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GRAND
TURKEY
A World Heritage Sites Tour of Turkey |
 |
Eastern
Anatolia is a part of Turkey that has its own unique
past. The region’s long and turbulent history has
left monuments to its various civilizations: Byzantine
monasteries
and churches,
Seljuk mausoleums and caravanserais, elegant Ottoman
mosques and hilltop citadels. Our 22-day Grand Turkey
tour is an
attempt at understanding the history and culture of
this unique part of Turkey.
|
Tour
Summary
|
Map |
Day
|
Place
|
|
01
|
Trabzon |
|
02
|
Trabzon / Erzurum |
| 03 |
Erzurum
/ Ani / Kars |
|
04
|
Kars
/ Dogubeyazit / Mt Ararat / Van |
|
05
|
Van |
|
06
|
Van
/ Diyarbakir |
|
07
|
Hasankeyf
/ Mardin |
|
08
|
Diyarbakir
/ Harran / Urfa |
|
09
|
Urfa
/ Mt.Nemrut / Kahta / Antakya |
|
10
|
Kahta
/ Gaziantep / Antioch / Adana |
|
11
|
Antioch / Tarsus / Adana |
|
12
|
Adana
/ Cappadoci |
|
13
|
Cappadocia |
| 14 |
Cappadocia
/ Konya / Antalya |
|
| 15 |
Perge
/ Aspendos / Antalya |
| 16 |
Aphrodisias
/ Pamukkale / Denizli |
| 17 |
Denizli
/ Ephesu / Izmir |
| 18 |
Pergamum
/ Troy / Canakkale |
| 19 |
Canakkale
/ Gallipolis / Istanbu |
| 20 |
Istanbul |
| 21 |
Istanbul |
| 22 |
Istanbul
/ Departure |
|
 |
UNESCO
World Heritage Sites Visited
This tour has been tailored to include the following World
Heritage Sites |
|
World Heritage Sites in Turkey covered on this tour |
| Historic
Areas of Istanbul (1985) |
Strategically
located on the Bosphorus peninsula between the Balkans
and Anatolia, the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, Istanbul
has been associated with major political, religious and
artistic events for more than two thousand years. Its
masterpieces include the ancient Hippodrome of Constantine,
the 6th-century Hagia Sophia and the 16th- century Suleymaniye
Mosque, which are now jeopardized by overpopulation, industrial
pollution and uncontrolled urbanization. |
| Goreme
National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia (1985) |
In
a spectacular landscape, entirely sculptured by erosion,
the Goreme Valley and its surroundings contain sanctuaries
hewn into the rock, providing irreplaceable evidence of
Byzantine art of the post-iconoclastic period. Dwellings,
troglodyte villages and underground towns representing
a traditional human habitat, dating back to the 4th century,
can also be seen there. |
| Nemrut
Dag (1987) |
The
mausoleum of Antiochus I (69-34 B.C.) who reigned over
Commagene, a kingdom founded north of Syria and the Euphrates
after the breakup of Alexander's empire, is one of the
most ambitious constructions of Hellenic times. The syncretism
of its pantheon, and the lineage of its kings, which can
be traced back through two sets of legends, Greek and
Persian, is evidence of the dual origin of this kingdom's
culture. |
| Archaeological
Site of Troy (1998) |
Troy,
with its four thousand years of history, is one of the
most famous archaeological sites in the world. The first
excavations at the site were started in 1871 by the famous
archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann. In scientific terms,
its extensive remains are the most significant and substantial
demonstration of the first contact between the civilizations
of Anatolia and the Mediterranean world. Moreover, the
siege of Troy by Spartan and Achaean warriors from Greece
in the 13th or 12th century BC, immortalized by Homer
in The Iliad, has inspired great creative artists throughout
the world since that time. |
| Detailed
Itinerary |
Day 01: Arrive
Trabzon
Upon your arrival in Trabzon, you are met with a friendly 'merhaba'
(hello) and escorted to your hotel. You will have the day free
to begin exploring Trabzon or to relax at your leisure. Learn
more about the cultural adventure ahead of you at an orientation
meeting at 7pm. During dinner get acquainted with the other
members of your group.
