DAY 1

Welcome to Turkey! This morning you depart Istanbul on an early morning one-hour flight to Antalya on the southern Mediterranean coast where walks explore the trails and sites of the ancient Lycian Way. Upon arrival at the Antalya airport a short drive brings you to Termessos a wild mountain-top settlement of the ancient Pisidians at an elevation of 3,455 feet with spectacular views of the Taurus Mountains and the Antalyan Coast. Protected by geography from the attacks of Alexander the Great, it later became an ally of Rome, eventually declining around the 5th century BC. In The Iliad, which Homer wrote in 700 BC, Termessos is mentioned as one of the places where the Greek hero Bellerophon—riding the legendary white-winged horse Pegasus—accomplishes the tasks of slaying the monsterly Chimaera. The walk here which takes you from the ancient theater along a well-established dirt trail, has been compared by some to Macchu Picchu.

Following the walk you descend to the lovely port city of Antalya, dramatically situated at the base of the 9,000-foot Taurus Mountains, with a history dating back to 150 BC. Lunch today is at a seaside restaurant, from which you then stroll through the farmers’ street market. In the late afternoon, your travels continue 1½ hours southwest along a beautiful stretch of Mediterranean coastline, contouring around the base of Mt. Olympos, to arrive at the village of Çirali, your home for the next two nights. There is time to stroll through the village, which is known for its 2-mile long secluded beach, part of which is protected by the World Wildlife Fund as a nesting area for loggerhead sea turtles. You are warmly welcomed at your retreat in Çirali, where you may enjoy a swim before unpacking and gathering for dinner consisting of local specialties.
Myland Nature Hotel, Çirali

DAY 2

After a breakfast of fresh fruit, baked goods, and renowned Turkish coffee, the morning is dedicated to an exploration of the ancient beachfront ruins of Olympos. These wild ruins are buried in a micro-climate jungle of laurel and bay trees, and rich in freshwater springs. Founded in the Hellenistic period and mentioned by Cicero to be brimming with riches and works of art, it became part of the Roman Empire during the rise of a young Julius Caesar. Its name derives, of course, from the nearby Mt. Olympos (not to be confused with Greece’s Mt. Olympus—over 20 mountains were named with some version of “Olympus” in the Classical world.) Ruins include numerous sarcophagi and a Roman bath. Later, a 20-minute drive takes you to the base of Mt. Olympos (7,700 feet) where you ride in a cable car to the summit for breathtaking views. It was from this perch, it is told in Greek mythology, that Poseidon saw Odysseus sailing away and consequently conjured up the violent storm keeping him at sea for 10 years. You return to the base station and start a coastal walk from Alacasu Cove to Ancient Phaselis. This beautiful trail takes you through truly romantic coastal ruins set on three coves and through Aleppo Pines.

After lunch in Ulupinar village you begin your final walk of the day which initially takes you downhill along a stream on a well-established dirt trail. After crossing the stream you then walk uphill for a time until coming upon the 3,000 year old sacred site of Chimaera.

You return to the gardens of your seaside retreat to relax and enjoy an evening cocktail overlooking the water. Tonight indulge in a multi-course dinner under the stars starting with an assortment of antipasti or mezes, roasted peppers, eggplant, olives and creamy cheeses, followed by the freshest grilled fish.
Myland Nature Hotel, Çirali

DAY 3

This morning visit the town of Myra known for its amazing 500-BC rock-cut cliff tombs and a well-preserved 100-BC Roman theater, but even more well-known as the home of St. Nicholas who performed miracles and in legend evolved into Santa Claus. After visiting the church where he was the bishop, you board a private excursion boat at Andriace, Myra’s ancient harbor, from where you set sail for Kekova. Lunch is served on board followed by an afternoon of cove-hopping, swimming, and walking. Explore ancient Simena (today known as Kaleköy), a timeless waterlocked village with age-old olive trees and carob groves. A crusader castle crowns the hilltop and the flanks of the walls are littered with dozens of 1st-century Roman sarcophagi, or stone coffins often adorned with ornate carvings.

