ANCIENT TURKEY
This tour offers a marvellous opportunity to sample the remarkable Graeco-Roman architectural remains of Asia Minor as we investigate everything from Ionian colonisation to the Delian League.
Our tour will cast light on Macedonian war-mongering and Roman exploitation as we explore superb temples at Didyma and Priene; vast theatres at Ephesus, Termessos and Aspendos; and gymnasia at Sardis and Priene – not to mention a farrago of council chambers, odeons, houses and tombs.
In tracing the development of the polis, the “city state”, we will consider how town planning evolved to reflect the Aristolean principles of the ideal urban centre, adorned with agora, temples and administrative buildings; walking though Ephesus, for instance, reveals Roman munificence, whereas Priene represents the Greek city par excellence.
One of the great attractions of our itinerary is that it combines some of the well-known coastal cities with great inland sites such as Sardis, the western terminus of the great Persian royal road, and Pergamum, one of the foremost cities of Asia Minor and home to a majestic acropolis. Our programme will also revel in Turkey’s enchanting scenery and includes a visit to the unique geological phenomenon that is Pamukkale, where streams of hot mineral water cascade into large rocky bowls in the hillside.
“Travelling in Turkey is a brilliant reward, for bashed and battered though the remains may be, they are haunted by amiable ghosts, and their ancient grandeurs have mellowed into romantic ruins”.
Brian Sewell, South From Ephesus
This tour will be led by Andrew Wilson, BA, BD, FSAScot, specialist in archaeology and ancient history. Andrew studied archaeology and theology before working overseas as an archaeologist with a particular interest in Roman frontier systems and Byzantine mosaics.
Itinerary
Day 1Depart Heathrow 1125 on Turkish Airlines via Istanbul to Izmir, arriving 2005. Transfer to Anemon Hotel for three nights. Archaeology museum (fine terra-cotta vases, marble statues, jewellery, magnificent 1st century BC bronze athlete).
Day 2Whole-day excursion to Pergamum (acropolis, Hellenistic theatre).
Day 3Morning: Sardis (Severan gymnasium, synagogue). Afternoon: Izmir Museum.
Day 4Transfer to Kusadasi for three nights at Marina Hotel. Afternoon: Byzantine St John’s Basilica, Temple of Diana, first visit to Ephesus: vast theatre, Library of Celsus, recently-excavated houses, Temple of Diana.
Day 5Whole-day excursion to Priene (city walls, great temple of Athena, agora, beautifully located gymnasium and stadium), Miletus (theatre, baths, former harbour), Didyma Temple (one of ancient world’s greatest oracular temples).
Day 6Ephesus Museum (including Eros with Dolphin bronze statue) followed by continuation of visits in Ephesus.
Day 7Transfer east to Pamukkale for overnight at Richmond Hotel. Afternoon: Pamukkale (cascading streams of hot mineral water), ancient site of Hierapolis (temple to Apollo, fine theatre), Aphrodisias (leading school of monumental sculpture).
Day 8Transfer to Antalya for two nights at Best Western Khan. Afternoon: Termessos (spectacular views, theatre, tombs).
Day 9Morning: Perge (extra-mural theatre and stadium, two round Hellenistic towers, arches, agora, sophisticated water systems), Aspendos (theatre with vast cavea). Afternoon: Antalya Museum (statues from Perge theatre, sarcophagi, mosaics).
Day 10Depart Antalya 0920 via Istanbul to Heathrow, arriving 1515.
Cost includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, breakfast & dinner, excursions & admissions.
Not included: visa, travel insurance, single room supplement £240.
