LYCIAN CRUISE

ITINERARY

DAY 1 Depart Heathrow 1125 on Turkish Airlines via Istanbul for Dalaman, arriving 2050. Transfer to yacht for overnight on board in Göcek.

DAY 2 Morning cruise to island of Gemiler (former Byzantine monastic community): ruined churches, vaulted processional way, large ecclesiastical complex. Overnight at Gemiler.

DAY 3 Cruise along mountainous shores of Lycian coast to tiny harbour of Kalkan, then by minibus into hidden Xanthos valley: Letoön (temples to Leto, Apollo and Artemis), Xanthos (Roman theatre and Byzantine citadel, Nereid monument, large Byzantine church). Overnight at Kalkan (quiet inlet for swimming and snorkelling).

DAY 4 Sail via Uluburun (site of famous Bronze Age wreck) into bay of Kekova for two nights

DAY 5 Cruise along shore of island of Kekova (underwater remains), then to small Turkish village of Kaleköy (ancient Simena): dramatic citadel, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman remains, haunting Lycian necropolis.

DAY 6 In and around Kekova with visit to ancient town of Teimussa. Overnight near Kaleköy.

DAY 7 Cruise westwards to pretty village of Kas (ancient Antipheloos): well-preserved Hellenistic theatre, temple, Lycian sarcophagus. Overnight at Kas (quiet inlet for swimming and relaxing).

DAY 8 Travel inland to ancient Pinara in Esençay Valley (acropolis, Hellenistic theatre, rock-cut tombs) and Tlos (imposing bath complex and citadel). Overnight in bay of Fethiye.

DAY 9 Berth in Fethiye harbour for visit to ancient site of Telmessos: recently excavated theatre, magnificent tomb of Amyntas. Overnight in Fethiye. 

DAY 10 Morning sail to Agalimani: walk through pine forest to remains of ancient Lydae (ruined mausolea). Overnight at Agalimani.

DAY 11 Cruise down Loryma Peninsula to Loryma: Hellenistic fort (one of finest in ancient world). Overnight in Loryma.

DAY 12 Cruise to Knidos: temple of Apollo Karnaios, tholos temple of Aphrodite Euploia (once housed famous statue by Praxiteles), Doric portico, early Byzantine churches, harbour theatre. Overnight in ancient harbour of Knidos.

DAY 13 Further visits in Knidos, then cruise to Bay of Bodrum, exploring bays and inlets. Overnight in Bay of Bodrum. 

DAY 14 Sail to Bodrum (ancient Halicarnassus): Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, Bodrum Museum (underwater collections excavated from wrecks around the coast of Asia Minor), 14th century Crusader castle of St Peter. Ovenight at Bodrum.

DAY 15 Transfer to Bodrum airport for 1130 departure via Istanbul for Heathrow, arriving 1635.