In the early afternoon you set off on a 2½-hour walk over gradual slopes on rocky paths and goat trails from Sicak Bay. This ancient trail takes you first to the seaside ruins of Aperlae where you can swim or even snorkel over its underwater ruins. Located on the Sicak Peninsula, Aperlae was an ancient Lycian city, dating to the 4th century BC. Once the capital of the Lycian League, it is most remarkable for its 1,300-year life span, declining as late as the 7th century AD during the Byzantine period. The ancient economy of this town clinging between mountains and coast was the valuable Tyrian dye, derived painstakingly from a large number of a type of marine snail; archaeological excavations have uncovered huge vats where the snails were kept and processed to produce the deep purple dye, prized by the Romans for use in ceremonial robes. The ruins of town walls and buildings emerge from the sea at the base of the fragrant Mediterranean hillside. The trail continues on to ancient Apollonia before concluding at nearby Kiliclar village where your private coach meets you for the 45-minute drive to the town of Kas. A quaint fishing town nestled at the base of mountains once known for its sponge divers, Kas is now a seaside resort, appreciated for the deep blue of the surrounding waters, charming market street, and Greek theater. Your elegant waterfront hotel, home for two nights, combines traditional Turkish style with modern comforts.
Villa Tamara, Kas

DAY 4

The morning begins with a leisurely pace; you can explore the attractive town of Kas on your own or simply enjoy the pool and lounge chairs overlooking the sea at your hotel. Later in the morning you drive to the mountain village of Bezirgan at just over 2,000 feet in elevation, where you are treated to a traditional lunch with a local family. Experience first hand a Turkish farming community, where little has changed in hundreds of years. Tucked in a fertile plateau, villagers tend their fruit orchards, fields of chickpeas, and herds of sheep. Taking your shoes off as you enter the house, your hostess prepares “katmer” on a wide metal sheet over an open fire—a savory flatbread filled with greens, onions, cheese, olive oil, and spices. Another version of katmer has tahini and sugar, which she may also prepare for you. Soon various other traditional dishes follow such as homemade dolmas stuffed in eggplant, peppers or zucchini, home-made yogurt, and tomato salad. If you still have room, dessert might be delicately flavored rice pudding and fresh fruit. Lunch is served according to custom on wide floor trays, sitting cross legged around the trays on the carpeted wooden floor (with cushions available if floor seating is uncomfortable). Afterward hot tea is served on the terrace.

After lunch, a 30-minute drive brings you to a trailhead leading to a rarely visited Roman aqueduct, its arches a magnificent apparition in the tranquil countryside. The somewhat narrow and rocky trail is lined with silvery olive trees and a natural herb garden of thyme, oregano, sage, and rosemary. The walk continues to Patara and its vast and remote 8-mile sand beach where there is ample time to swim in its clear waters. Patara is the birth place of St. Nicholas (as opposed to the town of Myra where he lived), and here a Roman theater remains half-buried beneath the fine sand of the beach.

This evening you are free to continue your independent exploration of Kas, and choose one of its many restaurants for dinner on your own, perhaps dining al fresco along the waterfront.
Villa Tamara, Kas

DAY 5

Departing Kas, a scenic two-hour drive north to the towns of Kalkan and Esen turns west into the coastal mountains. Begin today’s walk in Alinca a tiny settlement at 1,800 feet. This is perhaps one of the most scenic trails along the Lycian Way, with sweeping sea views. It is an ancient trail which takes you along the top of sea cliffs and under pine trees, creating shade for the majority of your walk. Lunch is in Kabak Beach in a remote, yet sophisticated restaurant.

