Cappadocia to the Mediterranean

Türkiye is literally layered with history – civilizations built one atop the other have left unmistakable marks on the landscapes of the Anatolian peninsula. Instead of turning pages in a history book, on this 10-day adventure we turn corners on a bike from the heart of ancient Cappadocia to the Turkish Riviera on the Mediterranean coast.

Chapter 1: Ancient Cappadocia. We spend four days cycling, exploring, and dining in this iconic region of otherworldly ‘fairy chimneys’, filled with rock-cut churches and underground cities. Beyond the must-sees of Göreme and Derinkuyu, we venture deep into the rugged countryside that most tourists only see from above in a hot air balloon.

Chapter 2: Spiritual Konya. By day 5 we reach Konya, a historic city with a proud Islamic heritage where the droning hum of the call to prayer from countless mosques blends into a heady atmosphere.

Chapter 3: The Road to Lake Beyşehir. Riding across the vast, open expanse of the Anatolian Plateau, we stop at a 3,000-year-old Hittite stone monument before arriving on the shores of Lake Beyşehir.

Chapter 4: The Taurus Mountains. On Day 7, the terrain changes dramatically as we climb into the rocky peaks and forested wilderness of the Taurus Mountains. We spend the night in a traditional ‘button house’ nestled in the highlands.

Chapter 5: ‘Mare Nostrum’ – The Roman Mediterranean. Descending gloriously to the coastal plains, we base ourselves near the ancient port city of Side for the final two nights. We ride past and explore the temples, theatres, and aqueducts of the Romans, who once held total control over the Mediterranean Sea. The tour ends with a transfer to Antalya, the gateway to the Turquoise Coast.