Overnight: Usta Park Hotel, Trabzon (1 night) (D)
Day 02: Trabzon/Erzurum (Drive)
Trabzon, the city which Don Quichote dreamt constantly of being
the king of. Start the day with a visit to the 14th. c. Sumela
monastery, and continue to the Zigana Pass. Enjoying wild scenery
of Kop mountain we arrive in Erzurum
Overnight: Polat Renaissance Hotel, Erzurum (1 night) (B, L,
D)
Day 03: Erzurum/Ani/Kars (Drive)
Following a visit of the city's Seljouki monumentssuch as the
Yakutiye Madrasa, the Great Mosque drive across the vast plains
along the Araxes river to Kars. Visit Ani, the border town
to Armenia, once the capital city of an Armenian kingdom. Back
to town for a stroll along the streets where Orhan Pamuk's "Snow" was
set.
Overnight: Simer Kars Hotel, Kars (1 night) (B, L, D)
Day 04: Kars/Dogubeyazit/Mt Ararat/Van (Drive)
Drive through the countryside to visit Ishak Pasha Palace.
On route to Van, The 17000 feet Mount Ararat, fabled to have
housed the Ark of Noah will be viewed for most of the way.
Locals weave animal figures on the Sumak Kilims as a depiction
of the ark's passengers.
Overnight: Merit Sahmaran Hotel, Van (2 nights) (B, L, D)
Day 05: Van
Our first visit will be to Cavustepe, a Urartian citadel complex
dated back to 8th c. The 16th c. Hosap Castle will make you
feel like you are in a sci-fi movie. A lake-side lunch will
be followed by a cruise to the Akthamar Island, for a visit
of a unique Armenian church, adorned with a stone carved story
of the people and their faith. Visit a local carpet and handicraft
center, and finally the Van Castle for a glance at the Urartian
capital Tuspa. (B, L, D)
Day 06 Wednesday: Van/Diyarbakir (Drive)
Drive up the mountains for a stop in Bitlis to visit a Seljuki
madrasa. Continue to upper Mesopotamia (between the Euphrates & Tigres)
and visit the 13th c. Malabadi - one of the largest bridges
of the past. Enjoy a lovely sunset on the city walls of Diyarbakir
-
The Great Mosque.
Overnight: Class Hotel, Diyarbakir (2 nights) (B, L, D)
Day
07: Hasankeyf/Mardin (Drive)
Drive along a land spotted with oil wells, and irrigated by
the waters of Tigris. Visit the remains of Hasankeyf's monumental
Zeyl Abidin tomb, rock houses. Continue to Midyat, well known
for its stone carvings and monastaries. Final visit will be
to Mardin, and Dayr-ul Zafaran monastery. Return to Diyarbakir.
(B, L, D)
Day 08: Diyarbakir/Harran/Urfa (Drive)
Drive to Urfa, along the banks of the largest man made lake
in Turkey (of Ataturk Dam). which is the birthplace of Abraham.
Ruins of the oldest Islamic university also an astronomy center
with its observation tower still standing, and the Harran houses
built of mud-bricks are all unique features of this land. Visit
Urfa bazaar.
Overnight: Harran Hotel, Urfa (1 night) (B, L, D)
Day 09: Urfa/Mt. Nemrut/Kahta/Antakya (Drive)
Drive to Adiyaman, along the banks of the largest man made
lake in Turkey (of Ataturk Dam). Climb up the mount Nemrud,
where Kommagenian king Antiochus' tomb was built, surrounded
by the gigantic statues of local gods. Explore the terraces & statues.
Overnight: Buyuk Hotel, Antakya (1 night) (B, L, D)
Day 10: Kahta/Gaziantep/Antioch/Adana (Drive)
Drive to Gaziantep. Visit museum for looking the famous mosaic
of the Zeugma. Afternoon will be spent in Antakya, a true treasure
of history, religions and food. The word "Christian" was
first used in this town where St. Peter gathered early Christians
in a cave church for mass. The second largest mosaic museum
is another highlight of the day.
Overnight: Cukurova Surmeli Hotel, Adana (2 nights) (B, L,
D)
Day 11: Antioch/Tarsus/Adana (Drive)
Drive along Meditarrenean, through the fertile Cukurova plains,
barred by Taurus mountains range. St.Paul was born in Tarsus,
and Alexander The Great marched his armies through this land.
(B, L, D)
Day 12: Adana/Cappadocia
In the morning cross Taurus Mountains and visit Eskigumus Monastery.
In the afternoon see the natural rock citadel of Uchisar. Visit
Soganli village.
