Rated one of the world’s ‘Top Ten Learning Retreats’, and one of ‘The 100 Best Worldwide Vacations to Enrich Your Life’ by National Geographic
St Peter’s Castle, Bodrum
For more than 2,000 years Alexander the Great has excited the imagination of people around the globe. This archaeological tour is a unique opportunity to retrace his footsteps in Turkey, the first leg of his extraordinary 22,000 mile journey.
Join this remarkable historical adventure with Peter Sommer, who in 1994 walked 2,000 miles across Anatolia, from Troy to the battlefield of Issus, retracing Alexander the Great’s march. Who better to lead you on Alexander’s route than someone who has walked the entire distance!
“Peter was the ideal person to help produce our In the Footsteps of Alexander the Great TV series for the BBC/PBS. Our particular style of documentary making leans heavily on understanding history by following in its footprints. Peter had worn out 4 pairs of boots doing just that on Alexander’s trail. Who better to show you how the conqueror’s story unfolded and how the locations helped mould the legend.” David Wallace, Director, In the Footsteps of Alexander the Great
Travelling back through time we’ll delve into Alexander’s personality and the lives of the people that inhabited his tumultuous world.
On this epic archaeological voyage, we’ll discover the history and architecture of the cities on his route. Troy, where Alexander ran naked around Achilles’ tomb. Ephesus, one of the best preserved classical cities in the world. Termessus, a rocky eyrie that said ‘no’ to Alexander the Great and got away with it.
We’ll stroll along the sacred way to Apollo’s great oracular temple at Didyma, stand on Alexander’s hill at Sagalassos, from which he launched a bloody siege, and cruise on a gulet along Lycia’s timeless coast.
This inspirational historical tour is a tale of romance, war and power, an amazing expedition full of unforgettable vistas and historical highlights.
Won’t you join us for this once in a lifetime archaeological adventure?
Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul. Meet at the airport and transfer to hotel. Welcome drink and dinner.
Temple of Hadrian, Ephesus
Day 2: A day in the great metropolis of Istanbul, gateway between east and west. An introduction to the tour in the archaeological museum beside the Alexander Sarcophagus, followed by some of the greatest sites of the city.
Day 3: Follow the Marmara Sea to the mighty Hellespont. When Alexander the Great crossed he sacrificed to Poseidon and poured libations of wine to the spirits of the sea. We visit Achilles’ tomb on the plain of Troy, where Alexander paid homage to the hero, running naked anointed with oil. At the legendary city itself, we explore the ruins swathed in myth. At the great temple of Athena, the fabled shield of Achilles was presented to Alexander - it would save his life during a siege in India.
Day 4: A visit to Çanakkale’s splendid little archaeological museum then east into the hills. On the banks of the river Granicus Alexander nearly died in his first victory over the Persians. We examine the most likely location of the battle.
Day 5: A morning visit to Sardis where the imposing city of Croesus and the Lydian kings is being excavated. After lunch we see Ephesus’s marvellous archaeology museum, close to the Temple of Artemis, which reportedly burned down the night Alexander was born. We reach monumental Ephesus as the tourist buses depart.
Day 6: A morning to relax in Kusadasi, then we walk the stepped streets of Priene, virtually unchanged since Alexander the Great was here. To the south lay Miletus, which refused him entry. It became his first major siege and his first chance to try out a new weapon, the torsion catapult. The city was battered into submission.
Day 7: The temple of Apollo at Didyma remains one of the most spectacular of all monuments. It was here that Alexander’s ultimate victory over the Persians was prophesized. Beside the sea, we explore Iasus, one of the very prettiest sites in Turkey, where Alexander made a local boy, who swam with dolphins, priest of Poseidon.
Day 8: In Bodrum, birthplace of Herodotus, we visit the site of the celebrated Mausoleum of Halicarnassos, and the remains of the fortifications against which Alexander laid a desperate siege. We finish with a tour of the Castle of St. Peter.
Day 9: East to Xanthos, Lycia’s pre-eminent city, full of tombs, grand civic buildings and a vast church floored with mosaics. Some say Alexander sacked it as Brutus later did. Nearby we visit Letoön’s moody sanctuary, and at Kalkan transfer to our gulet.
Day 10: A chance to relax and swim aboard a traditional Turkish gulet, as we sail along Lycia’s turquoise coast. A perfect opportunity to reflect on Alexander’s navy, shipping in antiquity, and the ancient Mediterranean in general, while going ashore to see the remains of once grand cities.
Day 11: Beside soaring pine clad mountains we cruise to triple-harboured Phaselis: a city later renowned for possessing Achilles’ original spear, and for being a haunt for pirates. When Alexander arrived, they crowned him with golden wreaths. When he left he gambled on a short cut around the coast. Supposedly the sea parted in supplication, making way for his army.
Day 12: Visit Antalya’s archaeological museum housing one of the finest collections of ancient sculpture. Admire one of the world’s best preserved theatres at Aspendos and explore the acropolis where people shook at the very sight of Alexander the Great.
Day 13: Stroll the colonnaded streets of Perge, Alexander’s key regional base, with its marble baths, stadium and shops. Discover Termessos, perched high on a mountain, one of the few cities to say ‘no’ to Alexander and survive.
Day 14: A day to just relax - sit back and read a book, have a drink in a cafe and watch the world go by, or go exploring or shopping.
Day 15: Heading north we walk along an ancient stone road, once the main route to the central plateau. We visit Sagalassos where archaeological excavations are revealing a vast, impressive ancient city, captured by Alexander in a bloody siege.
The plains of Central Anatolia
Day 16: To Gordion, capital of ancient Phrygia, where we visit the tomb of King Midas. Here, Alexander cut the Gordion knot sparking a myth that foretold his rule over Asia. East to Ankara’s fabulous Museum of Anatolian Civilisations.
Day 17: South to Cappadocia, which Alexander put under the control of an Oriental, not wishing to waste time securing it. The area is a geological wonderland, full of fairy chimneys, rock-hewn churches, and underground cities.
Day 18: We retrace Alexander’s march south through the Taurus Mountains. Alexander hurried to seize Tarsus, rescuing it from burning by the Persians. Here he fell dangerously ill, spending several months in bed. All the while the Persian king mustered his forces nearby.
Alexander the Great close up in the Pompeii mosaic
Day 19: As tension mounts we follow the build-up to the great Battle of Issus. We explore the area and sites, like Kinet Hüyük (ancient Issus) now being excavated, that once reverberated with the Macedonian war-cry, and witnessed Alexander the Great charging at the head of his cavalry.
Day 20: Fly Adana to Istanbul.
Sat April 17 - Thur May 6 2010
20 DAYS
£3,725
Hotel Sing supp: £350
Boat Sing Supp: £450
Tour Price includes:
Full board accommodation
(hotels 3-5*, & high standard gulet)
All road transfers
All entrance fees
17 day excursions with Peter Sommer
