A
chance to visit some of the biggest and best preserved classical
cities in the world, travelling by gulet.
Herodotus, a
local, claimed that the climate of Ionia was the finest
in the world. South-west Turkey’s autumn climate remains
splendid indeed. We’ll cruise on a warm sea and under
a balmy sun along a coast which developed a civilisation
of quite exceptional brilliance.
In the centuries
before Alexander the Great, the dynamic cities of Ionia
helped lay the foundations of Greek literature, science,
and philosophy.
Under Rome, these
cities became ever more rich, prosperous, and beautiful
- full of the finest temples, theatres and markets that
money could buy. Combined with the luxury of sailing, beautiful
swimming stops, and heavenly food, this archaeological cruise
is the perfect way to explore this remarkable area.
The highlights
are plentiful: from the small harbour of Myndos, where Cassius
fled after murdering Julius Caesar; to the marvellously
preserved Hellenistic city of Priene, where the houses,
streets, and public buildings are laid out in a perfect
grid across a hillside.
We’ll visit
beautiful Herakleia, nestling under the mighty Latmus Mountains;
Labraunda, a mountain sanctuary to Zeus; and of course,
Ephesus, capital of Roman Asia. One of the very first cities
to have street lighting, the site is magnificent - marble
streets, agoras, villas, a theatre for 28,000 and an extraordinary
library.
Click here for From
Halicarnassus to Ephesus itinerary
If you would like to read an article that Peter has published
on Didyma, one of the sites visited on this tour, visit Didyma
