Turkish Delights

Turkish Delights
Experience the Mystery of Turkey
with Kerry Brown
May 23 to June 2, 2014
Turkey is one of the most unique places in the world. It is an Asian – Middle Eastern
country and yet European too. From breathtaking Istanbul, the only city in the
world that spans two continents, to Cappadocia with its
underground cities and “Fairy Chimneys,” this is a one of a
kind tour not to be missed! We will explore the Spice
Bazaar of Istanbul, enjoy a Turkish cooking class, a wine
tasting, experience an all women hamam (Turkish bath),
enjoy a Turkish massage and spend the last few days
relaxing and exploring the picturesque Bodrum, the St.
Tropez of Turkey! Join Kerry for this wonderful
introduction to the Byzantine, Ottoman and Turkish land of past and present.
Your package includes:
 Internal flights as shown on itinerary
 Meals as shown on itinerary
 Private transportation throughout in air conditioned vehicle
 Private tours and entrance fees and activities as shown on
itinerary
 Group transfer from airport in Istanbul
 All accommodations as per itinerary
Price per person land only: $4,499.00* (*based on two sharing and a minimum of 10 passengers.
Limited to a maximum of 12 passengers) Hold your space with a $500 non-refundable deposit.
Not included: personal expenses, international return air and air taxes, meals not specified, tipping,
entrance visa into Turkey (paid upon arrival) International air available upon request. Single
Supplement $899.00
* Kerry Brown is a Personal Coach, Licensed Professional Business Coach and Certified Executive Mastermind Coach
from Victoria BC
To book contact your Travel Advisor or email: [email protected]
Ph: (250)480-0008 or Toll free: 866-544-0008
1197 Palmer Rd Victoria BC V8P 2H5 BC Lic. 63139 www.nichetravel.ca
May 23
ISTANBUL
(D)
We arrive into Istanbul Ataturk Airport International Terminal. We will obtain our Turkish visa at the
Visa Counter prior to going through Passport Control. Our local escort will meet us outside the Baggage
Claim and take us to our hotel. The balance of the day will be at our leisure. Dinner at the hotel
(dependent on your arrival time).
May 24
ISTANBUL
This morning we begin our day with a walking tour: First we visit the Blue
Mosque, with its six graceful minarets and superb interior, which is
highlighted with more than 20,000 blue Turkish tiles. Then, see the
Hippodrome, a large square which was once the site of the ancient stadium,
now decorated with ancient monuments such as the Serpent Column (taken
from Delphi in Greece), and the Egyptian Obelisk (taken from the Temple of
Karnak in Egypt). Visit the Underground Cistern, dating from the 6th Century,
supported by 336 Corinthian columns as was seen in the James Bond movie,
“From Russia with Love”. Enjoy lunch at the Sura Restaurant.
(B/L/D)
After lunch we visit the Topkapi Palace, home of the Ottoman
Sultans for centuries. It is famous for its Treasury displaying the
famed “Topkapi Dagger”, and the “Topkapi Diamond”. Then we visit
the Grand Bazaar, which is one of the largest and oldest covered
markets in the world, with more than 58 streets and over 4,000
shops under hundreds of domes and arches. Also enjoy a
demonstration of the old Turkish art of marbling. We go back to our
hotel in late afternoon.
May 25:
ISTANBUL
(B/L/D)
After breakfast we take a cruise on the on a local ferry to see Istanbul
from the best vantage point, admiring the beautiful skyline. Sailing
between Asia and Europe we will see wonderful Ottoman Palaces, old
wooden mansions and modern villas. We will enjoy lunch at a seafood
restaurant along the Bosphorus.
In the afternoon we visit Rustem Pasa Mosque that is famous for its
large quantities of exquisite İznik tiles then, onto the Spice Bazaar from
the 17th Century, which is one of the oldest bazaars in the city and the
second largest covered shopping complex after the Grand Bazaar. Enjoy
the aromas and colors of exotic spices and herbs, and food items like the famous Turkish delight. We
will end our day tour with a visit to the Museum of St. Sophia, displaying beautiful mosaics and
amazing architecture. Then, we get our first experience of an authentic Turkish bath, built in the 15th
century and continuously used since. Return to your hotel around 7:00 p.m. Dinner will be at our hotel
restaurant.
May 26:
CAPPADOCIA
(B/L/D)
After breakfast we will head to the airport for our flight to Kayseri, one of the two gateways of
Cappadocia. This ancient region called Cappadocia is indeed a natural wonder that might be
reminiscent of lunar landscape with unusual rock formations. We begin our tour of this amazing area
with a visit of an underground city, Kaymakli. Archaeologists estimate that there are at least 30
underground dwellings, some connected by tunnels built over millennia, and first started by the
Hittites around 2,000 B.C. The underground city you will visit has 8 stories carved into the ground
beneath the surface. We will have lunch at Avanos Kadin Girisimcile Mutfagi in Avanos and any who
wish can try an old-fashioned potter’s wheel. We will be transferred to the MDC Cave hotel in
Cappadocia and then enjoy dinner in a lovely restaurant called Lil’a.
