Greece and Turkey: With Professor Jennifer Tobin
May 15 -28, 2011
The Dodecanese Islands of Greece that hug the coast of Turkey and the southwest shoreline of Asia Minor are not only visually striking but offer the traveler a glimpse into the intriguing and varied civilizations which have existed in this region for millennia. To see and fully appreciate this region and its unique history voyaging by sea is unsurpassed. And to travel aboard a charming Turkish wooden gulet (Turkish wooden yacht) with only eight other participants offers a truly memorable 14-day archaeological tour.
Beginning in the Greek islands – Kos, Nisyros, Tilos, Simi, Rhodes – learn that even the smallest island boasts striking Byzantine churches and medieval castles. This little-explored and remote part of Greece has a long history – beginning in prehistoric times with influences ranging from the Bronze-Age Minoans to the Italians – quite separate from that of mainland Greece. A highlight will be our exploration of the medieval city of Rhodes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, still surrounded by formidable fortification walls.
Then cross the waters to Turkey where we leave the gulet and visit the ancient spa of Hierapolis, Termessos, the only city never conquered by Alexander the Great, and the lovely Antalya.
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(B) breakfast, (L) lunch, (D) dinner
Day 1: Begin our archaeological tour to Turkey onboard our flight from New York to Istanbul, Turkey.
Day 2: Arrive into Istanbul and transfer to our flight to Bodrum. Upon arrival, transfer to the Hotel Bodrion for one night. Gather for our welcome dinner in one of Bodrum’s fine restaurants. (D)
Day 3: Tour of Bodrum: 
Dominating the harbor is the Castle of St. Peter, begun in 1402 by the Knights Hospitallers of St. John as a hospital for pilgrims to Jerusalem. We return to Bodrum this morning and enter the fortress, now the Bodrum Underwater Archaeological Museum. Here, accompanied by a staff member of the Institute of Underwater Archaeology (INA), view a wide range of fascinating underwater findings, many brought to modern day viewers from thousands of years ago and displayed throughout the Castle in a myriad of atmospheric halls and galleries. Clinging to the coast of Asia Minor, the Dodecanese Islands in the eastern Aegean Sea are beautiful and varied. We board our yacht and begin our cultural tour with a cruise across the straits separating Turkey and these Greek islands to Kos. The Knights of St. John, who were established on Rhodes, took control of Kos in 1315 AD. A century later, they built the superb fortress that dominates the spectacular entrance into Kos harbor. We overnight in Kos. Breakfast and lunch are onboard; dinner is on our own to enjoy a local taverna in Kos. (B/L)
Day 4: In antiquity Kos was renowned for its healing Temple of Asklepios, founded after the death of the famed physician Hippocrates. The Asklepion functioned as a hospital for about a thousand years, before finally falling into disrepair. This morning, we pull anchor and motor to nearby Nisyros. According to Greek mythology, Nisyros was formed during the battle between the Giants and the Gods. Mandraki, the capital of Nisyros, is built at the foot of a steep hill which was fortified in the Middle Ages. To the northwest of the capital clinging to the tip of a tall rocky hill lies the Monastery of the Madonna of the Caves (Panagia Spiliani), the patroness of the island. Built in 1600, it has a lovely 18th century iconostasis and is linked with many traditions. Yet another castle erected by the Knights of St. John looms above the small town. A highlight of the island is the still active volcanic crater in the center. We enjoy dinner in a taverna in the old part of Nisyros town. Overnight onboard in Nisyros. (B/L/D)
Day 5: Our morning cruise takes us to Tilos. According to legend, it was named after the youngest son of Alia and Apollo who collected herbs from the island hoping to cure his mother when she became ill. After her recovery, he returned to the island and established a sanctuary in honor of Apollo and Poseidon in order to express his appreciation. It is an unspoiled Aegean island with nineteen beaches, twelve mountains, seven medieval castles, a Byzantine monastery and two hundred churches, a cave full of natural discoveries, a village that is a declared a cultural monument, one hundred bird species, hundreds of wild flowers and herbs, and five hundred residents. We will have time to explore the island including St. Panteleimon Monastery, originally built in 1470. The monastery’s zenith was reached during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries as it printed bank notes used on the island, owned vast tracts of land with animal herds and served as a key economic as well as spiritual center. We will see a walled courtyard leading to the church whose inspiring, centuries-old frescoes have been restored after the removal of the plaster covering by the Turkish occupation, and the 18th century wood-carved iconostasis. In Megalo Chorio view the Fortress of Misaria, a medieval building of 1366 founded by the Knights of Saint John. At the foot of the fortress we can see the preserved vestiges of a Byzantine settlement and several 13th and 14th century churches. The Church of Archaengel Mihail Taxiarchis contains large silver icons originally from the fortress. (B/L/D)
