast.
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Day Ten
Overnight: Izmir
Downtime in the morning. Sleep late and get ready for the avant-garde late afternoon walk in Old Town of Izmir. Exploring the marketplace will take us to remnants of the Greeks in the city. Last dinner at a local restaurant to talk about all we have seen in the past ten days and talk about future destinations.
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Day Eleven
End of our services
Transfer to Izmir Airport or stay for more.
Price: $3775 (Air not included). Single Supplement is $625. We welcome singles and can try to pair you with another single to room with, but the single supplement will be required if we can’t.
You can reserve with a deposit of $600.
Tour begins in Dalaman (DLM), Turkey and tour ends in Izmir (ADB), Turkey.