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Turkey Road Cycling: Itinerary
Day 0: Arrive Izmir, Turkey

Beyazit Mosque, Istanbul
Hoşgeldiniz! Welcome to Turkiye! Afternoon arrival in Izmir and after visa processing and customs, meet guide and transfer to small, rural village near Ephesus... shh, our secret ; ). After brief introductions and orientation over a delicious plates of mezes (appetizers, roughly) we'll drive over to the next town for a Turkish Bath (hamam), an incredibly soothing experience and perfect jet-lag cure. Back in the village, an amazing first Turkish dinner (with some rest in there somewhere). Overnight at a modest village not normally frequented by tourists in an artful pansiyon.
Day 1: Ephesus (Selcuk) to Priene, 22 miles

Cycling to Ephesus (Efus)
Ephesus, or "Efus," was the premier Ionian trading center, eventually emerging as a de facto Roman capitol and is now of course one of the world's greatest archeological sites. The ruins here are well-preserved with entire streets of marble etched by carts and footsteps nearly two thousand years ago. The large theater and Temple of Artemis remain much as they did in their 4th-Century grandeur and the Celsus Library (above left) is a famous structure you will undoubtedly recognize. After our tour of Ephesus we will lunch and then cycle to Priene, another town noted for remarkable ruins, our stopover for the night.
Day 2: Priene to Milas, 55 miles

On the side country road to Pinarcik we will stop to wander three astonishing sites: Priene with its classic Ionian architecture and stunning hillside views of the beautiful countryside; Miletus, which houses the finest remaining example of an ancient Roman theater; and Didyma, home of the astonishing Temple of Apollo. We'll later ride around the striking rock formations to our accommodation at modest Turkish pension in a small fishing village on Bafa Lake, to enjoy a fresh-catch dinner with local dishes after this long day of biking.

Priene
Day 3: Milas to Bodrum, 51 miles
Cycling scenic back roads to Milas and then out towards the coast to Bodrum, with a side stop at the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Euromos to see the Temple of Zeus. A small agricultural town, Milas was at one time the capital of the Caria Kingdom, its ancient walls and gates still standing. With a picturesque port, crusader castle and sailing center, Bodrum is base for many international yachts beginning the "Blue Voyage." It is also a major party destination for Europeans (including the largest disco in the world). After a fresh seafood dinner, sightseeing along the busy promenade.
Day 4: Bodrum

The Turquoise Ocean

A day off the bike, sailing and swimming on the warm, blue waters of the Turquoise Coast or free time to explore the town and castle ruins on your own. We'll sail from Bodrum's port, a gathering point of yachts from around the world, onto scenic Gokova Bay and periodically stopping to dive into the warm water for swimming. Delicious seafood lunch and mezes onboard.

 

Afternoon free to stroll the busy boardwalk, cafes, sweet shops and the ruins of a waterfront crusader castle. As the sun sets, we'll enjoy a delicious banquet of local dishes underneath the main mosque.

For those with boundless energy, the boardwalk shops, cafes and discos stay open late into the night.

Day 5: Bodrum to Marmaris (via the hilly Datca Peninsula), 63 miles

Biking the Scenic Datca Peninsula
After breakfast, we take the morning ferry from Bodrum to the tip of the Datca Peninsula. The spectacular scenery of this ride is the some of the finest in Turkey, enhanced by a newly paved road with little traffic. Rolling hills twist and wind around spectacular views of the ocean on both sides, and through the surrounding pine forests. Our destination, Marmaris, is a popular resort town with a large promenade on the bay like Bodrum that we'll explore during the evening after our seafood dinner overlooking the bay.
Day 6: Marmaris to Dalyan, 48 miles (with hills)

Marmaris on the Sea
This morning we'll transfer by van outside Marmaris' busy roads to a quiet country road to begin our cycling. On our way, stopping at a Turkish tea house and natural hot spring waters, where the Sultans enjoyed the baths nearly 500 years ago. After afternoon arrival, free to relax or visit the ancient city Kaunos with the unique rock thumbs from the Lycian period. Dinner at the river with a view over the lighted rock tombs. The views of the ocean and surrounding mountains is wonderful. Most of our route is devoid of towns, broken up by small villages and occasional ruins and mosques. Nearby mud baths and hot springs are also close by which we will enjoy if time permits.
Day 7: Dalyan to Fethiye, 38 miles (optional for longer riding)

Short day riding towards the coast with one long climb, and beautiful pine forest mountain riding, skirting the large lagoon near Fethiye. Our hotel has a scenic view of the lake. After arrival, shower, change and drive to the eerie ghost town Kayakoy, abandoned by Greeks in the 1920s following the Greco-Turkish War and which to this day remains uninhabited.