Day 6: Cruise to the rocky, mountainous island of Simi, northwest of Rhodes, and one of the most beautiful of the Dodecanese. Most of the inhabitants live off sponge diving. The deep harbor is like an amphitheater, with multi-colored two- and three-story 19th century neo-classical grand homes of the former sponge trading merchants, and churches with colored domes climbing up the steep hillsides. The high hill overlooking the harbor is Kastro, with the original settlement of Chorio and dominated by the Church of Megali Panagia containing beautiful frescoes and the ruins of the castle. Dinner is on our own to explore the town's restaurants. (B/L)
Day 7: We will spend two days on Rhodes, the island that has always been an important strategic stronghold. Its position on the vital trade routes in the eastern 
Mediterranean has greatly influenced the course of its history. Protected by impregnable 14th-century walls, the medieval city is renowned for its archaeological treasures and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Order of St. John of Jerusalem occupied Rhodes from 1309 to 1523 and set about transforming the city into a stronghold. It subsequently came under Turkish and Italian rule. Our exploration of the island takes in many impressive sites. With the Palace of the Grand Masters, the Great Hospital and the Street of the Knights, the Upper Town is one of the most beautiful urban centers of the Gothic period. In the Lower Town, Gothic architecture coexists with mosques, public baths and other buildings dating from the Ottoman period. The Archaeological Museum contains a large collection including the tombstones of many of the crusading Knights of St. John who once made this island their own. Dinner is on our own this evening. (B/L)
Day 8: Today’s exploration takes us outside the walled city to other parts of the island. On the southeastern part of the island, Lindos is guarded by medieval walls which were constructed by the Knights of St. John in the 13th century. Within them stands the ancient Acropolis of Lindos, on the brink of a precipice 400 feet above the sea. Proceed on foot uphill, to the great staircase leading from the Hellenistic Portico to the Acropolis and Temple of Athena. From the Acropolis, marvel at the breathtaking views covering the great expanse of the Aegean Sea and St. Paul’s bay, where the apostle cast anchor during his historic voyage to Ephesus. Close to the promontory of Agios Minas (the Ancient Mylantio) lies the third of the island's ancient cities - Kamiros. This was one of the three large Doric cities of the island, which united with Ialyssos and Lindos in the 5th century B.C. to create the powerful city - state of Rhodes. Lunch is on our own. Dinner will be onboard. (B/D)
Day 9: Cruise to Marmaris in order to clear Turkish customs. We sadly leave our yacht and drive to the village of Dalyan. Here we climb aboard a small boat to motor down the meandering Dalyan River. As we putt-putt between the reed-lined banks of the river, the vista is dominated by magnificent royal temple tombs cut into the cliff face towering above. At the end of our ride is Caunos, an important Carian fishing center in ancient times. Although initially settled during the 9th century BC, the buildings standing today are Greco-Roman and include a Byzantine church. Overnight tonight in the Hotel Dalyan. (B/L/D)
Day 10: This morning’s drive takes us to Pamukkale, or Cotton Castle, a dazzling white plateau that rises 400 feet in a curtain of stalagmites and shallow ponds forming an immense frozen cascade. The towering cliffs have been formed by calcium in the hot mineral water that solidifies as it gushes from countless underground springs. Just as today, the people of the ancient site of Hierapolis constructed spas around the healing waters, and at least three Roman Emperors came to enjoy them. The grandeur of the 2nd century baths show the importance of the site. Overnight in the Pamukkale Colessea Hotel. (B/L/D)
Day 11: Straddling a rocky mountain valley and protected by three impenetrable walls, Termessos was built by the Pisidians before the time of Christ. The fierce independence of these people was shown when they chose to build in such a high remote place. This was the only city never conquered by Alexander the Great. In 333BC, Alexander swept eastwards with all cities falling to him; then he came up against a city so impregnable and well-defended that after camping below it for one night he decided to waste no more time and moved on. The Roman port of Antalya is one of Turkey's loveliest cities. The principal resort on the Mediterranean, it is magnificently situated atop 150 foot-tall cliffs overlooking the sea. This picturesque quarter has won several national and international awards for its recent renovation. The charm of the ancient Roman and later Ottoman architectural styles has been maintained, with outdoor cafes, restaurants, hotels and shops still housed in the old buildings along the twisting streets. The afternoon is free to explore the area. Dinner this evening is on our own. Our hotel for the next two nights is a beautifully restored 19th-century Ottoman home located within the Roman walls encircling the ancient section of town. (B/L/D)
