TURKISH DELIGHT (QT2010)

Hotels


Istanbul
Grand Hotel Halic (SF),

Bursa
Kervansaray Termal (F),

Ankara
Etap Altinel (SF),

Cappadocia
Peri Tower (F) at Nevsehir,

Konya
Ozkaymak (F),

Antalya
The Marmara (SF),

Pamukkale
Lycus River (F) at Karahayit,

Izmir
Kaya Prestige (F),

Troy Area
Tusan (F) at Canakkale

Meals
Full buffet breakfast (B); 12 three-course dinners (D), including welcome and farewell dinners in Istanbul.

Day 1:
(Fri.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2:
Arrive in Istanbul, Turkey. (Sat.) After arrival at Atatürk Airport, check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free to start soaking up the unique atmosphere of this city built on two continents. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)

Day 3:
Istanbul. (Sun.) Founded by the Greeks as Byzantium more than 2,500 years ago, renamed Constantinople in 330 AD when Constantine the Great elected it the capital of the Roman Empire, and finally called Istanbul after the Ottoman conquest in the 15th century, the city on the Bosporus always was and still is one of the most exciting places in the world. Its strategic location as gateway between Orient and Occident, the Islamic and the Christian world, the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, predestined it for a turbulent history. Start your sightseeing at Emperor Justinian’s HAGIA SOPHIA and Sultan Ahmet’s BLUE MOSQUE, magnificent monuments to two competing world religions standing peacefully side by side. Next, turn to the TOPKAPI SERAGLIO, the residence of the Ottoman Sultans. Admire its exquisite collection of Chinese porcelain and the stunning Imperial Treasury including the “Spoonmaker’s Diamond.” After a lunch break, tour the GRAND BAZAAR (arranged next morning if closed today) with its 4,000 tiny shops. The rest of the afternoon is free. For a taste of Turkish nightlife, join our optional dinner outing and discover the fascination of belly dancing. (B)

Day 4:
Istanbul–Bursa. (Mon.) Set out today on your discovery tour of a country with the population of Britain and more than three times its size. Cross the Bosporus and then follow the shores of the Sea of Marmara to the Gulf of Gemlik. Here you head inland towards the Uludag, also called the Mount Olympus of Mysia, a 7,700-foot skiing mountain. Bursa lies in its shade, surrounded by lovely orchards and tobacco fields. Founded by the Greeks and hotly contested during the Crusades, Bursa had its heyday as the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. In the afternoon, visit the great monuments to this period: the ornate GREEN OTTOMAN COMPLEX and the GREAT MOSQUE (Ulu Camii) and the ancient Covered Bazaar. (B,D)

Day 5:
Bursa–Ankara. (Tue.) Motor into the heart of the Anatolian Highland. After a break at Eskisehir, whose meerschaum pipes are world famous, head for GORDION. Tour the excavations of the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Phrygia, where Alexander the Great cut the proverbial knot and thus opened the way to Asia. Hear about the legend of King Midas with the golden touch as you visit the ruler’s great EARTH TUMULUS. Overnight in Ankara, capital of the Turkish Republic since 1923 and the country’s second-largest city. (B,D)

Day 6:
Ankara-Cappadocia. (Wed.) Morning visit to the MAUSOLEUM OF ATATURK, the revered founder of the Republic, and the MUSEUM OF ANATOLIAN CIVILIZATIONS with it's unique collection of Hittite sun discs, stag cult figures and reliefs, and the Phrygian metalwork. In the afternoon, head through the salt steppes and swamps of central Anatolia towards the volcanic plateau of Cappadocia. En route a visit to the walled 13th-century Seljuk CARAVANSARY OF AGCIKARAHAN. (B,D)

Day 7:
Cappadocia. (Thu.) Today, visit the unreal moon-landscape of Göreme with its ROCK CHAPELS carved by the early Christians and decorated with frescoes dating from the 6th to the 10th centuries. Next are the byzantine MONASTIC COMPLEX of Zelve, the TROGLODYTE VILLAGE of Avcilar, and the UNDERGROUND CITY of Özkonak. Before returning to the hotel, enjoy the sweeping panorama at ancient Ortahisar. (B,D)

Day 8:
Cappadocia–Konya. (Fri.) West today to the land of the Whirling Dervishes. Morning break south of the great salt lake Tuz Gölü in the fortress-like CARAVANSARY OF SULTANHANI. Afternoon in Konya. The Iconium of antiquity occupies a fertile island in the arid Anatolian steppes. Man has lived here since the early Stone Age, and the town had its moment of glory as the capital of the mighty Seljuk Empire from 1078 to 1307. Today it thrives on agriculture and the manufacture of fine carpets. Afternoon sightseeing features visits to three outstanding Seljuk structures: the MEVLANA MONASTERY of the Dervishes, now a museum; the KARATAY MEDRESE (theological school); and the elegant INCE MINARET. (B,D)