Overnight: Kapadokya Inn, Cappadocia (2 nights) (B, L, D)
Day 13: Cappadocia
Explore the frescoed interior of Goreme's churches.Visit the
underground chambers and galleries of Ozkonak. You will take
a walk in the red valley of Dervent, observe the uniquely formed
pinnacles of Avcilar and Pasabag. (B, L, D)
Day 14: Cappadocia/Konya/Antalya (Drive)
Morning drive Konya. Visit Mevlana Museum. Continue to Antalya.
Overnight: Golden Ring Hotel, Antalya (2 nights) (B, L, D)
Day 15: Perge/Aspendos/Antalya (Drive)
Explore Greek and Roman archaeology starting with the ruins
of Perge. Visit one of the best preserved Roman theaters in
Aspendos. (B, L, D)
Day 16: Aphrodisias/Pamukkale/Denizli (Drive)
An inland drive will take us to Aphrodisias; the cult city
of Aphrodite. Explore Hierapolis and the calcareous cascades
of Pamukkale.
Overnight: Hierapolis Termal Hotel, Denizli (1 night) (B, L,
D)
Day 17: Denizli/Ephesus/Izmir (Drive)
Drive to the Aegean coast for a visit of Ephesus, where St.Paul
stirred up the worshippers of mother goddess Artemis, the temple
of whom is one of the seven wonders of ancient world.
Overnight: Aksan Hotel, Izmir (1 night) (B, L, D)
Day 18: Pergamum/Troy/Canakkale (Drive)
Early drive to Pergamum for a visit of its acropolis. Drive
along the Aegean coast to Troy, around which Achilles dragged
the dead body of Hector, as told in Homer's Iliad. Continue
onto Canakkale.
Overnight: Akol Hotel, Canakkale (1 night) (B, L, D)
Day19: Canakkale/Gallipolis/Istanbul (Drive)
Cross the Dardanelles to Gallipoli for a visit of the infamous
World War 1 battle sites. Continue to Istanbul.
Overnight: Grand Yavuz Hotel, Istanbul (3 nights) (B, L, D)
Day 20: Istanbul
Visit Blue Mosque, Hippodrome. Enjoy successive courtyards
and treasures of Topkapi Palace. Grand Bazaar for the rest
of the day. (B)
Day 21: Istanbul
Saint Sophia, and Saint Savior in Chora preserve best examples
of Byzantine Art. Enjoy a cruise on the Bosphorus to unveil
beauties of European and Asian shores of the city. Last stop
is the Spice Market. (B)
Day 22: Depart Istanbul
This morning we bid this magical land ‘”gule gule” (goodbye)
as we are transferred to the airport. (B) |
|
B
= Breakfast
|
L
= Lunch
|
D
= Dinner
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Departure Dates |
2008
May 04, Jun 08,
Aug 31, Sep 14 & 28
|
| Prices |
| Season |
Tour
Price US$ / CA$ |
Single
Sup US$ / CA$ |
| 2008 |
3940 |
700 |
| Supplement surcharge for Sep departures is
US $ / CA $ 200 per person sharing |
| Tour
Price Includes |
Tour
Price Does Not Include: |
•
Hotel accommodation as mentioned or similar
• Meal plan as mentioned (B = Breakfast L = Lunch,
D = Dinner)
• All sightseeing and transfers
• Entrance Fees to Museums and Sites
• Local English speaking guides
|
•
International Airfare / Departure Taxes
• Travel Insurances
• Visa Fees
• Drinks / Beverages with meals
• Tips / Gratuities to Drivers & Guides |
| Estimated
International Airfare(not
included in tour price) |
| East
Coast |
US $ / CA $
1200 |
| West
Coast |
US $ / CA $
1400 |
| Please
note:
This tour operates with a minimum of 02
and a maximum of -
participants. |
| Other
Dates / Customized Itinerary / Languages |
In addition to our set programs we are also pleased
to offer customized tours.
Please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your
individual needs.
Customized tours can be conducted in English, French,
German, Spanish or Italian. Each departure is conducted
in the designated language only. |
| Contact
Information |
|
|
Fax:
+1-604-264-7774
|
| 206–8678
Greenall Ave |
Phone:
+1-604-264-7378 |
| Burnaby
B.C., Canada |
Toll
Free (US & Canada): 1-800-663-0844 |
| V5J
3M6 |
Email:
bestway@bestway.com |
|
30
years in small group journeys
|
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Site
updated April 04, 2008
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