Apart from Scotlands landmark, the Old Man of Storr, the Quiraing is a must for anyone who visits Isle of Skye; especially if you’re a travel photographer!

The weather in Scotland can be very unpredictable, so it’s best to come prepared. It looked quite nice when we started the trek, yet it turned on us just before we got to the end where you decide to either turn around, or keep walking to finish the loop. It was really windy (really SUPER windy!) and it got foggy as well so we turned around in the end. We could barely keep ourselves from falling because the wind was that strong! On the contrary, it was nice because the wind pretty much pushed us all the way up. The trek itself is not hard, but we’re just going to let the photos speak for themselves.

A few facts about the Quiraing:

• Length: 6.8km (the loop)
• Duration: 2-3 hours (depending on the weather)
• Difficulty: Easy (unless it’s super windy, then you should be aware of the drops)

One of the most beautiful hikes in the world, with the most stunning landscape: The Quiraing in Scotland.

One of the most beautiful hikes in the world, with the most stunning landscape: The Quiraing in Scotland.

One of the most beautiful hikes in the world, with the most stunning landscape: The Quiraing in Scotland.

One of the most beautiful hikes in the world, with the most stunning landscape: The Quiraing in Scotland.

One of the most beautiful hikes in the world, with the most stunning landscape: The Quiraing in Scotland.

One of the most beautiful hikes in the world, with the most stunning landscape: The Quiraing in Scotland.

Due to its special form and beauty of its landscape, the tiny island is often referred to as “butterfly of the Aegean”. Still due to her manageable form, Astypalea offers quite a lot. Especially for vacationers who long to travel away from tourist crowds, it will be love at first sight. Astypalea is quite, mystical, idyllic, familiar with typical Greek ambience, dozens of beaches and crystal clear water. Yet her name holds no meaning to many – 90% of the islands visitors are Greek. The majority of foreign tourists are yet unaware of this hidden island secret.

Astypalea offers few sights. There are several small villages worth a look, yet Chora is the real highlight. Narrow alleys, traditional windmills and the remains of an old Venetian castle grace the islands largest village. Apart from the castle and the red-hooded windmills, a stroll through the streets is the best way to explore. You will also come across the famous white houses with blue roofs, normally associated with Santorini.

But let’s not forget about the stunning beaches. A holiday in Greece would be nothing without spending at least a couple of hours along the shores. It would be like spending a weekend in Paris, without gazing upon the Eiffel Tower. The beaches of Astypalea don’t have a cosmopolitan vibe or white sands, yet they offer turquoise, light-flooded water, relaxation and peace.

What can we say? Our trip to Astypalea was one of the most pleasant experiences we’ve encountered. Here, everyone knows everyone, which makes the island even more likeable. Only in August could you encounter not finding a room. During all other months, it’s quiet. Cozy. What fortune for island and visitor.

Infos & Tips:

• Best time to visit: From spring to fall you’ll find temperatures the most pleasant. This is when the water is warm enough to jump in.
• How to get there: From Athens you can fly to Astypalea in about 40 minutes, or you can take the ferry from Piraeus (even with your own car), which will take about 8-10 hours.
• Where to stay: The number of hotels on Astypalea is limited. The largest house offers only 28 rooms. You’ll search in vain for hotel bunkers. Instead several families rent out private rooms and apartments.

Chora is the capital of Astypalea, built on the hill slope. On top is a Venetian castle situated, known as the Querini Castle.

Querini castle in Chora is a wonderful sight placed on top of the hill. The castle was constructed by John Querini, a noble Venetian family who had taken over the rule of Astypalea after the siege of Constantinople by the Crusaders in 1204. It was built as a shelter against pirates and other enemies.

Due to its isolation, Astypalea has not made it onto many bucket list, yet this is what makes it special for eager travellers wanting to discover something new.

We could spend hours strolling through Chora, looking at all the different houses, cafés and taverns.

In the main square of Chora, you will find eight traditional picturesque windmills.

Astypalea fulfils every Greek island dream: whitewashed houses, blue painted doors and windows, tavernas with fresh seafood, the friendliest people, no mass tourism and all next to crystal-clear waters.

Chora amazes visitors with its unique architecture. The white houses, with their blue windows, wooden balconies and outdoor stairs, give it a traditional Greek charm.

All beaches in Astypalea have crystal clear water and they’re much quieter than beaches on other Greek islands.

Querini castle was made with black stones that shows a strange contrast with the white-walled cluster of houses around it. From up here, you have an amazing view of Chora.

