After a drive along the coast between the Taurus mountains and the Mediterranean sea you arrive at Cagagzi or Ucagiz marina in Demre. Embark in a typical wooden boat for around a one and half hour cruise, take in the ruins of the sunken city in Kekova. The shoreline is strewn with ancient ruins of entire towns partly immersed in the waters. Enjoy the opportunity of a swimming break (season and weather permitting) to cool down.

Onto the ancient city of Myra where you can see the ancient Greek amphitheatre and amazing rock tombs of the Lycian Kings. Myra was one of the most important port cities of the Lycian civilisation and an important centre of religion.
Nearby is Demre where we visit the Church of St Nicholas, the most important sight in the area and the real home of Father Christmas (Santa Claus). In the last few years the frescos have been repaired and the artwork retouched.

 

Program:

*Pick up from hotel  08:00
*Visiting Myra ancient city
*Getting on the boat, visiting sunken city, Kekova island and break for swimming
*Taking off the boat and lunch
*Visiting Myra St. Nicholas Church
*Departure from Myra
*Back your hotel  18:00 – 19:00

 
Tour Fee Including:

 
Excluding: Drinks
 

 

Saint Nicholas, born in Patara in the second half of the 3rd century A.D. and the Bishop ofMyra, was beatified after his death and became the most popular Saint of Tsarist Russia and other European countries.
 
The Church of Saint Nicholas, its important architectural style and ornamentation in Byzantine art, is the finest example from the Middle Byzantine Period. The fact that Myra (Demre) was the capital of the Lycian province in the 5th century A.D. and the Archbishop of Myra was the second highest religious authority in Anatolia played an important role in increasing reputation of the city after the death of Saint Nicholas. The people of Myra built a monument and then a big basilica in the name of the Saint after his death. Within the same period a big church was built in Istanbul in the name of St. Nicholas. The basilica in Myra suffered a lot from earthquakes and invasions in the 8th century and was rebuilt as a domed church in the 9th century. The later additions were made in the 11th century during the Middle Byzantine Period. It is known that the most important restoration was carried out by order of Emperor Constantine IX, who became the emperor in 1042 and his wife Zoe. Most of the wall paintings and floor mosaics date well back to this period.

The antique city of Myra, in the district center of Demre and surroundings, was built on a plain of the same name. The sea was connected to the city by a canal constructed to the west of the Myros River (today called the Demre River). The port of Andriake (Çayağzı) on the other end of the canal was the centre for access to the sea and trade. The antique city of Myra is famous for its Lycian rock-cut tombs, for its Roman theatre and for the Church of Saint Nicholas (Santa Claus) dating back to the Byzantine period.
 
The rock tombs, Lycian inscriptions and coins show that Myra was settled from at least the 5th century B.C. According to Strabon, Myra was one of the six leading cities of the Lycian League, and was then named Myrrh in Lycian inscriptions. The 2nd century A.D. was a period of great development in Myra. Many buildings were constructed and restored by the rich Lycians in the city which was the Metropolis of the Lycian League. During the Byzantine period Myra was the leading city of the region for religion and administration. It achieved its popularity through the Church of Saint Nicholas, which was built for Saint Nicholas (Santa Claus) who was the Bishop of the city in the 4th century A.D. Myra lost its importance after the 7th century, a consequence of earthquakes, floods with alluvial silt deposited by the river and because of the Muslims coastal raids; and in consequence was reduced to county status after the 12th century. Its remaining consists of a theatre to the south of the acropolis and rock-cut tombs on both sides of the theatre. Inspections have shown that -except for the erecting, firmly built walls from the Roman period- other wall remains dating from the Hellenistic period and even from the 5th century B.C. can be found on top of the acropolis and thereabouts.
 

 
This is a day trip to well known Pamphylian cities Perge and Aspendos.

Perge was the capital city of Pamphylia , a vast Roman province, with a combination of Roman, Greek and Byzantine cultures. See the best preserved Roman Baths in Anatolia, the Agora, Colonnaded Street, Nymphaion and a Stadium with a capacity of 12000.

After Perge we move onto Aspendos, which was one of the most important cities of  Pamphylia which was the original name of the Antalya region. Aspendos theatre is one of the best preserved Roman amphitheatre on the Asian continent. Built into a steep hillside and big enough to host 15000 people, this vast semicircular edifice was used to stage plays in second century A.D. It's perfect acoustics means that it is still used today for operas and ballet festivals. After visiting the amphitheatre you can experience the amazing engineering of the city's high aqueduct near the Eurymedon river.

We will also visit the Kursunlu waterfalls situated between the two sites, the source of which is the highlands of the Taurus mountains. Kursunlu is also a national park and a good place for relaxing.

