The Old Villages Western & Central Turkey

The Old Villages
Western & Central Turkey
June 17 – 28, 2015

The Itinerary:

Day 1 – ISTANBUL             (- /L/D)
Upon arrival we drive to the 'Old City'. Our first stop is the Hippodrome of
Constantinople, the centre of Byzantine civic life, where horse and chariot races used
to take place. We then travel towards the Blue Mosque, known for the impressive blue
tiles lining its walls. The Basilica of Haggia Sophia (Divine Wisdom), now called the
Ayasofya Museum, is unquestionably one of the finest buildings of all time. Built by
Constantine the Great, it was reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century. Last stop
at Spice Bazaar, where the smells of cinnamon, cloves and thyme rise from hundreds of
colourful muslin bags at every store-front. Than embark sunset Bosphorus Cruise
Boat. A scenic journey along the Bosphorus between two continents, Asia and Europe.
Dinner at a sea food restaurant in Sariyer. Overnite in Istanbul.

Day 2 – ISTANBUL - CANAKKALE - ASSOS (B/L/D)
Leave istanbul for Canakkale. Visit Troy, referred to in Homer’s “Iliad” and “Odyssey”,
Troy has in fact nine cities superimposed one upon another. Troy VI pertains to the
famous Trojan War of Homer where the legendary heroes included Agamemnon,
Archilles, Ulysses and Nestor on the Greek side and Priam. Hector and Paris on the
Trojan side. Proceed to Assos for overnite.

Day 3 – ASSOS - BERGAMA (B/L/D)
Today drive to Kazdaglari villages where first beauty contest was held and Paris gave
the golden apple to Aphrodite. Then drive to Pergamon and visit villages in Madrag
Mountain. Overnite in pergamon.

Day 4 – BERGAMA - IZMIR - KUSADASI (B/L/D)
Drive Izmir and drive up to velvet castle in Izmir to take pictures of Izmir city from a
hill top. Then visit Sirince Village. Overnite in Kusadasi.

Day 5 – KUSADASI - PAMUKKALE (B/L/D)
After leather outlet center shopping stop and private fashion show. Drive to Selcuk
town, we will visit the famous ancient city of Ephesus, one of the world’s finest \
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The Old Villages
Western & Central Turkey
June 17 – 28, 2015

archaeological sites. Highlights include the Library of Celcius, the Temple of Hadrian,
the Fountain of Trajan and the Theatre. We will then drive to Pamukkale, the famous
white calcium cascades (or the white “Cotton Castles”). Enjoy thermal spas amidst the
ruins. Overnight in Pamukkale.

Day 6 – PAMUKKALE - EGIRDIR (B/L/D)
Visit the Cotton Castles then drive onwards to Egirdir. Free time exploring this quaint
town. Overnight in hotel on the island in the middle of the lake.

Day 7 – EGIRDIR - ANTALYA (B/L/D)
Drive to Antalya but first stop at waterfalls along the way. Once arriving in Antalya we
will visit the Old Harbour, highlights Hadrian gate and beatiful old harbor houses
viewing. Then visit Antalya Museum. Enjoy free time in Antalya. Overnite Antalya.

Day 8 – ANTALYA - BEYHISIR (B/L/D)
Leave Antalya after Breakfast and head into the Taurus Mountains. Visit beautiful
Ormanada Village on the Taurus Mountains. Visit the nearby cave lake and have a boat
tour. Drive onto Beyhisir for night.

Day 9 – BEYHISIR- KONYA - CAPPADOCIA (B/L/D)
Following breakfast we will the extraordinary Beyhisir Mosque. We will then drive
through an interesting landscape where peasants make their living, to have lunch
enroute before arriving in Konya. Konya was the center of the Selçuk Empire as well as
the city of Mevlana and his Whirling Dervishes. After visit the Mevlana Museum, we
drive to Cappadocia. Upons arriving we will visit a carpet village. Dinner and overnight
in Cappadocia.

Day 10 – CAPPADOCIA (B/L/D)
Optional: AM - Hot air balloon tour
            PM: Turkish Night
After breakfast visit Kaymaklı Underground City carved into soft rocks resembling a
huge labyrinth of tunnels, rooms, kitchens, wine cellars and passageways. A huge
chimney ventilates this 8-level dwelling, which was used by Christians hiding from
their Roman and Byzantine persecutors. Their colourful frescoes remain as vibrant as
when they were first made. Then visit Natural Fortress in Uchisar, where you can
capture a panoramic view of the beautiful plateau. Then, we visit the Valleys of Goreme
to explore the unusual troglodyte dwellings, remains of the early churches comprising
complicated rooms hollowed out of the cones of volcanic ash and decorated with
scratched frescoes. We will visit Goreme Open Air Museum include the Apple Church,

the Church of Sandals, and the Church with a Buckle. Than proceed to the pottery town
of Avanos where Kizilirmak (Hallys), the longest river of Turkey, meanders leaving the
red clay on its banks that has been the raw material of pottery for centuries. Overnight
in Cappadocia.

