Greece and the Turkish Coast

Kusadasi
Kusadasi, one of Turkey’s principle holiday resorts, offers an excellent environment for an unforgettable holiday. Situated on the west coast of Turkey- 90km south of Izmir, Kusadasi, is reputed for one of the most attractive city of the Aegean, as it is close to the important historical sites including Ephesus, Didyma, Priene, Miletos-the principals of ancient times, and ideal for sightseersKusadasi has a typical Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters, providing a long tourism season.The city is bathed in sunshine for 300 days of the year. Numerous powdery sandy beaches with warm&clear waters, providing a peaceful atmosphere, allow a great variety of water and beach facilities. Windsurfing, water skiing, sailing and beach volley are only a few choice for the lovers of active life. After sunbathing restfully during the day, the city awaits the superb sunset. As the sun sets, the attractive cafes and restaurants through the palm-lined boulevard, get busier. It is a great delight to watch the comings and goings of the yachts and ships with accompanience of the panoramic view of the sunset, on a pre-drink before the dinner. The restaurants, serving a variety of fresh seafood &fish and Aegean specialties, offer a delicious meal in Kusadasi. Dancing and entertaining at a lively bar or a disco until dawn, may end an ideal day in Kusadasi.

Didyma
The word Didyma meant “twins” and was associated by some as being the meeting place of Zeus and Leto to have their twins Apollo and Artemis. Didyma was famed as a prophecy centre dedicated to Apollo, which served a similar purpose as the Delphi of Anatolia. It was not a city but a sanctuary. In addition to pilgrimages made by sea, some festivals of drama, music and sports were held there every four years. The Temple of Apollo was one of the antiquity’s most sacred places. The temple was looted and burned many times but the sanctuary still impresses with its elegant beauty. Not far from the archaeological site lies the beautiful beach of Altinkum, which is ideal for a dip in the cool Mediterranean Sea..

Asin Bay
Asin Bay an utmost landlocked cave was the ancient harbor for Lassus. A short walk will take you to the ruins of ancient Lassus that lie amongst olive groves with donkeys and cows grazing in the ancient agora (market) and temple. The city was supposed to have been founded by Peloponnesians from Argos. The knights of St. John built the fort on the top of the craggy hump, which over all is an enchanting site.

Bodrum
BODRUM is an enchanting and thoroughly likable town. It has something of a reputation as a Bohemian town, a reputation it acquired when a number of dissident artists and writers were exiled here. The castle of St. Peter dominates the town and houses the excellent Hall of Underwater Archaeology which has finds from wrecks around the coast from the Bronze Age to the Ottoman period. The ancient name for the city is Halicarnassus. Herodotus, the father of written history, was a native of the city.

Knidos
Knidos or Cnidus is an ancient Greek city in Asia Minor, once part of the country of Caria. It is situated at the extremity of the long peninsula that forms the southern side of the Sinus Ceramicus or Gulf of Kos. It was built partly on the mainland and partly on the Island of Triopion or Cape Krio, which anciently communicated with the continent by a causeway and bridge, and now by a narrow sandy isthmus. By means of the causeway the channel between island and mainland was formed into two harbours, of which the larger, or southern, was further enclosed by two strongly-built moles that are still in good part entire.

Datca
The Datca Peninsula provides a natural boundary between the Aegean Sea, the Gulf of Gokova to the north, and the Mediterranean Sea, the Gulf of Hisarnonu to the south. In Datca whitewashed buildings hung with bougainvilleas decorate the town.
The marina is on the southern bay; while swimmers prefer the northern bay. Around the marina bars, cafes and a wide selection of shops keep the tourist interested. Some shops remain open well into the evening. Relaxing over a pre-dinner drink and then a delicious meal in a welcoming restaurant is a popular way to spend the evening hours. Of course, the local eateries offer both fresh fish and classical Turkish cuisine.With any remaining energy, take a stroll and find a disco to your liking to while away until the early morning hours. Out of Datca, either by road or by boat, you will find un-spoilt bays and golden sandy beaches. Kargi is one of the most popular.

Marmaris
Truly the Jewel of the Turkish Riviera. It is Turkey’s most sophisticated and multi-faceted resort. Located where the Aegean sea meets the Mediterranean the beautiful bay is famous for its yachting and cosmopolitan atmosphere. Marmaris is originally a Greek word meaning glittering and shining and this is a very apt description. Hundreds of restaurants, shops, tours, and other entertainment ensure that you will never be bored. The traffic-free promenade stretching from the marina all the way round the bay to Icmeler. It has a sophisticated ‘Riviera’ feel to it, vaguely reminiscent of St.Tropez. Must see place: the outdoor Market, The Tomb of Sariana, The Kervansaray, The Tashan (Stone Inn) & The Aqueduct.

Rhodes
The beautiful island of Knights. The superb capital of Rhodes lies outside and within the walls of a very well preserved Venetian castle, built by the Knights of Saint John, which is one of the finest examples of medieval architecture.
Rhodes is also known for The Colossus of Rhodes, a gigantic statue who had each leg on the two sides of the harbour and it it among the seven wonders of the ancient world. The statue stood at the harbour entrance, until a strong earthquake hit Rhodes about 226 BC. The beauty of its capital, its interesting sites, its many Byzantine churches together with its night life, the famous.

ITINERARY

Day 1 Samos – Kusadasi Miles 15
Day 2 Kusadasi – Didyma Miles 49
Day 3 Dydima – Asin Bay Miles 20
Day 4 Asin Bay – Bodrum Miles 45
Day 5 Bodrum – Knidos Miles 20
Day 6 Knidos – Datca Miles 18
Day 7 Datca– Marmaris Miles 55
Day 8 Marmaris – Rhode Miles 25