Ephesos, Halicarnassos and the
Carian Coast
This is a wonderfully varied tour, perfectly timed to take advantage of the June weather when the days are not too hot for visiting archaeological sites but warm enough to make swimming in the clear Aegean waters a pleasure. During the first part of the tour, we will visit important ancient sites including the city of Ephesos, the vast Roman theatre at Miletos, the dramatic oracular Temple of Apollo at Didyma and the Temple of Zeus at Euromos in its truly delightful sylvan setting. Once we have boarded our gulet in Bodrum, the pace becomes more leisurely, but our journey still takes us to grand and dramatic sites: the double harbour and extensive excavations at Knidos, the Hellenistic fortress at Loryma, the rock tombs of Kaunos and the unexcavated city of Lydai. The settlements of Caria, cut off from the rest of the world by mountains, were mostly situated on or near the sea, so travelling by boat is the best way to visit them and, of course, the most enjoyable. Blue Voyage Yachting travel personel is an inspiring speaker with an enormous range of interests and will talk about the history, the geography, the geology and the flora of the Carian coast.
DAY 1
We arrive at Izmir airport, 40 minutes from our hotel in Selçuk.
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DAY 2
In the course of the day we visit the Museum of Ephesos at Selçuk, the Temple of Artemis and the main site of Ephesos (A/B). The terraced houses with their restored mosaics and frescoes are particularly interesting to see. A second night at the hotel in Selçuk.
DAY 3
After an early breakfast we leave for Miletos to visit the theatre (A/B) and continue to the imposing Temple of Apollo at Didyma (A). After lunch near Lake Bafa, we make a short stop to see the Temple of Zeus at Euromos (A). At the end of this full and rewarding day, we join our boat in Bodrum harbour.
DAY 4
We walk to the Mausoleum of Mausolos and then to the Knight’s Castle, which houses the fine Museum of Underwater Archaeology (A). We spend the night in a quiet bay outside Bodrum.
DAY 5
An early start across the mouth of the Ceramic Gulf to Knidos, one of Turkey’s most attractive and interesting archaeological sites (A/B/C). We overnight in the ancient commercial harbour.
DAY 6
We spend part of the day in further exploration of the ruins of Knidos and then move on to Palamutbükü where Turkey’s best almonds are grown. Those who wish to do so can visit Triopium (C) while others may prefer to relax on board.
DAY 7
An early start for Loryma, passing between the Greek islands of Nimos and Symi. Loryma was a Rhodian garrison after the death of Alexander, and the Fortress (B) is remarkably well-preserved. Overnight at anchor in the fjord.
DAY 8
On to Ekincik where we take a flatbottomed river-boat along the shallow Dalyan River to see the rock tombs cut into the cliff face high above the river. We wander through the lovely site of Kaunos (B), aiming to be back on board our gulet as the sun sets.
DAY 9
A long sail to AÄŸlimanı (Fisherman’s Net Cove). In the late afternoon we walk up a Roman cattle track (B) to a hidden ridge crowned with the Mausoleum of a rich and prominent local family one of whom was a member of the Roman Senate. The unexcavated city of Lydai lies below. We move on Göcek for the night.
DAY 10
Dalaman airport is about 30 minutes away from Göcek.