Strolling through the streets of Chora is the best way to explore the village.

You’ll find few accommodation options in Chora and there are also many cafés and taverns that offer delicious traditional dishes.

An Educational Center That Survived For Centuries.

Craco is a hilltop village in the southern region of Basilicata, about 60km from Matera, that was once a monastic center, a feudal town and center of education with a university, castle, church, and plazas. When approaching Craco, you’ll immediately notice its striking appearance. Situated on a very steep summit, which was the perfect spot for defensive reasons, the town is crowned by a Norman tower.

The first written account mentioning Craco dates back to 1060 AD, but Mycenaean settlements developed the land between the 10th and 9th centuries BC. The oldest building of Craco, the magnificent Norman tower, was built in 1040. The population steadily grew to an average of 1.500 inhabitants over the next centuries with 2.600 at the highest in 1561. The construction of the Monastery of St Peter in 1630 helped established a permanent monastic order. However, in 1656 a plague struck Craco, killing hundreds and reducing the population significantly. Towards the end of the 19th century, a severe famine due to poor agricultural conditions caused a mass migration of Craco’s population. Still, many of the “Crachesi” (inhabitants of Craco) were very much attached to their beautiful medieval town and refused to leave.

So what happened? The old part of town was built on bedrock, like most hill towns. When it came time to think of expansion, the people in charge decided to plant houses on the clay that sat over the slippery slope of rock. Modern roads where a must as well and instead of each house having its own water tank, there would be a humongous water-holding tank built to distribute water to the “new city”. Lots of water in the water tank and the added weight of modern roads put an immense pressure on the big field of clay. After a torrential downpour, she came down. Half the town, gone in one sweep.

A Ghost Town Fit For The Movies.

Surviving for over a thousand years, Craco survived the plagues and its share of thieves and bandits, but finally succumbed to natural disaster when landslides occurred. In 1963, the last 1.800 residents were forced to leave Craco for their own safety and were relocated to a new town just a few kilometres away.

Today, all that is left is a ghost town. But thanks to the dramatic landscape and unique atmosphere, Craco has been the set of many movies including Mel Gibson’s the Passion of the Christ or James Bond 007 Quantum of Solace and is a popular tourist destination in the area.

Craco was built on a very steep summit for defensive reasons, giving it a stark and striking appearance and distinguishing it from the surrounding land. The way Craco’s ruins sit high up is quite creepy actually.

Craco is not open to the public. You’ll need a guide to walk you through the ruins due to safety reasons.

Not only do you need a guide to explore Craco, but you’ll also need to wear a hard hat.

It was here that the level of Craco’s destruction became more apparent. This part of the town which was built upon the clay and that suffered the worst of the damage.

It wasn’t difficult to imagine what living in Craco must have been like, standing at the large windows overlooking the surrounding fields which go on for miles or peering inside a desolate church which was once the focus point of a community.

Before Craco was abandoned it was alive with people. People who filled each room with stories and secrets.

It was actually quite difficult to comprehend that less than 50 years ago, this Craco would have been buzzing with life.

Craco was built upon a hillside with the safety of its population in mind. Today, the views over the surround region are absolutely stunning!

After 1.450km & 14 Hours Of Driving: You Have Reached Your Final Destination.

Matera is located in a remote corner of southern Italy in the small region Basilicata. It’s not the easiest place to reach and it took 14 hours of driving from Vienna, but because of its remoteness Matera has managed to remain relatively unknown, especially to foreign tourists. Getting there without a car is possible, but nerve wracking. You can fly into Bari, but then you’re pretty much on your own. Still, since it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, visitor numbers have slowly increased. And they will continue to increase even more if you ask me.

From A Lost City To A Culture Capital.

It’s difficult to imagine that not too long ago Matera was known for its poverty. Inside the sassi (Italian for stones), families lived alongside their livestock without electricity, running water or sewage. In such unhygienic conditions, diseases were on the daily menu. In 1952 the government forcibly relocated the approximately 20.000 inhabitants into modern housing in the new town on top of the cliff. Ironically, Sassi di Matera, once the shame of Italy, turned into the fame of Italy. What was an ancient network of subterranean slums has been transformed into a destination unlike any other in Italy and may be Europe’s most dramatic rebirth.

Things To Do In And Around Matera.

• Strolling through Sassi di Matera: Start of at the Church of San Agostino and continue walking along the Via Madonna delle Virtù from where you have an amazing view of Murgia National Park. Once you reach the beautiful Church of St. Pietro Caveoso, be sure to walk back through the old towns center past Matera Cathedral. Around every corner lies another building or view that will leave you breathless.
• Hiking in Murgia National Park: The park is located between the towns of Matera and Montescaglioso and is characterised by a soft limestone, which has played an essential role in the shape of the landscape.
• A visit to the ghost town Craco: Approximately 60km south of Matera lies the town of Craco. It was abandoned due to natural disasters and has since then become a famous tourist destination in the area.
• A day trip to the town Pietrapertosa: Pietrapertosa is a 1 1/2 hour drive (80km) west from Matera, but well worth the trip. This picturesque hilltop town is classed as one of the most beautiful towns in all of Basilicata, and also the highest. It overlooks the stunningly beautiful mountains of the Dolomiti lucane.

Best Place To Stay In Matera.

There are many cave hotels in Sassi di Matera, but Albergo Sextantio Le Grotte Della Civita is definitely the best choice! It was one of the coolest, most unique and luxurious hotels we’ve ever stayed at. A detailed review will follow soon!

This is the view of Sassi di Matera from Church of San Agostino. It’S the most iconic image of the city.

Welcome to the real Flinstones village. The ancient Sassi di Matera is believed to be the oldest continuously inhabited cave city in the world.

Matera Cathedral is located on the highest point of Sassi di Matera and it’s tower is the landmark of the city.

In 2019, Matera will be the host of the European Capital of Culture.

The Sassi district has gone through extensive re-development and hosts some incredible cave hotels, private homes and restaurants, lovingly restored to enhance their original features.

Sassi di Matera features some breathtaking buildings such as the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi.

Today approximately 2.000 people live in Sassi di Matera. Most of the caves are either still abandoned or occupied by little chic restaurants and hotels.

Sassi di Matera is a maze with hidden gems around every corner.

Welcome To The Garden Of Pere Lachaise Cemetery.

The world’s most visited cemetery opened in 1804. Père Lachaise is notable for being the first garden cemetery. Finally someone realised, that cemeteries don’t only need to be a place of sorrow, but comfort and peace.

The main attractions at Père Lachaise lie six feet under though: Edith Piaf, Jim Morrison, Frédéric Chopin, Yves Montand, Oscar Wilde, Maria Callas, Georges Bizet and many other celebrities have found their resting place here. Most visitors come here to find at least one of the mentioned graves, I didn’t care much about that. I rather enjoyed the sheer aesthetic beauty of the cemetery.

At Père Lachaise cemetery, 70.000 tombs (many of the rich and famous) form a verdant, 44-hectare sculpture garden.

The Père Lachaise cemetery takes its name from King Louis XIV’s confessor, Father François de la Chaise.

The number of bodies buried at Pere Lachaise cemetery vary widely. Anywhere from 300.000 to 1.000.000 souls are estimated.

Pere Lachaise cemetery is a major tourist attraction in Paris.

I imagine that Pere Lachaise cemetery is worth a visit anytime of the year, but during autumn this place seems even more mystical…

Pere Lachaise is laid out in numbered divisions, and the divisions are separated by roads and paths.

Plan on spending at least a couple hours at Pere Lachaise to really soak up the atmosphere and to get a sense of the place.

Grave to Valerio at Pere Lachaise: “He liked Stendhal, Pavarotti, Gamine, Pink Floyd, but when he was 29…”

Pere Lachaise was the first garden cemetery, laid out in the 20th arrondissement of Paris. It marked a shift in burial practices and rapidly became the model for similar style cemeteries throughout Europe.

Pere Lachaise is a place where the French ‘made the grave a garden’.

From Vienna To Passo di Xomo.

From Vienna it’s an 800 km drive until you reach Passo di Xomo, which is the starting off point. The drive itself is a pleasure, because the scenery makes up for the hours of driving. Still, it’s a long way to go with a camper van and we only arrived far after lunch. Therefore we decided to spend the night at Rifugio Passo Xomo (approx. 50 € per room). Early the next morning we drove up the remaining 4 km to Bocchetta Campiglia from where the hike begins. You can park your car here for 6 € per day.

Tunnels 1 to 52.

The road of 52 tunnels is not just any hike; it’s a hike through history. This military mountain road was built during World War I. It was (and still is) a real masterpiece of military engineering and boldness, considering the conditions back then. It was constructed in just 10 months (!) from February to November 1917 under the guidance of Lieutenant Joseph Zappa. It’s hard to imagine how soldiers carried up supplies and minors built these mountain tunnels in the middle of winter.

