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 to the Datça peninsula, traced by small coves and bays Magnificent views of the mountain and sea are your reward for today's climb Cool off with a swim in the Mediterranean We're welcomed like family at a restaurant overlooking the harbor, where fisherman gather to play cards and drink tea.
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 <i>gulets</i>,
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 the 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.
Trip Highlights
- 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 and Kaunos
- Break bread with a Turkish family at their traditional home
- Sail the Mediterranean in traditional wooden gulets, dropping anchor to swim, snorkel and slumber
Premiere Inns
The Marmara 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 (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 (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.
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.
| Daily Route Options | ||||||||||
| Day | EASYGOING | ACTIVE | AVID | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | ||||||
| miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | |
| 1 | 19* | 1300 | 27 | 1900 | ||||||
| 2 | 15* | 1200 | 32 | 1600 | ||||||
| 3 | 16* | 1800 | 25* | 2600 | 45 | 5400 | ||||
| Cooking class (1 hour) | ||||||||||
| Knidos ruins walk (0.6 miles) | ||||||||||
| 4 | 25 | 1300 | 40 | 1900 | ||||||
| Cruising on the Mediterranean | ||||||||||
| 5 | 15* | 1200 | 20 | 2100 | ||||||
| Kaunos ruins walk (1.5 hours) | ||||||||||
| Cruising on the Mediterranean | ||||||||||
| 6 | Cleopatra's Bay hike (3.1 miles; 700' elevation gain) | |||||||||
| Cruising on the Mediterranean (3 hours) | ||||||||||
| 7 | Conclusion of the trip | |||||||||
To make for the most comfortable ride to this particular trip, we've outfitted our titanium road bike with slightly wider tires.
* Includes a shuttle
2013 Dates & Pricing*
CLASSIC TRIPS
- 8/31-9/6 Price: $5998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $990 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/20-26 Price: $6098 pp dbl. occ., (+ $990 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/29-10/5 Price: $5998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $990 for sgl. occ.)
- 10/8-14 Price: $5698 pp dbl. occ., (+ $990 for sgl. occ.)
*Prices may change. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
Guest Trip Reviews
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 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
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
We had a phenomenal trip! Biking and boating through the countryside and coast of Turkey was just a spectacular way to experience the country's beauty and richness...the people were so warm, the leaders were terrific and the food to die for!- New York, NY
One of our best Backroads trip ever! A great combination of biking, walking a cultural activities. You are to be congratulated on the route selections and stops.- Doylestown, PA
The guides were absolutely SUPERB. The unanticipated 100 degree weather made extra biking a bit hard, but Backroads came through, as always, in a superb fashion. Great trip, with great memories, and great expectations for our next Backroads experience!- Berkeley, CA