One man started a campaign against the Persians Empire and free the Ionian cities at Asia Minor (334 BC) Less than a year's time; This man was Alexander who started to call Alexander the Great , swept through Asia Minor, liberate cities, established democracies and introduced an advance coinage standard that revolutionized trade. He defeated Persians at Granicus River (334 BC) and at Isos (333BC).
The route of Alexander's footsteps in Turkey is remarkable journey with Oktogon Travel. You will travel from Istanbul to Ephesus, and ancient Halicarnassus (which is modern Bodrum) where one of the seven wonder of ancient world located. Then Troy with history of Gallipoli peninsula campaign during great world war. At Troy, tomb of Achilles; Sardes which was the capital of Croesus, Ephesus, one of the best-preserved Roman city in the world; Didyma, which has the Apollo's great temple and oracles; great Turkish culture with cuisine and accommodations. Footsteps of Alexander Great is a historical tour which have war, romance and Hellenization in the world for one language, culture and coinage. Join this marvelous adventure with us.
Itinerary;
Day 1- Arriving Istanbul airport. Meeting with Oktogon representative. Transfer to your hotel.
Overnight at Istanbul.
Day 2- Classical Istanbul Tour: We will start our journey with Istanbul Archaeological museum. We will see sarcophagus of Alexander the Great and many other artifacts. Hagia Sophia and a Cruise on Bosphorous. Dinner in a Turkish restaurant. Overnight at Istanbul.
Day 3- We are leaving from Istanbul to Canakkale today. Afternoon we explore the Gallipoli peninsula scene of the campaign, which began on April 25th, 1915 in which Britain and her allies, especially the ANZAC forces from Australia and New Zealand, attempted to seize the peninsula as a first step towards the eventual conquest of Istanbul, take out Ottomans from great war and send help to Russia. We will visit Gallipoli with Anzac cove and other monuments. Late afternoon, we will cross to Hellespont modern Dardanelle where has been passed by Alexander the Great- crossed he sacrificed to Poseidon and poured libations of wine to the spirits of the sea. Dinner and overnight at Canakkale.
Day 4- After breakfast, We will visit the epic city of Troy. 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. We head out across the Trojan plain to climb the tomb of Achilles, where Alexander paid homage to the hero, running naked anointed with oil. We head out from Canakkale 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. Dinner and overnight at Sardes.
Day 5- After breakfast; we will visit Lidyian royal capital, Sardis, where the imposing city constructed by King Croesus, fabled for his great wealth, is being excavated. We will also visit Smyrna - where the location of city changed by Alexander Great himself. Then we will drive through Ephesus. Overnight near Ephesus.
Day 6- Today we are visiting Ephesus Archaeological Museum, the nearby Temple of Artemis, one of the seven ancient wonders of the world, which was reportedly burned down the night Alexander was born. St. John’s burial church and Mary House will be our next stops. Overnight near Ephesus.
Day 7- We will reach monumental Ephesus with terrace houses a and explore its spectacular remains.
The best-preserved Roman city. Overnight near Ephesus.
Day 8- We have a one-day journey for 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. And then, temple of Apollo at Didyma remains one of the most spectacular of all ancient monuments. It was here that Alexander’s ultimate victory over the Persians was prophesized. Beside the sea, we explore Iasos, one of the prettiest sites in Turkey, where Alexander made a local boy, who swam with dolphins, priest of Poseidon. Overnight near Ephesus.
Day 8- We will drive through Bodrum, birthplace of Herodotus, we explore and visit the site of the celebrated Mausoleum of Halicarnassus. Free time in the afternoon to shop and relax before our farewell dinner.
Day 9- Transfer to Bodrum airport or transfer to harbor of Modern Bodrum to join Blue Cruise with Gulet as optional 4 days stays on yacht tour.
