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WONDERS OF TURKEY 2010
Turkey - crossroads of civilizations is a continental bridge between the East & West - History is chronicled through the country that is now Turkey. Civilizations through the ages - Hittites, Lycians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Ottomans - have left their indelible markings in archeological wonders, architectural splendors and religious grandeur.
Turkey is a mosaic of minarets and mosques, crosses and crescents. Marvel at vibrant cities, secluded villages, intriguing bazaars, brilliant seas, opulent palaces and priceless art treasures.
HIGHLIGHTS
- 17 meals – including 4 lunches & 4 dinners
- 2 Professional Visits in Izmir and Istanbul
- Tour Ankara and Cappadocia
- Explore Izmir, Sardis and revel in a full day tour to Ephesus - one of the 7 wonders of the world
- Discover Istanbul and its famed Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque and the Church of St. Sophia
ITINERARY
THURSDAY, DAY 1 - EN ROUTE
Depart the U.S. on your desired trans-atlantic flight to Istanbul, Turkey.
Depart the U.S. on your desired trans-atlantic flight to Istanbul, Turkey.
FRIDAY, DAY 2 - ISTANBUL
Arrive in Istanbul. Upon arrival, you will be required to purchase a visa (currently $20 for American passport holders, payable in cash). Meeting, assistance and transfer to your hotel for overnight.
Arrive in Istanbul. Upon arrival, you will be required to purchase a visa (currently $20 for American passport holders, payable in cash). Meeting, assistance and transfer to your hotel for overnight.
SATURDAY, DAY 3 - ISTANBUL-KAYSERI-CAPPADOCIA
Morning flight to Kayseri (flight from Istanbul to Kayseri is included in your tour program). Then, our drive to Cappadocia transports you to a strange and spellbinding world of now-extinct volcanos, where the landscape has been transformed into a world of haunting surrealism. You’ll see unique structures of underground homes and churches built by early inhabitants. Visit the Goreme National Park, likened to an open-air museum. Here clustered within a relatively small compass, are numerous monasteries and some of the most fascinating churches of the region. Lunch at a local restaurant and try your hand at making local pottery. Tonight, evening briefing on the special itinerary prepared for your group, followed by Welcome to Turkey Dinner. BLD
Morning flight to Kayseri (flight from Istanbul to Kayseri is included in your tour program). Then, our drive to Cappadocia transports you to a strange and spellbinding world of now-extinct volcanos, where the landscape has been transformed into a world of haunting surrealism. You’ll see unique structures of underground homes and churches built by early inhabitants. Visit the Goreme National Park, likened to an open-air museum. Here clustered within a relatively small compass, are numerous monasteries and some of the most fascinating churches of the region. Lunch at a local restaurant and try your hand at making local pottery. Tonight, evening briefing on the special itinerary prepared for your group, followed by Welcome to Turkey Dinner. BLD
SUNDAY, DAY 4 - CAPPADOCIA-ANKARA-IZMIR
Drive to Ankara. Lunch, then visit the Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemel Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey. Continue to the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, housed in a 15th century covered bazaar to explore its many fine exhibitis of various periods. Paleolithic, Neolithic, Chalcolithic, Early Bronze, Hittite and later periods until today. inhabitants.
Evening flight to Izmir (included in your tour program), formerly Smryna, an ancient trading post converted into a modern city with a palm-lined seafront. Transfer to your hotel for overnight. BL
Drive to Ankara. Lunch, then visit the Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemel Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey. Continue to the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, housed in a 15th century covered bazaar to explore its many fine exhibitis of various periods. Paleolithic, Neolithic, Chalcolithic, Early Bronze, Hittite and later periods until today. inhabitants.