May 27:
CAPPADOCIA
(B/L/D)
OPTIONAL: Very early this morning (around 5:30 a.m.) there is
an optional hot-air balloon ride, which is an amazing
experience as you fly over this unbelievable landscape. When
we return at around 8:00 a.m., you can have breakfast.
Afterwards, we will spend the entire day, visiting this amazing
land with natural and man-made wonders! Visit the Goreme
Valley, the open-air museum with its many rock churches that
are decorated with frescoes. Visit the “Fairy Chimneys” that
are now the symbol of Cappadocia, and quaint hamlets such
as ancient Sinassos and Avanos, famous for its pottery.
Lunch will be in a little village where we will enjoy a homecooked meal with the villagers, while learning some of the dishes.
We stop at Zelve, another Open-Air Museum, where we see the rock caves used by the early Christian
monks in the three valleys of Zelve. Stop at a local winery and taste some of the wines produced in this
region for thousands of years.
May 28:
EPHESUS / KUSADASI
(B/L/D)
Today we depart for our flight to Ephesus, one of the best
preserved cities of antiquity which also is the largest open-air
Museum. One of the original Seven Wonders of the Ancient
World, the Temple of Artemis (Diana) was in Ephesus. We will
walk the marble streets of Ephesus, adorned on both sides
with temples, theaters, fountains, and baths, among other
ancient structures. We will have the opportunity to visit the
Grand Theater (mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles) that
accommodated over 24,000 people, the ancient marble
toilets, and the first advertisement carved on the marble
street - giving directions to the “house of ill-repute”! The highlight will be a tour inside the “Terrace
Houses”, homes to the wealthy Romans that should afford a rare look into
everyday life of a family during the Roman period. Then, enjoy a special lunch
at a charming restaurant featuring traditional dishes at Bizim Ev Hanimeli
restaurant.
Afterwards, we visit the Archaeological Museum, the Temple of Artemis, and
the Basilica of St. John. We drive up to the charming hillside village of Sirince,
just outside of Ephesus. The village is famous for its fruit wines and olive oil.
You will have an opportunity to taste some of the olive oils and sample their
various fruit wines. If time permits, you might be able to walk on the
cobblestone streets of the village and shop for handmade olive oil soap and
other hand-made items such as embroidered scarves. Then, drive to Kusadasi
for overnight stay at the La Vista hotel.
May 29:
APHRODISIAS / PAMUKKALE
After breakfast we will depart for Aphrodisias, an ancient Roman city
which rivals Ephesus in its grandeur. We visit the Theater, the large
Stadium, the marble Odeon (concert hall), baths of Hadrian, the
Gymnasium, Temple of Aphrodite (to whom the city was dedicated),
and other spectacular sites. We will enjoy lunch in a charming
restaurant where we will have an opportunity to watch the making of
Turkish Pizza, which tastes out of this world! Then we will continue to
Pamukkale, one of the natural wonders of Turkey: Pamukkale in
Turkish means “Cotton Castle” because it looks like white castles that
are formed by limestone-laden thermal springs that created the
unbelievable formations of cataracts and stalactites. It was a
healing center in the olden times, where people went to be
cured with the miraculous thermal waters. Before we check in
to our hotel, we visit the pools and the ancient ruins of
Hieropolis with its extensive ancient cemetery and the theater.
Tonight we will be at the Spa Hotel Colossae Thermal where we
will be treated to a great massage!
May 30:
BODRUM
After breakfast, drive to Bodrum, ancient
Halicarnassus. Considered to be the “St. Tropez of
Turkey” Bodrum is a very popular summer resort
town. We will visit some of the highlights of Bodrum,
such as the site of the Mausoleum of Halikarnassus,
which was one of the Seven Wonders of the World,
the Castle of St. Peter, built by the Knights and now
housing the Museum of Underwater Archaeology.
This is a museum, which has an ideal setting in this
Crusaders’ Castle with towers and beautifully
landscaped grounds where peacocks freely roam!
Then check in to we check into our beautiful El Vino Hotel.
May 31:
BODRUM
Enjoy our free day in Bodrum.
(B/L/D)
(B/L)
(B)
Jun 1:
BODRUM
(B/D)
Enjoy our free day in Bodrum. At 5:00 p.m. we will be transferred to Bodrum Airport for our flight to
Istanbul. Transfer on our own to the TAV Airport Hotel. (Dinner – served on the plane)
Jun 2:
DEPARTURE
(B)
Hotel transfer provided for your departure flight home.