Day 9:
Konya–Antalya. (Sat.) Drive west to Aksehir, then south across the Taurus Mountains into the luxuriant green forests, orchards, and olive groves on the hills sloping down to the sparkling blue Mediterranean Sea. You enter an area only recently discovered by discerning European vacationers. (B,D)

Day 10:
At Leisure in Antalya. (Sun.) A full day to enjoy this Mediterranean paradise and to discover its antique treasures. If you wish, join an optional excursion to the Pamphylian cities of Perge and Aspendos. (B,D)

Day 11:
Antalya–Pamukkale. (Mon.) Morning drive inland across two mountain passes to Pamukkale. The name means “Cotton Castle” and refers to the spectacular white lime cascades formed by its hot springs. Visit the fascinating archaeological site of HIERAPOLIS, the thermal resort founded by a Pergamene king in 190 BC and greatly enlarged and embellished by the Romans. At the hotel tonight, a leisurely bath in a pool of hot thermal water might be just the way to relax. (B,D)

Day 12:
Pamukkale–Izmir. (Tue.) Follow the valley of the Menderes River to Ephesus, home of the Greek philosopher Heraclitus and later the capital of Roman Asia Minor. When St. Paul arrived here he was so awestruck that he asked: “Is there a greater city?” Visit one of the best-preserved ancient AMPHITHEATERS, then drive up to the CHAPEL marking the site where the Virgin Mary is believed to have spent her last days. Overnight in Izmir (Smyrna), Homer’s birthplace on the Aegean coast. (B,D)

Day 13:
Izmir–Troy Area. (Wed.) Start with visits to the ACROPOLIS OF PERGAMUM, an ancient center of learning and the arts, and the ASCLEPION, a shrine to the Greek god of medicine. Then, enjoy vistas of the Greek island of Lesbos as you follow the shores of the Bay of Edremit. Continue to TROY, the perfect place to brush up on Homer’s Trojan War, hollow wooden horse and all. Spend the night at nearby Canakkale. (B,D)

Day 14:
Troy Area–Istanbul. (Thu.) By FERRY across the Dardanelles back to Europe and the 20th century. Visit the World War I battlefields on the Gallipoli Peninsula, where Allied troops, mainly Australians and New Zealanders, suffered heavy casualties in a disastrous campaign. Pay tribute to the heroes of those tragic months of 1915 at the ANZAC CEMETERY. Then, drive along the European shore of the Sea of Marmara back to Istanbul. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner with your traveling companions. (B,D)

Day 15:
(Fri.) Homebound flight. (B)

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YOU CAN BOOK THIS TOUR ONLINE. Click here to check rates and availability online, 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. Or, to speak to one of our live, experienced travel consultants, Call us now at 1-800-942-3301.
Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
8/6/2010 - 8/20/2010	$1,479
8/13/2010 - 8/27/2010	$1,479
8/20/2010 - 9/3/2010	$1,479
8/27/2010 - 9/10/2010	$1,499
9/3/2010 - 9/17/2010	$1,499
9/10/2010 - 9/24/2010	$1,499
9/17/2010 - 10/1/2010	$1,499
9/24/2010 - 10/8/2010	$1,479
10/1/2010 - 10/15/2010	$1,479
10/8/2010 - 10/22/2010	$1,479
10/15/2010 - 10/29/2010	$1,449
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

City Highlights


Istanbul:
Welcome and farewell dinners; guided sightseeing including visits to Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Seraglio, and Grand Bazaar

Bursa:
Guided sightseeing including visits to the Green Ottoman Complex and the Great Mosque

Gordion:
Guided visit of the excavations and King Midas’ Earth Tumulus

Ankara:
Guided sightseeing including visit to Atatürk’s Mausoleum and the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations

Cappadocia:
Guided visit of the Caravansaries of Agcikarahan and Sultanhani, the Rock Chapels of Göreme, Monastic complex of Zelve, the Troglodyte Village of Avcilar, and Underground City of Özkonak

Konya:
Guided sightseeing including Dervish Mevlana Monastery, Karatay Medrese, and Ince Minaret

Pamukkale:
Guided visit of the Hierapolis

Ephesus:
Guided visit of the archaeological site and Chapel of the Virgin Mary

Pergamum:
Guided visit of the Acropolis and Asclepion

Troy:
Guided visit of the archaeological site

Dardanelles:
Ferry crossing of the Straits

Anzac:
Take pictures of the cemeteryNote:All arrangements in Turkey are under the management of United Travel Services.

Price Details US
Single room supplement: $401Triple room reduction per person: $45Extra nights per person in Istanbul:in single room $120, in twin room $85, in triple room $72

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Save up to $1,100 per couple on 2010 Greece Cruise & Tour Vacations

Standard Offers and Specials provided by Globus Tours

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