Evening flight to Izmir (included in your tour program), formerly Smryna, an ancient trading post converted into a modern city with a palm-lined seafront. Transfer to your hotel for overnight. BL
MONDAY, DAY 5 - IZMIR-SARDIS-PERGAMON
After breakfast, journey to Sardis, one-time capital of Lydia, with preservations that include the Temple of Artemis, a gymnasium complex and a synagogue dating back to the 4th century. After lunch at Pergamum, one of the ancient world’s great centers of learning and the arts; visit the Temple of Athena and Dionysus and the Altar of Zeus. Return to Izmir for overnight. BL
After breakfast, journey to Sardis, one-time capital of Lydia, with preservations that include the Temple of Artemis, a gymnasium complex and a synagogue dating back to the 4th century. After lunch at Pergamum, one of the ancient world’s great centers of learning and the arts; visit the Temple of Athena and Dionysus and the Altar of Zeus. Return to Izmir for overnight. BL
TUESDAY, DAY 6 - IZMIR-EPHESUS
This morning after breakfast tour Ephesus, the most complete Roman city ever un-covered and one of the most important sites in Turkey. See the Agora, (market place)the Odeon (theatre) and the Temple of Hadrian before continuing to the Library of Celsus; walk on the marble road to the great theatre of the city. Lunch on your own, then on to the Church of St. John and the House of the Virgin Mary. B
This morning after breakfast tour Ephesus, the most complete Roman city ever un-covered and one of the most important sites in Turkey. See the Agora, (market place)the Odeon (theatre) and the Temple of Hadrian before continuing to the Library of Celsus; walk on the marble road to the great theatre of the city. Lunch on your own, then on to the Church of St. John and the House of the Virgin Mary. B
WEDNESDAY, DAY 7 - IZMIR-ISTANBUL
This morning, after breakfast, a Professional Visit is scheduled. Fly to Istanbul (air included in your tour cost). Situated on the Bosphorus, one of the world’s most beautiful waterways, Istanbul straddles two continents and is a geographic union of east and west. It is a city of multiple personalities where spires, domes of mosques and medieval structures share the skyline with modern office buildings. Donkey-drawn carts battle automobiles through narrow streets. The call to prayer beckons many while an exciting nightlife calls to others. European elegance strolls side by side with the traditional dress of the villages, which radiate from the city. Tonight, a typical Turkish Dinner. BD
This morning, after breakfast, a Professional Visit is scheduled. Fly to Istanbul (air included in your tour cost). Situated on the Bosphorus, one of the world’s most beautiful waterways, Istanbul straddles two continents and is a geographic union of east and west. It is a city of multiple personalities where spires, domes of mosques and medieval structures share the skyline with modern office buildings. Donkey-drawn carts battle automobiles through narrow streets. The call to prayer beckons many while an exciting nightlife calls to others. European elegance strolls side by side with the traditional dress of the villages, which radiate from the city. Tonight, a typical Turkish Dinner. BD
THURSDAY, DAY 8 - ISTANBUL
A comprehensive overview of the city begins with the site of the famous Hippodrome which was begun in 203 AD, and continually enlarged until it could seat 100,000. Site of ancient chariot races and two of the most magnificent architectural sites in the world , the Blue Mosque, with its exquisite shimmering Iznik tiles, and the Church of St. Sophia and its remarkable Byzantine interior and spectacular dome. Visit the Topkapi Palace, former residence of the Ottoman Sultans and their harems, where the collection of art, porcelains and jewels demonstrates the era’s opulence. Lunch will be at the Konyali Restaurant within the palace’s precincts. BL
A comprehensive overview of the city begins with the site of the famous Hippodrome which was begun in 203 AD, and continually enlarged until it could seat 100,000. Site of ancient chariot races and two of the most magnificent architectural sites in the world , the Blue Mosque, with its exquisite shimmering Iznik tiles, and the Church of St. Sophia and its remarkable Byzantine interior and spectacular dome. Visit the Topkapi Palace, former residence of the Ottoman Sultans and their harems, where the collection of art, porcelains and jewels demonstrates the era’s opulence. Lunch will be at the Konyali Restaurant within the palace’s precincts. BL
FRIDAY, DAY 9 - ISTANBUL
After breakfast, confer with colleagues at a Professional Visit to a Turkish hospital. Relax on an afternoon tour of the ornate and eccentric Dolmabahce Palace, a private residence of the Sultans built on the edge of the Bosphorus. Delight at the Grand Bazaar, a labyrinth of more than 4,000 shops under one roof, displaying a dazzling selection of leather, carpets, jewels and copper crafts. Tonight a special dinner with members of the Turkish Medical Professional. BD
After breakfast, confer with colleagues at a Professional Visit to a Turkish hospital. Relax on an afternoon tour of the ornate and eccentric Dolmabahce Palace, a private residence of the Sultans built on the edge of the Bosphorus. Delight at the Grand Bazaar, a labyrinth of more than 4,000 shops under one roof, displaying a dazzling selection of leather, carpets, jewels and copper crafts. Tonight a special dinner with members of the Turkish Medical Professional. BD
SATURDAY, DAY 10 - ISTANBUL
Full day at leisure. Tonight’s Farewell Dinner and Show, caps a memorable journey. BD
Full day at leisure. Tonight’s Farewell Dinner and Show, caps a memorable journey. BD
SUNDAY, DAY 11 - ENROUTE
Transfer to the airport for your flight back to the U.S. B
Transfer to the airport for your flight back to the U.S. B
This is a sample itinerary- distribution of sites & leisure time is subject to change. Meal Conditions: Buffet Breakfast daily, 4 lunches, 4 dinners.
2011 Projected tour dates:
Apr 28-May 8, May 26-Jun 5, Jun 23-Jul 3, Aug 25-Sep 4, Oct 6-16