The hike itself is rather easy, though enduring due to its length of 6.5 kilometres and the elevation gain (with an average 12% grade). There are plenty of rocks to rest and soak up the stunning views.

Every tunnel is special in a way, but one of the most well known and impressive ones is Nr. 20. This tunnel is carved out of a rock tower and is spiralling upwards for 87 meters! Nr. 47 is also amazing, because it’s the highest point from where you have an amazing view of the area.

What Do Bring:

• A (head)torch is essential, because some tunnels are quite long and pitch dark.
• And good hiking boots are recommended, because it can get quite slippery.

Finally: Pasta, Pasta!

It took us about three hours to reach the end of the trail, where you’ll immediately see Rifugio Achille Papa. We spoiled ourselves and ordered a well deserved Italian pasta. As already said, the hike itself is not too difficult, but we were pretty exhausted anyway. Oh and the Rigugio even has a few rooms, so if you feel too tired to walk back the same day, just spend the night. Be sure to make a reservation though (especially on weekends).

From up here, there are two ways back to the car park: you can either turn around and head right back down on the Strada delle 52 Gallerie or you can take the gently winding road. We went for the dirt road, which is used to transport supplies up to the Rifugio. After 17.5 kilometres, we finally reached the parking lot. Exhausted but also exited to have just walked in the footsteps of history.

Hiking through the Strada delle 52 Gallerie is a walk through history.

The entrance of tunnel Nr. 1.

The Strada delle 52 Gallerie trail alternates between a dirt track and tunnels dug out of the mountain.

The longest tunnel is Nr. 19, with 318 m length.

Strada delle 52 Gallerie starts at Bocchetta di Campiglia (altitude of 1216 m) and ends at the Porte del Pasubio (altitude of 1928 m).

Strada delle 52 Gallerie was originally built as a supply line for Italian troops who were defending against Austrian and Hungarian forces. The path was made to accommodate the soldiers and their mules.

Strada delle 52 Gallerie is located approx. 30km from Lake Garda, one of the most beautiful areas in northern Italy.

Hiking along the Strada delle 52 Gallerie is an amazing experience – also because of the stunning views!

Rifugio Achille Papa is located right at the end of Strada delle 52 Gallerie and a perfect spot for a nice lunch.

After about six hours, we reached the Austrian-Italian border and decided to give the Dolomites a visit. Unfortunately the weather was really bad, so we returned to Austria the next day. Tyrol it was then!

From Larger Villages, To Smaller Ones; And From Smaller Ones To Innervillgraten.

Innervillgraten is one of the most traditional and most beautiful mountain villages in Tyrol. Approximately 940 people call it their home and it’s a very typical scattered settlement at around 1402 metres above sea level. The region is one of the most remote regions in Austria and is only accessible throughout the year since 1956. This gives you a hint of what our next couple of days looked like.

Small alpine villages are characteristic for Innervillgraten and while driving along the continually smaller roads, we ended up at exactly one of these…

Welcome To Oberstalleralm.

These alpine huts were built for the summer cattle husbandry. Farmers lived with their animals during the season. That is why these huts are actually quite large with living rooms and a stable. Today, they’re used as holiday cottages for vacationers like us.

The protected alpine village Oberstalleralm consists of only 18 rustic alpine huts, which was perfect for us. This part of Austria is a paradise and a place of refuge for anyone looking for peace and tranquillity. Unspoilt nature is all you’ll get here.

Restaurant Tip.

• Gasthof Badl Alm
• Adress: Kalkstein 160a, 9932 Innervillgraten
• Opening Hours: Daily from 11.30am – 6.00pm

The “Gasthof Badl Alm” in Innervillgraten is the perfect place to start your hike or excursion. Great food and a lovely place to stay at.

Farming is the number one business in Innervillgraten.

Apart from the town centre, Innervillgraten mainly consists of farms spread out across the area.

The landscape around the Innervillgraten valley is one of the most beautiful we’ve come across in Austria.

Oberstalleralm is one if the most serene and peaceful places in Tyrol.

The alpine village Oberstalleralm consists of only 18 rustic alpine huts.

Apart from vacationers renting one of the farm houses at Oberstalleralm, you’ll only come across hikers once in a while.

On A Roadtrip To Prague.

Along with the best mum in the world, a bag of yummy picknick goodies and the cute Opel Karl, we were one our way up north.