 

In the afternoon, we'll hike up to the tomb of Amyntas, which dates back to 350 BC.

Day 8: Fethiye to Kas, 56 miles

Road nearing Kas

If can rise early, there is an optional parasailing adventure for you which begins on the high-mountain range near town soaring from the cliffs back to town. Today, a long, mostly flat ride with one long climb, we'll bike past the ruins of several ancient cities, including Tlos, Pinara, and Xanthos.

 

The last twenty miles are spectacular cycling along the Lycian coast on the winding road and out of white-cliff bays overlooking the ocean (right). Kas is a quant harbor town nestled into a cove beneath the large, coastal mountain range, one of Turkey's most picturesque settings.

Day 9: Kas

Ancient Lycian Tombs
After breakfast, boat trip from Kas over sunken cities visible through the aqua blue waters around Kekova Island. Swimming over the ruins and lunch onboard. Stop at Kale, a small, picturesque fishing village beneath ruins of a medieval castle and covered with Lycian tombs (left) offering stunning views of the bays and islands. In the afternoon we'll explore the charming seaport.
Day 10: Kas to Olympus, 62 miles (many hills)

High Over Kas
Our winding route affords great views of the Mediterranean's turquoise waters and coves. The long climb out of Kas offers panoramic views of the coast as we head back into the hills, regrouping for an outdoor lunch in a beautiful high mountain valley. A long descent brings us back to the coast and past Kale (where the legend of St. Nicholas was born). After another long climb, we eventually descend into the magical setting of Olympus, located in a deep gorge on the banks of a small river on the coast. Our hotel is set beneath the mountain peaks.
Day 11: Olympus to Antalya/Istanbul, 35 miles
Cycling Turkey
Kaputas Beach

Morning riding through the thickly forested, rocky Beydaglari Mountains to Phaselis, a remarkably pristine Roman port. After an optional dip in the bay beneath the ruins, we will make a short drive to Antalya, one of the most beautiful cities on the Mediterranean coast. Antalya an important port in ancient and modern times. Although now a large, modern city, Antalya preserves much of its medieval old town.

 

Afternoon free to explore Antalya's sites. After dinner, an evening, one-hour flight to Istanbul.

Day 12, Istanbul

Aya Sofia

Istanbul at last! Enough pedaling, it's time to explore the most fascinating city in the world. On this day, a comprehensive exploration (mostly by foot) of the largest city in Europe, highlighting the majestic historical sites scenically overlooking the Bosphorus and Sea of Marmara, including the holiest of holies — Aya Sofia (right), the stunning Byzantine basilica built in the 4th century by the Emperor Justinian.

 

We'll also explore the exquisitely tiled Blue Mosque, built in 1616 and renowned for its 22,000 blue Iznik tiles, and the grand Topkapi Palace — the Imperial residence of the Ottoman Sultans from the 15th to the 19th century, and home to the Sultans and their harems. It is the oldest and largest of the remaining palaces in the world, well known for its lavish gold, silver and jewel collections, its jeweled throne room and its 400 room harem pavilion. Throughout are exquisite Iznik tiles. Built on one of the seven hills of Istanbul, this huge complex has panoramic views of the Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn.

 


The Bosporus

We'll end our tour at the Grand Bazaar, the largest Oriental shopping center in the world with 65 streets, 18 gates and 3,000 shops all under one roof. Following our return to the hotel for a quick rest and a change, we will have our farewell dinner just after the evening call to prayer at one of Istanbul's finer restaurants.



Depart Istanbul (or stay longer)

The Blue Mosque
We encourage you to stay on at least an additional day or two after the tour for exploring more of Istanbul, such as the Taksim area — a hip section of the city with the world's shortest underground railway — taking cruise on the Bosphorus, or simply wandering Istanbul's small, winding cobbled streets that are a from a time long ago. Hearing the call to prayer from Istanbul's over five hundred mosques from the hotel roof garden is not to be missed.

CUSTOM TOURS: Almost all of our tours are private, custom ones for two or more people. Contact us for more information.