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Cruising Western Turkey's Ancient Cities - an archaeological voyage along the Anatolian coast
10
days
from
£6,710
Book today with a deposit from
£1,007
13th - 22nd October 2027
Cruise highlights
- Explore the ancient cities of western Turkey, where Greek, Anatolian and Roman cultures met and flourished over many centuries.
- Visit some of the finest archaeological sites of the classical world, including Ephesus, Pergamon, Aphrodisias, Priene and Didyma.
- Trace the maritime connections that linked the Greek mainland, the islands and the cities of western Anatolia from the Archaic period to Roman times.
- Travel aboard our exclusively chartered small ship, following the maritime routes that connected the cities and islands of the eastern Mediterranean.
- Benefit from two expert lecturers with specialist knowledge of the archaeology, history and cultural traditions of ancient Anatolia.
The western coast of Turkey contains one of the greatest concentrations of ancient cities in the Mediterranean. Here, indigenous Anatolian traditions mingled with those of Greek settlers, giving rise to a distinctive culture whose achievements in philosophy, science, architecture and art helped shape the ancient world. Under the Hellenistic kingdoms and the Roman Empire, these cities continued to flourish, leaving an extraordinary legacy of monuments and works of art.
The sea played a central role in their development. From the Archaic period through to Roman times, the cities of western Anatolia were part of a maritime world in which people, goods and ideas moved between the Greek mainland, the islands and the coast of Asia Minor. Yet these cities were also firmly rooted in the landscapes and traditions of Anatolia. This network of connections, both across the sea and inland, helped shape the region's distinctive character and explains something of the extraordinary richness of its archaeological remains.
Beginning in Athens, with its incomparable Classical monuments, the journey continues to Delos, the sacred island of Apollo and an important centre of trade in the ancient Mediterranean. Together, they provide a context for understanding the close relationships between the Greek mainland, the islands and the cities of western Anatolia. At Priene and Didyma we encounter outstanding achievements of Greek architecture and town planning; at Ephesus and Aphrodisias, the grandeur of Roman urban life; and at Pergamon, the remains of a Hellenistic capital that rivalled Athens and Alexandria in wealth and cultural ambition.
Travelling aboard an exclusively chartered small ship allows us to approach these historic places from the sea, while two expert lecturers provide the wider historical and archaeological context. Together, the sites reveal the remarkable cultural achievements of a region that stood at the crossroads of the ancient Mediterranean world.
Itinerary
We offer a morning flight from London Heathrow to Athens. The tour begins at 7.00pm with drinks, an introductory talk and dinner in the hotel. First of two hotel nights in Athens.
Morning visit to the Acropolis, the foremost site of Classical Greece. Built during the apogee of Athenian power 447–438 BC and dedicated to Athena, the Parthenon temple is unequalled for sophistication of design, quality of craftsmanship and beauty of sculpture. Other architectural masterpieces here are the Propylaia (monumental gateways) and the exquisitely wrought Erechtheion with the Karyatid (‘maidens’) porch. Free afternoon followed by a dinner and a private evening visit to the Acropolis museum with superb Archaic and Classical sculpture.
This morning visit either the National Archaeological Museum (subject to renovation works) or the Benaki museum, both fine collections of Greek art and artefacts. Alternatively opt for free time - Plaka and Anafiotika are charming old quarters on the slopes of the Acropolis with a scattering of ancient remains including the Library of Hadrian and the Tower of the Winds. In the afternoon take the coach to Lavrion and board Variety Voyager for the first of 7 nights. Sail overnight to Delos.
Revered as the birthplace of Artemis and Apollo, the small island of Delos was the most important religious sanctuary of ancient Greece. It accumulated great riches, dispersed when Greek power was superceded by Roman. Today uninhabited and visited entirely on foot, it is one of the most atmospheric and alluring of ancient sites with remains of several temples and assorted structures and the famous lions sculpted in the 7th century bc. The energetic can climb Mt Kynthos for fine views. Sail overnight to Didim, Turkey.
