Self-drive tour in Turkey from Istanbul to Bodrum

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Arrival in Istanbul

  

  Welcome upon arrival at Istanbul airport. Transfer to the hotel and information meeting. http://www.hotelcentrumistanbul.com/

• day 2

  Istanbul (breakfast)

  

  We begin our visit on foot, setting out as if for a hike through History, from our hotel located in the historic center. We are visiting Byzantium, Constantinople, and contemporary Istanbul together. During the Roman Empire (from –27 to 395), the most important political events of BYZANTIUM took place in the Hippodrome Square (built by Septimius Severus in the year 203), scattered with victory trophies. Festivals and dramas of the Roman era (until 324) and the Byzantine era (until 1453), and even the Ottoman era, took place there, at the very heart of the city. Just a few steps from there, we will enter the Blue Mosque (or Sultan Ahmet Mosque), surrounded by its 6 minarets, built in 1615 to celebrate the victory of the Islamic armies over the Byzantines. It was a student of the great architect Sinan who decided on its volume, its tiered domes, its 20,000 blue faience tiles, all set in gardens of cypresses, carnations, and tulips. A square to cross and we will enter HAGIA SOPHIA. Justinian, the successor of the Roman emperor Constantine, decided in the year 535 to have a church built that was larger and more sumptuous than the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem, and worthy of the "New Rome." He had the temples of Delphi, Athens, and Ephesus (including the Artemision, one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world) dismantled and used columns, marble slabs, and other precious materials to build, under an astonishing architectural feat (the immense dome, which remained unmatched for a long time), his basilica, an emblematic monument of Istanbul. A great moment of our visit... Istanbul being built on 7 hills, we head straight south towards the shore of the Sea of Marmara. Crossing a popular and typical neighborhood, we can visit Little Hagia Sophia, also founded under Justinian. This great builder of so many churches was also the sinister orchestrator of the massacre of 30,000 of his subjects in the Hippodrome Square, during the Nika revolt, in 532. A well-deserved Istanbul dinner, and a good night at the hotel. In the afternoon, we continue our visit at the TOPKAPI PALACE, the former residence of the Ottoman sultans. This immense estate consists of gardens, impressive buildings erected over the centuries, kiosks and pavilions, ceremonial halls with rich decorations, collections of treasures of all kinds (jewelry, clothing, relics, porcelain, furniture...), fountains and statues, centuries-old trees and flowered lawns: a vast and surprising estate located above the entrance to the Bosphorus. The harem will make some dream, while others will pale at the sight of jewels piled up as if at random in barely guarded rooms. Some will appreciate greeting a few hairs from the beard of the Prophet Muhammad, or his cloak which sits next to the staff that Moses used to part the Red Sea, or some bones that belonged to Saint John the Baptist. Embroidered garments, silks and Chinese porcelain, the Divan room from where the Ottoman Empire was administered... A visit overflowing with curiosities and strong memories... From TOPKAPI, go down and walk along the Bosphorus towards the bridge spanning the Golden Horn, to reach the EGYPTIAN MARKET or SPICE MARKET, opposite the Golden Horn. A profusion of scents and colors. We can then go back up towards Hagia Sophia and head right towards the Grand Bazaar, a true Ali Baba's cave where everyone can find the gift and souvenir of their dreams. Dinner in one of the many restaurants before the Hippodrome. http://www.hotelcentrumistanbul.com/

• day 3

  Istanbul - Bursa (153 km)

  

  In the morning, provision of the rental car (economy class). Crossing the Sea of Marmara by ferry and driving to Bursa, founded in the 3rd century BCE by Prusias I, king of Bithynia. Conquered in 1326 by Sultan Orhan Gazi, who made it the first capital of the Ottoman Empire, Bursa was embellished with monuments marking the emergence of a new Turkish architecture blending Persian, Seljuk, and Byzantine influences. This heritage adds to the tranquil charm of the province and offers the opportunity to discover the oriental art of living. Stroll through the upper town, still surrounded by its Roman and Byzantine walls, to visit the Muradiye religious complex, which includes a mosque, a madrasa, and the first necropolis of the Ottoman imperial family, with its eleven princely mausoleums. Then, on the hillside, discover the Green Mosque and the Green Mausoleum, whose tiles are signed by the masters of Tabriz. Finally, wander through the bazaar and its caravanserais.

• day 4

  Bursa - Çanakkale (274 km)

  

  Breakfast & Dinner In the morning, after returning the car, you will head to the Gallipoli peninsula. Visiting Eceabat, Alçıtepe, and Seddülbahir is a different and enriching experience throughout the year, but there is a specific date when many Australians or people with Australian ancestors come to the region to remember those they lost, far from home. Every year, on April 24 and 25, people from Turkey, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and France organize Anzac Day services on the Gallipoli peninsula to honor the soldiers who fell during this fierce battle. These days include a dawn service in memory of the missing and a guided tour of Gallipoli to understand where and under what conditions these soldiers fought. Ferry crossing to the city of Çanakkale. Arrival and departure by bus to our hotel located in Güzelyalı, near the sea. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. http://www.irisotel.com/

• day 5

  Çanakkale - Troy - Pergamon (245 km)

  

  Breakfast & Dinner In the morning, you will be able to visit Troy. A beautiful guided tour of this exceptional site. We will experience a great moment at the center of this week "TROY AND ISTANBUL." HOMER (8th century BCE) recounts in the epic of the "ILIAD" the famous TROJAN WAR (the city he called "ILION") which is said to have taken place around 1250 BCE. Modern archaeologists, in the 20th century, discovered at least 9 successive eras in 5,000 years of occupation of this exceptional site. During our guided tour (we will take our time), we will go back in time and discover under our feet the remains of these different eras: paved alleys, theater, houses, palaces, temples... Before recalling the story of the TROJAN WAR according to the History written by Homer, let us listen to Ovid describe the cause of this war according to Greek mythology: The 3 most beautiful Greek goddesses (Aphrodite, Athena, and Hera) (whom the Romans would identify with their own goddesses: Venus, Juno, and Pallas) decide to compete to find out which of the 3 is actually the most beautiful. The contest will be held on Mount Ida (100 km southeast of Troy), territory belonging to the Troad whose king is Priam. And it is Paris, the son of Priam, who must give the trophy to the divine winner. The very cunning goddess Aphrodite makes a secret deal with Paris: if he gives her the first prize, she promises him the love of the most beautiful of mortals, a certain Helen, wife of the Athenian king Menelaus. Paris is immediately convinced and, thanks to Aphrodite to whom he solemnly gave the first beauty prize on Mount Ida, manages to find Helen in Greece, abduct her, and bring her to his father, the king of Troy, where he takes refuge with his captive. Furious, Menelaus asks his ally Agamemnon, Achaean king of Mycenae, to help him recover his wife. Agamemnon sails with his troops to Troy and begins a siege that will last 9 years. The Trojans will receive help from Sarpedon, king of the Lycians, and Aeneas, son of the goddess Aphrodite herself, but will eventually be defeated by Agamemnon. Knowing the Trojans' love for horses, he had a gigantic wooden horse built, hid strong armed heroes inside it including Achilles, Ajax... and offered it to his enemy Priam, surprised and no doubt tired. Priam had one of the city gates widened and foolishly let the enemy into the city... Helen, thus escaping Paris, could then return to Greece. That was 3,250 years ago... After the visit, you will head to Bergama. Visit Pergamon, an astonishing and superb three-level city, rival of Alexandria in Greek and Roman times. Dinner and overnight in Pergamon. 2 hours of urban hiking. http://hotelhera.com

• day 6

  Bergama - Selçuk (Ephesus) - 3 hours by road

  

  Breakfast & Dinner Crossing IZMIR (burned in 1922) and arrival at EPHESUS. Ephesus is the best-preserved ancient Greco-Roman city (over 2,000 years old) in the Eastern Mediterranean; it is undoubtedly here that one best understands what a Roman city was like. The capital of the Roman Province of Asia had nearly 250,000 inhabitants and prided itself on being the "first and greatest metropolis of Asia." It was cherished and embellished by successive emperors who left monuments that our visit will allow us to appreciate. It was in SELÇUK, at the site of the original EPHESUS (before the silting up of the bay and the relocation of the capital closer to the sea), that stood the "Artemision," the temple dedicated to Artemis, listed among the 7 wonders of the Ancient World, and destroyed by Emperor Justinian in the 5th century to build, with its columns, the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. The silting up of the port once again ended all trade, and EPHESUS was finally abandoned in the 4th century in favor of BYZANTIUM. Dinner and overnight in Selçuk/Ephesus. 2h30 guided tour (on foot!). http://www.kalehan.com/

• day 7

  Priene - Miletus - Didyma - Lake Bafa

  

  Breakfast & Dinner In the morning, you will head towards Priene and Miletus. Visit the Greek and Roman cities of Priene, Miletus, and the Temple of Apollo at Didyma. After the visit, you have a 1-hour drive south and you arrive at the edge of Lake Bafa, itself formed by the silting up of the ancient bay into which the Meander River flows. This lake is dominated by Mount Latmos (1375 m), whose rugged shape earned it the nickname, given by the Turks, of "Five Fingers Mountain." 2200 years ago (in Roman times), the Meander River had not yet closed off this deep bay with its alluvium, which continues to fill in little by little. It was cut off from the Aegean Sea and became this magnificent brackish lake. The whole area (mountain and lake) has recently become a strictly protected natural park. Many species of birds, some very rare, are now safe here: pelicans, flamingos, cranes, cormorants, ducks, storks, and other migratory birds. In the lake, eels, mullets, and pikes are still fished. The surrounding nature is wild, featuring grandiose chaos of ochre rocks. Humans settled very early in the caves of Mount Latmos and left traces and paintings there that archaeologists date back 11,000 years (cave paintings that we will go see). Then, 3,000 years ago, the Carians in turn discovered this remote place and built their villages there. Under King Mausolus, they created the port of Heraclea, which became commercially important until silting cut it off from the sea and prevented ships from docking. In the 7th century AD, a large colony of monks (300), driven from Sinai by the Arabs colonizing Egypt and Palestine, stopped here during their flight. The site is grandiose, wild, and very beautiful, and offered them a safe shelter in the caves of this rugged mountain overlooking the lake. They built many fortified monasteries and left many Byzantine paintings in the caves and fortified convents that we will visit. It is in spring that nature is most beautiful here, but outside of summer (intense heat), a stay on the shores of Lake Bafa is pleasant almost all year round thanks to the mild temperature at this latitude and the proximity of the Aegean Sea. Arrival at the village of Kapıkırı. You take possession of your rooms by the lake, in the village of Kapıkırı, where rural life will enchant us: many donkeys, cows, and geese, etc. Local cuisine with olive oil and mountain herbs; fish from the lake, vegetables from the garden, raw milk from the village, honey... Dinner by the lake and a quiet night. http://selenespansion.com/

• day 8

  Visit to ancient Heraclea and hike on Mount Latmos (4-hour hike)

  

  Breakfast, picnic & dinner Departure for the hike with a local guide from your hotel. The village of Kapiriki replaced the ancient Heraclea, and everywhere there are remains that are 2,400 years old: the ramparts (to the north of the village) which are nearly 7 km long and were guarded by 65 towers or keeps, some of which still remain. On the agora of Heraclea, the current village school was built without much concern, but a plan of the ancient city helps us understand its layout. Going down towards the lakeshore, you reach the temple of Athena (3rd century BCE) standing on a small promontory. And on the lakeshore, many Carian tombs carved into the huge rocks are only a part of the immense necropolis of Latmos (more than 2,500 tombs have been recorded by archaeologists!). Climbing back up from the lakeshore, we make a loop on the slopes of Mount Latmos (2-hour hike) to admire the fantastic landscape and discover other traces of this eventful past. 4 hours of walking. Dinner by the lake and a peaceful night. http://selenespansion.com/

• day 9

  Bodrum - Return

  

  Breakfast And there you go, after a wonderful stage, return your vehicle at BODRUM airport and return to your country with good memories. Breakfast * This one-week itinerary is specially designed for an in-depth discovery of Istanbul and the Aegean Coast.