BMW The Ultimate Riding Machine

Ottoman Explorer

• 26 days/25 nights (24 hotels, one overnight ferry)
• 5,000 miles
• BMW Tours' first visit to Greece and Turkey
• Visit the site of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
• Some of them most influential old cities on the planet

This year will mark BMW Tours' first ever visit to Turkey and Greece. We'll start with an exhilarating week of riding, socializing and sightseeing through Eastern Europe, culminating with a final night on European soil is in the pleasant town of Alexandroupoli.

Then it's on to our destination for the next two days and nights: Istanbul, the Gateway to the East. We have a full day off to explore this enchanting city, wandering among the towering Ottoman palaces and browsing the beguiling bazaars and boutiques. The sunset call to prayer from pencil-slim minarets brings welcome serenity, as the streets clear and the blazing heat of the day subsides, providing an ideal opportunity to walk among the city's great many architectural highlights.

While Istanbul is unequivocally one of the most magical cities of the world, it's but the start of our adventure. Ahead of us we have an amazing journey through some of the ancient world's most famous locations, including the UNESCO cities of Safranbolu and Amasya. Our next port of call is Cappadoci and its spectacular "fairy chimneys" and underground dwellings. We'll be staying in the famous cave hotel for two nights.

Then it's back on the bikes and on to Konya. This city is also home to one of Islam's greatest mystical movements – the Sufi sect of ‘Whirling Dervishes’, who are famous for their hypnotic, twirling dancing.

Our travels will take us to Ephesus – once home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: the Temple of Artemis. While little of the temple remains, Ephesus is littered with wonders of architecture and history including the Library of Celsus and the huge cliff-side amphitheatre.

From the grandeur of Ephesus, we travel to the wonderful oasis of calm that is Assos. Here, ancient ruins and village life intermingle, while the fishing port below welcomes weary travellers.

We then make our way to once-mighty walled city of Troy. Whether you know of it from Homer's Iliad, or Brad Pitt's movie, the whole world remembers the cautionary tale of hubris that is the Greeks and the Trojan Horse. The past decade has seen huge improvements and restoration to the archaeological sites of Troy, and we'll have ample time to explore.

Our next big destination is Gallipoli. The peninsula is now a national park and home to a number of monuments. Gallipoli also marks the start of our journey home, via the Meteora monasteries in the clouds, Igoumenitsa and the mountains roads through Greece, before the final run back through Italy, Switzerland and France.

Itinerary

France – Austria – Slovenia – Croatia – Serbia – Bulgaria – Greece – Turkey – Greece – Italy – Switzerland – France.

Highlights

The best of Eastern Europe – Hagia Sophia & Topkapi Palace in Istanbul – The ancient site of Troy – The Whirling Dervishes of Konya – Cappadpcia – Meteora Monastries – Gallipoli Peninsula