After this late lunch you transfer to the town of Fethiye, your home for the next two nights. Once you have checked into the hotel there will be time to discover the lively port town of Fethiye, set in a broad bay at the base of the Taurus Mountains. It is a perfect place to explore on foot, from the seafront promenade and marina with both fishing boats and yachts, to the pedestrian-only Ottoman town center of Paspatur with many cafes, enticing shops, and a hamman or Turkish bath. The hills behind the town contain evidence of millennia of history from Lycian rock tombs, to the Roman amphitheater, as well as a ruined Crusader castle. This evening enjoy dinner overlooking the harbor.
Yacht Hotel, Fethiye

DAY 6

The start of your walk this morning brings you to Oludeniz, a famous blue lagoon. From here you begin your walk to the astonishing modern Greek ghost-town of Kayakoy. The inhabitants of this 600-home ghost city were also subjects of the mass population exchanges of the 1920s. Today’s unsettled state of the city offers moving flashbacks of a past human drama. Walk along a trail partially shaded by emerald green Aleppo pine forests and over headlands, and which provides magnificent views of the lace-like seascapes below. Then depart for the 30-minute drive to the lively port town of Fethiye where you have free time to enjoy strolling in the colorful farmer’s market followed by lunch on your own. Fresh seafood is the town’s specialty and there are many restaurants from which to choose. You may even select some fish from the market and the nearby restaurants will cook it for you. It is both a fresh and delicious option for your free lunch.

In the late afternoon a pine-shaded walk from a nearby trailhead to Affouli Monastery rounds out the day. The dramatic cliff-side site offers sweeping views of the blue expanse of the Mediterranean. You return in the early evening to the retreat of your hotel and its peaceful grounds.
Yacht Hotel, Fethiye

DAY 7

After a breakfast of local cheeses, olives, fresh tomatoes, and freshly-baked bread you leave behind the region of Lycia and transfer to Caria and Ionia. En route take a short break in Euromos to see the Temple of Zeus. Continue onto Bafa Lake and arrive at the village of Golyaka where you proceed along a delightful trail into the foothills of Mt Latmos. The route is shaded by thousands of olive trees and meanders between a smoothly weather-sculptured field of boulders. There are also wonderful views overlooking Bafa Lake and you can catch glimpses of sure-footed mountain goats running along impossibly steep inclines. This area hides dozens of 9,000 year old Neolithic caves complete with well-preserved cave paintings. These pictographs have never been studied extensively or well-charted, thus a true sense of discovery awaits you here. The trail leads gently uphill to a cave locally-known as Kerdemlik where squeezing your way into the cave you can view the amazing paintings, which are still wonderfully preserved. Continue on to Yediler Manastiri where the remains of a Byzantine monastery lie. Here you can view fine frescoes that decorate the chapel walls.

Following our morning walk you arrive in Kapikiri, an unspoiled village overlooking Bafa Lake and resting on the extensive ruins of Herakleia. A delicious Mediterranean lunch of mezes or local seafood from the lake awaits. Time-permitting you can take another short walk which circumnavigates the ruins above the village, then enjoy tea with friendly locals at the village café before departing the area. Continue driving for another 1.5 hours before reaching the town of Kusadasi where a lovely dinner awaits.
Kismet Hotel, Kusadasi

DAY 8

You rise for a hearty breakfast which fuels you for the 3-hour guided walking tour of Ephesus, the Greco-Roman city and UNESCO World Heritage site that contains the largest collection of Roman ruins in the eastern Mediterranean region and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The visible ruins provide a glimpse into the size and wealth of the city, and it is estimated that only 15 percent of the site has undergone excavation. The tour includes landmarks such as the Roman Library of Celsus (125 AD), baths, a brothel, temples, and the main Harbor Street dominated by the Great Theater, believed to be the largest outdoor theater in the ancient world. In addition to Greek and Roman history, the site has strong associations with early Christianity. Saint Paul lived and was imprisoned here, and the Gospel of John is believed to have been written here around 100 AD. A popular pilgrimage site is the house of the Virgin Mary, thought to have been the last home of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Similar to Ancient Priene, Ephesus was once situated on a harbor, which also became filled with silt over the centuries. The most prosperous period for the city was around the 1st and 2nd century AD when it was a major trading center and the largest city in Roman Asia. After concluding the tour, you absorb the sites and information at a well-deserved lunch.

