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A Turkish Delight - Istanbul - Cappadocia - Ephesus and the Aegean
October 20-31, 2010
It's major city straddles two continents, has been known by three names,and has embraced four empires and at least two religions. Whether you call it Istanbul, Constantinople or Byzantium, the three identities are woven into one magical kingdom called Turkey.
 The Blue Mosque, Istanbul
Istanbul - and Turkey. Wander the streets of Istanbul, sail on the Bosphorus walk in the steps of the ancients in Cappadocia - Ephesus - the Aegean - where East meets West and where ancient and modern civilization come together and where the bible meets the koran in splendid harmony.
A five star journey at a remarkable price - with some great pre-Christmas shopping at the Grand Bazaar (5,000 shops, two mosques, four fountains...) for the person who has everything!
Join us and take in the sights of this remarkable land and stay in some of the greatest hotels we have ever had - and all at a price we have never been able to offer before.
 The Alfina Hotel built into the cliffs in Cappadocia
We’ll sail on the Bosphorus out to the Black Sea; we’ll explore the chalk hills and caves and ancient sites of Cappadocia, discover ancient Greek, Byzantine, Ottoman and Roman ruins, sit on the banks of the Aegean Sea and wander the streets of Ephesus, the best presevered and largest Greek City ever discovered on the Mediterranean.
And - No long drives! In fact to save time we’ve arranged internal flights from Istanbul Cappadocia and then from Cappadocia to izmir near Ephesus (about an hour each) to eliminate long travel days on the coach and to give us more time to relax and enjoy these amazing places.
 
Fairy Chimney at Cappadocia and one of the streets in Ephesus
And of course Istanbul is filled with so much history and beauty with the Topkapi, home of the Sultans from the 15th century, the stunningly beautiful Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia built as a Christian Basilica in 537 then became a mosque under the Ottomans and today one of the most magnificent museums in the world. And of course the Grand Bazaar and the Bosphorus linking not only two continents but the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara, the Aegean and the Mediterannean.
 
Three nights in each of our incredible hotels. In Istanbul we are a short walk Taksim Square, one of the major squares and gathering places with great connections to all parts of the city. And in the Ephesus area our hotel is on a small peniinsula jutting into the Aegean while in Cappadocia we’re in a five star small hotel built into the chalk cliffs so famous throughout history in the region.
 Outdoor lounge at Kismet Hotel on the Aegean
This is quite possibly one of the most ‘exotic’ and exciting journeys we have put together. We will be accompanied by an expert on Archeology and History who will not bore us interminably with dull stuff.
We're keeping to our small numbers for this special journey so don’t waste time signing up. And because our hotels are small, special boutique hotels, space will be limited. A $500 per person deposit guarantees your place with the remainder due 60 days prior to tour beginning. Call us at 1 800 773 7093 or email us today.
Price per person: $3,995 per person based on double. Single Supplement: $550.
This price includes:
- All accommodation including an early night
- All transportation including domestic internal flights and transfers
- All baggage handling - all tipping including guide and driver
- All taxes and service charges
- All Breakfasts and all dinners with shown exceptions when you can dine on your own
- All entry fees and admissions
- Bosphorus Cruise
- Special visits to a local family and a winery
- Specialist guide on History and Archaeology
Price does not include International air nor insurance. Good connections to Istanbul are available from all the big International carriers.
Our hotels:
All three of our hotels are Special ‘S’ Class hotels which means they are boutiqiue hotels with historical and cultural significance. And they are not ‘group’ hotels.
Four nights Istanbul to start then one more night at the end before heading for home, three nights Cappadocia, three nights on the Aegean near Ephesus
Check them out
20 - 23 Oct. (4 nights) and 30 Oct. (last night) Istanbul Germir Palas http://www.germirpalas.com/
A 49 room hotel in the heart of Istanbul within walking distance of major sites and shopping including the Grand Bazaar. An historic hotel with a late 19th century feel to it.
24 - 26 Oct. (3 nights) Cappadocia Alfina Hotel http://www.hotelalfina.com/
This is special. Only 33 rooms and built into the side of the famous caves of Cappadocia. Guaranteed you will never stay in a hotel like the Alfina. Your room and the restaurant are in the actual caves.
27 - 29 Oct. (3 nights) Kusadasi Kismet Hotel http://www.kismet.com.tr/
Not only a boutique hotel of 86 rooms but every room has a panoramic view of the Aenean. Presidents, kings, sultans, princes and all the other big-wigs have stayed in this gem over the years. Oct. 30 we return to Istanbul and the Germir Palas Hotel.
Daily Itinerary
Istanbul, Cappadocia and West Coast of Turkey
Tour begins and ends in Istanbul
October 20 Day 1 Germir Palas, Istanbul. Arrival in Istanbul where our guide will greet you at the Ataturk Airport and accompany to your hotel where you can rest up after your long flight.
October 21 Day 2 Germir Palas. Istanbul - Today's sightseeing begins with a visit to the magnificent Topkapi Palace once home to the great Sultans; it is filled with treasures and antiquities. Then we explore the Blue Mosque built in 1609 by Sultan Ahmet. The interior walls are covered with twenty thousand blue Iznik tiles. We will also see the Basilica of St. Sophia, which has inspired religious leaders for over fifteen hundred years. Constructed in 326 by Constantine the Great, it has been a cathedral, a mosque, and now a museum. In the evening enjoy our Welcome Dinner in one of the famous kebap restaurants of Istanbul. (B.D)
October 22 Day 3 Germir Palas, Istanbul - After breakfast we will continue to explore the city visiting the Spice Bazaar where the scent of hundreds of spices permeates the air and Grand Bazaar, famous for it's thousands of shops. More to see as well before heading back to the hotel and dinner. (B, D)
October 23 Day 4 Germir Palas, Istanbul - A totally free day to explore Istanbul at leisure. Our hotel is within walking distance of all the major sites including the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar. Happy Shopping! (B)
October 24 Day 5 Alfina Hotel, Cappadocia - Today we will have a short flight of about an hour from Istanbul to Cappadocia where we will explore Ihlara Valley, the small canyon which has rock-carved churches and dwellings belonging to the Byzantine era and Soganli Valley, an open air museum with its different style Rock-Cut churches and frescoes. (B, D)
 
