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LEISURELY TOUR OF TURKEY
- 2010
14 days incl. air, or 13
days from Istanbul to Istanbul (CO-6720)Return to
France, Spain, Portugal and Morocco Vacations & Tours
Vacation Overview
A country of many
contrasts, Turkey is a unique crossroads between Europe and Asia, and
this tour shows you its highlights. Begin your vacation in Istanbul and
drive along the Sea of Marmara to Gallipoli on the European side of the
Dardanelles. Visit the site of a bloody World War I battle, then ferry
across to Asia Minor. Take time to visit the remains of Homer’s legendary
Troy, then motor through forested countryside to Kusadasi, famous for the
Ephesus archaeological site. An optional tour is available to this
Roman/Greek archaeological site. Continue through the “Greek Meander,”
the most fertile region in Turkey. Via Denizli, head north to Pamukkale
with the ancient site of Hierapolis. By way of Konya, stop at the great
13th-century Agzikarahan Caravanserai, then to Göreme for an included
visit to the amazing Rock Chapels carved by early Christians. Arrive in
Turkey’s capital of Ankara with a stop at Ataturk’s Mausoleum. From here,
travel into the kingdom of Phrygia to Gordion. Visit King Midas’ tomb
before continuing to Bursa, famous for its great mosque, covered bazaar,
and silk market. The culmination of your journey is Istanbul, a vibrant
city of mosques, markets, peddlers, and historic buildings of Byzantium
Constantinople fame. Your sightseeing tour of Istanbul includes visits to
the Roman Hippodrome and the Blue Mosque. Be sure to catch the
unforgettable backdrop of the Bosporus at dusk—where you can see views of
Istanbul with its 600 mosques. This trip to Turkey will leave you with
vacation memories you’ll cherish.
Itinerary
Day
1 Sat. BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT
Day
2 Sun. ARRIVAL IN ISTANBUL, TURKEY
Check
into your hotel. In the evening, get to know your fellow travelers with a
welcome drink, hosted by your Tour Director.
Day
3 Mon. ISTANBUL-CANAKKALE
Drive
along the Sea of Marmara to Gallipoli on the European side of the
Dardanelles. Time to visit the Anzac Cemetery and the site of a bloody
World War I battle. Then a short ferry crossing to Asia Minor. Overnight
in Canakkale. (B,D)
Day
4 Tue. CANAKKALE-KUSADASI
First,
a visit to the remains of Homer’s legendary Troy. South to the lovely Bay
of Edremit with distant views of the island of Lesbos. Through forests of
pine, oak, and valonia, head for Izmir, where an orientation drive
includes the Karsiyaka District. From here it’s not far to your hotel in
Kusadasi. (B,D)
Day
5 Wed. AT LEISURE IN KUSADASI
Enjoy
your charming modern resort located between ancient Ephesus and Priene,
blessed with a delightful climate and white sandy beaches. Optional
excursions to the Roman/Greek archaeological site of Ephesus and to the
Virgin Mary House are available. (B)
Day
6 Thu. KUSADASI-PAMUKKALE-DENIZLI AREA
Once
past Aydin, you enter what is known as the “Greek Meander,” the most
fertile region in Turkey. Make a first stop this morning for optional
sightseeing of the ancient site of Aphrodisias scattered around the
village of Geyre. From the town of Denizli, drive north to view the
extraordinary sight of Pamukkale with the ancient site of Hierapolis.
Overnight in the Denizli area. (B,D)
Day
7 Fri. DENIZLI AREA-KONYA
Eastwards
to Dinar and then past Lake Acigoy surrounded by cherry gardens and opium
fields. Later, splendid mountain scenery on the way to Konya. (B,D)
Day
8 Sat. KONYA-CAPPADOCIA Cappadocia
Further
eastward into the great central plateau that separates Konya from
Cappadocia, taking a break at the great Agzikarahan caravanserai. After
arrival in Göreme, an included afternoon excursion to the amazing Rock
Chapels carved by early Christians. Overnight in Cappadocia. (B,D)
Day
9 Sun. CAPPADOCIA
Optional
sightseeing in the spectacular Cappadocia area. Admire the large natural
amphitheater bounded by almost vertical cliffs into which have been hewn
monastic buildings, churches, and underground retreats where early
Christians sheltered from Roman persecution. (B,D)
Day
10 Mon. CAPPADOCIA-ANKARA Ankara
North
today by way of Aksaray to Ankara, the capital. Enjoy an orientation
drive. Afternoon optional excursions are available to see some of the
capital’s highlights. (B,D)
Day
11 Tue. ANKARA-BURSA
From
Ankara into the ancient kingdom of Phryge to Gordion where, according to
legend, Alexander the Great cut the proverbial knot. Visit King Midas’
tomb. On to historic Bursa in the shadow of the Olympus of Mysia and
famous for its great Mosque, covered bazaar, and silk market. (B,D)
Day
12 Wed. BURSA-ISTANBUL
A
morning drive to the shores of the Sea of Marmara, then take a ferry
across the Bay of Izmit to Istanbul. This afternoon, enjoy the included
sightseeing with visits to the Roman Hippodrome and the Blue Mosque.
