Along the southwestern edge of Turkey, you will trace one of the most storied landscapes in the world — it was a crossroads where civilization, faith, trade, innovation and art intertwined. You will walk in the steps of St. Paul in Ephesus, where Christianity took root, and stand by the imposing gymnasium in Sardis, where modern money was born and first coins were minted. Linking spiritual heritage and progress of civilization in the same remarkable landscape, both Ephesus and Sardis are among the Seven Churches of Revelation. Yet beside all this pomp and wonder, a tranquil life goes on — villages where life continues in its simplicity and grace, where families still weave rugs on traditional looms and farmers gather “immortal fruit” by hand as their ancestors did.
This itinerary is not only a journey through ruins and villages but one through the collective memory of humanity, sacred and ordinary, ancient and modern, all sharing the same sun and sea.
Tour Highlights
- Walk in the footsteps of St. Paul in Ephesus, where Christianity took root.
- Stand in Sardis, birthplace of money and one of the Seven Churches of Revelation.
- Visit Urla’s wine country — taste, tour, and enjoy a gourmet wine-paired lunch.
- Join farmers in an olive harvest and learn ancient pressing traditions.
- See prehistoric wall paintings at Kapıkırı Village, dating back to 6500 BCE.
- Experience Etrim Village life and lunch with fifth-generation weavers.
- Explore Bodrum’s Castle and the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus.
- Cruise the Dalyan marshes and hike to Caunos rock-cut tombs.
- Swim in Fethiye’s Blue Lagoon and visit Lycian cliff tombs.
- Sail above the sunken city of Simena on a glass-bottom boat.
Itinerary Details
Day 1: Welcome in waterfront İzmir
Arrive in the modern airport of ancient Smyrna. Meet your guide and driver, who will be waiting with your private vehicle at the airport, and together you will drive into the city. After settling in at your hotel, enjoy an orientation tour of Izmir including the exploration of the remnants of old Izmir (before the disastrous fire of 1922), the Agora, and stroll the waterfront promenade.
Sleep in Izmir (1 night).
Walking: light
Day 2: Ancient Sardis
Begin your day with a tour of the craggy site of Ancient Sardis, a great trading center where the idea of coins first caught on, home to the largest ancient synagogue in Asia Minor and an important biblical city, one of the churches Apostle John wrote to. In the afternoon, drive west for the delightful town of Çeşme, the westernmost point of Turkey. Before checking in at the hotel discover the town in an orientation walk.
Sleep in Çeşme, 3 nights.
Walking: Light
Day 3: Wine Country
A major thriving port in antiquity, Klazomenai, dating back to the Bronze Age has always been a winemaking center with its ideal climate, wind and sea, diverse and rich soils. Today, the heritage is carried on with indigenous varieties which are the ancestors of European wines. We will first visit the shipyard of 360 Historical Research Association, see life-size models of ancient ships, and learn how great distances were covered in these unique vessels. Later, we will visit an active winery, see it in action, taste delicious varieties and enjoy a gourmet lunch with wine pairing.
Walking: Light
Day 4: The Immortal Fruit
This morning, trace the legacy of the immortal tree and join the farmers in hand-picking olives. You will learn why the olive tree intertwines nature, spirituality, culture and has been considered sacred for thousands of years and across civilizations. Visiting the olive oil museum, we will learn about different kinds of olives and olive oils, and their economic value over history. Then, enjoy a gourmet olive oil lunch at the ranch. In the afternoon, visit ancient Klazomenai and see the oldest olive oil press discovered from 6th century BCE on the site.
Walking: Moderate
Day 5: Ephesus
The travel thrill today is a tour to the ancient city of Ephesus, one of the wealthiest cities in the ancient world. It also played a role in the formation of the early Christian Church, drawing the attention of the Apostle Paul. You'll take an extensive walking tour along the still-paved streets and remarkable ruins of Ephesus, including the dramatically-restored façade of its Library of Celsus, and impressive Roman villas.
Sleep in Kuşadası, 1 night.
