‘This tour is steeped in mythology,' says Muzzafer, one of our guides. ‘Alexander the Great spent a winter in the ancient city of Phaselis, while from the top of Mount Olympos the gods and goddesses looked down, wishing they were in his place.' It's quite a calling card but this tour lives up to it. You've got history at Phaselis and panoramic views from a ride on the Olympos Aerial Tram. What's more, there's time to visit some of Antalya's most secluded beaches and a mountain-top lunch.
First up is the ancient Greek and Roman city of Phaselis. It's scattered around a woodland and three little bays on the Lycian coastline and boasts impressive relics from classical times. Hadrian's Gate, the theatre and the aqueduct are among the standouts of the guided tour. Plus, you'll get to stroll among the ruins of former shops and the main street. There's also free time to visit the beaches, so bring your bathing gear. And all this is framed by the Bey Mountains National Park in the distance – your next destination.
You'll ride through the clouds to the summit of Mount Olympos, also known as Tahtali, on one of the longest cable car rides in the world – its more than 4km long. At the summit, which is 2,365m above sea level, you'll have plenty of time to soak up 360-degree panoramas from the viewing platforms, just as the ancient gods and goddesses did. To round of the experience, you'll get to sit down to lunch with a side order of spectacular scenery.
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