Saint Nicholas, Lycia & Sagalassos Tour (4 Days)

Walk in the real footsteps of Saint Nicholas, the 4th-century bishop who became the world's Santa Claus, on this four-day journey through ancient Lycia and the mountains of Pisidia. Saint Nicholas was born around 270 AD in the Lycian harbour town of Patara and served as Bishop of Myra, today's Demre, where his church still stands. From the turquoise coast we climb to Sagalassos, one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the Mediterranean, and explore the museums and old quarter of Antalya. Round-trip domestic flights from Istanbul, 3-4 star half-board hotels, all transfers and a licensed guide are included.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Istanbul to Patara, the birthplace of Saint Nicholas

We meet at Istanbul Airport and fly to the Turquoise Coast. On arrival our private vehicle takes us to Patara, the Lycian port where Saint Nicholas was born around 270 AD. We walk the colonnaded main street, the bouleuterion (council house of the Lycian League, one of history's earliest democratic assemblies), the triumphal arch and the vast Patara beach. Dinner and overnight at a 3-4 star hotel on the Kas-Kalkan coast.

Day 2 - Demre (Myra): the Church of Saint Nicholas

After breakfast we drive to Demre, ancient Myra, where Nicholas served as bishop. We visit the Church of Saint Nicholas, built over his tomb and a major Orthodox pilgrimage site, and the spectacular rock-cut Lycian tombs and Roman theatre of Myra. We learn how the bishop's gifts to the poor became the legend of Santa Claus, and why most of his relics were carried to Bari, Italy in 1087. We then continue to Antalya for dinner and overnight.

Day 3 - The ancient city of Sagalassos

We climb into the Taurus Mountains to Sagalassos, set above 1,450 metres near Aglasun. Conquered by Alexander the Great in 333 BC, this remarkably preserved city is crowned by the restored Antonine Nymphaeum, a monumental fountain that flows once more after some 1,800 years. We explore the theatre, the agoras and the Roman baths before returning to Antalya for the night.

Day 4 - Historic Antalya and return to Istanbul

This morning we explore Kaleici, Antalya's atmospheric old town, Hadrian's Gate and, time permitting, the superb Antalya Museum with masterpieces from Perge and the surrounding region. We then transfer to Antalya Airport for the flight back to Istanbul.

Tour highlights

• Stand in Patara, the documented birthplace of Saint Nicholas (Santa Claus)
• Visit the Church of Saint Nicholas in Demre, ancient Myra
• See the rock-cut Lycian tombs and Roman theatre of Myra
• Explore Sagalassos and its restored, flowing Antonine fountain high in the Taurus Mountains
• Discover old Antalya (Kaleici) and the Antalya Museum
• Round-trip flights from Istanbul, 3-4 star half-board hotels, transfers and a professional guide included