DAY 1: ISTANBUL – ANTALYA
Departure to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines, flight TK ____ (__: __ / __: __), from where it will depart to Antalya with flight TK ____ (__: __ / __: __). Arrival in Antalya, a city first founded around 200 BC. by the Atalid dynasty of Pergamum, which was soon subdued by the Romans. The Roman leadership wanted Antalya to prosper, which is why they built several landmarks, such as Hadrian’s Gate. The city was conquered in turn by the Sultanate of Seljuk in 1207 and by the Ottoman Empire in the expansion of 1391. The Ottoman rule brought relative peace and stability for the next five hundred years, after which the city was transferred under Italian suzerainty after the First World War I, but was recaptured by independent Turkey. Dinner and accommodation in Antalya at Hotel.

DAY 2: ANTALYA – PERGA – ASPENDOS – SIDE – MANAVGAT – ANTALYA
Breakfast. In the morning we will visit Perge, an important ancient city in Pamphylia which passed successively under the rule of the Persians, the Athenians and again the Persians. Perge gained a reputation for worshiping the goddess Artemis, and according to the Acts of the Apostles, in 46 AD, St. Paul traveled to Perge where he preached the Word of God. Perge is currently an archeological site considered as an important tourist attraction. Since 1946, numerous ruins have appeared in the city’s ruins, including a theater, a gymnasium, the Temple of Artemis and two churches. Perge has been called the “second Zeugma of Turkey” for the attractive appearance of the mosaics that have been unearthed so far. In 2003, archaeologists discovered well-preserved Greek mosaics depicting Oceanus and Medusa, and in 2017, a mosaic depicting the sacrifice of Iphigenia was discovered. Continuing the day, we will visit the ancient city of Aspendos, one of the most successful historical attractions for tourists visiting the Turquoise Coast of Turkey. The stunning amphitheater building, one of the greatest pieces of architecture of the Roman Empire, hosts the annual Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival. The Aspendos Theater is one of the largest ever built by Romans in Asia Minor, and is currently one of the best-preserved examples of Roman theatrical architecture. Located in the lower part of the city, the theater was built in the second century AD, during the reign of Marcus Aurelius. In ancient times, Aspendos was probably the most important city in Pamphylia. This glorious city reached its peak in Roman times, when trade flourished here. According to tradition, the city was founded by the famous Greek fortune teller Mopsos around 1000 BC, and archaeologists have found evidence of a settlement here since the Hittite era (800 BC). We will then move to the Side, about which ancient manuscripts record that it was founded by Greek settlers most likely in the 15th century. VII BC, the tutelary deity being Athena, whose head adorned its coins. Excavations have revealed several inscriptions dating from the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC, which, although left deciphered, testify that the local language was still in use a few centuries after colonization. A basalt column base found in the excavations at Side, from the sec. 7th century BC and attributable to the unusual, provides additional evidence of the site’s early history. The name Side may be of Anatolian origin, but means pomegranate in Greek. Continuing the day, we will see Manavgat Waterfall, one of the most famous waterfalls in Turkey, which although it falls from a fairly low height, creates impressive landscapes. Dinner and accommodation in Antalya at Hotel.

DAY 3: ANTALYA – DÜDEN WATERFALL – TERMESSOS – PHASELIS – KEMER
After Breakfast, in the first part of the day we will head to the Düden Waterfall, which flows through the eastern part of a travertine over 40 m high in the Mediterranean Sea. The Lower Düden Waterfall is located 8 km away from the city center, close to Karpuzkaldiran Beach. Continuing the day, we will visit the old town of Termessos, one of the best preserved ancient cities in Turkey and a remarkable archeological site. The ancient city of Termessos was built between two peaks on Mount Güllük in Antalya, being called the Eagle’s Nest due to its location, being located at an altitude of 1050 m. The amphitheater of Termessos, with a spectacular view and five vast water tanks dug into the rock, is one of the most magnificent historical sites in the world. We will then move to Phaselis, a port city, founded in 693 BC. with a rich history, sometimes considered part of the Lycia region, sometimes as a city in the Pamphylia region, the truth being that it is located on the border of both areas. At the end of the day we will head for dinner and accommodation in Kemer at Hotel.