The lovely site of Priene is situated on the slopes of Mount Mykale beneath high limestone cliffs and overlooking the fertile Maeander plain. Sheltered by pines, the marble remains date largely from the late Classical and early Hellenistic periods. It exhibits one of the earliest of grid street plans and both theatre and bouleuterion are well preserved. The Temple of Athena came to be esteemed by Vitruvius and others as a model of temple architecture. The oracle of Apollo at Didyma for a time rivalled in popularity that at Delphi. Perhaps Turkey’s most impressive classical ruin, the Hellenistic Temple was the second largest in Asia and its unique inner court is well preserved. Sail in the evening to Kusadasi.
Founded by Ionians, under the Romans Ephesus became capital of the province of Asia and the wealthiest city in the eastern Aegean. It was also a major centre of early Christianity. Of the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven Wonders of the World, there are few remains, but the rest of the site is the most extensive of the Classical world. Visit also the 6th-century basilica, built over the tomb of St John, and the excellent Archaeological Museum. Remain moored in Kusadasi overnight.
All-day excursion to Aphrodisias. Situated in the interior of Anatolia on an undulating plateau ringed by hills, the city enjoys one of the most beautiful and unspoilt settings of any ancient site. A theatre, bouleuterion, stadium, monumental gateway and agora are among the excellently preserved buildings. It was a major centre of sculpture production and an abundance remains. It is 100 miles from Kusadasi but this disadvantage is offset by fewer visitors than Ephesus receives. Sail overnight to Izmir.
Under the Hellenistic Attalid dynasty, Pergamon became the most powerful city-state in Asia Minor, rivalling Athens and Alexandria as a centre of culture. On a steep-sided hill are remains of Attalid palaces, a Temple of Dionysus, an Altar of Zeus (most of which is now in Berlin), theatre, library, and Temple of Athena. The Asclepieon and ‘Temple of Serapis’ (Red Fort) lie on flat ground below. Sail overnight and tomorrow morning back to Lavrion.
Afternoon visit to the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion, overlooking the sea at the southernmost tip of the Attic peninsula, visited by Byron in 1810.
Disembark by 9.00am. Coaches drop at Athens airport for the departure of the British Airways flight to London at c. 1.20pm.
Expert speakers
Dr Alan Greaves
Alan Greaves is a Classical archaeologist specialising in the settlements and landscapes of western Anatolia. He was Field Director of the excavations at the Temple of Athena at Miletos for six years, led a ten-year survey of the upland site of Çaltılar Höyük, and has worked at Aphrodisias and Telmessos. His research argues that Anatolia was an active participant in the ancient Mediterranean rather than a bridge between East and West, and traces how Lydian, Phrygian and Luwian traditions shaped the culture of Ionia. He has written four books and curated several museum exhibitions, and developed a programme for digitally recording endangered inscriptions across Turkey.
Professor Tuna Şare Ağtürk
Tuna Şare Ağtürk is British Academy Global Professor at Oxford and Research Professor of Classical Archaeology at Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University in Türkiye. She led the Nicomedia Project, which brought to light an extraordinary series of Roman imperial reliefs preserving their original vivid colours, offering remarkable new insights into the art and political imagery of the Roman Empire. Her acclaimed book on these discoveries received the Archaeological Institute of America’s James R. Wiseman Book Award in 2023. Her research focuses on western Anatolia from the Archaic period through the Roman era.
Practicalities
Lower deck – Category C
Single occupancy: £8,120
Not available for double occupancy
Lower deck – Category B
Two sharing: £6,710 per person
Single occupancy: £8,830
Main deck – Category B
Two sharing: £6,710 per person
Single occupancy: £8,830
Main deck – Category A
Two sharing: £8,090 per person
Single occupancy: £11,470
Upper deck – Category P
Two sharing: £8,620 per person
Not available for single occupancy
Upper deck – Owners Suite
Two sharing: £9,310 per person
Not available for single occupancy
Category B cabins on the lower deck are slightly bigger than those on the main deck, and have porthole windows. Category B cabins on the main deck are slightly smaller than those on the lower deck and have larger, rectangular windows.
