Halikarnassos to Troy via Samos,
Chios and Lesvos
This is a wide-ranging tour not only in terms of the unusual distance covered but also for the exceptionally rich cultural and historical heritage from Classical to Byzantine, Genoese, Venetian and Ottoman. Troy and Pergamon are two of the most notable Classical sites in the world and this tour provides a great opportunity to get to know them well. But it also offers an unusual chance to combine these cultural landmarks with the islands of Samos, Chios and Lesvos, three of the most important trading centres in the ancient Aegean. Samos is a lively, wine-producing island, the birthplace of the goddess Hera and of Pythagoras. The medieval villages of Chios are well-known and the 11th century monastery of Nea Moni is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The huge Genoese and Ottoman fortress at Mytilini on Lesvos is one of the highlights of this tour. These islands are very unspoilt and we will have plenty of time to appreciate their quieter side, to swim and bask in the warmth of the late summer sunshine. Blue Voyage Yachting travel personel is a Classicist with a special interest in ancient and has travelled widely in Greece and Turkey.
DAY 1
Arrive at Bodrum harbour, 40 minutes from the airport.
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DAY 2
We complete exit formalities and leave Turkey, entering Greece at Kos. We visit the Asklepieion (A), Hellenistic centre of healing and medicine, in its beautiful terraced setting. Overnight off the island of Pserimos or nearby.
DAY 4
We visit the main sites of Samos: the Temple of Hera (A), the fine Archaeological Museum in Vathy and the Eupalinos Tunnel (B/C). A visit to the splendid new Archaeological Museum in Pythagoreio, which houses artefacts from Ancient Samos, is highly recommended.
DAY 5
The day begins with a leisurely sail to Chios where we berth in the main harbour for two nights. The rest of the day is devoted to getting to know this remarkably vibrant town. The Kastro, formerly home to the Jewish and Turkish communities, is particularly worth visiting (A).
DAY 6
A day-long tour in which we get to know more of Chios. We visit Nea Moni (A), the monastery founded in 1042 by the Emperor Constantine IX, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site; Avgonyma (A), a solitary medieval village with splendid views over to the island of Psara; and Anavatos (B) an extraordinary abandoned village, clinging to a massive cliff. We round off the day with visits to the once fortified villages of Pirgi and Mesta (A).
DAY 7
We sail north to the island of Lesvos where we spend a relaxing day near Tarti, known for its lovely, long sandy beach. Overnight in a quiet bay.
DAY 8
We head for bustling Mitilini, capital of Lesvos, for a two night stay. Here, you are free to explore on foot, perhaps to relax in one of the traditional coffee houses, ready for a busy day ahead.
DAY 9
We take a tour of Lesvos which includes the fortress towering over the town, the well-preserved Roman aqueduct at Moria (A), the Pan-Lesbian Sanctuary at Mesa (A) and the monastery at Leimonos where we have lunch. We continue by walking down past many splendid mansions from the Kastro at Mithymna, also known as Molyvos (A/B), birthplace of the poet Arian. On our way back to Mitilini we drop in at Mandamadhos to see the famous black icon of the Archangel Michael, the island’s patron saint.
DAY 10
Leaving Greece, we return to Turkey and expect to spend two nights in the beautiful, tranquil lagoon at Bademli.
DAY 11
Our minibus takes us to remote Aigai (B/C), an ancient hilltop city with interesting architectural remains.
DAY 12
An exhilarating day in which we visit the spectacular site of Pergamon. We start with the Acropolis (B), going on to the Library, the altar of Zeus and the astonishingly steep theatre with its sweeping views. We also see the less-visited, terraced Lower City (B) and, after lunch, the Asklepieion (A). We rejoin our boat in the harbour at Ayvalık.
DAY 13
We cross to Baba Kale, a thriving fishing port, and take a minibus to Assos (B), a splendid site built on a cliff-face affording superb views over to Lesvos. We wind our way through the modern village to the necropolis and the main site. We also visit the Smintheion (A), the restored temple of Apollo the mouse-god.
DAY 14
We set off on a 5 hour sail for the vinecovered island of Bozcaada, ancient Tenedos. We tie up in harbour and take a tour of the island, stopping for a swim on one of the many pristine beaches, finishing the day with some wine tasting.
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DAY 15
Our boat drops us off on the mainland at Odun Iskelesi, where a minibus is waiting to take us to the nearby site of Alexandria Troas (B). We walk first to the ancient harbour and then take a look at selected parts of this huge site. Later in the day, we go to legendary Troy (A) where our excellent local guide explains this many-layered site. We rejoin our boat at Çanakkale, entrance to the Dardanelles.
DAY 16
Our minibus takes us to Istanbul airport, a drive of about 5 hours through the pleasant countryside of Eastern Thrace.