Tonight, take advantage of the optional dinner outing in Istanbul. (B)
Day
13 Thu. ISTANBUL
Markets,
peddlers, and stalls selling almonds, pistachios, iced drinks, and black
coffee—you’ll find this vigorous city irresistible. The view of the city
at dusk with its 600 mosques and the Bosporus is unforgettable. Optional
possibilities are a morning excursion by private boat to the Bosporus and
in the afternoon, the “Historical Tour of Istanbul.” (B)
Day
14 Fri. HOMEBOUND FLIGHT
(B)
AIRPORT
TRANSFERS
Airport transfers
may be included when you make your international flights arrangements.
Dates
and Prices
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Departure
Details
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Departure
Date
|
Tour
Start Date
|
Return
Date
|
Land/Cruise
Price Only
|
Status
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
2/20/2010
|
2/21/2010
|
3/5/2010
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$985.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
2/27/2010
|
2/28/2010
|
3/12/2010
|
$1,055.00
|
Available
|
|
3/6/2010
|
3/7/2010
|
3/19/2010
|
$1,055.00
|
Sold Out
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
3/13/2010
|
3/14/2010
|
3/26/2010
|
$1,055.00
|
Available
|
|
3/20/2010
|
3/21/2010
|
4/2/2010
|
$1,055.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
3/27/2010
|
3/28/2010
|
4/9/2010
|
$1,055.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
4/3/2010
|
4/4/2010
|
4/16/2010
|
$1,085.00
|
Available
|
|
4/10/2010
|
4/11/2010
|
4/23/2010
|
$1,085.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
4/17/2010
|
4/18/2010
|
4/30/2010
|
$1,085.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
4/24/2010
|
4/25/2010
|
5/7/2010
|
$1,085.00
|
Available
|
|
5/1/2010
|
5/2/2010
|
5/14/2010
|
$1,169.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
5/8/2010
|
5/9/2010
|
5/21/2010
|
$1,169.00
|
Available
|
|
5/15/2010
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5/16/2010
|
5/28/2010
|
$1,169.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
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5/22/2010
|
5/23/2010
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6/4/2010
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$1,169.00
|
Available
|
|
5/29/2010
|
5/30/2010
|
6/11/2010
|
$1,169.00
|
Available
|
|
6/5/2010
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6/6/2010
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6/18/2010
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$1,169.00
|
Available
|
|
6/12/2010
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6/13/2010
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6/25/2010
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$1,169.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
6/19/2010
|
6/20/2010
|
7/2/2010
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$1,169.00
|
Available
|
|
6/26/2010
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6/27/2010
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7/9/2010
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$1,129.00
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Available
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7/3/2010
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7/4/2010
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7/16/2010
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$1,129.00
|
Available
|
|
7/10/2010
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7/11/2010
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7/23/2010
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$1,129.00
|
Available
|
|
7/17/2010
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7/18/2010
|
7/30/2010
|
$1,129.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
7/24/2010
|
7/25/2010
|
8/6/2010
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$1,129.00
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Available
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7/31/2010
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8/1/2010
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8/13/2010
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$1,129.00
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Available
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8/7/2010
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8/8/2010
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8/20/2010
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$1,129.00
|
Available
|
|
8/14/2010
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8/15/2010
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8/27/2010
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$1,129.00
|
Available
|
|
8/21/2010
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8/22/2010
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9/3/2010
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$1,129.00
|
Available
|
|
8/28/2010
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8/29/2010
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9/10/2010
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$1,169.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
9/4/2010
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9/5/2010
|
9/17/2010
|
$1,169.00
|
Available
|
|
9/11/2010
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9/12/2010
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9/24/2010
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$1,169.00
|
Available
|
Popular
Departure - due to itinerary and time of year, this departure
historically sells out quickly. Early booking is encouraged.
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