In the afternoon, your last stop in the region is at a weaving school and production cooperative where you are given an educational and entertaining lecture on Turkish tribal art and weavings. Gain an excellent insight into this Turkish art with hands-on demonstrations. A one-hour drive by mid-afternoon brings you to the Izmir Airport for the 50-minute flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival in Istanbul, your waiting bus transports you to your downtown hotel, composed of a row of nine historic mansions, elegantly refurbished, situated between the Topkapi Palace walls and the great Haghia Sophia with all rooms facing the Haghia Sophia. After relaxing or taking an early evening stroll through Istanbul’s intriguing streets, you regroup for a farewell dinner, perhaps of fresh seafood in the Kumkapi neighborhood, where outdoor stalls and street musicians effortlessly conjure a celebration of Turkey’s fascinating culture.
Hotel Ayasofya Konaklari, Istanbul

DAY 9

The tour ends after breakfast, and you depart for home or onward travels.

Itinerary Changes

Please bear in mind that this is a typical itinerary, and the actual walks, sites, and accommodations may vary due to season, special events, weather, or transportation schedules. We reserve the right to alter the itinerary since tour arrangements are made up to a year in advance, and unforeseen circumstances that mandate change may arise. Itinerary changes are made to improve the tour and your experience.

Nights 1 & 2

Myland Nature Hotel
Cirali, Antalya, Turkey

Tucked amidst organic gardens, this simple yet intimate property, consists of 13 small bungalows just several hundred feet from the beach with its private lounge chairs and umbrellas. Breakfast and dinner are served in its outdoor dining area, complete with parasols and stone fireplace.

Nights 3 & 4

Villa Hotel Tamara
Kas, Turkey

An elegant seaside hotel and restaurant with a private pool, rich gardens and grounds, and beautifully decorated rooms, all overlooking the sea.

Nights 5 & 6

Yacht Hotel
Fethiye, Turkey

A modern, Mediterranean-style hotel, wonderfully located on the harbor in Fethiye. The décor is of contemporary design and the hotel is only a 5 minute walk from the beautiful old town. Enjoy the pool and all modern amenities.

Night 7

Kismet Hotel
Kusadasi, Turkey

This charismatic hotel is located on a peninsula that protrudes into the Aegean Sea. Rooms are beautifully furnished and have panoramic views over the harbor of Kusadasi. Enjoy the outstanding service, modern amenities and outdoor pool.

Night 8

Hotel Ayasofya Konaklari
Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Turkey

A historic hotel in the heart of Istanbul comprised of nine meticulously restored guest houses connected by walkways and gardens on a quiet private street. The rooms are decorated in rich 19th-century Turkish style with all modern amenities.

Please note that this is a sample hotel itinerary for this tour. While these exact hotels are featured on most departures, we occasionally reserve other hotels of similar style and quality. If you are currently booked on a Country Walkers adventure, a hotel itinerary has been sent to you for your exact departure date. Please call Country Walkers at 800.464.9255 if you have any questions about the exact hotels selected for any of our tours.

Sunay Ethemoglu

A former German language teacher and translator, Sunay is passionate about archaeology, art history, and theology. She has guided professionally for many years and is very keen to share her extensive knowledge of Asia Minor and love of nature on our Turkey tour.

Serdar Akerdem

Serdar is a classical archaeologist who has participated in many famous excavations, including the Temple Tombs at Patara, and the underwater excavations at the Leto Sanctuary of Kaunos. He has been guiding tours for over fifteen years and brings his enthusiasm for astronomy, Roman architecture, and maritime archaeology to our tour. He is currently living in Izmir.

Mahmut Turhanoglu

Since 1992 Mahmut has been a professional guide and enjoys sharing with his guests the nature, history, and culture of this beautiful country. Before discovering his love of guiding he worked for a broadcasting company as a producer of television commercials in Istanbul. He resides in Antalya on the Turquoise Coast.