TURKISH DELIGHT
A cultural tour of Turkey

Turkey is a unique place in the world. It is an Asian – Middle Eastern country and yet European too - a home to many world civilizations. Rich in history and culture, it is one of the few countries in the world that has to be visited, not once, but over and over again. Our Turkish Delight program has been specifically tailored for the first timer’s experience of Turkey. A wonderful introduction to the Byzantine, Ottoman and Turkish land of past and present.

Day 01: Arrive Istanbul
Upon our arrival at Istanbul, we are met with a friendly 'merhaba' (hello) and escorted to our hotel. Evening, at 6PM, we meet other tour members for a tour briefing.
Overnight: Grand Yavuz, Istanbul (3 nights) (D)

Day 02: Istanbul
Your day will be dedicated to the old city. Following the Roman Hippodrome, visit Blue Mosque that is one of the most splendid shrines of Islamic world. Enjoy successive courtyards and treasures of Topkapi Palace. You have to save some freshness and budget to Grand Bazaar for the rest of the day. (B, L, D)

Day 03: Istanbul
After breakfast sightseeing for Byzantine monuments of once imperial Constantinople; Saint Sophia, the largest church in mediaeval world was the protocol mosque of Islamic city under Ottoman Sultans. Ataturk, the first president of secular Turkey transformed this fifteen hundred years old monument to a museum. Saint Savior in Chora preserves best examples of mosaic icons dating back to the Paleologian revival of 14th century. You will enjoy a cruise on the Bosphorus to unveil beauties of European and Asian shores of the city. At the Spice Market you will be rather tempted by gourmet Persian saffron then, next door witch doctor's merchants offer remedies such as leeches. (B, L, D)

Day 04: Istanbul/Ankara (Drive)
Early wake up and morning drive to the capital of modern Turkey. After lunch, visit the Anatolian Civilizations museum, displaying nine thousand years old mother goddess statues and ancient landscape paintings of human history. The refinement and fines of the Hittites and Phrygians art will captivate you.
Overnight: B. Anadolu Hotel, Ankara (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 05: Ankara/Cappadocia (Drive)
Enjoy the scenic drive along Salt Lake to Cappadocia. Discover the unusual landscape with fairy chimneys twisting valleys and table mountains, stop at a 13th century Caravanserai. See the natural rock citadel of Uchisar,reflecting a variety of colors through the day on its eroded, malleable tuff body.Visit Soganli village and valley, where women handcraft dolls, as beautiful as nature has crafted valleys, and man built cave churches in them.
Overnight: Kapadokya Inn, Cappadocia (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 06: Goreme/Avcilar/Pasabagi/Dervent/Ozkonak
Explore the frescoed interior of Goreme's churches ''Caves of god'', around which early christians established rules of monastic life.Visit the underground chambers and galleries of Ozkonak, one of the several subterrainian dwellings served as refuge to Cappadocians through their history full of invasions. You will take a walk in the red valley of Dervent, observe the uniquely formed pinnacles of Avcilar and Pasabag, and finally take a coffee break in a small village where you will mingle with locals. Learn about arts and and crafts of rural Turkey with a pottery atelier visit and attend a lecture on Turkish hand-made rugs. (B, L, D)

Day 07: Cappadocia/Konya/Antalya (Drive)
Morning drive following the path of silk road merchants; Konya the city of icons. Its golden age was Seljuk sultans' 13th century, when numerous Islamic edifices such as mosques and medresses were added to the city's riches. Mystic poet Rumi's tomb is one of the most visited shrines by muslims venerating his teaching for love and tolerance. His whirling dervishes danced the Sema for their spiritual journey. Drive south in the afternoon over Taurus mountains to reach Antalya on the Mediterranean Coast.
Overnight: Golden Ring Hotel, Antalya (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 08: Perge/Aspendos
Explore Greek and Roman archaeology starting with the ruins of Perge. Visit one of the best preserved Roman theaters in Aspendos, that is still in full use for a variety of performances with its 15000 seating capacity. Return to Antalya for a stroll through the cobbled streets of the old town. (B, L, D)

