Cruising to Ephesus: Classic Gulet Cruise Archaeology & Culture Tour in Turkey

Cruising to Ephesus: Classic Gulet Cruise Archaeology & Culture Tour in Turkey BY PETER SOMMER TRAVELS

Packages

UPDATED 2 weeks ago DURATION 8 Days/7 Nights SEASON 8th June 2019 - 15th June 2019 RATES GBP 2,395.00 per person EXPIRES Jun 08, 2019
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DESCRIPTION

A classic cruise that takes in a series of Turkey’s most important and interesting archaeological sites, including the stunning ruins of Ephesus.

Beginning in Gumusluk and following the shores of the ancient regions of Caria and Ionia, this cruise makes for an ideal introduction to the glories of Turkey’s archaeological heritage. It takes in some of the most impressive and best-understood sites in the country, a veritable succession of “must-see” highlights, as well as a number of more intimate “off the beaten track” remains and includes a visit to the astoundingly monumental ruins of Ephesus.

Cruising to Ephesus opens up a panorama of the ancient world, presenting a great variety of extraordinary visits, ranging from prehistory via Classical Greek and Roman antiquity to the Middle Ages and beyond. Every day will bring new insights and new beauties to behold.

Ancient cities and sanctuaries are the central themes of this cruise. From ancient Myndos, where excavations have only just started, it leads to Iasos, where the remains of a once-vibrant port town are scattered amongst olive groves. An inland excursion leads to the mysterious mountain-top sanctuary of Zeus at Labraunda and to the beautiful Temple of Zeus at Euromos. A major highlight of this tour is Ephesus, capital of Roman Asia and one of the most magnificent ancient sites in the world, with its vast theatre, ornate library and wonderfully decorated Roman mansions. At Miletus, we explore the vast ruins of a “lost” city that was a major centre of culture in Greek and Roman days, as well as its main shrine, the huge oracular Temple of Apollo at Didyma. Priene, in its remarkably beautiful wooded setting, is the most clearly accessible and comprehensible of all Greek cities, with its private homes and public buildings there to see.

Archaeology apart, Cruising to Ephesus also includes much time for swimming, sunbathing, admiring the scenery or simply relaxing on our beautiful gulet.

ADDITION RATE INFORMATION

Single Supplement £645

ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival

Your gulet awaits you in the pretty coastal village of Gumusluk, about an hour from Bodrum airport on Turkey’s southwest coast. Welcome drink and dinner aboard.

Day 2: Visit Iasos

A gentle cruise northeast, with plentiful swimming opportunities on the way, before mooring in the late afternoon in the pretty harbour of ancient Iasos where archaeological excavations are revealing a vital and beautiful classical city.

Day 3: Visit Euromus & Labraunda

In the morning we head inland to the temple of Zeus at Euromus, one of the best preserved in Asia Minor, located amid a beautiful olive grove. Then, on into the mountains to Labraunda, Caria’s most sacred sanctuary, site of the great oracular shrine to Zeus Labraundus. In the afternoon, a chance to swim, kayak, snorkel and relax as you cruise westwards.

Day 4: Visit Oracular Temple Of Apollo

Landing in the morning near Altinkum’s golden beach, you’ll visit the colossal and awe-inspiring oracular temple of Apollo at Didyma. In the afternoon, a glorious long cruise northward to anchor off the southern coast of the isolated Dilek peninsula, where herds of wild horses roam free.

Day 5: Archaeological Museum & Ephesus

We head north to Kusadasi. From there, we travel a short distance to the town of Selcuk, where we visit the Archaeological Museum housing key finds from Ephesus. Finally, just as the main crowds are leaving, we enter Ephesus itself, to explore the vast site at leisure, walking through its monumental squares and along marble-paved roads, admiring a whole series of stunning structures, such as the 28,000-seat theatre, the ornate Library of Celsus and the remarkable Terrace Houses, a set of fine residences, bedecked in mosaics and marble inlay.

Day 6: Walking Excursion

Heading south overland, you will walk the ancient roads of Priene, an almost perfectly-preserved Greek city set in a strikingly lovely spot among pine trees. You’ll also discover Miletus, one of the most significant ancient Greek sites, with its vast theatre, baths, and brooding atmosphere, before rejoining your gulet, which will have cruised down to meet you, for a late afternoon of swimming and leisure.

Day 7: Visit Ephesus

A leisurely day cruising around the Bodrum peninsula, to Bodrum itself, ancient Halicarnassus. In the late afternoon you’ll visit Bodrum’s magnificent Crusader castle which now houses one of the finest museums of underwater archaeology in the world.

Day 8: Departure

Transfer from our gulet to Bodrum airport, on Turkey’s Aegean coast, about 40 minutes away.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Full Board Accommodations on the Gulet
• Airport Transfers on First and Last Day of Tour
• All Crew Services on Gulet
• Entrance Fees & Tips on Land
• Archaeological Excursions
• WiFi on our Scheduled Gulet Cruises (when coverage permits)