Daily Excursions

Didyma: The word Didyma meant "twins," this place was believed to be the meeting place of Zeus and Leto, who gave birth to their twins Apollo and Artemis. In the ancient world, Didyma was famed as a prophecy center dedicated to Apollo and served a purpose in Anatolia similar to the oracle at Delphi in Greece. It was not a city but a sanctuary linked to Miletus with a 12-mile sacred road. Today's large scale of the standing columns will impress even the most well-traveled visitors.

Priene: The ancient city of Priene was once a harbor city, but silt from the Meander River filled its bay and cut off its livelihood. Today, the site is nearly 16km away from the sea. The original city was a peninsula with two harbors on either side. Priene was laid out on a grid plan system with all streets at right angles. The extensive site sits at the foot of a spectacular cliff (Mt. Mycale) and contains many superb Hellenistic art and architecture examples.

Miletus: Ancient city near the present Akkoy at the mouth of the Meander River. Highly prosperous, it was one of the largest cities in Anatolia and founded many colonies. It was home to ancient philosophers Anaximander, Anaximenes, Thales, the town planner Hippodamus, and architect Isidorus. Having a prominent position on trade routes, Miletus became the most important port in this area and was the most active member of the twelve cities of the Ionian Confederation. From the 7th Century B.C., the city has been controlled in turn by Persians, Romans, and Seljuk Turks.