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Turkey
The TV in the bazaar is showing CNN, while around the corner are
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| Dates: September 18 to 29, 2006 |
| Road Cycling with Full Support |
| 12 Days & Nights |
| Interm. to Adv. Cycling |
| 100% Fair Paved Roads |
| Max Group Size: 8 |
| Landcost: $2,950 |
| Airline: Aprox. $990 RT USA |
| Rental Bike: Hybrid $120 |
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Click to Enlarge
ITINERARY BRIEF
0 Arrive Izmir
1 Ephesus to Priene
2 Priene to Milas
3 Milas to Bodrum
4 Bodrum
5 Bodrum to Marmaris
6 Marmaris to Dalyan
7 Dalyan to Fethiye
8 Fethiye to Kas
9 Kas
10 Kas to Olympus
11 Olympus to Antalya/Istanbul
12 Istanbul
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tombs
dating back to the times of Babylon. Turkey is not only at the cultural
and geographical crossroads of Europe and Asia, but also the ancient
and the modern worlds. We'll cycle through some of the most spectacular
scenery in the world: the transparent blue waters of the Aegean and
Mediterranean coastline, idyllic beach coves and lagoons, sparse countryside,
olive tree groves, green high-mountain forests, picturesque port towns
where yachts of the world congregate for the majestic "Blue Voyage,"and
through remote whitewashed villages with our bikes offering dramatic
sights seldom seen up close by other travelers.
We'll also see the
many ruins of the great civilizations that have built their stone cities
here. The "Turquoise Coast" is abundant with the magnificent legacies
of Greek and Roman cultures: towering Greek columns, Roman amphitheaters
and entire city ruins are among the most numerous and well preserved
in the world. We'll pause to explore the temple of Apollo, the ruins
of Caunos, the tombs of Amyntas, the picturesque bays of Phaselis where
Alexander the Great summered, Tarsus, Perge, Caesareia, Miletus. and
Ephesus -- the greatest Roman archaeological site of them all where
St. Paul was born, preached, and lived.
Finally we'll return
to Istanbul, a city unequaled in historical import. This modern day
metropolis is a wonder to behold, with its timeless bazaars, mosques,
treasure-filled museums, aqueducts and maze of streets reflecting an
incredibly rich history. Is it Europe? It looks like it, but the mesmerizing
call to prayer echoing at sunset across the city from Istanbul's over
500 mosques will make you think otherwise. Last, but not least - pleasure
will be found in the company of the Turkish people, known for their
fierce hospitality and less so for their world-class cuisine.
Turkish cuisine
has never gotten the attention it deserves as one of the world's finest.
One of our here unnamed guides argues it even better than Italian.
The delicious variety of sweets, salads, fruits, grilled meat dishes,
and soups reflect an empire that spanned from Northern Africa, to the
Balkans, the Middle East and into Europe as far as Vienna. We will
indulge in a variety of delicious and regional specialties, including
stuffed peppers and grape leaves, cheese borek, fresh tomatoes
and olives, feta cheese, grilled kebabs, rice pilav,
figs, sweet baklava, pudding and cakes accompanied by Ephesus
beer, a glass of Turkish wine, silted coffee, apple tea and raki— the
national, anise-flavored alcoholic drink that is shaken, not stirred.
Although disguised as a cycling tour, the bikes are merely there to
work up enough appetite to enjoy the fabulous Turkish
cuisine! And
enjoy you will, we eat at what we feel are the best restaurants to
be found
(you
should
not plan on losing weight).
Accommodations are at the finest
hotels and pensions.
On the bike, this
tour is designed for intermediate to advanced cyclists. The daily mileage
is higher than our other tours and there are only two "rest" days
on the itinerary. However, there will be a long and short riding option
at the day's start and our bus will always be nearby when legs give
out. Mileage listed below is maximum distance for the day, however
there are options for extended riding on the shorter days. There is
always time for swimming, sunning, a traditional Turkish bath, wandering
local sites and diversions and, of course, eating.
Note: all the images
below and the others you can click to view were all taken
during these tours.
For those with
more time, we recommend visiting Cappadocia.
For those who wish to make a side-trip to see the lunar
landscape of
Cappadocia, we can arrange a post-tour 3-day itinerary for you through
an experienced local operator.
For information on
travel to nearby Greek islands, including Rhodes, please see our information
page.
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