The Aegean Coast of Turkey

This morning, we drive from sea level up to the site of Assos, perched on a prominent hilltop overlooking the Aegean and Sappho’s island of Lesbos. We also explore the Doric Temple of Athena and then enjoy an afternoon of relaxing leisure time.

We travel to the ruins of Alexandria Troas. The site is little-known today, but was visited twice by St Paul in the first century. Surviving features include the agora temple with its columns and reliefs, a partly excavated odeon and superb section of Roman streets. This afternoon we drive to atmospheric Ayvalık, a wholly Greek town up until the population exchanges of 1923​.

We spend the day at the great Hellenistic city of Pergamon, whose extensive remains range across a dramatic rocky outcrop. Our explorations include the Acropolis, the theatre and the altar of Zeus. After lunch, we visit Pergamon Museum and the Aesclepium, an ancient medical centre. We continue to Izmir.

We enjoy a brief brush with the Hittites – an ancient Bronze Age Turkish civilisation - at the Karabel rock relief, then drive inland to Sardis, with its massive gymnasium and bath-house, and the finely preserved Temple of Artemis. We continue to Pamukkale, the limestone ‘cotton castle'. Located in the River Menderes Valley, the Roman ruins here remain remarkably well-preserved.

We explore ancient Hierapolis with its extensive tombs, a ‘Plutonium’ (shrine to the underworld deity Pluto) and the oracular Temple of Apollo. The limescale formations with cascading pools and hot springs make this site very picturesque. Enjoy a free afternoon.

We travel east up the valley of the Menderes River, through magnificent scenery to the site of Aphrodisias. The mountains surrounding this idyllic site produce very fine white marble and the city became famous for its sculptors.

We spend the morning at Priene, which is set on a peaceful wooded hillside beneath a towering limestone peak. The Temple of Athena stands as a substantial ruin. We follow in the footsteps of the Greeks to Didyma, a temple that housed a shrine to Apollo. We end the day at Miletus, home of philosophers and scientists.

Our tour culminates at Ephesus, one of western Turkey’s highlights. This was one of the richest cities in Asia Minor and continued to thrive through the Roman period. We have special access to the Roman terraced houses, with painted walls and mosaics now beautifully restored, with a talk from the curator. After exploring the city, we visit the museum that houses treasures from the site. We end the day at the fortifications and Basilica of St John at Selçuk, the city that replaced Ephesus in medieval times.

We drive to Izmir, where the tour ends, for our flight home via Istanbul.