ANTALYA TOURS

TERMESSOS & ANTALYA SIGHTSEEING TOUR

08:30  Pick up from Hotel.
09:30  Drive to Termessos
            Visit the ancient site of Termessos
            Drive to Restaurant
            Lunch in a local Turkish restaurant
            Drive to old city of Antalya
            Marina & Old city quarter
17:00 Return back to hotels

After pick up from hotels we will head the North-West of Antalya towards the Tauros Mountains. Termessos is located some 1200 meters above the sea level in a wonderful setting of flowers and Mediterranean type bushes and trees. It has a reputation as being one of the two cities which Alexander the Great was not able to capture. The location of the city is an “eagle’s nest”, makes it difficult to explore without enjoying a nice hike through the forests. The old city of Antalya, the fortified crescent-shaped settlement surrounding the harbor still bears some traces of its history. The fortification walls from Hellenistic period and were enlarged during the succeeding Roman, Byzantine and Selcukian periods. The impressive triple-arched Roman Gate on Ataturk street was built to commemorate the visit of Emperor Hadrian in 130 AD. This partially restored marble structure with elaborate decoration, is one of the best preserved Roman remains in the city. Kesik Minare (Truncated Minaret) which was built in the 13th cent. with the remains of a Roman Temple, Byzantine Church is a very good example of transition of religious symbolism from one culture to the succeeding ones. Hidirlik Kulesi (Hidirlik Tower), which originally was built in the 2C AD, is a very good example of the type of Roman tower tombs built for a local dignitary. Yivli Minare (The Fluted Minaret), which became the symbol of the city, is a part of a Selcukian medrese (religious college) and mosque complex built during in 1230.


PERGE - ASPENDOS & SIDE TOUR

08:30  Departure from Hotel .
            Drive to Perge.
            Visit the ancient site of Perge
            Drive to Aspendos.
            Visit Aspendos.
            Lunch in Selale Restaurant
            Drive to Side
16:00 Visit Side & End of the tour.

In the morning we drive to Perge whose history dates back to 1000 B.C. Saint Paul and Saint Barnabas stayed and preached in the city during their journey through Asia Minor. Our tour of Perge will include the Theatre, the Roman Stadium,  the Hellenistic Gate, Baths, Basilica and the Acropolis. We continue driving to Aspendos and the tour of the city will include the Gymnasium, the Ancient Baths, the Theatre, the Acropolis and the Agora. Driving south we will reach Side which used to be a well-known slave market. The tour will include the Hellenistic Wall, the Theatre, the Temple of Tyche, Agora, Basilicas, Baths, the Aquadact and the Museum. Return to Antalya.



KEKOVA - MYRA & ST.NICHOLAS TOUR

08:00  Departure from Hotel.
            Drive to Kekova.
            Boat tour around the sunken cities and Kekova Island.
            Drive to Myra.
            Visit the Roman theatre and the best examples of
            Lycian rock-cut tomb sand the church of St. Nicholas.
            Drive to Antalya
18:00  End of tour.

After departure we will drive to the lovely fishing village of Ucagiz, ancient Theimussa located in a deep cove on the Mediterranean shore. Embarking our boat, we will have a fascinating trip along the northern side Kekova Island with numerous remains of ancient buildings carved into the rocks which are partially submerged into the sea. A careful eye will also catch the sight of the other buildings under the sea through the crystal clear waters of Mediterranean. Due to the rise of the sea level and a depression of the land, part of the settlement is now under the sea level. The Simena Castle to the east of Theimussa is located on a promontory hill controlling the passage formed by the Island of Kekova. The traditional architecture of the village and the Lycian remains upon the scenic village haunt the visitors. After visiting Simena we will cruise by the half-sunken sarcophagi back to the Ucagiz where we will have our lunch in a seaside restaurant. On the way back to Antalya we will stop at Myra, one of the six important cities of ancient Lycia, to see the magnificent rock-cut cemetery and the Church of St. Nicholas where he served as a bishop and was buried after his death. We will be back to the hotel late afternoon.