TURKEY: HISTORY, FOLK LIFE and CULTURE
October 29 thru November 10, 2010
Friday, October 29 - Istanbul
Arrive in Istanbul. Transfer to your hotel in the historic Sultanahmet district.
Evening rendezvous with the other tour participants and dinner in an enjoyable setting.
Dinner in an enjoyable setting. Overnight in Istanbul.(D)
Saturday, October 30 - Istanbul
Full day of touring within Istanbul, exploring the many sites that make this ancient
city at the crossroads of Europe and Asia so fascinating. Dinner boat cruise on the
Bosphorus, weather permitting. Overnight in Istanbul.(B,L,D)
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Sunday, October 31 - Istanbul
Full day of touring within Istanbul continues, including a visit to the Turkish Islamic Art Museum.
You will also visit the magnificent Topkapi Palace. Dinner tonight will be independent, giving
you the opportunity to explore the many dining options in Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul. (B,L)
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Monday, November 1- Cappadocia
Following breakfast, you depart to the airport for a morning flight to Kayseri, from where you then
drive to Cappadocia, a region of unusual landscapes integrated with a distinctive architecture of
troglodyte housing. Your touring in Cappadocia will include the Goreme rock-hewn churches richly
decorated with natural dyed frescoes, Uchisar Hill for the panorama of the whole region, Zelve valley
with missile-like fairy chimneys, Kaymakli the underground city where the early Christians sheltered
when they were under the threat of the pagans. Overnight in Cappadocia. (B, L, D)
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Tuesday, November 2 - Cappadocia
You continue exploring the region of Cappadocia. Overnight in Cappadocia. (B,L,D)
Wednesday, November 3 - Konya
Following breakfast, you depart westwards towards the central Anatolia region with stops on the way,
including a visit to a town where the restoration of antique rugs has been a mainstay of the economy.
You eventually reach Konya by mid to late afternoon. Afternoon visit to the Mevlana Museum. Dinner and
overnight in Konya.(B,L,D)
Thursday, November 4 - Central Anatolia
Morning departure through the lake region and the beautiful scenery of the Taurus mountains, with stops
for lunch and sightseeing along the way. Late afternoon arrival in Denizli. Dinner and overnight in
Denizli.. (B,L,D)
Friday, November 5 - Pamukkale/Aphrodisias
Morning visit to Pamukkale, the salt encrusted falls, after which you drive westward through Aphrodisias,
the ruins of which are only second to Ephesus in their expansiveness. Lunch will be en route. Mid to
late afternoon arrival in Seljuk, a town in the western portion of Turkey. Dinner and overnight in
Seljuk. (B,L,D)
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Saturday, November 6 - Ephesus
Today you start with a visit to Ephesus, the most expansive of ruins in Turkey and one of the largest in
the world. Following Ephesus, we visit what is believed to be the house of Mary, the mother of Jesus. You
then drive to the coast where you can explore the character of a coastal town. You are on your own for
lunch in Kusadasi, where you can choose among the many nice locations available for either indoor or
outdoor dining. Dinner and overnight in Seljuk. (B,D)
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Sunday, November 7 - Pergamun/Assos
Drive north in the morning stopping in Pergamun (Bergama), another of of Turkey's ancient cities and one
that was a producer of rugs during much of the 18th, 19th and 20th century. The day’s touring continues
with a drive to Assos, a coastal town that remains relatively undeveloped, where we will see the ruins.
Dinner and overnight in Assos. (B,L,D)
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Monday, November 8 - Troy/Canakkale/Bursa
Today you continue our ride northwards, with our first stop being Troy, the site of the Trojan Way. After
touring Troy, we continue on to Canakkale. Lunch will be in the Canakkale region, followed by your
continued drive to Bursa. Once you arrive in Bursa, you will begin touring this ancient city. The late
afternoon will be free for you to explore the town on your own. Dinner and overnight in Bursa. (B,L,D)
Tuesday, November 9 - Bursa/Istanbul
This morning you depart Bursa for the drive along the Marmara with a late morning arrival in Istanbul.
Once you arrive in Istanbul, you will be on your own for lunch, as well as having time to explore more of
Istanbul's historic sites, wander the covered bazaar at leisure, visit museums or simply wander through
the city. Your farewell dinner will be in a festive setting. Overnight in Istanbul. (B,D)
Wednesday, November 10 - Istanbul departure
Following breakfast, you depart for the airport for our return flight to the US. (B)
Istanbul: Arcadia Hotel
Nicely located in the heart of the historic Sultanahmet district, the Arcadia has spacious and tastefully decorated rooms. The rooftop restaurant, where breakfast is served, provides a wonderful view of Istanbul. Dinner can also be ordered there, as well.
Website
Cappadocia: Nevsehir: Dinler Hotel
A relatively new hotel situated in the Cappadocia area. Spacious grounds with pleasant rooms.
Website
Konya: Dundar Konya
This is a business type hotel. In Konya, most of the architecture seems to have the inspiration of Soviet or East German architecture of twenty years ago. As Konya is a conservative, commercial city, the hotels reflect this. The Dundar is perfectly nice for one night. Imagine a typical business style hotel in a U.S. city.
Website
Pamukkale: Richmond or similar
Modern resort type hotel in this beautiful part of Turkey. The hotel has a very nice Turkish bath, indoor and outdoor pool, thermal baths, wellness center and many amenities that complement resort type hotels. Certainly the nicest hotel in the region.
Website
Seljuk: Hotel Kalehan
Family style hotel in Ottoman style. Individually designed rooms, Turkish crafts and rugs provide the interiors in the pleasant town of Seljuk, a short drive from Ephesus.
Website
- All touring, entrance fees, baggage handling and most meals, as indicated on the itinerary.
- Price is based on double occupancy in deluxe/first class hotels
Cost per person: $3,395. Single supplement is $495.