October 25 Day 6 Alfina Hotel, Cappadocia - Our sightseeing begins with a visit to the fascinating Goreme Valley. The lunar like landscape of this region is eerie, yet beautiful. Over thousands of years, the rain has eroded this landscape to give rise to strange rock formations known as “Fairy Chimneys”. Many of these have homes and churches carved into them. Some of the grottos are magnificently decorated with colorful frescoes depicting biblical scenes. Then we enjoy a visit to local municipality carpet cooperation, sort of a carpet farm where you will get the chance to explore the district from a cultural perspective. In the afternoon we visit the hidden monastic valley of Pasabagi, which has a large number of cave houses and churches for the early Christian community. (B, D)
October 26 Day 7 Alfina Hotel, Cappadocia - After breakfast discover the Underground City of Kaymakli. Around the sixth century the Christian inhabitants of this region began to tunnel into the soft volcanic rock. As deep as two hundred and seventy five feet with eight different levels, several thousand people lived in this subterranean city. Then explore the typical Turkish village, Avanos to see the techniques of ceramic art dating from 12th B.C. to 3rd B.C. periods. In the afternoon we will enjoy tasting local wine and visiting a local family to learn about the local culture while having Turkish tea and Baklava. (B, D)
October 27 Day 8 Kismet Hotel, Kusadasi -Transfer to airport for a short direct flight to Izmir and then drive to Kusadasi discovering the richness of the ancient Greek world before reaching our hotel on a small peninsula jutting out into the Aegean Sea. (B, D)
October 28 Day 9 Kismet Hotel, Kusadasi - Today's excursion takes us to Ephesus, the largest ancient city ever uncovered. Once populated with 300,000 people, it has an enormous amphitheatre, which can still hold 24,000 spectators. As you walk down the marble covered streets, see gymnasiums, bath houses, public latrines, the library of Celsus and the Temple of Artemis. We continue to the House of the Virgin Mary, where she is believed to have spent her last few days. (B, D)
 Ephesus Theatre
October 29 Day 10 Kismet Hotel, Kusadasi - Today is at leisure. You might wish to go to Samos on your own to explore the Island and Archaeological Museum, regarded as one of the most interesting provincial museums in Greece. (B, D)
October 30 Day 11 Germir Palas, Istanbul - A short flight back to Istanbul this morning followed by a relaxing cruise of the Bosphorus, viewing the Dolmabahce Palace and the Beylerbeyi Palace, as well as the river life between the Black sea and the a nineteenth century palace on the Asian side of Istanbul. Then relax and repack and maybe a last minute bit of shopping before our last evening together. (B, D)
October 31 Day 12. Istanbul Departure - We'll arrange your transfer to Istanbul airport today for your flight home. (B)
Let’s Talk Turkey
Following are random bits and pieces about Turkey
We must say right off the top that this is a very safe country in which to travel. The people are exceptionally friendly, the streets are safe (use your head when it comes to pickpockets as you do anywhere else) and their crime statistics are far lower than any major centre within the United States. You will not run into public drunkenness such as you do in cities of the UK on weekends.
There are many examples on line from North Americans who have lived or travelled extensively in Turkey who are effusive in their praise of the friendliness of the people of Turkey and the safety of the country.
Safety is certainly not a deterrent to visiting Turkey.
Following are some ‘things’ you may not know. And if you want to know more, then give us a shout.
Population - 75 million (over half are under the median age of 29). All citizens can vote from age 18.
Size - Country is a little larger than Texas and is about the size of the U.K. and France together.
Major Cities - Capital is Ankara. Istanbul straddles Europe and Asia has about 13 million people.
Literacy - 87.5% of popularion over the age of 15 is literate.
Turkey is a member of NATO, the European Council of Human Rights and the International Court of Justice. They are also members of the G20 and have applied for membership in the European Union.
The country is a republic with a Parliamentary system governed by a President and Prime Minister and 550 elected members of parliament. The Republic of Turkey was created under Kemal Ataturk on October 29, 1923. He was a former distinguished army officer who became involved in politics when, following the end of WWI, the allies wanted to carve up Turkey.
Turkey is a secular country with no interference of the church (Moslem) in state or public affairs. Incidentally, under the constitution of Turkey the banning of headscarves by women in public offices and schools was introduced in the 1920s and has been in place ever since although there is a common sense ‘rule’ that applies.
Primarily a mountainous country with Mount Ararat of Noah’s Ark fame being the highest point of more than 5,000 metres.
If you have any questions, please give us a call at 1 800 773 7093 or email us at andy-bev@fraserconnection.com.
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