Day 12: Begin our explorations this morning at the Antalya Archaeological Museum, an architectural delight. Here we meet with the archaeologist in charge of restoring sculptures for a private talk and tour of the stunning marble sculptures from nearby Perge. In the afternoon, enjoy a walking tour of the kaleici which will give us the opportunity to study both the Ottoman and Roman structural design within this picturesque quarter. We will see a beautifully decorated three arched monumental Roman Gate built into the city wall to celebrate Emperor Hadrian’s visit in 130 A.D., the Karatay Medrese (theological college that exemplifies the best of Selcuk stone carvings, the elegant fluted minaret of the Yivli Minareli Mosque, and the 19th century Iskele Mosque that is built of cut stone and set on four pillars over a natural spring. Dinner is on our own. (B/L)
Day 13: An early morning flight takes us back to Istanbul. Upon arrival, visit The Church of St. Saviour in Chora Monastery built between the 11th- and 14th-centuries. When restored, a striking series of mosaics and vibrant frescoes were found within the interior of the building belonging to the last great renaissance of Byzantine art. Lunch will be in the gardens of a restored wooden konak, or mansion, now a restaurant serving Imperial Ottoman cuisine. In the afternoon, walk through the Egyptian, or Spice Bazaar, and visit Rüstem Pasha Mosque, designed by Ottoman imperial architect Mimar Sinan for the husband of one of the daughters of Suleiman the Magnificent. This exquisite building is renowned for its delicate, tomato-red Iznik tiles of beautiful floral and geometric designs. Dinner is on our own. Overnight in the historic section of Istanbul. (B/L)
Day 14: Depart for the USA. (B)
“When I want to picture paradise, I just think of the days we spent onboard our gulet and I know it cannot be better than that.” - Barbara Matula
Trip Leader - Jennifer TobinJennifer Tobin received her BA in Classical Studies from Stanford University and her PhD in Classical Archaeology from the University of Pennsylvania in 1991. From 1992-97, she was Assistant Professor at Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey. In 1997, she returned to the United States and is now Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois, Chicago. She worked on archaeological projects in Italy, Greece and Turkey and since 1994 has been the director of the Küçük Burnaz Project in southern Turkey. Dr. Tobin speaks Greek and Turkish.
May 15 -28, 2011
$9,,995.00 (per person, double occupancy) includes international flights from North America to Istanbul; two Turkish domestic flights on Turkish Airlines; all hotels; most meals (as listed in the itinerary); all entry fees; and yacht & ground transportation.
Cost Does Not Include: A tax-deductible check for $150.00 per person to ‘The Institute of Nautical Archaeology’, passport or visa fees; airport or departure taxes; beverages or food not included on regular menus; laundry; excess baggage charges; personal tips; alcoholic drinks; email, telephone and fax charges; or other items of a personal nature.
Single Supplement: $1495.00 Should a roommate be requested and one not be available, the single supplement must be charged. NOTE: Only one single supplement is available on the yacht.
Fuel Surcharges: Far Horizons must pass on price increases when additional fuel charges are levied.
Donation Checks: The cost of the trip does not include the separate donation check for $150.00 (per person) to ‘The Institute of Nautical Archaeology’. As a tour company that benefits from the historical, cultural and natural riches of our destinations, we have a policy of donating to scholars, archaeological and cultural projects, and museums in each of our destinations. This has created a bond with the academic community that allows you to gain an ‘insider’s view’ of work being done in each country.
A deposit of $500.00 and the separate donation check for $150.00 (made out to the designated project) are required along with your registration form. Final payment is due 75 days before departure. Upon receipt of your deposit and completed registration form, you will be sent a reading list and a tour bulletin containing travel information. Prior to the trip, we will send links to various websites of pertinent interest to the trip. Click here to download our Registration Form.
Cancellations received in writing at least 75 days before departure will result in an administrative fee of $250.00 per person. Cancellations received less than 75 days before departure will not receive a refund. If for any reason you are unable to complete the tour, we will not reimburse any fees. Registrants are strongly advised to buy travel insurance that includes trip cancellation.
Changes in our itinerary, accommodations and transportation schedules may occur. A good book to read as well as a flexible attitude and a sense of humor are essential.
Air TicketingIf you do not fly on the group flight, you are responsible for all flight arrangements and transportation (including airport transfers) to join the group. If Far Horizons must change the trip dates or cancel the trip for any reason, Far Horizons is not responsible for any air ticket you may have purchased.
The private tours of archaeological sites and talks by specialists are scheduled in advance and include a donation to each. Specialists working at these sites are excited about showing their work to interested enthusiasts. However, please be aware that there may be times when the director or a member of the staff may not be onsite when our groups arrive due to other commitments.
THIS ARCHAEOLOGICAL TOUR TO GREECE AND TURKEY IS LIMITED TO ONLY 9 PARTICIPANTS
