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Scheduled Tours
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DATE 2008 |
P.P. IN DBL |
SGL SUPP |
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13.09--29.09 |
2800$ |
510 $ |
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Rates are land only, based on double
occupancy
This 17-day tour includes visits to
Ephesus, Aphrodisias, Demre (Myra),
Aspendos, Perge, Konya, Cappadocia,
Tarsus, Antakya (Antioch), Diyarbakir,
Mardin, The Sacred Pool of Abraham in Urfa
and Istanbul. |
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Day 1 Flight Day
Flight from your country to
Turkey.(Preliminary
group reservations have been made with Turkish
Airlines)
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Day 2 Izmir - Kusadasi
Morning
arrival in Istanbul and connecting flight
to Izmir. Tour of Izmir, including the
Agora. Free time for lunch. Izmir is the
historical and Biblical Smyrna, also known
for its heavenly patron, St. Polycarp.
Bishop of the city and disciple of St.
John the Evangelist, he was martyred for
Christ in 155 AD in the city’s theater.
Little remains of the ancient Smyrna,
except for the Agora, as the ancient
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remains
were largely built over and consumed by the
new developments of Turkey’s third largest
city. Drive to Kusadasi, one of the most
famous resorts of the Turkish Aegean. Dinner
and overnight in Kusadasi. (D)
Day 3 Kusadasi
We spend a full day exploring the ancient city
of Ephesus. It is impossible to overstate the
importance of this city, closely associated
with important figures of the New Testament
and Early Church. Two of the Seven Ecumenical
Councils recognized by the Orthodox Church
were conducted in this city, whose
well-preserved antiquities rival those of
Pompeii in Italy. Among the many sites, we
plan to visit the Artemision (one of the Seven
Wonders of the Ancient World), the Museum,
Basilica Tomb of St. John, and the House of
the Virgin Mary. Lunch on your own in a local
restaurant. Dinner and overnight
in Kusadasi.
(B/D) |
Day 4 Pamukkale
Today we visit the magnificent archeological parks
of Aphrodisias
and Pamukkale. The first was a major cult center
for the goddess Aphrodite (hence the name of the
city). We visit the site and Museum, with its
fine collection of marble statuary. Lunch in
Anatolia Restaurant and drive to Pamukkale,
ancient Hierapolis, renowned since antiquity for
its natural hot springs. We will walk through the
ancient collonaded street and have a look at the
beautiful travertine cliffs. Dinner and overnight
in Pamukkale. (B/L/D)
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Day 5
Antalya
Early morning
departure. Our scenic route takes us south, to the shores of
Mediterranean. This day will pass under the special
patronage of St.
Nicholas, as we visit the ancient ruins of Patara, the
birthplace of the famous Christian saint, and Myra (Demre,) the
town where he was bishop and where he rested till the time when
his relics were taken away to Bari, Italy. Both Patara and Myra
were very important settlements in the province of Lycia. Lunch
will be provided on our way from Patara to Myra. For dinner and
overnight we will transfer to Hotel. (B/L/D)
Day 6 Konya
Early departure
for Konya. En route, we visit Perge and Aspendos, important
cities during the Late Roman and Byzantine periods. Aspendos
boasts a well-preserved theater and large aqueduct. Perge has
important early Christian monuments and was visited by the
Apostle Paul during his missionary journeys. After lunch, we
drive onto the vast Central Anatolian Plain to Konya (Iconium of
old). Time permitting, we will visit the tomb and museum of
Mevlana, an “unorthodox” Islamic mystic, better known in the
West as the Sufi poet Rumi. Mevlana was also founder of the
Mevlevi sect, famous for the dance of the Whirling Dervishes.
Dinner & overnight in Konya . (B/D)
Day 7 Cappadocia
Today we enter
the volcanic landscape of Cappadocia. Of great significance in
Christian history, it is one of Turkey’s most interesting
regions. On the way we, visit the Agzikarahan Caravanserai,
build in the 13th century as a safe haven along a
major trade route. In Cappadocia, we visit the “underground
city” of Kaymakli. After lunch we explore the lunar terrain of
Goreme and Zelve. Many of the dwellings, monasteries, and
churches in this wondrous region were in use up until the
1920’s. The sad events of the early 20th century
turned the once densely populated cave cities into ghost towns,
now revived as “open air museums”. Dinner and overnight in
Cappadocia. (B/L/D)
Day 8
Tarsus
Early today
(06:00 – 08:30 am), an optional hot-air balloon ride will be
offered to the most adventurous of our the group. Our main
program for the day is further exploration of Cappadocia. We
visit Avanos, Uchisar and the town of Mustafapasa. En route to
Tarsus, we stop for a visit at Eskigumus Monastery, the most
impressive and most southerly of all Cappadocian monasteries,
lost in history and rediscovered only in the mid-20th
century. Very much intact, it has some of the best-preserved
frescoes in Cappadocia. Later tonight, we arrive in Tarsus, the
birthplace of Paul, one of the most glorious apostles of Our
Lord. Tonight, we lodge and dine at the Tarsus (B/L/D)
Day 9
Antakya (Antioch)
We leave Tarsus
early in the morning, driving east, to the city of Antakya,
ancient Antioch. It was in Antioch that followers of ‘the
Galilean’ were called first called ‘Christians.’ On our way,
we visit the ruins of Seleukia ad Pierea, seaport of mighty
Antioch, and the monastery of St. Simeon Stylites the Younger. A
prominent Orthodox saint of the 6th century, St Simeon spent 68
years in ascetical labors atop the column that was erected for
him. Later today, we visit several sites associated with the
Apostle Paul and Roman ruins – fragile remains of the once
glorious city. We will end our sightseeing in the Mosaic Museum.
