The Odyssey stage 1 - Istanbul to Athens

Stage 1 starts in continent spanning Istanbul. From this city of cities, we depart via the Bosphorus south towards Troy, the historic and legendary starting point for Odysseus' famed journey home. Turkey is heralded for its beautiful coastlines and rugged interior, the The Cycling Tour of Turkey (the rider's favourite UCI World event) is known for the same spectacular scenery. Taking in Gallipoli and Ephesus, castles and ancient temples, our historical journey spans the ages. We finish our Turkish adventure on the stunning Bodrum Peninsula which shows this country off at its most staggeringly beautiful - sweeping sandy beaches hugging a steep rocky coastline, gently caressed by jade waters, backed by forest-blanketed slopes dotted with ancient settlements. Scenery doesn't get much better!

As we step onto our luxury gulets, our homes for the coming week, you will be amazed at their beauty - and their ability to support us on an island hopping adventure taking in the very best of Greek Island living! We finish Stage 1 cruising the Dodecanese islands, Kalymnos, Kos, Symi, Nisiros and Rhodes rolling on our bikes along ancient pathways, never for long without a view of the azure Mediterranean waters, feasting on deck in between swims in the Mediterranean!

Highlights

• Istanbul - built on two continents, divided by the Bosphorus, a melting pot of many civilisations both Eastern and Western and certainly one of the greatest cities in the world
• UNESCO World Heritage Ruins. From Troy where it all began both with its physical remains and for its Homeric literary links to Ephesus, one of the greatest classical cities of the ancient world. Beyond these well known sites we also roll through ruins of once great cities at every turn from Miletus to Priene, Didim to Alexander Troas.
• Turkey - a succession of historical figures and empires – including the Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans have all left their indelible mark on this ancient country
• Delightful people - from picnics made by local villagers, ready for us as we roll in to our local crew. The Turkish people are amazing hosts.
• The Turkish delights of the Turquoise Coast. The water is a surreal electric blue, teal and green, the beaches white and underpopulated. It will be hard to board the boat for Rhodes (not really!)
• Bodrum is a lively and friendly city and also the site of the ancient city of Halicarnassus which houses one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus (built circa 353 BCE)
• Island hopping on our very own luxury yacht through the Dodecanese Islands. For 5 nights we will call the yacht home. We will sail from port to port, riding on and off and exploring one of the most beautiful archipelagoes in the world
• Spectacular Kos, rolling through pine forests with idyllic views and brilliant local tavernas to enjoy before reboarding our Gulet to sail on.
• Nisiros and Symi, two lesser known Greek islands with Venetian influence and stunning harbours. Beyond these two challenging rides is some of the most beautiful scenery anywhere in the world.
• The largest and historically most fascinating of the Dodecanese islands, Rhodes abounds in both beaches and wooded valleys and is perfect for cycling and ancient history