Gems of Turkey

Engaging Discoveries for our Travelers

• Witness the spirituality and artistry of the Whirling Dervishes in Cappadocia and dine at our favorite restaurant, Aravan Evi. Immerse in the sites and flavors of Istanbul with in-depth sightseeing, lunch at historic Pandeli Restaurant and dinner overlooking the Bosphorus! Pursue your own passions with the included activity of your choice... antiquing, calligraphy workshop, shopping or an invigorating hamam visit. 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites#WHS# This trip is available with professional, bi-lingual guides fluent in their own local dialect plus a variety of other languages like Spanish, Italian, Chinese and many others.

HOTEL INFORMATION:

Day 1 - From Ankara to Cappadocia
Meet your guide in Ankara this morning for a scenic overland journey into the ethereal landscapes of Cappadocia. En route, you’ll visit the Agzikarahan Caravanserai, built in the 13th century along strategic trade routes.

Nearly 4,000 years ago, ancient Hittites were perhaps the first to carve underground dwellings beneath the hills of Cappadocia. Assyrians, Lycians, Persians and Romans likely followed. Seeking to avoid persecution during Roman times, early Christians sought refuge in these cave dwellings and expanded them into underground cities, complete with homes and elaborately carved churches. This afternoon, you’ll enjoy a fascinating visit to Kaymakli Underground City, one of the most extensive in the region.

Check in to your choice of hotel before this evening’s visit to Saruhan Caravanserai, where you’ll witness the Whirling Dervishes ceremony. This distinctive religious sect is widely known for its ritual dance and haunting music.

Day 2 - Cappadocia In-Depth
Your exploration of this historic and captivating region continues in Goreme#WHS#. Visit the famed Open Air Museum where many of the ancient rock-cut churches are decorated with beautiful frescoes which still retain much of their original color. Your in-depth sightseeing also includes Avanos, Pasabag and Uchisar – with a delightful lunch stop at Aravan Evi, a charming family-run restaurant in a quiet village. Meals B,L

Day 3 - Fly to Izmir
You’ll be escorted to the airport today for your flight to Izmir. Upon arrival, you’ll be warmly greeted and transferred to the hotel of your choice. Meals B

Day 4 - Excursion to Pergamum
Travel to Pergamum to explore one of the word’s greatest cities of antiquity. Impressive ruins from the days of Alexander the Great include the Sacred Way, the once-magnificent Acropolis and the remains of a world-renowned ancient library which once held 200,000 books written on parchment. Return to your hotel in Izmir where your evening is at leisure. Meals B

Day 5 - Explore Ephesus and on to Istanbul
Today’s comprehensive guided visit to Ephesus reveals one of the most important cities of the ancient world. Here you will admire beautifully-restored mosaic floors, stroll along elegant marble avenues lined with the impressive ruins of once-great buildings and behold the great Roman Amphitheater, splendidly preserved. Then fly to Istanbul where you’ll be warmly greeted and escorted to the hotel of your choice. Meals B

Day 6 - Friendly, exotic Istanbul!
Renowned throughout the ages – first as Byzantium, then as Constantinople and today as Istanbul – this is a captivating city of stunning beauty and contrasts, and the only city to sit astride two continents – Europe and Asia! Your comprehensive sightseeing includes the Roman Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque and St. Sophia – built in the 6th century and still one of the largest church buildings in the world. Marvel at priceless crown jewels in the treasury of the Topkapi Palace and dine at the renowned and historic Pandeli Restaurant. Meals B,L

Day 7 - Tailor your day in Istanbul
Customize your stay in Istanbul and pursue your own interests with one of the included, hands-on excursion of your choice:

Antiquing in Istanbul…. Join your guide, an impassioned expert, to explore the winding streets of Cukurcuma, a colorful district in the heart of exotic Istanbul. Long known for its amazing antique shops filled with Ottoman treasures, this vibrant neighborhood is now also home to some of the city’s newest and most fashionable boutiques.
Into the Grand Bazaar… With thousands of tiny shops overflowing with jewelry, leather goods, ceramics, textiles, clothing, rugs and antiques, the world-renowned Grand Bazaar might seem overwhelming. But with our expert and insightful guide leading the way, you’ll have a fun, fascinating and productive visit – with enough bargaining and shopping to satisfy even the most die-hard shopper!
Discover Traditional Turkish Arts... It’s your choice! Visit a glass-blowing atelier, try your hand at Turkish calligraphy, or join a workshop in the ancient art of marbling. A Turkish Hamam… Relax and invigorate with this traditional Turkish Bath experience.

Tonight, we’ve made special arrangements for you to dine on the city’s romantic waterfront overlooking the Bosphorus! Meals B,D

Day 8 - Depart Istanbul
Your journey with us ends after breakfast. Meals B

Don't miss our current specials: World Traveler 2% Cash Discount If you make payment by check, money order or electronic cash withdrawal and pay-in-full for your General Tours trip within 7 days of making your reservation, we'll discount the entire cost of your trip by 2%. Your entire balance must be paid by personal check, travel agency check, money order or authorized electronic debit withdrawal (ACH) from a checking account to qualify; and your payment must be received by General Tours not later than seven (7) days from the date of your reservation to qualify. We recommend using a traceable overnight delivery method. If your check or electronic debit is returned from your bank for any reason, your reservation will no longer qualify for the 2% cash discount; a $25 processing fee will be added to your account balance; and all future payments will need to be made by credit card or certified funds. Save More. Get Closer. Family and Friends Explore the world with your family and friends for a more enriching travel experience… Save $50 each when 3 guests travel together, $100 each when 4 guests travel together, and $150 each when 5 or more guests travel together. Combine these savings with your AAA or AARP Member Benefit and save even more!
Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
9/11/2010 - 9/11/2010	$3,699
10/2/2010 - 10/2/2010	$3,699
1/1/2011 - 4/30/2011	$3,499
1/1/2011 - 4/30/2011	$4,099
4/9/2011 - 4/9/2011	$3,699
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

Engaging Discoveries for our Travelers

• Witness the spirituality and artistry of the Whirling Dervishes in Cappadocia and dine at our favorite restaurant, Aravan Evi. Immerse in the sites and flavors of Istanbul with in-depth sightseeing, lunch at historic Pandeli Restaurant and dinner overlooking the Bosphorus! Pursue your own passions with the included activity of your choice... antiquing, calligraphy workshop, shopping or an invigorating hamam visit. 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites#WHS# This trip is available with professional, bi-lingual guides fluent in their own local dialect plus a variety of other languages like Spanish, Italian, Chinese and many others.

World Traveler 2% Cash Discount

Save More. Get Closer. Family and Friends

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