Highlights and hidden gems of Western Turkey

Our tour starts in Antalya, Turkey's gateway to the Mediterranean. This lively city on the Turquoise Coast is a great place to begin our journey.

For those arriving in time today, our tour leader will meet you in the hotel reception at 7pm and there'll be the chance to go out to dinner. Due to the number of flights arriving late into Antalya, we'll wait until tomorrow morning for our welcome meeting. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to arrive in Antalya at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer, you'll need to arrive at Antalya Airport (AYT), which is around a 30-minute drive away from the hotel.

For those arriving earlier in the day, you might like to visit Kaleici, Antalya's atmospheric old town. Here, you can wander the narrow streets of restored Ottoman-era houses that open out onto pretty courtyards. While in Kaleici, you can also visit the columned Hadrian's Gate, a preserved Roman archway that marks the entrance into the old quarter. Some of the city's best restaurants and bars are found in this area, perfect for your first night relaxing in the Mediterranean.

Antalya is much more than its golden coastline and picturesque old town; the surrounding area is home to plenty of iconic ancient sites. Just 45 kilometres east of the city centre is one of its most impressive; the ancient city of Aspendos. The jewel in this site's crown is the enormous Roman theatre, built in the reign of Marcus Aurelius in the 2nd century AD. Spectacularly well-preserved, the intact theatre holds approximately 15,000 spectators, who would once have crammed onto the stone seating for gladiator and animal shows, the highlights of the Aspendos social calendar. The surrounding mountains add a sense of majesty to the setting, which seems fitting for its modern use as the venue for the annual Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival.

After some time spent marvelling at Aspendos today, we'll drive to the ancient city of Perge, a sprawling site of mainly Roman ruins, with fascinating features such as Roman baths, a stadium, theatre, and colonnaded streets. Many of the finds at this site, including an array of Roman statues and sarcophagi, can now be found at the Antalya Archaeological Museum. After some lunch in the small town of Aksu, we'll drive back to Antalya and those who want to can take a tram to the museum. One of Turkey's largest, it houses a collection of pieces that track ancient Anatolia's history from the Stone Age through the Romans, the Byzantine era, and the Ottoman Empire. If you don't fancy the museum, you might like to relax and visit one of the nearby Turkish baths.

This morning, we'll leave the coast behind and head into the mountains towards Burdur. In winter months there's a strong possibility of snow, making the surrounding scenery even more breathtaking. Around two hours into the journey, we'll stop at one of Turkey's hidden gems; the ancient city of Sagalassos.

Sagalassos combines the best of Turkey's ancient history with a spectacular view. Perched on a steep mountain slope, overlooking an endless chain of peaks, from here you can spot Roman columns stretching up into the sky, the remains of finely carved walls and sculptures tumbling down the mountainside, and a theatre with one of the best views in Turkey. Special mention should be made of the 'Nymphaeum' - an elaborately decorated fountain, constructed in the late 100s AD. It was recently restored to full working order and is the site's stunning centrepiece.

After exploring, we'll drive on to the neighbouring small town of Aglasun for lunch. Here, there are some small lokantas (a 'grillroom' or cafe) serving excellent soups, stews, and pide - the traditional Turkish pizza.

Just before our arrival into Burdur, we'll make a final stop at the Insuyu Caves, an underground network with millions of stalagmites and stalactites that formed thousands of years ago.

Burdur is known as the City of Lakes, and as we set off this morning we'll make a stop at Lake Salda, an hour outside the city. In summer, this lake is known as the 'Turkish Maldives', for the bright turquoise blue of the lake and the surrounding white sandy beach. In winter it is no less beautiful, instead being flanked by pine trees that host skiers on the snowy mountains between December-February.

Driving on to Pamukkale and arriving in the early afternoon, we'll set out to explore one of Turkey's most amazing natural wonders. Known as the 'cotton castle,' Pamukkale's terraced thermal pools are toothpaste-blue, with white calcareous deposits that give a cloud-like cotton wool effect.

Modern-day tourists are not the only people to be attracted by these thermal wonders. Above the pools is the ancient Roman spa town of Hierapolis, where we will find ruins dating back to the 2nd century BC. Earthquakes have rocked the area throughout history and the site was finally abandoned in 1334 following a particularly strong quake, but as recently as the mid-20th century, hotels were being constructed on top of its priceless ruins. Luckily, UNESCO World Heritage status has saved it from further damage. We will visit the theatre, Temple of Apollo, Frontinus Gate and see several sarcophagi, and you may have the chance to go into the Archaeology Museum housed in the former Roman baths.

There is the option to get your feet wet in the incredible travertine pools of Pamukkale's 'Frozen Waterfall' or in the deeper waters of Cleopatra's Pool. Pamukkale's weather is relatively temperate year-round, but with warm steam visible through the crisp air, bathing in the hot springs in winter can be magical.

