Itinerary

Day 1   Arrive in Istanbul

We take you to the hotel (20mins) in time for dinner . You spend 3 nights here.

Days 2/3   Exploring Istanbul

First stop is the Blue Mosque and 1,500 year old Haghia Sophia church. After lunch by the Byzantine cistern, our guide leads us through the avenues of bales of silk, gold trinkets and colorful spices of the Grand Bazaar . The next day we visit Topkapi Palace – a real “Arabian Night’s Dream” with its harem and fabulous treasury. In the afternoon, we take a river cruise along the Bosphorous, lined with imposing 19C summer palaces. Returning, we admire the late Byzantine frescoes at Kariye church, before our final dinner in Istanbul.

Day 4   Troy and the Gallipoli Peninsula  8km/5mi/2hr

By ferry boat across the Marmara Sea, and along to the Dardanelle strait (90mins). After lunch, we follow a rosemary-scented coastal path that overlooks the Gallipoli peninsula, site of the famous WW1 battle. Then on to Troy, immortalized by Homer for a more ancient battle. After visiting the site, we move to Assos, our base for the next two nights, and dinner at our harbor front hotel.

Day 5   At Assos  9km/5.5mi/4hr

Gently ascending through olive and pistachio trees we reach Assos’s ancient citadel with its theatre, gymnasium and bathhouse. Then an ancient paved way lined with sarcophagi affords stunning views over the watery remains of Assos’s Greco-Roman harbour .

Day 6   Pergamon

A brief stroll, this morning, to the Altar of Zeus for great Aegean coast views before arriving at Pergamon. This ancient Greek city’s library was second only to that of Alexandria. Descending from the theatre we enjoy sweeping valley views as we reach the cobbled streets of the modern town where people still travel by horse and cart. Then on to Foca, where we spend one night.

Day 7   Sardis and Bozdag  4km/3mi/2hr

Heading inland, we visit the imposing site of Sardis, then a scenic drive to lunch in a mountain restaurant above Bozdag. Afterwards, we descend along a panoramic forest trail bright with crocuses into the village itself. We then move on to Nilgan’s friendly hotel at Selçuk (modern town of Ephesus) where we spend the next two nights.

Day 8   Ephesus  4km/3mi/2hr

We dedicate the morning to Ephesus, whose marbled streets reveal agorae, bathhouses, a theatre and the Library of Celsus. After lunch in the whitewashed village of Sirince, our walk takes us through almond trees for incomparable views back over the village surrounded by olive studded hills.  

Day 9   Didyma and Lake Bafa  8km/5mi/3hr

Leaving Ephesus, we visit Didyma’s Temple of Apollo before arriving at Lake Bafa for lunch. This afternoon’s walk winds through the semi-ruined Greek city of Herakleia, built into ochre colored limestone boulders, then drops down to the lakeshore where flamingos and herons fish. We reach coastal Bodrum, where we spend our final 2 nights, in time for dinner .

Day 10   Exploring Bodrum

We explore Bodrum’s cobbled backstreets that reveal a Greek theatre, city gate and the famous Mauseoleum, and visit the Knights Templar castle. After lunch by the marina, Its then on to the Knights Templar Castle before heading back to the hotel's infinity pool before our farewell dinner. Swim in the sea or the hotel’s infinity pool before our  farewell dinner.

Day 11   Return home

WALKING DETAILS

This holiday includes some gentle strolls along coastal paths and forest trails. The descent to Pergamon (day 6) may be considered challenging if prone to vertigo or for those with weaker knees. Walking boots are recommended.

For extra nights we recommend Bodrum or Istanbul.

More information from Breakaway Adventures:

• View trip on provider's website
  www.breakaway-adventures.com/guided-walking-tours/eastern-med…
• Company profile, experience, and history
• View all of their trips