Istanbul to Antalya

stanbul is a major city in Turkey that straddles Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait. Its Old City reflects cultural influences of the many empires that once ruled here. In the Sultanahmet district, the open-air, Roman-era Hippodrome was for centuries the site of chariot races, and Egyptian obelisks also remain. The iconic Byzantine Hagia Sophia features a soaring 6th-century dome and rare Christian mosaics.

Die Sireneninsel Patmos ist bekannt, weil auf ihr der heilige Johannes seine apokalyptische Offenbarung erlebte, die der Exilant des römischen Imperiums an Ort und Stelle aufschrieb. Die Höhle, in der er damals angeblich gehaust hat, ist heute der Standort des Johannesklosters. Es wurde im 11. Jahrhundert von Abt Christodoulos auf einem der höchsten Punkte der Insel errichtet. In seiner Schatzkammer finden sich Ikonen und Handschriften von unschätzbarem Wert.

Dalyan is a town on the Dalyan River, just inland from Turkey’s southwest coast. Across the river from town is the ancient ruined city of Kaunos, with Lycian rock tombs and the remains of a theater. Riverboats connect Dalyan with İztuzu Beach to the south, home to protected loggerhead turtle nesting grounds. To the northwest on the shore of Lake Köyceğiz is the village of Sultaniye, known for its thermal mud baths.

Fethiye is a port city, and district, on Turkeys southwestern Turquoise Coast. Its known for its natural harbor, blue waters and numerous rock tombs including the 4th-century B.C. Tomb of Amyntas, carved into a bluff overlooking the city. Near-shore islands are popular for day trips by boat. In the south, the beach at Ölüdeniz is sheltered by a lagoon, and Butterfly Valley is a designated nature reserve.

Kastellorizo or Castellorizo, officially Megisti, is a Greek island and municipality of the Dodecanese in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Antalya is a Turkish resort city with a yacht-filled Old Harbor and beaches flanked by large hotels. Its a gateway to Turkeys southern Mediterranean region, known as the Turquoise Coast for its blue waters. Remnants remain from Antalyas time as a major Roman port. These include Hadrian’s Gate, built to honor the Roman emperor’s visit in 130 A.D and 2nd-century Hidirlik Tower, with harbor views.