After an hour and a half drive this morning, we'll visit the Greco-Roman site of Aphrodisias, the ancient city of love and sanctuary of Aphrodite. The site contains an extraordinary collection of reliefs and sculptures. Thanks to the marble quarries just a few kilometres from the site, Aphrodisias was home to a school of sculpture that trained students to the highest standards. Graduates of the school spread the art form across the ancient world, and examples of Aphrodisian statuary have shown up as far away as the Atlantic coast of Portugal. Reliefs are carved throughout the site, including on the Sebastion, with images depicting Aphrodite and her worshippers. The best sculptures and reliefs can be found in the small but excellent on-site museum.

Later, a three-hour drive will take us to Camlik, and our beautiful vineyard accommodation. The whitewashed stone house boasts an excellent restaurant with its own winery and is in a remote setting making it a peaceful haven to spend the next two nights. Within walking distance is the Camlik Railway Museum, which houses one of Europe's largest steam train collections and you may choose to visit in the late afternoon.

Today we'll visit the great Greco-Roman city of Ephesus, one of Turkey's most famous historical sites. Given its prime location on Turkey's beautiful Aegean coast, as well as its immaculate collection of Roman ruins, the site can be quite hectic during the summer months. In winter, however, we can take advantage of exploring the site with few other visitors.

Once visited by Marc Anthony and Cleopatra, and by St. Paul, this Asia Minor seaport reached its zenith in the 2nd century AD. Ephesus was one of the main cultural and economic centres of the ancient world, boasting a gymnasium and a stadium with seating for 70,000 spectators. Other highlights include the Baths of Constantine, the brothel, the Temple of Hadrian, the giant theatre, and the Marble Avenue featuring the two-storey Library of Celsus.

Driving on a short distance, we'll visit the scattered remains of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, before continuing to the small town of Sirince for a taste of rural Turkish life. Here, cobbled roads wind between white-washed houses, and we'll take a short 45-minute walk, mostly downhill, to make the most of the hillside views. We'll end in Ikiz Cesmesi, before driving back to Camlik.

In the 110 kilometres between Camlik and Milas, there are a whole host of ancient sites that testify to the rich Greek, Roman, and Byzantine history of ancient Anatolia. We'll take a scenic journey off the beaten path down coastal roads and past inland lakes to uncover some of them.

Our first stop is at Priene, the ancient Greek city with an enormous number of Hellenistic temples, a theatre, ruined columns, and buildings all crammed into a relatively small setting. After exploring this site, we'll continue to Didim, where we'll find the ruins of the imposing Greek Temple of Apollo. Here, we can marvel at the 120 giant columns that frame the gateway to the temple and search for the Head of Medusa in the grassy surroundings.

Continuing to Lake Bafa, we'll find the ramshackle village of Kapikiri. The village is small with just a few simple houses and the odd local shop scattered amongst the remnants of the ancient port city, Herakleia. What is now an inland lake was once a thriving part of the Aegean coast, and signs of its affluence are still visible from the bathhouse and the Temple of Athena to the crumbling ruins of the old agora - the marketplace and civic centre of ancient Herakleia.

Our final visit of the day is at Euromos, where the wonderfully preserved columns of the Temple of Zeus sit hidden in the thick olive grove. It's another gem in a region covered with archaeological riches.

This evening, we'll arrive in Milas where we'll stay for the night.

This morning we'll drive for approximately two hours to Sultaniye, a small dot of a town on the banks of Lake Koycegiz that's well-known for its thermal pools. We'll start our four-kilometre hike towards ancient Caunos from just outside of the village. The hike isn't too strenuous, with just one hill climb, but the terrain is rocky in places, with some woodland paths and rough underfoot areas so good walking shoes with ankle support are recommended.

After four kilometres, Caunos appears. The ancient site is half masked by shrub and olive trees and encroached upon by the Dalyan delta. Hidden in the ruins are some fascinating features that span many civilisations from the Persians, Alexander the Great's Hellenistic era, the Byzantine period and through to the Romans. The Byzantine church dates back to the 6th century and houses mosaics that can be viewed from surrounding platforms. The Temple of Zeus and the Roman Baths also give us a great photo opportunity, backed by the lush valley. Possibly the most famous feature of this little-visited site is the 'tombs of the kings'; tombs cut directly out of a rugged, vertical rock face, in the shape of Hellenistic temples. This was the first place in Turkey to originate this type of tomb design, back in the 4th century BC.

After exploring the site, we'll continue walking downhill for two kilometres, where we'll meet the river at Candir and cross in a little rowing boat to Dalyan town. In total today, we'll be walking for 6 kilometres/3.7 miles, expected to take us approximately 1-2 hours, with an ascent of 300 metres/985 feet and a descent of 200 metres/655 feet.

