Turkey Escorted Tour with Historical and Small Hotels

An intimate Small Group adventure, a relaxing and enjoyable holiday

Visit quaint and small towns around the Turkish Mediterranean Coast

Stay in Small historical and Typical hotels, meet hospitable and friendly locals

Authentic Adventure
2012 
(12Days/11nights)

Our trip covers what is perhaps the most beautiful part of the Turkish Mediterranean coast, exploring classic sites and seascapes on easy walks. A relaxing and enjoyable holiday in quaint and historical towns with carefully selected, restored local architecture hotels where available. Shopping options at local rug cooperatives, a pottery making workshop, vineyards, onyx factories and first hand interaction with local, friendly Turkish people.

NEW: Pay in full before Apr 30 , 2012 and receive $ US 400 reduction per couple on any departures in 2012

ITINERARY - 12 days/11nights with possible 3-night cruise extension (Min. 2 passengers)

Day 1 Mon: Istanbul | Arrival. You will be met at the airport and transfer to your hotel in the old part of Istanbul. Overnight at a historical hotel in old city part of Istanbul. Welcome briefing.

Day 2 Tue: Istanbul | Half day sightseeing tour of St. Sophia and Hippodrome, afternoon optional Bosphorus cruise and spice market. B

Day 3 Wed: Istanbul | Morning visit Topkapi palace, Blue Mosque and Grand bazaar. Optional: Tonight join our Turkish dinner and enjoy Turkish belly dancing and folk dancing entertainment. B

Day 4 Thu: Gallipoli & Troy – Assos | Morning departure for Gallipoli en route visit an old Vineyard (Umurbey Vineyard) and wine cellar to taste the famous Turkish Wines. Next visit Anzac Cove, Lone Pine Cemetery and Chunuk Bair, then across the Dardanelles to Canakkale visiting Troy. We continue
to Assos for overnight. B D

Day 5 Fri: Kusadasi via Pergamum | Morning drive through the olive forests and stop by an olive museum. Then we visit an ethnographical museum in Tahta kuslar (wooden birds) village. The last stop of day will be by the ancient Medical Center Asclepius in Pergamum. Overnight in Kusadasi. B D

Day 6 Sat: Ephesus & St. Mary’s House | Morning tour of glorious ruins at Ephesus, explore 2,000 year-old marble streets, a theater, the library of Celsius, a gymnasium and Hadrian’s Temple. Take a short drive to see St. Mary’s stone cottage where she stayed later in life accompanied by St. John, and visit also the traditional village of Sirince. Overnight in Kusadasi. B D

Day 7 Sun: Kusadasi – Cappadocia | Early morning flight to Kayseri and short drive to Cappadocia, arrival at the “moon-like” landscape of Cappadocia. Drive to Soganli valley, which was continuously inhabited since the earliest days of the Christian era, has churches that date from the 9th to 13th centuries. Some of the churches contain inscriptions giving the exact dates of construction and thus have provided scholars with valuable clues to help date other churches in Cappadocia. Soganli, like other valleys in Cappadocia, exemplifies the harmony between man and nature. Tonight Optional: Whirling Dervishes performance in a Cave setting. B D

Day 8 Mon: Cappadocia | Early Morning Optional: Balloon Tour. Experience of floating through volcanic valleys, fairy chimneys and caves with the sunrise of Cappadocia. After breakfast visit the Byzantine frescoed chapels at Goreme then continue to Ozkonak, tour the Pigeon valley Avcılar, the eight-story underground city, and a local pottery making village, Avanos and finally visit to a home of a traditional Turkish Family. Tonight dinner in a traditional Cappadocia restaurant (Cultural Museum Restaurant built in an old Turkish House and incorporated in an Ethnographical Museum). Overnight in Cappadocia. B D

Day 9 Tue: Cappadocia – Antalya | Set out for Antalya through Taurus mountains and visit Aspendos the Roman city, on the foot of the Taurus mountains, next onto Perge. Today’ s lunch is included and will be served in casual style at a traditional village restaurant. Overnight in Antalya. B L D

Day 10 Wed: Antalya | A free day on the Mediterranean or join an optional tour to the Archeological Museum of Antalya combined with a Cruise from the old Roman Yacht harbor. Overnight in Antalya. B D

Day 11 Thu: Myra – Finike – Kalkan | Morning drive to Myra, to visit the home church of St. Nicholas and the ancient city of Myra. Overnight in Kalkan. B D

Day 12 Fri: Kalkan – Fethiye – Return | Morning drive to Fethiye and visit Lycian tombs. Later transfer to Dalaman airport for afternoon flight to Istanbul. (Flight ticket is not included). B

Blue cruise extension
Day 12 Fri: Kalkan Fethiye – Cruise | An early morning drive to Fethiye to board on Gullet at 10.30 am. Afternoon, we will be visiting uniquely beautiful islands and finally hoist near Göcek island. Following lunch and a swimming break we will cruise to Yassıca islands to spend the night and cherish
the wonderful scenery. B L D

Day 13 Sat: Bedri Rahmi Bay – Domuz Island – Aga Limanı | After breakfast we will cruise to Bedri Rahmi Bay. Bedri Rahmi is a famous Turkish artist who made one of the first ‘Blue Cruises’ in Turkey. Following his visit the bay was named after him. We will go to Domuz Island for a swim and anchor in Aga Limanı for dinner and overnight stay.B L D

Day 14 Sun: Kumlubük – Cennet Island – Marmaris | Today, we will cruise to Kumlubük Bay early in the morning. Breakfast will be served in Kumlubük Bay. We anchor at Cennet Island for our last swimming break and lunch. We will enter Marmaris Harbour by 16:00 p.m. Overnight stay will be in Marmaris. Guests wishing to see more of Marmaris are recommended to go to the city centre and experience the lively night life.B L D

Day 15 Mon: Marmaris | We will leave the boat and transfer to the Dalaman airport. B

2012 prices in US$

3nights/4days blue cruise extension: US$ 450 per person based on double occupancy (single triple on RQ)

Pre Tour accommodation in Istanbul:
US$ 107 per person based on double
US$ 188 per person based on single
US$ 92 per person based on triple

Children (ages 5-11 sharing with two adult) : 25% reduction

Price Includes:
• Small group size max 20 people
• Stays at Historical, boutique and cave hotels
• Option to visit local villages, markets and have lunch with locals
• Option to Turkish Gullet yacht cruise (Blue Voyage)
• Some dinners at local restaurants.
• First hand experience to learn pottery making
• Program offers some easy walks
• Visit to a Winery and taste Turkish Wines
• Off the beaten path visits ( Soganli Valley and Tahtakuslar Village)
• Home Visit to Turkish Family in Cappadocia
• Local Dinner and local lunchPrice excludes:

• Domestic flights ( approx. USD 180.00 per person)  personal expenses, optional tours, customary tips to the guide and drivers

Hotel used on the tour: