FROM KEKOVA TO ANTALYA
Kekova
Kaş is also ideal place for boat trips for nearby Kekova where visitors admire many ruins even some submerged ancient cities.
The bay take its name from the Kekova Island. Kekova Bay with its countless coves has been a great pace of shelter and anchorage for the ships all year round. Along the northern shore of Kekova Island, the submerged ruins of ancient villas of Apollonia dating to 4th century BC. The city which is partly submerged due to earthquakes of ancient times is known as "sunken city" and it creates a fascinating attraction for the visitors.
One of the sites is Aperlea with its city walls, acropolis and necropolis with attractive tombs. Most impressive sights are now the ancient harbor, streets and houses now staying under the water. This phenomenon is either caused by an earthquake or rise at the level of sea water.
Üçagiz Theimussa
Located 35 kilometers distance from Kaş, Theimussa offers fine shelter with its fine coves. It also gives access to Simena and Kekova Islands. The castle of the rock hill, some columns in the water and tombs are what is left from the glorious pasts of the Theimussa whose history goes back to 5 century BC.
Kaleköy
The most charming village in Kekova is Kaleköy, former Simena, with its castle at the top. This impressive castle is surrounded by several tombs and has a 300 seat theatre in it. Inhabitants of KaleKöy deal with fishing and catching lobsters. Visitors admire the single Lycian Sarcophagus standing in the middle of the water.
Patara
Located 41 kilometers form the town of Kaş, Patara was an important city of antiquity. Patara was known also birth place of God Apollo and Saint Nicholas. Due to silting up process created by Ksantos river, Patara lost it harbor which was a very busy one. Now excavated by the Antalya Univerty, the history of Patara is getting more an more clear. Patara was also place where Saint Paul changed his boat on the way to Roma. Patara area also offers one the longest beaches of Turkey.
Xantos
Located 45 kilometers of Kaş and situated on the eastern end of Esen River, the city of Xanteos was the capital city of Lycian League. The ancient city is full of fascinating monuments such as its fine theatre and many other funerary Since Harpies monument, Nereids monument, payave Sarcophagus and Lion tomb were moved to England by Charles Fellows in 1842 ??, the plaster copies can be seen on the site.
Leeton
Letoon was the cultural and religious center of Lycia. The town attracted many visitors because of its twin temple and well preserved theatre. The excavation Leeton brought to light many inscriptions giving information about the history of Leeton. One of these inscriptions which mentions the visit of Alexander the great is worth mentioning.
Kaş
Kaş, ancient Antifellos has been always inhabited stating from the early days of the history. This was the harbor of the city of Fellos, situated high on the mountains During the Roman Centuries, this small town became economic centre of the region and through which sponges and wool were exported. Modern town Kaş is dotted with charming monuments of the antiquity. One of the monuments is a Greek theatre with 26 row of seats. This fascinating Greek Type theatre with 4000 seating capacity facing to sea and Greek island Meis, is well preserved. Another monument is single tomb which stands in the middle of the town at Uzuncarsi Street. This fine tomb is considered as on of the finest examples of Lycian Type tombs. An inscription tells us the importance of the person buried there and his characteristics and the information about how to protect this tomb. The hill overlooking the town has many Lycian Type tombs.
Kalian
With its small cove, old Greek houses and small yacht harbor, Kalkan is a popular place for blue trip makers. Although only income of the inhabitants of Kalkan were olive and soap production up to recent years, now people of Kaş they get also their share from the travel Industry.
Myra
It is known Emperor Germanicus and his wife Agrippina visited the town 17 AD. Myra is one of the coastal ancient cities which Paul, Luke and Aristarcus visited ( Acts 27:5-6). It was in Myra they changed boats on their way to Rome. Roman centurion Julius found a ship from Alexandria heading to Rome by the way if Cnidos, another important coastal town in the north.
Olimpus
Yanartas
This amazing site where fire comes out everywhere is considered as traditional place where young Lycian Hero Bellorofontes killed Chimera, a monster emitting fire from his mouth. Bellerofontes flying over his winged horse approached to the monster and killed it. In reality this is methane gas coming out of the rocks for thousands of years.