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Day 11 – CAPPADOCIA - ANKARA - SAFRANBOLU (B/L/D)
Drive to world heritage list Safranbolu town via Ankara after visiting Ataturk
monumental tomb. Stay in ancient Caransaray hotel.

Day 12 – SAFRANBOLU - ISTANBUL (B/L/-)
After visit a village in Safranbolu we will drive to Istanbul and catch flight back home or
extension.

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The Old Villages
Western & Central Turkey
June 17 – 28, 2015

ABOUT THIS TOUR
This tour will take us to some of the oldest and quaint villages throughout central and
west Turkey. Photographers will be in their glory this tour – being full immersed in the
culture of Turkey - from busy Istanbul to the villages where centuries old traditions
are still in practice. You don’t need to a be a professional photographer to join this tour.
The wandering and being amongst the villagers will satisfy anyone’s love for culture
and travel!

We will be chauffeured in our own private coach from destination to destination, by our
Turkish English-speaking guide, Cem, who brings a wealth of information and
knowledge about Turkey and it’s culture and history.

TRAVEL INFORMATION & FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Traveling to Turkey especially for the first time will leave you with a bunch of
questions.

Deadline - The last date to sign up is April 1, 2014, as we have to give final head count
to the hotels and make travel arrangements.

Arrival Flight information – You want to fly into Istanbul to Ataturk International
Airport (IST). The tour begins on June 17thth morning, so keep this in mind that we will
be picking everyone up early that morning Taksim Area in Istanbul. If you are unable
to coordinate your flight for arriving early in the morning on the 17th, it would be
advisable to come a day earlier. If you need information regarding where to stay, we
can make arrangements for you.

Departure Flight Information - We will officially end our tour on June 28th early
evening. Again you are more than welcome to stay longer but at that time, lodging is on
your own. Istanbul is a magical city, which is worth spending an extra day or so to
explore after our tour. We have many recommendations on what you can do and see
while in Istanbul if you need assistance.

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The Old Villages
Western & Central Turkey
June 17 – 28, 2015

What to Bring
  Clothes – We will be staying a different place each night of the tour, so packing light is
advised. The weather in June in Turkey is warm summer weather but not before the
really hot weather.

Camera Gear
A good camera to photograph your experiences and all the sights and villages of
Turkey. If you are a hobbyist or professional photographer, do not bring your entire
collection of equipment. One body, few lenses (wide, zoom and high aperture lens),
maybe a flash and/or monopod (make sure it’s light and compactable – you are
carrying it!).

You can obviously bring more (backup camera, extra batteries, memory cards etc.) but
remember that you’ll have to carry them around with you as we walk! A good rule of
thumb is whatever you can fit inside your shoulder/backpack camera bag is all you’ll
need.

Other things to bring
Also be sure to bring a journal or notebook to record your everyday experience!

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The Old Villages
Western & Central Turkey
June 17 – 28, 2015

REGISTRATION

$2100 per person. Single participants will be paired in gender specific rooms.
    (You can request your own room for additional $450).

The group size is minimum 10 persons.

What the registration includes:
12 nights accommodation
All meals from lunch on Day 1 until lunch on Day 12
Private coach bus with driver.
English-speaking Turkish guide
Entrance fees to sites, museums, etc.
Tips to restaurants and hotels
Bottled water during meals as well as 2 bottles daily on coach bus.

What the registrations does NOT include:
Tips to driver and guide at end of tour
Any personal expenses
Soft drinks or alcoholic beverages during meals
Optional Hot Air Balloon ride ($200 USD) – dependant on weather as well as optional
Turkish Night ($60 USD) in Cappadocia.

Attendees are responsible for airfare to and from Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport (IST).

Travel insurance…don’t forget to make sure your travel insurance is up to date!

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Please double-check your schedule for any conflicts with this event before moving
forward with this transaction.

A non-refundable deposit of $250 is due to reserve your spot. $800 is required
before cut-off date of April 1, 2015.

The remaining 50% is due June 1, 2015 . Payments can be made via PayPal (plus 5%
transaction fee), money order or cash or bank deposits or wire transfers ($25 wire fee).

If you have any more questions, please contact me!

See you in Turkey!

xotracey

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