11 U S A ( To l l - f r e e ) 1- 877- 381- 2 9 14 E m a i l inf o@the culturalexperience.com Early Periods Day 5 - Ephesus. An early start will take us to the ancient city of Ephesus where we will spend the whole day exploring this historic port which welcomed Alexander’s troops with open arms. We wander the streets of this forgotten world, stroll past its iconic library and bear witness to one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Temple of Artemis. We see the changing character of the city through its architecture, with a Greek temple juxtaposed with the Basilica of St John and his tomb. Overnight in Selcuk. Day 6 - Ionian Coast. We explore an Ionian Trinity of ancient Greek cities: Priene, where Alexander personally funded the building of the temple to Athene Polias; Miletus, besieged by Alexander, with its now landlocked port’s battered defensive walls and castle; and Didyma with its Sacred Way, the road that connected Miletus to the Temple and oracle of Apollo which, after its destruction by the Persians, was rebuilt by Alexander. End the day at our hotel in Bodrum. Day 7 - Halicarnassus and the Lycian Valley. At Halicarnassus we admire the crumbling walls, pillars and rubble that was once a wonder of the world, the massive tomb of King Mausolus. We discuss the influence of another of its famous citizens - Herodotus, the father of History. It was here that Alexander faced perhaps his most dangerous opponent, the Greek mercenary commander Memnon. We drive to Telmessos, the home of Alexander’s favourite sooth-sayer and constant companion, to see its spectacular Lycian tombs. We make brief stops at tragic Xanthos, the romantic water-logged ruins of Letoon, and Patara which, after surrendering to Alexander, grew into a wealthy and strategically important naval base. We end the day at our hotel in Kas. Day 8 - Limyra and Phaselis. Continuing our coastal journey we arrive at Limyra, the Zemuri of the ancient Lycians and site of the cenotaph of a man who would have ruled the world had he lived: Caius, Augustus’s grandson. Thence to Phaselis, the town of threeharboursandAlexander’sheadquarters in the winter of 334 BC, picturesquely set beside the turquoise Mediterranean Sea. Continue to Antalya and check in to our hotel for two nights. Day 9 - Antalya. At Aspendos, whose fickle inhabitants tried to double-cross Alexander, we visit a magnificent theatre. We explore the fortress of Sillyion, a town as ancient as Troy, which successfully defied Alexander. And at the commanding ruins of Termessos, called “the eagle’s nest” by Alexander, we wander through tombs, city walls, and foundations to reach the spectacular amphitheatre, perched as if it were on the edge of the world. Day 10 - Home. Fly back to London from Antalya via Istanbul. Acropolis of Pergamon Ephesius