Walking: Strenuous
Day 6: Nature hike and Prehistoria
Heading south, drive by the craggy Latmos Mountain range and Bafa Lake, now a nature preserve, was once a bay in the Aegean Sea, later landlocked by silt carried by Meander River. After it disconnected from the sea and transportation became difficult, rugged lakeside ancient Herakleia had become the hideout of early Christians and monks.
Walking through and from the rural Kapikiri village — protected as a cultural site —, you will see the prehistoric wall paintings that are dating back to 6500 BCE. Distinctly different from other prehistoric wall paintings, these display a focus on families rather than isolated humans or hunting scenes, families with children and the depiction of world’s first wedding are among the 170 identified so far.
Continuing to Bodrum, visit the remarkable Temple of Apollo, one of the most complete standing marble temples of the Hellenistic period.
Sleep in Bodrum, 3 nights
Walking: Strenuous
Day 7: A Day in the Village
Today, spend the day in the beautiful village of Etrim, tucked away in the hills not far from Bodrum. It is a living example of how tradition and perseverance can help a village thrive without giving in to the attraction of big-city migration. Instead of leaving, families here have stayed and protected their heritage, and in doing so, built a life that’s both satisfying and deeply rooted in tradition.
Not just a craft but a way of life, weaving has been passed down for generations. You’ll be welcomed by a local artisan whose family has been weaving here for over 500 years — yes, really! They’ll open their home to you, and you’ll get a firsthand look at what life is like in the village: the looms, the colors, the stories woven into each rug.
To top it off, you’ll sit down to enjoy a homemade lunch with the family—simple, local, and always heartfelt.
Walking: Light
Day 8: Wonders of the Ancient World
This morning we'll explore Bodrum's harbor-side Castle of St. Peter. Built by crusader knights, who were adept at recycling bits of Greek and Roman temples, the castle today is home to the Museum of Underwater Archaeology. You'll tour its outstanding collection of artifacts reclaimed from the sea, including a reconstructed sunken Roman ship. In the afternoon we'll wander to a wonder of the ancient world, touring the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus.
Walking: Moderate
Day 9: On to the Mediterranean
Say good-bye to the Aegean Coastline of Turkey and head towards the Mediterranean Coastline. Your first destination is Dalyan Sound and the nature preserve where you will take a boat trip in the marshes to explore the home where loggerhead turtles nest. You will make a stop to hike up to the Caunos ancient city and view the rock cut tombs. Sleep in Marmaris, 2 nights.
Walking: Moderate
Day 10: Vacation from your vacation
Vacation from your vacation. Take a day off for personal exploration, or rest at the beautiful deck of your hotel. You can enjoy the beautiful nature of Marmaris, or go beyond Turkey with a roundtrip ferry ride to Rhodes island!
Walking: None.
Day 11: The Lycian Coastline
Known as both the Lycian Coastline – named after the brilliant pre-Hellenistic civilization that called this area home -, or the Turquoise Coastline -due to the magical turquoise color of the sea-, this region is home to countless pretty coast towns, modern and ancient. In Fethiye, you will climb the cliffside to visit the best examples of Lycian Rock Cut Tombs, see and swim in the mesmerising Blue Lagoon.
Walking: strenuous
Day 12: Sunken Cities
On the last day of your tour, visit the Simena Ancient City off the Kekova island which sank due to earthquakes and landslides. For your discovery, you will cruise on glass-bottomed boats that will enable you to see the ruins. After a lunch on one of the Kekova islands, return to Fethiye.
Walking: light
Day 13: Tour over after breakfast
The nearby Dalaman airport has frequent flights to Istanbul and easy international connections. Whatever your final destination, we will help you get on the right track. Güle güle!
What’s included
- A certified SRM guide
- Private chauffeured vehicle
- Tolls, bridges, and parking
- Accommodations in selected hotels
- Lunches (2 gourmet lunches, one with wine tasting and pairing, other with an emphasis on olive oil dishes + one home lunch + one picnic + regular lunch)
- 2 dinners
- Admissions
- Fast-track