 

Program:

*Pick up from hotel  08:00
*Visiting Kursunlu Waterfall
*Visiting Perge
*Lunch
*Visiting Aspendos
*Back your hotel  18:00 – 19:00

 
Tour Fee Including:

 
Excluding: Drinks
 
 
PERGE Archeological Site

 
The city of Perge is 17 km east of Antalya city centre, within the borders of Aksu. It is not only the most organized part of the region but also for the whole of Anatolia. Its sculpture is as popular as its architecture. The important monumental structures of the city have been discovered through excavations made by the University of Istanbul since 1946 and due to the finds of sculptures Antalya Museum has one of the richest collections of Roman sculpture. Historians considered Perge was founded at the end of the Trojan wars (1275 B.C) but a Hittite tablet mentioning Perge was found in 1986 showing the city was established before the Trojan wars.
 
According to philological evidence, the city was a settlement from 3 thousand B.C. Some ceramic and stone finds indicate that the history of settlement extends back in time to the Early Bronze Age. The first settlement in the city was on the plateau to the north. The city developed and expanded in time over the southern plain. Perge, on the antique road which begins in Bergama (Pergamum) and ends at Side, owes its importance and development to the Aksu (Kestros) river. The river which is not the same today, played an important role bringing rich alluvial soil providing an important means of access to the city. It is known that Saint Paul and his companians sailed from the harbor at Paphos on Cyprus to Perge. The integration of the city and the river is indicated by depictions on coins, reliefs and the depiction of the River God (Kestros) in a sculpture on the monumental nymphaeum at the base of the south hillside of the acropolis. The most famous citizen of Perge was Apollonius of Perge, known for his astronomical, geometrical and mathematical ability. The second most famous person who lived in Perge during the 2nd century A.D. was the philosopher Varus. Although many Gods and Goddesses were worshipped at Perge, Artemis held a special place and importance. Artemis, whose roots are deep in ancient history, was called Wanessa-Preiia (Queen of Perge) in the local language and she was the main Goddess of the city. The cult of the Goddess Artemis Pergaia spread to neighboring countries, she was even worshipped overseas. The Artemis temple, often characterized by its beauty, size and magnificent architecture was built on top of a high hill and its location remains today as a mystery. From excavations and investigations it is clear that Perge experienced three bright periods. The first, during the Hellenistic period (2nd - 3rd centuries B.C.) represented by the great walls and towers which still partly stand today. The second was during the Roman Empire in the 2nd and 3rd centuries A.D. represented by monumental structures which are still largely standing today, the theatre, stadium, bath houses, monumental fountains and agora. The last bright period was during the Christian period in the 5th and 6th centuries A.D. During this period the city was a metropolitan centre and many churches were constructed. The fact that the people of Perge showed no resistance to and welcomed Alexander the Great when he invaded the area in 333 B.C. was because they had no walls to protect the city.
 
 
ASPENDOS Archeological Site

 
Aspendos is located at 2nd km of the way turns to the north from 44th km of Antalya-Alanya highway and it is known for the best preserved Roman Age theater of Mediterranean World. The city was founded on the hill plane close to one of the biggest rivers of the region Köprüçay (Antique Eurymedon). The coins minted in 5. Century B.C. named Estvediys. The name, Anatolian-origin, is the evidence that the city was a settlement all along.
 
Today, the theater and waterways are visited in Aspendos where it owes to the river, thereby to benign around about its own development and transportation with Mediterranean. Ruins of the other structures belong to the city are situated in the level of the hill where the theater is based on. Aspendos Theater is one of the most elite representative of Roman Age theaters in present day with both its' own architectural features and preservation. The structure, dedicated to the Gods and the Emperors of the era, presents the latest end points of Roman Age architecture and construction practices. Aspendos Theater, one of magnificent structures of its period, was able to take 7.000 -8.000 people. It was built by architecture Zeno, son of Theodoras, in the period of Emperor Marcus Aurelius (A.C. 161-180). It is understood from the inscriptions at both side of entrance in Latin and Greek that it was made by two rich brothers named Curtius Crispinus and Curtius Auspicatus.
 

 
Rafting tour starts at the Koprulu River, where crystal clear water flows gently through the magnificent landscape of Koprulu Canyon National Park. The expert rafting guides brief the group on National Park safety procedures, and use of equipment. Participants may choose between an inflatable canoe or raft. Canoes offer a more active rafting trip. No previous rafting experience is necessary. Rafts hold 8-9 people and are manned by a river guide. Lunch is provided with a stop off during the rafting circuit.

 

Program:

 
Tour Fee Including:

Excluding: Drinks