DAY 4: KEMER – DEMRE (MYRA) – OLYMPOS MOUNTAINS – ULUPINAR – KAŞ
After Breakfast, on this day we will continue exploring the Turkish Riviera, the name under which this part of the southwestern coast of Antalya Province is known. To enjoy the beautiful view of the twinning between the mountain and the sea, with the help of the newly built cable car, we will climb to a height of almost 2400 m, on top of Mount Olympus, the second highest in Beydağları National Park, a nature reserve located nearby Kemer locality. After enjoying the view that nature generously offers us, we will be able to enjoy the richness and variety of traditional Turkish cuisine in the small town of Ulupınar, famous for the quality of its restaurants. The history-laden past of Lycia will be revealed to us at the next objective, an occasion for nostalgic memories, namely the Basilica of St. Nicholas in Demre. Known in the past as Myra, the present Demre is the place where the saint preached and finally found eternal rest, which due to his good deeds, became the archetype on the basis of which was later born the story of the sympathetic old man who generously rewards good deeds. of good children. Although most of the relics were taken to other parts of the world, the basilica, now over a millennium and a half old, is an important historical site. Because the Greek heritage of this region is incredibly rich, the next stop will be in the immediate vicinity of the center of Demre where we will explore the Archaeological Park, an opportunity to discover the Lycian necropolises carved into the rock of the slopes which, over two millennia old, impresses even today. In the afternoon we will head to Kaş, one of the most charming towns on the coast of Antalya. Accommodation in Kaş at Hotel.

DAY 5: KAȘ – KEKOVA ISLAND – ANDRIAKE – KAȘ
After Breakfast, Free time for individual activities or optional 1-day trip to Kekova Island and Andriake. For this, with the help of a boat, you will travel along the coast to Kekova Island, one of the most representative in the area, where for a few hours, we will enjoy the enchanting landscape, the crystal clear waters and the generous sun. Once there, you will visit Simena Castle and the rock tombs. From here you will head to another important archeological site, namely Andriake, in the past the port that served the city of Myra. Known especially in Roman times as the main source of purple in which the rich of Rome used to color their clothes, the settlement still houses a number of important archaeological remains, such as the Roman grain deposit, the monumental fountain, the agora, water cisterns and also a one of the oldest synagogues built on these lands. Return to Kaş for dinner and accommodation at Hotel.

DAY 6: KAȘ – ANTIAPHELLOS – PATARA – XANTOS (KSANTOS) – FETHİYE
After Breakfast, this day will give us an opportunity to discover the historical roots and archaeological artifacts of Lyceum that will help us better understand the historical evolution of this region. Occupying the mountainous area between the Antalya and Fethiye bays, of Anatolian origin, the Lycians are first mentioned more than three and a half millennia ago. Enjoying the respect of the Greeks, who did not include them among the barbarians, initially speaking their own language, they managed to maintain a separate, independent status, although they were incorporated one by one into the Achaemenid empire, the Hellenistic world and later the Empire. Romanian. Testimony of the continuity of this special civilization are the archeological sites that we will visit during this day. The first will be Antiaphellos, one of the oldest settlements in the region, where we will admire the theater that enjoys a beautiful view of the sea, Patara, the place where St. Nicholas was born and then Xanthus, another archaeological site that, due to the extraordinary The remains excavated here have been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. We will then head for dinner and accommodation in Fethiye at Hotel.

DAY 7: FETHİYE – KAYAKÖY – MARMARİS
After Breakfast, in the first part of the day we will turn another page in the history of this region because the goal we will be heading towards is the ghost town of Kayaköy. Based on the book “Birds without Wings” written by Louis de Bernieres, this town bears witness to the tragic events that affected the populations of Turkey and Greece shortly after the end of the First World War, when the Greeks in Turkey had to leave the country, in return for the people of Turkish origin in Greece. Following the depopulation of the town, because the Turks did not want to move here, it remained a deserted city, where only the old churches and houses, once full of life and now deserted, bear witness to the repercussions of temporary human misunderstandings. We will continue to Marmaris, one of the pearls of the Turkish coast, and we will have at our disposal in the afternoon, to enjoy these enchanting places and to do the last shopping. Dinner and accommodation in Marmaris at Hotel.

DAY 8: MARMARİS – ISTANBUL – To Your Country
After Breakfast, transfer to Marmaris airport for departure to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines, flight TK ____ (__: __ / __: __)