The ancient capitol of Lycia with fascinating ruins, which have been regarded as a UNESCO World heritage site. Alexander the Great considered it one of his favourite places.
Is renowned for being visited by Leta while pregnant with Appollo & as the spiritual and cultural centre for nearby Xanthos, yet had no normal settlements around it. It was abandoned during the 7th Century because of rising silt levels from the nearby river.
A stunning undeveloped and protected 12km long stretch of soft golden sand, where evocative ruins of a once fine city protrude out of the encroaching sand dunes.
Patara was also a wealthy naval & trading port in Lycia until 7th Century AD when the Xanthos river silted it up. Now it is a national park rich in wildlife living amongst the ruins of the old city.
One of the oldest of the six principle sites of Lycia. Best known for its dramatically positioned fortress, topped with rock cut tomb sides, and fabulous 360 degree views.
Religious centre dedicated to Apollo, Athena & Aphrodite. Many large house type tombs including the ‘Royal Tomb’, free standing sarcophagi, & a 2nd Century BC Amiptheatre built to accommodate 3200 people
Take a boat trip to Kekova , the sunken city. From Kas you can take an elegant Gulet to explore the mostly submerged remains of the ancient Lycian city of Kekova,where the remains of the city & its harbour are just below the surface after an earthquake caused a down shift in the land mass.
Just across the water from Kekeova is a medieval castle, which was used as an outpost for the Knights of Rhodes ( formerly St John).
Myra has the largest amphitheatre in Lycia, overlooked by the dramatic house type rock tombs.
Where the famous church of St Nicholas is located. St Nicholas, now more widely known as Santa Claus was born in Patara in 300AD.
Travel to the deserted former Greek ‘ghost village’ and explore.
To the North near Kusadasi is one of the greatest cities. Founded in the 10th Century BC, once ruled by Croesus and site for the Temple Of Artemis which was regarded as one of the Seven Wonders of The World.
To the East is Antalya, with a wonderful old city. Narrow winding streets twist down to the picturesque ancient harbour. Visit the Grooved Minaret ( Yivli Minare ) and Hadrian’s Gate built in Ad 130.
A natural wonder, where hot water springs cascade down slopes, forming terraces and saucer shaped pools constructed from its own pure white calcified deposits.
One of Turkeys most visited sites. Soft sedimentary rock has been eroded by the elements leaving hundreds of curiously shaped minarets and pillars. Balloon trips have been highly recommended. This same soft rock allowed the formation of an early monastic centre around 300-1200AD. It has over 30 chapels and churches all carved from the rock, housing frescos dating between the 9th to 11th century.
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