Category Archive: Turkey travel

Gemiler Island in Turkey and the Origins of Saint Nicholas   To glimpse the fabled bones of Saint Nicholas, that most Christmassy of patron saints who inspired so many legends, you could visit the archaeological museum in Antalya, or travel ... Read More

Bodrum and the Legacy of Ancient Halicarnassus Bodrum is like no other town in Turkey. Not only because it is one of the best spots for a summer vacation with its tiny white houses, deep blue waters ... Read More

Forbes Article - Peter Sommer’s Top 5 Lesser-Known Destinations In Turkey   Peter was asked to write an article for Forbes recommending his top five 'lesser known' destinations in Turkey. After a great deal of deliberation, he settled on five of ... Read More

Labraunda, an archaeological site in Turkey: Jewel of the Hekatomnid Era If you are looking for a place of serenity, then you should come to Labraunda. The site is nestling in the heart of the Carian mountains in southwest Turkey, surrounded ... Read More

Patara: an amazing ancient city in Turkey Imagine a spacious coastal valley, separated from the Mediterranean Sea by tall sand dunes. At its centre lies a swampy lake, surrounded by a small plain which is overlooked by ... Read More

Ancient Myra and its Lycian tombs: an archaeological wonder in Turkey On our Cruising the Lycian Shore trip in Turkey, we visit the ancient city of Myra (modern Demre), once a major centre of population in these parts. The old city ... Read More

Olympos: an Ancient City on the East Coast of Lycia in Turkey During our 2-week gulet trip around the coast of Lycia, we visit the ancient city of Olympos, where a sandy beach is overlooked by stupendous cliffs, the opening of a ... Read More

Phaselis: a beautiful ancient city in Lycia, Turkey One of the many beautiful archaeological sites we visit on our 2-week gulet voyage around Lycia is Phaselis. We set off from Finike in the morning and cruise east, around ... Read More

The Lion Tomb at Antiphellos, ancient Kaş in Turkey Kaş, a well-known resort of great peace and charm, stands upon and among the ruins of Antiphellos, one of ancient Lycia's key ports. Antiphellos must have been quite affluent for ... Read More

Arykanda in Lycia - a place of mystery and serenity What do you know about Arykanda (or Arycanda)? In all likelihood little or nothing: although the place is a fairly well-studied ancient settlement, having undergone nearly fifty years of excavations, ... Read More

The ancient Ulu Burun Shipwreck in Turkey Where was the ancient Ulu Burun ship headed to, and where from? The town of Bodrum is the start or end point for many of our cruises in Turkey, and ... Read More

A Byzantine wine bar in Ephesus This post is mostly based on an original press release by the Austrian Archaeological Institute. Copyright for all photographs, unless otherwise indicated, belongs to the Institute/Photographer: Niki Gail (© ÖAI ... Read More

Ephesus! - UNESCO World Heritage on our Turkey Tours A few days ago, I was guiding a group of guests through the stupendous ruins of ancient Ephesus, the huge Roman super-city in Ionia on what is now the west ... Read More

Off the beaten track - Sidyma in Lycia A truck parked on the overgrown steps of a long-gone portico, goats scratching themselves on the doorway of an ancient grave, a Greek inscription built into the wall of a ... Read More

Off the beaten track: Loryma Have you ever heard of Loryma? Chances are you have not, unless you  are a specialist in ancient military architecture, or an avid traveller along the southwestern shores of Turkey. ... Read More