Flights: if you would like to add flights to and from London to your booking, there is an additional cost of £360 per person.
– Hotel accommodation (5-star) in Athens for two nights.
–Ship accommodation on board the 4-star Variety Voyager, exclusively chartered for our group of a maximum 60 participants and staff .
– Most meals, from dinner on the first day to breakfast on the last with wine, beer and soft drinks. Three meals are in restaurants ashore. There are just two independent lunches in Athens.
– Coach travel between airport and ship, and to sites when not reached on foot. If you are booking your flights independently, you may join one of our transfers, so long as they coincide with our group fl ight arrivals.
– Lectures by Dr Alan Greaves and Professor Tuna Şare Ağtürk on board the ship and some guiding on site.
– Excursions, visits and admission costs.
– All tips for waiters, ship crew, local guides, drivers; all city and port taxes.
– The assistance of experienced Martin Randall Travel staff .
– A printed booklet including practical details, maps and background information.
We offer flights from London with this cruise:
Economy with British Airways
Wednesday 13th October: London Heathrow to Athens (BA 628 departing at 9.25 and arriving at 15.20)
Friday 22nd October: Athens to London Heathrow (BA 627 departing 13.20 and arriving at 15.30).
Accommodation in Athens, 13–15 October 2027
Royal Olympic Hotel. Rated locally as 5 star, this is a comfortable hotel located a 10-minute walk from the Acropolis. We have booked ‘Athenian Panorama’ rooms with views over Athens. The roof garden restaurant has views of the Acropolis. Décor is traditional in style and there is an outdoor swimming pool (weather permitting).
The Ship
Variety Voyager is a comfortable, 36-cabin mega-yacht, launched in 2012 and renovated in 2023. With facilities equivalent to a 4-star hotel, the multinational crew is dedicated to the highest standards of service.
All cabins have windows to the outside and are equipped with the facilities such as adjustable air conditioning, television, safe and hairdryer. Bathrooms have showers only.
Cabins on the Upper and Main decks have large windows while those on the Lower deck have portholes. There are no single cabins as such but we are allocating some for single occupancy. Cabin sizes vary across decks.
Public areas are generous with an air-conditioned dining room and lounge, both of which open onto a covered terrace. The sundeck has sunloungers.
The size of the ship means we are, more often than not, able to dock in port rather than anchor outside, avoiding the use of tenders or zodiacs.
Cabin sizes – Double occupancy:
Owners suite (upper deck): 4 windows, double bed, 22.5m2
Category P (upper deck): 2 windows, double bed, 15.9–20.7m2
Category A (main deck): 2 windows, double or twin beds, 12.4–16m2
Category B (main deck): 2 windows, twin beds, 12.8m2
Category B (lower deck): 2 portholes, double bed, 14–18.6m2
Cabin sizes – Single occupancy:
Category A (main deck): 2 windows, double or twin beds, 12–13.6m2
Category B (main deck): 2 windows, double or twin beds, 10.7–12.3m2
Category B (lower deck): 2 portholes, double bed, 14m2
Category C (lower deck): 2 portholes, double or twin beds, 12.8–13.5m2
A good level of fitness is necessary for visits to archaeological sites and towns where coaches cannot access the centre. Rough ground, steps, cobbled streets and hills are standard. If you have a medical condition or a disability which may affect your holiday or necessitate special arrangements being made for you, please discuss this with us before booking – or, if the condition develops or changes subsequently, as soon as possible before departure. A good level of fitness is necessary for the visits to large archaeological sites as well as small towns where coaches cannot access the centre. Steps, cobbled streets, rough ground and hills are standard.
Maximum of 60 participants.
Before booking, please refer to the FCDO website and Travel Health Pro to ensure you are happy with the travel advice for the destination(s) you are visiting.
Dates & prices
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2027
Date
Speaker
Price
Date:
13th - 22nd October 2027
Speaker:
Dr Alan Greaves & Professor Tuna Şare Ağtürk
Price:
from £6,710
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