An eclectic mix of attractions awaits on this trip - authentic cuisine, a lost city and Santa Claus. You'll visit the ancient city of Myra and the church of St Nicholas, before sampling local cuisine at a nearby restaurant. After lunch, relax as glide along the coast to Kekova island and its sunken town. As our expert local guide Ahmet says, 'The highlight of the day for me has to be the ruined Lycian city of Myra. The rock-cut friezes carved with theatrical masks and the stacked tombs hewn into the cliffs are a sight to behold. It's awe-inspiring that parts of this site are thought to be around 2,500 years old.'
Proceedings get under way with a tour of the ancient city of Myra to explore the well-preserved amphitheatre and see the intricately carved rock tombs, high in the cliff face. Next, it's time to visit the Church of St Nicholas, who's better known today as Santa Claus. After a tasty lunch of typical dishes freshly prepared in a local restaurant, it's time to sail to Kekova island, a protected area famed for its underwater ruins.
These are the relics of the ancient town of Simena, partially submerged by an earthquake in the 2nd century. There's time for a swim in the warmer months – the water is clear and inviting – it would be difficult to resist a dip in the sea. But if the weather doesn't permit a boat trip, there's a visit to the fascinating Demre museum instead.