A few stops in between and just about five hours later, we arrived at the IBIS Praha Old Town Hotel, right in the centre of the city. I can really suggest a hotel near the Old Town, because from here, you’ll reach almost anything by foot.

Prague’s Treasure Chamber, Day 1:

48 hours doesn’t sound like lot of time for a capital city with as many sights as Prague. But if the timing is right and you’re not a lazy bum, then you’ll be able to explore all the famous landmarks of the city.

Prague’s centre is a cultural treasure chamber! Indispensable is the Old Town Square of the city with the gothic Church of Our Lady before Týn and the oldest still operating Astronomical Clock in the world, which is located on the facade of the old Town Hall.

• A short side note: My great great great grandfather Anton Michalitschke was one of the people repairing the astronomical clock between 1787 bis 1791.

Continue walking East and you’ll reach the 621 metre long and nearly 10 metre wide Charles Bridge, which is also one the most frequented sights of the city. Still, there is no way around (or better across) it. And after all, it is a nice stroll through the bridge tower, across the Vltava river that leads the way up to the largest ancient castle in the world: Prague Castle. Just a small place, where two catholic town councils and a secretary were thrown out of a window in 1618, that then started a war that would last 30 years and seized almost all of Europe. We could have spent hours here, but set our focus to the Golden Lane and Saint Vitus Cathedral, which was enough for the day. Close to 20 kilometres of walking made our feet sorer than sore!

Prague’s Treasure Chamber, Day 2:

Our sightseeing tour started again at the old town spare, from were it only took us a couple of minutes until we reached the Old Jewish Cemetery in the district Josefov. It’s the largest Jewish cemetery in Europe and stands out due to it’s many wildly arranged tombstones.

We quickly realised that our legs still hurt and decided it give our feet some rest and went on a two hour boat cruise. It lead all the way from Cech Bridge to Vysehrad fort. The Dancing House was just one of the sights we got to see during our cruise.

It’s not for nothing that up to 50.000 people visit Prague each day during the high season. Prague is one of the most spectacular cities in Europe that is often underrated and only narrowed down to just a few beautiful sights. So at this point, we’d like to thank Opel and Accor for sponsoring this trip – it was a real pleasure!

The second day passed a lot faster and we now either had the choice to spend a few hours more in Prague, or to drive West to a place called Sedlec Ossuary (aka Skull Church) before returning to Vienna. Who wouldn’t want to see 70.000 skeletons in one of the most macabre buildings you could find? Yup, that’s us alright!

• Sightseeing Tip: The view up from the top of the Old Town Hall is absolutely stunning!
• Lunch Tip: Prague has so many lovely restaurants to chose from, no doubt about that. But Mistral Café & Restaurant is a sweet and homey place with food that is to die for!
• Love Tip: Like in many other cities around the world, lover’s locks can be found near the John Lennon Wall in Prague.

The Old Town Square in Prague is home to some of the most iconic and dramatic buildings of the city.

The most notable sights on the square are the Old Town Hall Tower & Astronomical Clock, Tyn Church and St. Nicholas Church. At the centre (left in this photo) of the Old Town Square is the Jan Hus statue.

Be sure to climb the Old Town Hall Tower in Prague for a stunning view over the square.

To fully appreciate the Astronomical Clock, join the crowd in front of the tower to watch the procession of the Twelve Apostles: on the hour, every hour, a small trap door opens and Christ marches out ahead of his disciples, while the skeleton of death tolls the bell to a defiant statue of a Turk.

The Dancing House (designed by architects Vlado Milunic and Frank Gehry) in Prague is set by the Vltava River. Its design is unique, and especially striking in the city centre because it is a modern building surrounded by historic architecture.

The Old Jewish Cemetery is among the oldest surviving Jewish burial grounds in the world and along with the Old-New Synagogue, it’s the most important site in the Jewish quarter of Prague.

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Prague Castle is the largest coherent castle complex in the world, with an area of almost 70,000 m². It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Cappadocia: A World Heritage Dreamland.

Millions of years ago volcanic eruptions shaped these bizarre mushrooms, fairy chimneys and pointed caps out of stone. The landscape of Cappadocia, with houses carved into stone, looks like a different world, a dreamland many say. Even today several people still live in these caves made of lava stone.

Uchisar is the most famous town in Cappadocia. Not only is it the highest point of the region, but also the most striking thanks to it’s natural 60 metre high rock castle. It can be seen from a great distance and is visited by pretty much every tourist who comes to this area. It draws attention and lets you imagine how special and adventurous the area around Uchisar is.

