Springtime in Pamphylia - a land based tour

Antalya’s fluted minaret, on Turkey’s south coast

This cultural tour and historical holiday in Turkey, based in Antalya, explores some of the most fascinating and best preserved archaeological sites in the world.

Hemmed between the sea and the mighty Taurus Mountains, the plain of Pamphylia gave rise to some large and particularly splendid classical cities. Set on fertile ground, and perfectly placed for local and international trade, this small strip of land became one of the most densely populated in the Roman Empire.

Timed to coincide with Turkey’s spectacular display of wildflowers in spring, this escorted tour on land promises to be a visual and cultural feast. Day trips take us from the stunning natural beauty of Phaselis, once the den of marauding pirates, now hidden amongst pine forest, to the mountain lair of Termessos, whose theatre sits high amongst the gods, on the edge of a cliff.

Boasting one of the best preserved aqueducts and Roman theatres in the world, Aspendos is but one of the special delights of this voyage into the past. Just a short distance from our hotel, we’ll travel to Perge to explore its magnificent stadium, colonnaded street, and baths. The statues that once decorated its buildings are now housed in the Antalya museum, a splendid treasure trove.

Turkey’s spring flowers are perhaps the finest in Europe

Our base is in a beautiful Special class characterful hotel in the ‘Kaleici’, the fortified old city surrounding Antalya’s vital harbour. Today the old city is a place of great charm, narrow streets lined with Ottoman mansions that have been carefully and lovingly restored. Throughout this cultural tour we’ll enjoy fabulously fresh Turkish food, from exquisite dinners in fine restaurants, to beautiful picnics on the ancient sites.

This is a holiday in Turkey to stimulate and inspire. It will take you deep into its ancient past on a magnificent archaeological adventure.

Swathes of poppies adorn Turkey’s archaeological sites in the spring

Day 1: Arrive Antalya airport on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast. Transfer to hotel, about 30 mins away in the old city.

Day 2: The journey back in time begins with a walk around Antalya’s old town, then out to Sillyon, a once significant city, now wild and devastated by earthquakes.

Day 3: South to Phaselis, by boat provided there’s good weather. We stroll the main street past a series of markets, where Phaselite merchants earned a reputation for dastardly ways.

Day 4: West to Arykanda, the Turkish Delphi, where excavations have revealed a prosperous monumental city, set high in the mountains.

Day 5: East to Aspendos that quaked upon Alexander the Great’s arrival. We explore its mighty aqueduct and extraordinary theatre.

Great views await those on Perge’s ancient acropolis

Day 6: Northwest into the hills to Termessos. A mountain stronghold adorned with civic buildings.

Day 7: A morning visit to Antalya’s stunning museum full of some of the finest Roman statuary in the world. Then on to Perge, a monumental marbled city.

Day 8: Transfer back to Antalya airport.