MAGGIE OLIPHANT
maggie@maggieoliphant.com
(This page last updated on
November 3, 2008
)
TURKEY THROUGH THE AGES
A Tour with Maggie Oliphant
May1st - May 14th, 2009
May 01 |
Turkish Airlines Flight to Kayseri via Istanbul. Upon arrival Kayseri transfer to hotel in Cappadocia and overnight in Dinler Hotel Nevshehir. |
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May 02 |
Early morning for those who are interested, optional Ballooning over Cappadocia. After breakfast full day tour. Visits to include the open air Museum of Göreme, fairy chimneys, rock-hewn churches with lovely frescoes from 12th century and Kaymakli the underground city. After lunch continue sightseeing at Zelve, Avanos and Uchisar including visits to local carpet and pottery workshops. Dinner & Folklore Show in one of the cave restaurants of Cappadocia.(B,D) |  |
May 03 |
Day to explore the lesser known parts of Cappadocia. En route to Gelveri visit the caravanserai of Aizikarahan, one of the best preserved in Anatolia. On the road to the Ihlara Valley, stop at Selime Village for the Kale Manastiri Church. Visit the Aiaçalti, Sümbüllü and Yilanli Churches in the Ihlara Gorge. To Güzelyurt or Gelveri, a very interesting village with its troglodytic settlements and stone houses, followed by the Valley of Monasteries and Kilise Camii (the Church of St. Gregory of Nazianzus). |
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May 04 |
After breakfast drive to Hattusas (4 hours) the Hittite Capital dating back to 3000 BC. Visit the Yazilikaya shrine, the Great Temple, Lion Gate, Sphinx Gate etc. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. Afternoon, continue sightseeing at Alacahoyuk, a well-preserved Hittite settlement. Overnight at Corum (B) |  |
May 05 |
After breakfast drive to Ankara. Upon arrival visit the outstanding Anatolian Civilizations Museum and the Ankara Castle. Check into the Best Western 2000. (B) |
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May 06 |
Drive to Gordion, the Phrygian capital. Visit the Tumulus of Midas and the local museum displaying various Phrygian artefacts. Afternoon drive to Midas City, located on a plateau. Here one can see many rock inscriptions of this little understood civilisation. Then continue driving to Afyon. Check into Thermal-Hotel Orucoglu. Dinner & overnight in the hotel. (B,D) |
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May 07 |
After breakfast drive to Sardes, the Lydian capital. Visit theArtemis Temple, the Roman Gymnasium, Synagogue, Roman Baths and the Byzantine Church. After lunch drive to Selchuk. Dinner & overnight at Kalehan Hotel (B,D) |  |
May 08 |
Full day sightseeing at the Ionian cities of Priene, Miletus and the great temple of Apollo at Didyma. Dinner & overnight at Kalehan Hotel. (B,D) |
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May 09 |
Full day visit to the ruins of Ephesus, St. John’s Basilica and the Ephesus Museum. Dinner & overnight at Kalehan Hotel. (B,D) |
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May 10 |
Drive to the north Aegean region visiting the ruins of Pergamon with the altar of Zeus and the temple of Trajan, the Hellenistic Theatre and Asclepion, an ancient healing centre. At Adatepe heritage village, on the southern slopes of mythological Mount Ida, visit the Olive Oil Museum and walk through the pine woods to the Zeus Altar. This is thought to be Gargaron, mentioned in the Illiad, where the Greek Gods watched the Trojan War. Here too is the mythological site of the Judgement of Paris. Dinner and accommodation at Adatepe Pansiyonlar. (B,D) |
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May 11 |
Visit the ruins of Assos, one of the most well-preserved Hellenistic cities. After departing for Istanbul visit Homeric Troy en route. Cross the Dardanelles by ferry and drive along the Gallipoli Peninsula. Lunch will be served in a local fish restaurant in Gallipoli. Late afternoon arrive at Istanbul. Check into Amiral Palace (B,L) |  |
May 12 |
Day to explore the old town leisurely on foot. Visit the Roman Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Saint Sophia, the ruins of The Byzantine Palace, the Mosaic Museum and Turkish-Islamic Museum. Lunch at Rumeli Cafe. (B,L) |  |
May 13 |
Morning visit to the Rustem Pasha Mosque and the Egyptian Spice Market. Then board a boat to cruise along the Bosphorus. Lunch at Gulistan Restaurant overlooking this beautiful stretch of water. Afternoon, visit the Rumeli Castle built by Mehmet the Conquerer to facilitate the conquest of Konstantinapolis. Late afternoon visit the Grand Bazaar. Evening free at leisure. (B,L) |
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May 14 |
Morning, visit the Archaeological Museum and the Topkapi Palace. Lunch at Konyali Restaurant at the Palace premises. Afternoon, visit the Chora Church-Museum and the Suleymaniye Mosque-Complex. (B,D) Gala- Dinner at Sabahattin the Fisherman.
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| May 15 | Turkish Airlines Flight to London.
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Price per person twin-sharing: € 1.975
( Euros, One thousand, nine hundred and seventy five)
Single-Supplement € 335
Rates include
• Turkish Airlines flights; Stansted-Istanbul-Nevshehir and Istanbul-Stansted
• All airport taxes
• 14 nights accommodation in tourist and special category hotels
• Daily buffet breakfasts
• Four lunch and eight dinners as indicated in the itinerary (B,L,D)
• Entrance fees to sites and museums as per the itinerary.
• English-Speaking local guide
• Air Conditioned transport with 25 seats
• Tips and porterage at hotels, restaurants
Rates Exclude
• Any meals not mentioned in the itinerary
• Personal expenses
• Tourist Visa fee for entrance to Turkey which can be obtained upon arrival at Istanbul airport
• Gratuity to the guide and the driverPayment Details
- Please note that this is a non profit private group arrangement.
- Your contract is with OASIS travel in all respects who are an ATOL bonded Tour company.
- We assume you have travel insurance arranged to cover all eventualities on the trip as well as cancellation on your own part due to Work, Iillness etc
- Booking Deposits (£100) have now been requested.
- Any deposit not received by 1st October cannot guarantee a booking in the group or secure the International flights as indicated but we will do all we can to assist.
- The deposit should be made to James Robinson or Maggie Oliphant who are arranging the trip and who have aleady paid for a booking deposit required by the airlines for the Group Flights arranged by OASIS
Cancellation Policy
- 50% of the deposit (£50) will be refunded, if cancelled between 1st September 2008 and 1st March 2009
- Cancellations within 8 weeks are subject to the Tour Operator's terms - these will be stated here in due course.
Balance Payment
- This is due 8 weeks prior to departure
- Payable in EUROS direct to the Tour operator, OASIS. Please contact them if you wish to pay directly by Credit Card.
- A full statement will be issued in plenty of time for this to be completed.
Organised in Turkey by
Istiklal Caddesi; Sahkulu Mahallesi;
Union Apt. No: 237/1 34420 Beyoglu – Istanbul
PHONE: +90 212 2924717 FAX: +90 212 2924797
http://www.oasis.com.tr
E-mail: oasis@oasis.com.tr