Day 1 / Istanbul

Special Category (4-star) Hotel

Members of our staff greet you at Istanbul airport and arrange for your transfer and check-in at your hotel. Our small group of travellers will enjoy a welcome drink and then dinner.

Dinner

Day 2 / Istanbul

Special Category Hotel

The great metropolis of Istanbul, Turkey’s most dynamic city, gateway between east and west. An introduction to this journey will appropriately begin beside the Alexander Sarcophagus in the archaeological museum, followed by some sightseeing on foot in the old city.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 3 / Çanakkale

Kolin Hotel (5-star)

Traveling Distance: 340 km ~ 212 miles

Leaving Istanbul early in the morning we proceed in our comfortable vehicle to the Dardanelle Straits. On the way we pass Sestos, where Philip left his army under the command of Parmenio. We shall cross the straits head to Illium (Troy) where Alexander landed in imitation of Achilles. Here he made a sacrifice in the old temple of Athena, and brought away the sacred shield, which was later to save his life. Continue to the Achaean Harbor near Rhoeteum. According to Diodorus, Alexander went there to declare Asia, “spear won land”. We view the shores of Rhoeteum and Sigeum, which are bordered by the Scamender River. We visit the tombs of Achilles and Patroclus where Alexander and his inseparable companion Hephaestion laid wreaths and then ran a race around them, naked and anointed with oil. (Prepare yourself for a good hike in the Plain of Illium).

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 4 / Biga

Special Category Hotel

Traveling Distance: 97 km ~ 60 miles

After breakfast we set off for Çanakkale’s Archaeology Museum, which houses two unique sarcophagi. One is the first relief sculptured sarcophagus and the other one is the world’s first painted Persian sarcophagus. The rest of the unique finds displayed here are from Troy and its surrounding cities. Continue on to the Plain of the Granicus to observe the topography of the terrain and the military positions taken by the Persian and Macedonian armies on the hillside and river bank.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 5 / Izmir

Key Hotel (5-star)

Traveling Distance: 333 km ~ 207 miles

This morning we drive south to the land of Croesus to visit Sardis, the wealthy capital of the Lydians located at the head of the Royal Persian Road to Susa in modern Iran. Alexander garrisoned at Sardis and restored to the Lydians the right to be judged by their own native laws. A short drive takes us to the large Temple of Artemis with 20 columns long.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 6 / Izmir

Key Hotel

Explore the agora of the ancient Smyrna at the foot of the highest hill in İzmir constructed during the rule of Alexander the Great, and the spring nearby which Alexander is believed to have dreamed of rebuilding the city. The current excavations are revealing the heart of old Smyrna in all its glory. We visit the excellent İzmir Archaeological Museum.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 7 / Kuşadası

Special Category Hotel

Traveling Distance: 96 km ~ 57miles

Today we will drive up to the ancient walls of Ephesus and walk along the walls and drive to the Temple of Artemis. After a relaxing lunch and the departure of many tour buses we enter Ephesus. It was here at Ephesus that the citizens welcomed Alexander, who established a democracy and restored the exiles. He also offered to dedicate the new temple to Artemis.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 8 / Heraklia Ad Latmos

Simple, Small Hotel

Traveling Distance: 68 km ~ 42miles

A leisurely morning is followed by an afternoon drive south to the Ionian coast where we will walk the stepped street of Priene. Here Alexander contributed to the construction of the temple of Athena Polias, which was dedicated to him. Driving through the Meander Valley we reach Miletus where Alexander faced serious opposition. Despite the strength of the defending forces, he besieged the city by land and sea and managed to capture it in just days.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 9 / Bodrum

The Marmara (5-star) or Similar Special Category Hotel

Traveling Distance: 105 km ~ 65 miles

In the morning we set off on our leisurely drive to Bodrum. Along the way we stop to see the temple of Apollo at Didyma, one of the most spectacular monuments still remaining. It was here that Alexander’s ultimate victory over the Persians was prophesized. In the autumn of 334 Alexander marched into Caria. We follow his footsteps, passing from Ionia to Caria by way of the Maryas Valley. We enter the Arian city, Iasos, and explore one of the prettiest sites in Turkey. Alexander made a local boy, who swam with dolphins, priest of Poseidon. We end the day in Bodrum at our hotel.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 10 / On Board – Göcek

