Classical Turkey
Europe and Asia’s Meeting Point; Turkey’s incredible history and wealth of archaeological resources is testament to the waves of contrasting Empires and individuals, both mythical and historical, who have passed through…….Homer, Alexander, Caesar, Cleopatra, Helen of Troy, Pompey, St Paul, Achilles, Aeneas, Lycians, Ionians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Hittites, Phrygians, Persians – the list is endless.
This programme can easily be shortened to include archaeological sites and museums specific to your areas of study.
< Trojan horse in Canakkale
Flight to Istanbul. Transfer to Dardanelles for ferry crossing.
Çanakkale Hotel and Evening Meal.
Look across the Hellespont to Gallipoli, visit the Wooden Horse from the film ‘Troy’, the archaeological museum and Gallipoli military museum in Çimenlik Fortress
< Walls of Troy
Morning at the Citadel of Troy and recently opened state-of-the-art archaeological Museum.
Brief stop at the Sanctuary of Athena at Assos overlooking the Aegean
Lunch en route
< Theatre of Pergamon
Afternoon climb to or take the funicular to Pergamon Acropolis (upper & lower). Walk down via Palace, Great Altar, Temples, Theatre, Agora, Gymnaseum, religious sanctuaries eventually reaching the Asclepion and Red Basilica on the lower levels.
Kuşadası Hotel and Evening Meal.
< Temple of Apollo, Didyma
Full Day Excursion
Miletus, home to Aspasia and a magnificent Roman theatre. Continue onward to Didyma, the awe-inspiring oracular sanctuary.
Lunch en route
Priene, located on top of a plain, with breath taking views, one of the earliest grid street layouts and a wealth of Classical and Hellenistic remains.
Kuşadası Hotel and Evening Meal.
< Celsus Library, Ephesus
Full Day at magnificent Ephesus, an important place of pilgrimage and key to the development of Christianity. The site’s highlights include the colossal Library of Celsus, Terrace Houses, Gate of Augustus and Temple to Hadrian. The Roman latrines and ‘brothel footstep’ are also popular!
Late lunch in town before visiting the Temple of Artemis, Basilica of St John and Archaeological Museum.
Optional stop at the open-air archaeological Museum of Izmir (Smyrna)
Kuşadası Hotel and Evening Meal.
< Pamukkale (Hierapolis)
Morning at the Carian city of Aphrodisias, a plethora of remains includes the Temple of Aphrodite and magnificent stadium. View an athletic Emperor Claudius as Herakles subduing Britannia in the Archaeological Museum.
Afternoon at Hierapolis, a Seleucid city, thermal spa set amongst stunning salt pans which makes the archaeology appear as if set in drifting snow.
Lunch in the onsite café next to the theatre, overlooking an marble artefact filled swimming pool. Changing rooms are provided!
Pamukkale Hotel and Evening Meal overlooking the floodlit salt ‘waterfalls’
< Aizanoi
Aizanoi, Cavdarhisar; Roman city with impressive Temple of Zeus, thermae, theatre and stadium.
Lunch en route
Former Roman walled town of Iznik (Nicaea); Roman and Byzantine city walls, Propylon, Aghia Sophia (site of the Second Council of Nicaea) and archaeological museum.
Iznik Hotel and Evening Meal
< Hippodrome of Constantinople
Early Transfer to Istanbul, venue for the penultimate day’s visit.
Visit the Kariye Camii Museum for the fine collection of mosaics and wall paintings
Haghia Sophia, one of the greatest examples of Byzantine architecture.
Topkapi Palace (and Harem), built on Roman foundations.
Constantine’s Aghia Eirene, built atop the Temples of Aphrodite and Apollo
Justinian’s Basilica Cistern, and famous inverted Medusa Heads
Recently opened Theodosian Cistern
Walk the Theodosian City Walls, follow the Valens Aqueduct, view the Hippodrome and Delphic Serpentine Column, Constantine’s Milion and Justinian’s Column – your choices are infinite.
Istanbul Hotel and Evening Meal
Optional evening excursion to Galatas Bridge and Tower, Taksim Square for the Monument of the Republic and the vast variety of shops and historic buildings of pedestrianised Istiklal Caddesi including Çiçek Pasajı, one of the first European-style buildings of the Ottoman empire.
< Istanbul Archaeology Museum
Morning visit to the two Archaeological Museums, Mosaic Museum, the Sultan Ahmet Camii Blue Mosque and free time perhaps in the Spice Market and Grand Bazaar.
Transfer to Istanbul Airport and your return flight to the UK.
Feel free to contact us to tailor your own tour. 01342 324727
Optional Extras
< Çanakkale Martyrs Memorial
Gallipoli Peninsular National Park and Çanakkale Martyrs Memorial on Hissarlik Hill
Northern and Southern Gallipoli Battlefields, including Anzac Cove
Omit Day 6 and take an internal flight with Turkish Airlines from Izmir to Istanbul
< Lycian rock cut tombs, Dalyan
Depending upon flight availability one could fly into/from Izmir thus reducing internal transfer times
Similarly, if flights permit, the Antalya beckons…