Day 09: Antalya/Aphrodisias/Denizli (Drive)
An inland drive this morning, will take us to one of the most inspiring ancient cities of Asia Minor. As well as being an important cult city of mother goddess Aphrodite, Aphrodisas was known with its production of marble sculptures and sarcophagi that were exported to many Roman towns throughout the empire. You will overnight in Pamukkale and explore the calcareous cascades and luke-warm basins. The variety of tomb styles at the necropolis is a proof of Hierapolis' fame in the healing power of its thermal springs since ancient times.
Overnight: Hierapolis Thermal Hotel, Denizli (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 10: Denizli/Izmir (Drive)
Drive to the Aegean coast for a visit of Ephesus; the star of Asia Minor and the best preserved of all the classical world's great cities. St.Paul stirred up the worshippers of mother goddess Artemis, the temple of whom is one of the seven wonders of ancient world. During the Christian era, Mary was dedicated her first church in Ephesus, where ecumenical councils gathered during the Byzantine reign.
Overnight: Aksan Hotel, Izmir (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 11: Izmir/Pergamum/Troy/Canakkale (Drive)
Early drive to Pergamum for a visit of its fascinating acropolis.The 200000 pergament (parchement) scrolls of the library here, threathened the fame of that in Alexandria during the Hellenistic Age. Drive along the Aegean coast to Troy. You will touch the city walls around which Achilles dragged the dead body of Hector, as told in Homer's Iliad.
Overnight: Akol Hotel, Canakkale (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 12: Canakkale/Gallipoli/Istanbul (Drive)
Cross the Dardanelles to Gallipoli for a visit of the infamous World War 1 battle sites. Lone Pine Cemetery and Anzac Cove are remembered for no hatred nor glory but human aspects of both sides' sufferings. Out of the ashes of this sad battle, rose Kemal Ataturk as a hero for future modern Turkey. And a John Simpson carried help to the wounded of both sides, with his donkeys. Drive in the afternoon to Istanbul.
Overnight: Hotel Grand Yavuz, Istanbul (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 13: Depart Istanbul
This morning we bid farewell and transfer to the airport for the departure flight. (B)

* The sequence of the itinerary may be changed depending on your arrival date.

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Departure Dates

2008 English Speaking Departures Daily except Saturdays

Inclusions

Tour Price Includes Tour Price Does Not Include Hotel Accommodation as mentioned or similar International Airfare Meal Plan as mentioned (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner) Airport / Departure Taxes All sightseeing and transfers by private transportation Insurances / Visas / Tips Services of local English speaking guides   Entrance fees to museums and sites included in the itinerary

Tour Price

We accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for clients outside North America). Bestway Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received, and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please download Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf Note: to read this file you must have Adobe Acrobat.

2008 Departures Double Occupancy Single Room Supplement Jan 01 – Mar 13 US $ 1270 • CA $ 1270 US $ 225 • CA $ 225 Mar 14 – May 01 US $ 1455 • CA $ 1455 US $ 320 • CA $ 320 May 02 – Jun 01 US $ 1570 • CA $ 1570 US $ 345 • CA $ 345 Jun 02 – Aug 24 US $ 1455 • CA $ 1455 US $ 320 • CA $ 320 Aug 25 – Sep 04 US $ 1570 • CA $ 1570 US $ 345 • CA $ 345 Sep 05 – Nov 02 US $ 1695 • CA $ 1695 US $ 380 • CA $ 380 Nov 03 – Dec 28 US $ 1455 • CA $ 1455 US $ 320 • CA $ 320 Dec 29 – Dec 31 US $ 1570 • CA $ 1570 US $ 345 • CA $ 345

Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is NOT included in this tour

Canada - West Coast CA $ 1600 USA - West Coast US $ 1400 Canada - East Coast CA $ 1400 USA - East Coast US $ 1200

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum of 15 participants.

Notes

Customised Itinerary If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you. Foreign Language Departures Please contact us for information on French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking departures. You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844.