Its collection is considered to be one of the best in the
world. Dinner in Harbiye and overnight inAntakya. (B/D)
Day 10 Kahta
This morning we
travel to Gaziantep and visit the Yasemek open-air museum, the
oldest discovered sculpture workshop, dating back to the second
millennium B.C. One of Turkey’s most industrially developed
cities, Gaziantep is also one of the oldest cities in the Near
East. The Gaziantep Archeological Museum houses spectacular
mosaics and artifacts that were rescued from the ancient Roman
city of Zeugma, whose remains were flooded after the building of
the dam on the Euphrates River. After lunch, we gather and
continue to Mt. Nemrut to catch sunset on the West Terrace.
Dinner and overnight Kahta. (B/D)
Day 11
Urfa
Today we rise
early for sunrise on the East Terrace of Mt. Nemrut. After that
spectacular sighting. we advance into Mesopotamia. After lunch
and a visit to the Ataturk Dam on the Euphrates, we proceed to
Urfa also known as Sanliurfa, the historical city of Edessa. As
Edessa, the city was significant in both the Old Testament and
early Church tradition.(Many local place names allude to Old
Testament personalities and it is believed that King Abgar of
Edessa was healed and converted to Christianity after receiving
a gift of cloth bearing the image of Christ.) We will tour
Urfa’s Old Bazaar and Sacred Pool. Late in the afternoon we
visit Harran. Here, according to tradition, Adam and Eve came
after their expulsion from the Garden of Eden and Abraham lived
after he left his birthplace in Ur of Chaldeans. For dinner and
overnight we will return to Urfa. (B/D)
Day 12
Mardin - Batman
This morning we
tour the fascinating town of Mardin, established by Assyrian
Christians in the 3rd century AD. Predominantly
populated by Christians until recent times, the city retains a
strong Christian community. Many of the Mardin churches date
back to the 5th century AD. One of the earliest is
dedicated to the Forty Martyrs of Sebastia. The Monastery of
Dayrul-Zeferan, founded in 493 AD, was until 1932, the seat of
the Patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church. Time permitting,
we’ll visit additional ancient Christian sites, such as Anitli,
Midyat, and Mor Gabriel Monastery. Dinner and overnight in
Batman (B/D)
Day 13
Diyarbakir - Istanbul
En route from
Batman to Diyarbakir, we stop at Hasankeyf, another settlement
that dates back millennia before Christ. The Romans built a
fortress here, and under the Byzantines, a bishophoric see was
established. In the afternoon we arrive in Diyarbakir,
noteworthy for many historical monuments and the imposing black
basalt walls that surround this city on the Tigris River. The
walls of the Diyarbakir are over 5km long, the second largest
and best preserved walls in the world after the famous Great
Wall of China. After sightseeing in town we will transfer to the
airport for our flight to Istanbul. Dinner on your own and
overnight in Istanbul. (B)
Day 14
Istanbul
Istanbul-Constantinople is in no need of introduction. Our first
day in the glorious imperial city begins with what was once the
heart of Eastern Christendom, the Basilica (Museum) of Haghia
Sophia. We continue with visits to Haghia Irene Church (if
open), the underground cistern and the church of St. Saviour in
Chora, renowned for its frescoes and mosaics. We also visit the
remains of the monastery of St. John the Baptist in Stoudios.
Many famous theologians and one of the church typikons (the book
of ecclesiastical order) came from this monastery. Perhaps the
most prominent of them is St. Theodore the Studite, the great
saint, theologian and adamant defender of the holy icons. Dinner
on your own and overnight in Istanbul. (B/L)
Day 15
Istanbul
We continue
delving into the treasures of Istanbul-Constantinople: Topkapi
Palace, the
Hippodrome, the
Blue Mosque, Church of Sergius and Bacchus, and Pammakaristos
Church. Late afternoon & evening are free. Dinner on your own.
Overnight in Istanbul. (B)
Day 16 Istanbul
This morning we
will start with Divine Liturgy at the Greek Patriarchate in
Phanar. After liturgy we will visit the Archeological Museum.
You may choose to be independent this afternoon or to join an
optional Bosphorus Cruise. (This is included in the tour price)
Farewell dinner on the Bosphorus and overnight in Istanbul.
(B/D)
Day 17
Departure
Transfer to airport for return flight to the United States. (B)
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What's Included |
Not Included |
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All hotels as indicated in the
itinerary.
Note: Depending on space availability, listed
hotels may be substituted with similar class
without notice.
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All
meals as indicated: (B/L/D)
B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner.
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Meals will be at our hotels or in typical local
restaurants.
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Tea, coffee, and water with
included meals.
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Professional, licensed,
English-speaking guide.
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Air-conditioned luxury bus with
professional tour bus driver.
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Tips for hotel personnel.
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All airport transfers.
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All entrance fees and admissions.
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Baggage handling.
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Tour folders with brochures and
maps of Turkey.
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No Hidden Costs.
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Guide and driver tips.
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International and domestic flights.
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Visa (can be obtained
on
arrival at airport in Turkey for $26 per person
for 2007)
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Any
meals not indicated (B/L/D)
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3adým Travel & Tours