It’s said that the long defense tunnels of towns with citadels (like Uchisar) reached far into the surrounding areas. However, since these tunnels have collapsed in places, the theory can’t be confirmed, but is still a popular myth.

The rock citadel in Ushisar, Cappadocia has many underground rooms and walkways. This, as well as the fantastic view from the hisar are well worth a trip.

The smaller, or rather less famous brother of the rock castle in Ushisar is located in the town Ortahisar, less than 15 driving minutes from there. Of course this town is also marked by the striking rock castle, but several small side alleys and a beautiful main square made this the place to set our base. Hezen Cave Hotel is not only a beautiful and well decorated boutique hotel, but also offers what a hotel in the area should offer: cave rooms. The view of the rock castle from the hotels terraces was truly breathtaking!

Ortahisar means “middle castle,” and as its name implies, it is central among the Cappadocian towns. Still, it stayed more or less on the sidelines despite its central location, which made it perfect for us.

Heven Cave Hotel in Ortahisar has several beautiful terrace to enjoy the stunning view.

Ortahisar is known for its friendly people, picturesque stone houses, narrow streets and lovely churches as well as the castle-like rock formation after which the town is named.

Wander downwards from the main square Ortahisar and you’ll discover cobbled streets framed by stone-house ruins leading out to a gorge of pigeon house–speckled rock.

The Other Kind Of Turkey: Welcome To Fantastica.

Some might have erotic fantasies when driving through Cappadocia, I rather see these stone formations as smoking fairy chimneys, mushrooms or pointed caps. It almost feels like as if garden gnomes dominate the area. Depending from which side you come from, you either start in the Devrent valley or Pasabag Monks valley. Michael Endes Fantastica from the Neverending Story greets you, because your imagination won’t have any boundaries here.

In Cappadocia magic seem real. How could geology explain such a surreal phenomenon of fairy like chimneys? The landscape truly looks like something out of a Salvador Dali dream.

The fairy chimneys in Devrent Valley (also known as Imaginary Valley) form a lunar landscape by their strange look and is known for its many animal shaped rocks.

Volcanic eruptions created this surreal landscape of Cappadocia. The lava flows formed tuff rock, which wind and rain sculpted into sinuous valleys with curvy cliff faces and pointy fairy chimneys.

Pasabag valley contains some of the most striking fairy chimneys in Cappadocia with twin and even triple rock caps.

Exploring Cappadocia was everything I expected it to be: exciting, adventurous, inspiring and beautiful. I hope to return again soon.

The sights of the area are so diverse that there is something new to explore around every corner. We could have spent many more days here, but we still had Pamukkale and the beautiful Turkish Riviera on our travel list.

Apart from the well known areas like Cappadocia and Pamukkale, Turkey has a lot more to offer. The ancient city of Myra was one of these sights.

Early morning is always a good time to visit such spots because your typical tourist tends to sleep longer when on vacation, so therefore all these must-see sights are mostly deserted in the mornings. And for us as travel photographers, the morning hours have a far better light anyway.

A Place Where History Can Be Felt Every Step Along The Way.

Myra once was the capital of Lycia until it lost a battle in 800 AD. Terrible plagues, Muslim raids , earthquakes and floodings did the rest and in the 11th century, Myra was finally abandoned only to be rediscovered in 1840 by Charles Fellows – an famous British archaeologist.

So we were the first ones to arrive there, and had the place completely to ourselves. When standing in the half circle theatre, the largest theatre in Lycian times, one can really imagine how it must have felt, when the crowd cheered. The theatre is impressive, but the rock hewn tombs behind it even more. There are two necropolis of Lycian rock-cut tombs in the form of temple fronts carved into the vertical faces of cliffs. The entire site is really well preserved, which is perfect for your imagination of those ancient times.

Myra is a relatively small site and you’ll be done within an hour, but nevertheless it’s well worth the trip!

Even though you’re not allowed to walk around the rock tombs, you still feel the ancient Lycian culture…

It’s best to visit the ancient ruins of Myra early in the morning, because that’s when you’ll have the place to yourself without hordes of tourists.

All pre-Greek people of Anatolia built beautiful monumental tombs. The Lycians developed this form of art to perfection, no doubt facilitated by the soft limestone of the region.

The theatre of Myra, with the rock-cut tombs of the ancient Lycian necropolis on the cliff in the background.

The main attractions at Myra is the large theatre which used to sit up to 13.000 people.

The vibe and atmosphere around Myra is unique. It really feels like you’re set back into time…