LEISURELY TOUR OF TURKEY (67202010)

Transportation
Scheduled transatlantic flights and airport transfers in Istanbul if Cosmos issues the air tickets. Touring by private first-class air-conditioned motorcoach. Dardanelles Straits and Bay of Izmir ferry crossing.

Guides
Local Guide for city sightseeing in Istanbul. Services of a professional Tour Director while touring.

Hotels


ISTANBUL
Tazlik (ST),

CANAKKALE
Tusan (F),

KUDASI
Grand Onder (F),

DENIZLI AREA
Herakles (ST) at Pamukkale,

KONYA
Balikcilar (F),

CAPPADOCIA
Altinyazi (F),

ANKARA
Gurkent (F),

BURSA
Kervansaray (ST)

Meals
Buffet breakfasts (B); 8 dinners (D)

Day 1:
Sat. BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT.

Day 2:
Sun. ARRIVE IN ISTANBUL, TURKEY. Check into your hotel. In the evening, get to know your fellow travelers with a welcome drink, hosted by your Tour Director.

Day 3:
Mon. ISTANBUL–GALLIPOLI–CANAKKALE. Drive along the Sea of Marmara to Gallipoli on the European side of the Dardanelles. Time to visit the Anzac Cemetery and the site of a bloody World War I battle. Then a short ferry crossing to Asia Minor. Overnight in Canakkale. (B,D)

Day 4:
Tue. CANAKKALE–TROY–IZMIR–KUSADASI. First, a visit to the remains of Homer’s legendary Troy. South to the lovely Bay of Edremit with distant views of the island of Lesbos. Through forests of pine, oak, and valonia, head for Izmir, where an orientation drive includes the Karsiyaka District. From here it’s not far to your hotel in Kusadasi. (B,D)

Day 5:
Wed. AT LEISURE IN KUSADASI. Enjoy your charming modern resort located between ancient Ephesus and Priene, blessed with a delightful climate and white sandy beaches. Optional excursions are available to the Roman/Greek archaeological site of Ephesus and to the Virgin Mary House. (B)

Day 6:
Thu. KUSADASI–PAMUKKALE–DENIZLI AREA. Once past Aydin, you enter what is known as the “Greek Meander,” the most fertile region in Turkey. Make a first stop this morning for optional sightseeing of the ancient site of Aphrodisias scattered around the village of Geyre. From the town of Denizli, drive north to view the extraordinary sight of Pamukkale with the ancient site of Hierapolis. Overnight in the Denizli area. (B,D)

Day 7:
Fri. DENIZLI AREA–KONYA. Eastwards to Dinar and then past Lake Acigoy surrounded by cherry gardens and opium fields. Later, splendid mountain scenery on the way to Konya. (B,D)

Day 8:
Sat. KONYA–GÖREME–CAPPADOCIA. Further eastward into the great central plateau that separates Konya from Cappadocia, taking a break at the great Agzikarahan Caravanserai. After arrival in Göreme, an included afternoon excursion to the amazing Rock Chapels carved by early Christians. Overnight in Cappadocia. (B,D)

Day 9:
Sun. CAPPADOCIA. Optional sightseeing in the spectacular Cappadocia area. Admire the large natural amphitheater bounded by almost vertical cliffs into which have been hewn monastic buildings, churches, and underground retreats where early Christians sheltered from Roman persecution. (B,D)

Day 10:
Mon. CAPPADOCIA–AKSARAY-ANKARA. North today by way of Aksaray to Ankara, the capital. Enjoy an orientation drive with a stop at Ataturk´s Mausoleum. Afternoon optional excursions are available to see some of the capital’s highlights. (B,D)

Day 11:
Tue. ANKARA–GORDION–BURSA. From Ankara into the ancient kingdom of Phrygia to Gordion where, according to legend, Alexander the Great cut the proverbial knot. Visit King Midas’ tomb. On to historic Bursa in the shadow of the Olympus of Mysia, famous for its great Mosque, covered bazaar, and silk market. (B,D)

Day 12:
Wed. BURSA–ISTANBUL. A morning drive to the shores of the Sea of Marmara, then take a ferry across the Bay of Izmit to Istanbul. This afternoon, enjoy the included sightseeing with visits to the Roman Hippodrome and the Blue Mosque. Tonight, take advantage of the optional dinner outing in Istanbul. (B)

Day 13:
Thu. ISTANBUL. Markets, peddlers, and stalls selling almonds, pistachios, iced drinks, and black coffee—you’ll find this vigorous city irresistible. The view of the city at dusk with its 600 mosques and the Bosporus is unforgettable. Optional possibilities are a morning excursion by private boat to the Bosporus and in the afternoon, the “Historical Tour of Istanbul.” (B)

Day 14:
Fri. ISTANBUL. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

YOU CAN BOOK THIS TOUR ONLINE. Click here to check rates and availability online, 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. Or, to speak to one of our live, experienced travel consultants, Call us now at 1-800-942-3301.
Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
9/4/2010 - 9/17/2010	$1,169
9/11/2010 - 9/24/2010	$1,169
9/18/2010 - 10/1/2010	$1,169
9/25/2010 - 10/8/2010	$1,169
10/2/2010 - 10/15/2010	$1,169
10/9/2010 - 10/22/2010	$1,169
10/16/2010 - 10/29/2010	$1,169
10/23/2010 - 11/5/2010	$1,169
10/30/2010 - 11/12/2010	$1,019
11/6/2010 - 11/19/2010	$1,019
11/13/2010 - 11/26/2010	$1,019
11/20/2010 - 12/3/2010	$1,019
11/27/2010 - 12/10/2010	$955
12/4/2010 - 12/17/2010	$955
12/11/2010 - 12/24/2010	$955
12/18/2010 - 12/31/2010	$1,025
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.

City Highlights
Visits to Gallipoli, Canakkale, Troy, Izmir, Kusadasi, Pamukkale, Agzikarahan Caravanserai, Konya, Rock Chapels in Göreme, Ankara, King Midas’ Tomb in Gordion, Bursa

Scenic Highlights
Pamukkale´s cotton castle

Price Details US
Single room supplement: $220No triple room reduction.

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