Turkey Biking
- Experience the crossroads of East and West
- Rides through pine-dappled hills, olive groves, craggy outcrops, sunny beaches and friendly villages
- The ancient ruins of Knidos
- Break bread with a Turkish family at their traditional home
- Sail the Mediterranean in traditional wooden gulets, dropping anchor to swim, snorkel and slumber
A Cultural Odyssey Along the Mediterranean Coast
We’ve all said it. "I need a vacation after my vacation." Great getaways do more than just remove you from the day-to-day, they recharge and rejuvenate you. That’s our adventure in Turkey. Spend days exploring the warm, friendly Turkish coastline, and split your nights between spectacular hotels, like Mehmet Ali Aga Mansion, and a Turkish gulet, serenely floating on the Mediterranean. Pedal past pine forests and olive groves then pass evenings stargazing and enjoying small plates of almonds, honey and fresh cheeses. It’s a vacation on your vacation. You’ve earned it.
Day 1 Pine-dappled hills, olive groves, lively seaside resorts and friendly villages 
Greetings of merhaba! (hello!) fill the air as you pedal the countryside outside Bodrum Splash in the Aegean Sea, then relax over a feast of Turkish specialties.
Days 2-3 The ruins of Knidos, once a jewel of Greek civilization Ferry across the Aegean, then spin along the beautiful coast and mountainous spine of the rugged Datça Peninsula A delicious lunch of grilled fish awaits your two-wheeled arrival in Datça We're welcomed like family at a restaurant overlooking the marina.
Day 4 Experience the crossroads of East and West In Turgutköy village, learn the intricacies of silk weaving and carpet making Discover the quiet undeveloped hamlet of Selimiye, known for boat building Secluded Ekincik Bay hosts our first evening under the stars.
Days 5-7 Sail the Mediterranean for three days in traditional wooden gulets, dropping anchor to swim, snorkel and slumber Remote coves provide shelter for water activities, and coastal hills invite exploration on foot and by bike Investigate the well-preserved Roman theater and remains of Lycian and Carian tombs in Kaunos Plunge into stunning Cleopatra’s Bay, where partially submerged ruins of an ancient Greek monastery are visible in the crystal-clear water A nomadic family shares an insider's view of life in Turkey's remote high valleys.
Guests Reviews About This Trip
It's going to be tough to raise the bar any higher than this trip! Was it the country, the itinerary, the most outstanding of any leaders we have ever experienced, the really fun and compatible group -- or maybe it was the raki :) One unforgettable journey. Thanks! .- Denver, CO
This was a spectacular trip and exceeded all of my expectations. It was the perfect mix of kick-ass biking (the hills were just as tough as the trip itinerary promised,) good food, and relaxation along the Aegean & Mediterranean Seas. The opportunity at the end of each day, and the last few days on the goulets really set the tone for relaxation in the beautiful countryside. It gave the group time to spend together reliving the experiences of the day and sharing the experience.- Providence, RI
This was one of the best trips I have been on and we have travelled with a number of different companies. The sum of this trip is absolutely a 10. We enjoyed everything about it -- Turkey is really astonishing. I did not have any expectation really but I arrived home raving about the country, the people, the food, everything. Our trip leaders were a wealth of information and they were both very upbeat, if not exuberant, about every place and everything we did. I felt like a sponge just soaking up new information and meeting new people - it was fantastic! The leaders were exceptional and made everything seem easy. Being in Turkey was an incredible experience for me.- Chicago, IL
Premiere Inns
The Marmara Bodrum
Bodrum (1 night) Hideaway Report calls it a "sophisticated contemporary hotel commanding a spectacular vantage point high above Bodrum." (pool, spa, tennis)
Mehmet Ali Aga Mansion
Datça (2 nights) This 19th-century country home has been restored and converted into a beautiful hotel with a Turkish bath and atmospheric gardens. (pool)
Turkish Yachts
Mediterranean Coast (3 nights) Traditional wooden gulets, featuring private rooms and fresh regional cuisine prepared by the crew, carry us along the coast by day and into peaceful coves by night.
Slovenia & Italy Biking
The Julian Alps & Friuli's Collio Wine Region
Classic:
Singles+Solos:
Dalmatian Coast Biking
Biking From Split to Dubrovnik Via Croatia's Island Paradise
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Czech Republic & Austria Biking
From Prague to Vienna via Cesky Krumlov & the Danube
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Mallorca Biking New!
Spain's Idyllic Mediterranean Island
Classic:
Singles+Solos:
Spain Biking New!
From Barcelona to the Pyrenees & Costa Brava
Classic:
Singles+Solos:
This Trip Is Rated Level 2-4
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of
interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one
day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat
from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each
day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Road Bike Average | Mountain Bike Average* | Walk & Hike Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 10-15 miles | 2-5 miles |
| Level 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 16-20 miles | 5-7 miles |
| Level 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 21-25 miles | 7-9 miles |
| Level 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 26-30 miles | 9-11 miles |
| Level 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 31+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
*Mountain bikes are used in locations where the best riding is on a combination of dirt and paved roads. View trip locations
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Levels 1 to 2 2 Route Options Available
- 15, 25 miles
- 2340 - 3040 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Level 1 2 Route Options Available
- 15, 20 miles
- 1170 - 1620 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 16, 25, 45 miles
- 1800 - 5350 feet elevation gain
- Optional Walking 0.6 miles
Day 4
- Level 2 2 Route Options Available
- 22, 30 miles
- 1280 - 1850 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Levels 1 to 3 3 Route Options Available
- 15, 24, 34 miles
- 740 - 1310 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- Optional Hiking 3.1 miles
- 660 feet elevation gain
Day 7
- Conclusion of Trip
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For 33 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the Turkey tour experts. See our award-winning Europe At Large biking tours, Europe At Large walking and hiking tours and Europe At Large multisport tours.