Our vehicle will drive from Sultaniye to Dalyan with our bags, so while the walk and the ruins are both highly recommended, there's also the option to drive directly to Dalyan and spend the afternoon exploring this laid-back, riverside town.

We'll greet the Turquoise Coast once more today, as we drive south towards Kas. Along the way, we'll stop by Kayakoy for a picnic (weather permitting) among the ruins of the ghostly Greek town. Kayakoy was deserted in 1923 after its Greek Orthodox inhabitants were 'returned' to Greece in one of the Great Population Exchanges between Greece and Turkey.

From here, we'll continue to Xanthos, the capital of ancient Lycia and, at one time, the largest centre of commerce and religion in the region. The town has had a turbulent past, falling to both the Persians and the Romans and today is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In the afternoon we'll drive to Patara Beach and explore the ruins of ancient Patara, the birthplace of Saint Nicholas. Average water temperatures in winter are around 15-19 degrees so, for those who wish to brave the water, a thin wetsuit is recommended. In other months as the seas warm it makes for a refreshing dip. We'll then continue to Kas, a laid-back fishing village on the Turkish Lycian coast.

Our total driving time today is around three and a half hours. As is often the case in Turkey, the scenery is every changing and impressive.

With its old Greek houses and their quaint balconies, the tiny seaport of Kas is one of the most picturesque on the Turkish Riviera. Today is free for you to relax and soak up the town's charming atmosphere. After a week of busy sightseeing, Kas is a great place to unwind. Unlike the more touristy coastal resorts of Bodrum and Marmaris, Kas is still a local town so there is an active atmosphere on the narrow streets and a more relaxed vibe in off season.

If you'd prefer to get out of town, Kas is in the heartland of old Lycia, and is a key point on the Lycian Way. You might like to pick up some picnic supplies and walk the 5 kilometres/3.1 miles to Limanagzi Beach, taking in the views. Limanagzi is a beautiful, sheltered bay only accessible on foot. After a chance to relax or swim, you can head back to Kas either on foot or via water taxi.

There are two paths to Limanagzi and we don't recommend the coastal route during the winter months. There's another path, taken by following signs for the Lycian Way, that cuts inland, passing the remains of an old fort, olive groves, and an old olive press. It's undulating, with a total ascent of 130 metres/425 feet and descent of 140 metres/460 feet. Our tour leader will give you all the information needed for the walk.

Today we'll drive north, heading two hours directly into the Taurus mountains in the direction of Elmali, a rural town that sits at around 1,100 metres above sea level. There might be snow at these altitudes in winter, which will contrast with the temperate coast at Kas. In warmer months you should enjoy a slightly milder climate than on the coast.

Today gives us the opportunity to witness life in the Turkish countryside. We'll make a tea stop at Gomuce village, before continuing our journey to Elmali, the largest Ottoman town in this area of Turkey. The narrow streets are home to a fascinating array of timber houses that date back to the 17th century, when the area had a mixture of Ottoman, Turkish, Greek, and Armenian inhabitants. Despite the spectacular mountain setting, very few tourists visit the town, making it a charming and quiet place to stroll around. We'll visit the mosque, which dates to the 16th century, as well as the Elmali museum that's home to some rare archaeological finds.

The area is well known in Turkey for its various ways of using sesame, and we should have the opportunity to try a delicious halva - a sweet sesame-based treat - while we're here.

This morning takes us on a short drive through the hills to another ancient mountain-top city, Termessos. The city was labelled 'the Eagles Nest' by Alexander the Great, who was never able to conquer the site, and from its 1000-metre/3280 feet-high perch the site enjoys panoramic views of the Taurus Mountains. Due to its lofty position, visiting the ruins requires some hiking - the walk up from the car park can take around 20 minutes to reach the first site of interest, and continuing to many of the key sites requires some short yet steep hikes.

It's well worth the effort though. On approach to the ancient city, we'll see the enormous defence walls rising out of the undergrowth, giving the impression that the city hasn't been seen in thousands of years.

As with many Hellenistic and Roman sites, the amphitheatre is the most spectacular piece of architecture here, guaranteeing breathtaking views over the Taurus Mountains. Exploring the rest of the site is equally fascinating, with six temple remains, the ancient necropolis, an agora and an excellently preserved bouleuterion (council meeting place) being just some of the ruins that can be discovered.

We should be able to have a picnic in the ruins today depending on the weather, and after eating lunch we'll drive the 30 minutes back down to Antalya on the coast. The rest of the afternoon is free to do some last-minute souvenir shopping or sightseeing.

Our tour ends at our hotel in Antalya.

There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart at any time. If your flight leaves later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like a hotel transfer, you'll need to depart from Antalya Airport (AYT), around a thirty-minute drive from the hotel.