Classical Asia Minor: Greeks, Romans, and Others in Ancient Turkey
Anatolia has always been more than a geographical bridge; it is one of the great theatres where civilisation unfolded. Empires rose and fell across these lands—Hittite, Persian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine—and each left its imprint in stone, ritual, and memory. In this layered terrain, myth collides with archaeology, cities speak in ruins, and history reveals itself through stories of power, devotion, conflict, and cultural exchange.
Led by:
Historian of the Ancient World, Interpreter of Persia & Cross-Cultural Empires
Narrative Introduction
On this 14-day journey across western and southern Turkey, Professor Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones—world-renowned historian of the ancient world and interpreter of Persia and cross-cultural empires—leads travellers through a sweeping narrative of antiquity. This tour follows the pathways where East met West, where Greek settlers built brilliant poleis, where Persian satraps governed a multicultural world, where Rome crafted its provincial splendour, and where Christianity emerged amid polytheistic sanctuaries and bustling cities.
From the legendary walls of Troy to the marble avenues of Ephesus, from the terraced sanctuaries of Pergamum to the healing waters of Hierapolis, from the Lycians’ rock-cut tombs to Bodrum’s glittering coastline, this itinerary explores the human stories behind the monuments—how people lived, traded, prayed, celebrated, and imagined their world.
This is not just a tour of sites. It is an intellectual voyage into the connective tissue of civilisations, guided by a scholar who brings ancient worlds vividly to life.
Our Thematic Journey: Exploring Italy's Great Legacies
What This Tour Explores
This richly layered journey through western and southern Anatolia invites travellers to explore one of the most culturally dynamic regions of the ancient world. Guided throughout by Professor Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones—renowned historian of Persia, Greece, and the great cross-cultural empires—this tour reveals how Anatolia became a vibrant meeting point between East and West, where myth, archaeology, and empire converge. Beginning in the landscapes overlooking the Dardanelles, the journey opens at Troy, a site where Homeric legend and archaeological reality intertwine. From there the route follows the arc of the Aegean coast into the heart of the Hellenistic and Roman East, visiting the famed sanctuary city of Pergamum, the Lydian and Persian capital of Sardis, and the extraordinary Roman metropolis of Ephesus, home to the Library of Celsus, the theatre of St Paul’s protests, and the celebrated cult of Artemis. Here, travellers encounter the splendours of imperial architecture, the intimacy of Roman domestic life inside the beautifully preserved Terrace Houses, and the city’s transformation as a centre of early Christianity. Continuing inland, the tour traces the sacred and healing traditions of antiquity at Hierapolis and Laodicea, where hot springs, monumental theatres, and early Christian basilicas illustrate a region rich in spiritual and cultural exchange. Further south lies Aphrodisias, one of the most enchanting archaeological sites in the Mediterranean and renowned for its school of sculpture. Its marble stadium, temple complex, and museum offer a vivid picture of artistic and political identity in the Roman world. From the thermal landscapes of Pamukkale, the journey moves toward the turquoise coastline of Antalya, where the region’s finest archaeological museum brings the splendours of Pamphylia and Lycia into focus. Along the Mediterranean coast, travellers explore Perge and Side, cities marked by colonnaded avenues, ancient harbour life, and beautifully preserved temples. The path then leads deeper into Lycia, a land of distinctive funerary architecture, visiting the cliff tombs of Myra, the Christian legacy of St Nicholas at Demre, and the historically resonant site of Xanthos. The final chapter of the tour unfolds along the southwest coast, where river landscapes and maritime horizons shape local histories. At Kaunos, visitors cross waterways to a city shaped by Anatolian, Greek, and Roman influences. In Bodrum—ancient Halicarnassus—the remains of the Mausoleum, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the impressive Bodrum Castle illuminate the region’s maritime importance. A sailing excursion to Knidos offers a fitting finale: a luminous city between two seas, celebrated in antiquity for its artistry, science, and devotion to Aphrodite. Across two weeks, travellers witness the evolution of cities, religions, rituals, and cultural identities, set against some of the most compelling archaeological landscapes on earth. Throughout, Professor Llewellyn-Jones brings depth, clarity, and storytelling brilliance, illuminating not just monuments but the people who inhabited them—the kings and pilgrims, merchants and artisans, worshippers and philosophers who shaped Anatolia’s ancient world. This tour is an invitation to follow the connective threads of civilisation across an extraordinary region where the legacies of Persia, Greece, Rome, and early Christianity all meet.
The Path We Travel
The Story in Pictures
Signature Experiences
Welcome Dinner with Princess Signoretta Alliata
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Enjoy a privileged evening inside Palazzo Alliata di Pietratagliata, one of Palermo’s most exquisite noble residences. Hosted by Princess Signoretta Alliata, this private dinner unfolds amid lavish Sicilian rococo interiors, Vito D’Anna’s frescoes, and Europe’s largest Murano glass chandelier. The Palazzo’s unique blend of medieval fortification and Catalan Gothic detail makes it a rare architectural gem—and an unforgettable start to your journey.
Private Sicilian Puppet Theatre Performance
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Enjoy an exclusive evening at a traditional puppet theatre, where you will privately attend a performance of the UNESCO-listed Opera dei Pupi. This cherished Sicilian art form, which flourished in the 19th century, brings to life the heroic tales of Charlemagne, his valiant knights, and the epic legends inspired by the Song of Roland and Ariosto’s poems. Through vivid storytelling, intricate craftsmanship, and centuries-old tradition, you’ll experience one of Sicily’s most captivating cultural treasures.
Private After-Hours Visit to the Valley of the Temples
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Experience the Valley of the Temples in its most enchanting light—after closing hours, when the crowds have vanished and the ancient landscape belongs entirely to you. As twilight falls and the temples glow under moonlight and soft illumination, the atmosphere becomes profoundly magical. The quiet, broken only by the evening breeze, creates an intimate connection with the sacred stones and the centuries they have witnessed.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the finest legacies of Greek civilisation, the Valley of the Temples stands as a breathtaking testament to Sicily’s cultural and architectural brilliance.
Ceramic Masterclass in Caltagirone with Salvatore Floridia
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Step into the world of Sicilian craftsmanship with a private workshop led by renowned artisan Salvatore Floridia. In the birthplace of Caltagirone ceramics, you’ll uncover the ancient stories behind its vivid hues and intricate designs, learning to fire and decorate your own piece using methods passed down through generations.
Mozzarella-Making Experience in Campania
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Enjoy a personalised visit to a family-run mozzarella factory in Naples, where the region’s world-famous cheese has been crafted for generations. Step inside the production facility to witness the authentic process—from the first drop of milk to the creation of silky, freshly pulled mozzarella. After observing the master cheesemakers at work, you’ll have the chance to braid your own mozzarella and savour a tasting of cheese made moments before. An unforgettable immersion into Campania’s proud culinary tradition.
Gladiator Craftsmanship & Combat Experience in Rome
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Meet a master artisan in Rome whose workshop produces historically accurate gladiator armor and weapons for museums and film studios. Learn the ancient techniques of forging metal, shaping leather, and decorating authentic replicas before trying on a full set of gear yourself. The experience culminates in a safe, choreographed training session led by a historical combat instructor, where you’ll practice basic gladiatorial moves and step briefly into the world of Rome’s legendary arena fighters.
Featured Hotels
Sicily
Fontes Episcopi ****
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Naples
Palazzo Caracciolo ****
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Rome
Leon's Place ****
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