TL20160611Antalya

Turkey's Magical Hideaways June 1 - 17, 2016

June 11, 2016 Disembark gulet • Visit Myra & Church of St. Nicholas • Overland to Antalya

After a final breakfast onboard our gulet, we disembark at the port of Fethiye and travel overland to the resort town of Antalya, making a
few fascinating stops en route.

First, we explore the ancient Roman ruins of Myra. There, we walk in the large theater, still very much intact with marble seats and mask
friezes scattered around the elaborately decorated stage area. The site of Myra also features Lycian house-tombs carved into the cliffs, which
are a source of amazement on their own. Built in the fourth century BC, they contain some of the earliest examples of Lycian script and
funerary bas-reliefs.

Our next stop is a visit to the Church of St. Nicholas in Demre. In the fourth century AD, St. Nicholas was the bishop of this area and was
known as a protector of children, showering them with gifts at every opportunity. He was later declared a saint, and today is known as the
model for Santa Claus or Father Christmas. Christians from as far away as Italy and Russia come here to attend a special annual festival Mass.

We enjoy lunch in Demre before we travel to Antalya, a city set on a wide bay with mountain views all around. Once an old fishing village, it
is now a popular resort that combines unspoiled beaches with a restored harbor, cobblestone streets, and an architecturally interesting Old
City that features a mixture of styles from its more than 2,000-year history.

Upon reaching Antalya, we'll take a short orientation tour of the Old City, then enjoy the afternoon to explore on our own. Tonight, we have
dinner together at our hotel.

(From OAT Itinerary)