Ceneviz Limani Port Genoise
Phaselis
Phaselis was founded by Rhodesians who had no resistance from local inhabitants. Lacius, founder of the city gave choice between salted fish and grain to landowners to buy the land for the foundation of his new city. This was how the tradition of giving salted fish as offering started. Popular saying "a gift from Faselitans” originated from this". The importance of Phaselis as an important trade center started 6th century BC. When the trading center was opened on the Nile Delta at Naucratis, Phaselis was one of the cities accepted there. Her privileged location, the woodland around it and flowers growing in the area producing rose perfume made Phaselis great city of trade. During the Persian rule, the people of Phselis established very friendly relations with the Persians. When Athenian commander Cimon liberated the region from Persians, Phaselitans did not look very happy. Thanks to long standing friendship of Chians, Cimon did not give any harm to the city. When Phaselis became the member of Athenian Maritime League, her contribution was nearly 6 talents, equal to money paid by Ephesus. During the war between Mausolos and Pericles, king of Lymira, Phaselis sided with Mausolos. When Alexander the Great started his campaign, the Phaselitans sent envoys and presented a crown and their city. Upon his arrival, Alexander stayed in Phaselis for a while and helped to them to settle their problems with the nearby cities. After the death of Alexander the great, Phaselis was first under the rule of Ptolemies of Egypt and then by Seleucids of Syria.
Starting from 1.century BC, Phaselis because of its privileged location, it was subject to permanent attacks of Pirates. many times, the pirated landed and Phasilis and eventually their leader Zenitides settled there. A Roman general Servilicus Vatia was sent to put an end to pirate activities. He defeated the pirated and put the region under the Roman Control. Suffered in the hands of pirates and damaged during the war between pirated and Servilicus armies, the population of the city and its size diminished. The people of Phaselis did not fight against Brutus while he was invading the Lycia. Little is heard of the city during the Pax Romana. One of the greatest events in the history of Phaselis was the visit of Emperor Hadrian in 129 AD. People of Phaselis and nearby cities erected a monumental gate and many statues of Emperor Hadrian to commemorate this great event. Starting from 7 century, Phaselis was permanently attacked by the Arabs because of its very strategic location. During the 7th and 8 centuries, Phaselis enjoys a new era of prosperity and city is rebuilt. in the 12 century, Phaselis was captured by the Seljuk Turks.
Olimpus
Surrounded by mountains and open to Mediterranean Sea, Olimpus covers nearly a circular area. The city bears the name of very impressive mountain culminating 2400 meters above sea level and only 10 km for the city of Olympus. It is suggested that Olimpus was founded in the Hellenistic period, namely 2. Century BC. Many coins minted in this period are further proof for this theory. Nearly 100 BC, it was one of the six cities of the federation and having tree voting ballots. Like some other cities in the region, Olympus was also attacked by the Cilician pirates and their leader settle on Mount Olympus. Cilician governor of Cilicia, Servilus Vatia, attracted to city an put an end to the activities of pirates. Their leader, Zenizetes committed suicide by burning himself and members of his family into death. It is suggested that Hadrian visited the town during his second visit and the name of the town was Hadrinapolis during a short time. The Golden Age of Olimpus ended during the third century AD during a new wave of Pirate attacks. Only during the time of Knights of Rhodes, the city had short period of revival. During the Ottoman reign of the region, Olympus was completely abandoned.
Attalia
14:25
Although Attalia is not mentioned when Paul, Barnabas and John Mark came to Pamphilia region during the First Missionary Journey, they probably arrived to Attalia first and continued to Perge. According to Acts, Attalia is visited towards the end of First Missionary Journey.
Blue Cruise itinerary on Antalya - Kekova - Antalya
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1st day: Abording the yacht. Welcome cocktail. Dinner and overnight in
Antalya.
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2nd day: After breakfast our first stop is Olympus. Lunch in Olympus. You
will find the chance to visit Chimaera. Dinner and overnight in Adrasan.
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3rd day: After breakfast you will sail through Cayagzi. Lunch in Cayagzi.
Here you may visit the ancient Myra, the birth place of Santa Claus.
Dinner and overnight in Gokkaya.
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4th day: After breakfast cruise over the Sunken City, you will reach to
beautiful Kekova. . Dinner and overnight in Ucagizlar..
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5th day: Breakfast in Ucagizlar. Visit to Kale Village. Lunch on Board,
Dinner and overnight in Gokliman / Finike.
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6th day: Sailing to port of Ceneviz after breakfast. Lunch in port of
Ceneviz. In the afternoon you will have the chance to swim, surf and
snorkeling. Dinner and overnight in Tekirova.
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7th day: Breakfast in Tekirova. You may visit the ruins of Phaselis. Lunch
in Phaselis. Sailing back to Antalya. Dinner and overnight on board.
8th day: Breakfast and disembarkment in Antalya.
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