The Best of Cesme
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port
Cesme, Turkey
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activityLevel
Strenuous Activity
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excursionType
All
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wheelchairAccessible
No
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startingAtPrice
$120
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minimumAge
Information Not Currently Available
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duration
Approximately 5½ hours
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mealsIncluded
Meals included
The Cesme Peninsula is one of Turkey's most beautiful stretches of coastline, surrounded by clear blue seas, with landscapes of cultivated fields of aniseed, sesame and artichokes dotted wth fig and gum trees. Your day will begin with a photo opportunity at the famous Cakabey Monument, erected in honor of one of the admirals of the Ottoman Navy.
Next you will visit Ildiri, a quiet seaside village 12 miles northeast of Cesme. Excavations here have shown that the site has been settled since the early Bronze Age, and as a result the area around the village has been declared a National Heritage Site. The walls around the ancient city are still standing, and exceptionally beautiful Hellenistic floor mosaics can still be seen in one of the buildings.
Stop for photos at the famous Alacati Bay -- a big name in the world of windsurfing and kitesurfing -- with its crystal-clear water and steady, year-round winds.
Head to Dalyan for a delicious lunch of Turkish specialties and seafood.
You will visit Cesme Castle -- the focal point of Cesme town. An imposing site with its six towers and a moat on three sides, the castle is guarded by a statue of Cezayirli Gazi Hasan Pasha -- one of the naval commanders of the Battle of Cesme. Pasha is depicted caressing his famous pet lion and facing the Town Square.
Please note: Shade is limited; please dress accordingly. Bring a hat and wear sunscreen. Wear comfortable walking shoes.