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Temple
of Hadrian, Ephesus
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Day 1: Arrival
in Istanbul. Meet at the airport and transfer to hotel. Welcome
drink and dinner.
Day 2: A day in the great metropolis of Istanbul, gateway
between east and west. An introduction to the tour in the archaeological
museum beside the Alexander Sarcophagus, followed by some of
the greatest sites of the city.
Day 3: Follow the Marmara Sea to the mighty Hellespont.
When Alexander the Great crossed he sacrificed to Poseidon and
poured libations of wine to the spirits of the sea. We visit
Achilles' tomb on the plain of Troy, where Alexander paid homage
to the hero, running naked anointed with oil. At the legendary
city itself, we explore the ruins swathed in myth. At the great
temple of Athena, the fabled shield of Achilles was presented
to Alexander - it would save his life during a siege in India.
Day 4: A visit to Çanakkale's splendid little archaeological
museum then east into the hills. On the banks of the river Granicus
Alexander nearly died in his first victory over the Persians.
We examine the most likely location of the battle.
 Day
5: A morning visit to Sardis where the imposing city of
Croesus and the Lydian kings is being excavated. After lunch
we see Ephesus's marvellous archaeology museum, close to the
temple of Artemis, that reportedly burned down the night Alexander
was born. We reach monumental Ephesus as the tourist buses depart.
Day 6: A morning to relax in Kusadasi, then we walk the
stepped streets of Priene, virtually unchanged since Alexander
the Great was here. To the south lay Miletus, which refused
him entry. It became his first major siege and his first chance
to try out a new weapon, the torsion catapult. The city was
battered into submission.
Day 7: The temple of Apollo at Didyma remains one of
the most spectacular of all monuments. It was here that Alexander's
ultimate victory over the Persians was prophesized. Beside the
sea, we explore Iasus, one of the very prettiest sites in Turkey,
where Alexander made a local boy, who swam with dolphins, priest
of Poseidon.
Day 8: In Bodrum, birthplace of Herodotus, we visit the
site of the celebrated Mausoleum of Halicarnassos, and the remains
of the fortifications against which Alexander laid a desperate
siege. We finish with a tour of the Castle of St. Peter.
 Day
9: East to Xanthos, Lycia's pre-eminent city, full of tombs,
grand civic buildings and a vast church floored with mosaics.
Some say Alexander sacked it as Brutus later did. Nearby we
visit Letoön's moody sanctuary, and at Kalkan transfer to our
gulet.
Day 10: A chance to relax and swim aboard a traditional
Turkish gulet, as we sail along Lycia's turquoise coast. A perfect
opportunity to reflect on Alexander's navy, shipping in antiquity,
and the ancient Mediterranean in general, while going ashore
to see the remains of once grand cities.
Day 11: Beside soaring pine clad mountains we cruise
to triple-harboured Phaselis: a city later renowned for possessing
Achilles' original spear, and for being a haunt for pirates.
When Alexander arrived, they 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.
Day 12: Visit Antalya's archaeological museum housing
one of the finest collections of ancient sculpture. Admire one
of the world's best preserved theatres at Aspendos and explore
the acropolis where people shook at the very sight of Alexander
the Great.
Day 13: Stroll the colonnaded streets of Perge, Alexander's
key regional base, with its marble baths, stadium and shops.
Discover Termessos, perched high on a mountain, one of the few
cities to say no' to Alexander and survive.
The plains
of Central Anatolia
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Day 14: Heading
north we walk along an ancient stone road, once the main route
to the central plateau. We visit Sagalassos where archaeological
excavations are revealing a vast, impressive ancient city, captured
by Alexander in a bloody siege.
Day 15: To Gordion, capital of ancient Phrygia, where
we visit the tomb of King Midas. Here, Alexander cut the Gordion
knot sparking a myth that foretold his rule over Asia. East
to Ankara's fabulous Museum of Anatolian Civilisations.
Day 16: South to Cappadocia, which Alexander put under
the control of an Oriental, not wishing to waste time securing
it. The area is a geological wonderland, full of fairy chimneys,
rock-hewn churches, and underground cities.
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Alexander
the Great close up in the Pompei mosaic
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Day 17: We retrace Alexander's march south through the
Taurus Mountains. Alexander hurried to seize Tarsus, rescuing
it from burning by the Persians. Here he fell dangerously ill,
spending several months in bed. All the while the Persian king
mustered his forces nearby.
Day 18: As
tension mounts we follow the build-up to the great Battle of
Issus. We explore the area and sites, like Kinet Hüyük (ancient
Issus) now being excavated, that once reverberated with the
Macedonian war-cry, and witnessed Alexander the Great charging
at the head of his cavalry.
Day 19: Fly Adana to Istanbul.
Back to Alexander
the Great tour
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