Traveling Distance: 235 km ~ 147 miles

In Bodrum, the birthplace of Herodotus, we visit the site of the celebrated Mausoleum of Halicarnassos, and the remains of the fortifications against which Alexander led a desperate seige. We travel to Lycia, as Alexander did, following the line of the modern road to Pınara. On the way he was informed of the surrender of Telmessus and was well received by its citizens. Pınara also surrendered to Alexander the Great. In Göcek we board our luxurious gulet*.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 11 & 12 / On Board

We now have a chance to relax and swim aboard a traditional Turkish gulet, as we sail along Lycia’s turquoise coast. This represents the perfect opportunity to reflect on Alexander’s navy and the ancient Mediterranean in general, while we go ashore to see the remains of once grand cities.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 13 / On Board

We visit the capital city of Lycia, Xanthus, which gave itself up to him along with 30 other smaller Lycian cities. After a short drive to Letoön, we explore the shrine dedicated to Leto and her children Apollo and Artemis. It was believed that Alexander received the famous prophecy concerning the destruction of the Persian Empire here.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 14 / Disembark at Üçağız

Olympos Lodge (Special Category)

Traveling Distance: 90 km ~ 56 miles

After breakfast we disembark and are met by ground transportation takes us to the triple-harbored Phaselis: a city later renowned for possessing Achilles’ original spear, and for being the haunt of pirates. When Alexander arrived, the people here crowned him with golden wreaths. When he left, he gambled on a short cut around the coast. Supposedly the sea parted in supplication, making way for his army.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 15 / Antalya

Special Category Boutique Hotel

Traveling Distance: 140 km ~ 87 miles

This morning our driver takes us up the mountains of Pisidia to explore Termessos, one of the rare cities to say ‘no’ to Alexander and still survive. We check into our special hotel in the old city of Antalya.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 16 / Afyon

Anemon Hotel (5-star)

Traveling Distance: 293 km ~ 183 miles

Alexander marched north, by way of Sagalassos where archaeological excavations have revealed a vast, impressive ancient city captured by Alexander in a bloody siege. We proceed to Celaenae (Dinar) via Lake Burdur, an important center of communication with roads that ran west to the Hermus and Meander valleys. Guests have the opportunity to enjoy the thermal pool before dinner in the hotel.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 17 / Ankara

Cukurhan (Special Category Boutique Hotel)

Traveling Distance: 257 km ~ 161 miles

In the morning we drive north to the Phrygian Highlands to visit the city of King Midas, Gordion, on the River Sangarius, southwest of Ankara. Alexander longed to visit the acropolis to see the ancient wagon of Gordias, founder of the old Phrygian monarchy. And it was here that Alexander cut its knot with his sword. From Gordian Alexander advanced to Ancyra, the modern Ankara, where Paphlagonian envoys met him, offering submission. We follow Alexander to Ankara.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 18 / Cappadocia

Yunak Evleri or Similar Luxury Cave House

Traveling Distance: 307 km ~ 192 miles

Alexander was eager to get through the Taurus passes and into Cilicia so he marched south to Cappadocia without making any attempt to conquer it. Following Alexander we stop at the highlights of Cappadocia and have a leisurly day. The area is a geological wonderland, full of fairy chimneys, rock-hewn churches, and underground cities.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 19 / Adana

Hilton Hotel (5-star)

Traveling Distance: 310 km ~ 194 miles

This morning we follow the route of Alexander through the rocky landscape of Cappadocia to Cilicia. We visit the rock-cut monastery, Eski Gümüşler. Stop at Tyana, modern Niğde, we drive through the Cilician Gates (on the old road) and descend into Cilicia arriving at Tarsus ready to explore this ancient city.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 20 / Fly to Istanbul

Special Category Hotel

Traveling Distance: 200 km ~ 126 miles

This morning we drive on to Kinet Hüyük, ancient Issus. In the late afternoon we board our flight back to Istanbul. We bid our farewells to one another at dinner.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 21 / Return Flight

Participants are transferred to the international airport to connect with their return flights.

Breakfast

Tour Dates & Prices

What’s Included in this Price?

What’s not Included?

AN ISTANBUL EXTENSION TOUR TO PRECEDE THIS TOUR IS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST