Ancient and Classical Turkey

• Glorious mix of gentle strolls and sightseeing, with expert archaelogical walking guide
• Fascinating historic sites: Cultural Capital Istanbul, legendary Troy and ancient Ephesus
• Colourful bazaars, bustling fish markets, lively harbour fronts
• Lovely hotels - private swimming pools at Assos and Bodrum

This gentle walking and sightseeing holiday takes you to the best of Turkey's archaeological sites. Our tour begins in Istanbul or Constantinople - once both Emperor Constantius' 'New Rome' and the glittering Ottoman capital of mosques and minarets. Here we'll visit the incomparable Blue Mosque, Moorish Topkapi Palace and explore the colourful bazaars and bustling fish markets. By ferry across the Sea of Marmara, we drive along the Aegean Coast to legendary Troy. Heading inland via the ancient hilltop city of Pergamon we reach Ephesus. The most well preserved ancient city after Pompeii, its Temple of Artemis was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Our tour then winds back towards the coast past the monumental Temple of Apollo at Didyma whose mighty marble columns have remained standing since antiquity to finish in the elegant harbour town of Bodrum - site of King Mausolus' tomb, the Mausoleum - and another wonder of the ancient world.

Travelling at a leisurely pace with an expert archaeological and walking guide, we combine visits to these famous sites with some gentle walks. At Troy, we stroll along a coastal path that offers incomparable views over the Gallipoli peninsula. In the hills above Ephesus, we wind through olive and almond groves to discover the whitewashed village of Sirince. Near Didyma, we follow a limestone path bright with heliotropes and narcissus by Lake Bafa where we may spot flamingos and herons.

All the hotels we stay in along the way have their own charm. But favourites have to be our converted stone warehouse in the ancient Greek harbour of Assos and our elegant hillside hotel in Bodrum that enjoys stunning castle views from its infinity swimming pool.