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Maturango Museum

Present

BEST OF TURKEY

April 15 – May 4, 2008

20 Days

Turkey is exotic to Western eyes. Its domed mosques, their minarets reaching for the heavens; packed bazaars agleam with copper and brass and piled high with carpets; and the ancient ruins of the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks, and Ottomans – monumental legacies of great civilizations past. Medieval palaces and fortresses – all are the stuff of legends come to life. Then there is Turkeys’ natural beauty, its stunning coasts and mountains, and the sparkling waters of the Aegean and Mediterranean.

Turkey will always be a land apart, a crossroads, and a place where you will begin to feel untethered from the ways of the Western World. Come join a grand adventure……….

Itinerary

DAY 1 – Depart Los Angeles

Depart from Los Angeles on an overnight flight to Istanbul.

DAY 2 - Arrive Istanbul - Our representative will meet the group and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day is free. Welcome dinner at the hotel. (D)

Day 3 – Istanbul - Discover the Byzantine and Ottoman treasures of Istanbul. Visit the Blue Mosque, unique with six minarets, the Roman Hippodrome Square, and the royal Topkapi Palace. Lunch at Konyali Restaurant in the Topkapi Palace. After lunch, visit the St. Sophia Church, which is considered one of the world’s greatest architectural marvels, and the Grand Bazaar. Evening is free. (BL)

Day 4 – Istanbul - Full day Bosporus & Asia Tour; visit the Spice Bazaar, and then embark on a Bosporus Boat Tour viewing the beauty of the European and Asian shorelines on either side. Cross to the Asian side to visit the Camlica Hill and tour the Beylerbeyi Palace, the summer residence of the Ottoman Sultans with its magnificent gardens. Dinner at an outdoor Restaurant in Kumkapi district. (BD)

Day 5 – Istanbul - Visit St. Chora Church (Kariye Camii) and its wonderful mosaics and frescoes, the Suleymaniiye Mosque, the Museum of Turkish & Islamic Arts, and the Dolmabahce Sarayi (palace of the last Ottoman sultan & the home of Ataturk). Tonight, Dinner and Folkloric/Belly Dance Show at local Night Club/ Restaurant. (BD)

Day 6 – Istanbul – Overnight Train to Ankara - Visit Istanbul Museums; Atli Kosk Museum including paintings and interesting daily life instruments from the Ottoman period. Then visit the Rumeli Hisari Fort, built in 1452, and the Modern Museum of Istanbul. Transfer to the train station to take the ANKARA EXPRESS overnight train to Ankara. (B)

Day 7 – Ankara – Cappadocia - Arrive Ankara in the morning. Visit the Anatolian Civilization Museum and the Mausoleum of Ataturk. Drive to Cappadocia via Salt Lake. Discover unusual formations, the fairy chimneys, troglodyte dwellings and underground cities built by Christians in the 7th century. (BD)

Day 8 – Cappadocia - Optional Hot Air Balloon Trip in the early morning (6:30-8:00am). Full day tour in Cappadocia. Visit the Goreme Valley Open Air Museum, the citadel of Uchisar, the Underground City of Kaymakli or Derinkuyu, Zelve Valley, the pottery village of Avanos. Tonight, after dinner at the hotel, we will watch Whirling Dervish Show -also called Sema Show in an authentic atmosphere. (BD)

Day 9 - Cappadocia - Full day visit to the village of Mustafapasa and Ihlara Valley Rock Churches. (BD)

Day 10 –Cappadocia – Konya - Drive to Konya. Visit an old Caravanserai on the way to Konya. Then, visit the Mevlana Rumi Museum. (BD)

Day 11 – Konya – Antalya - Drive to Antalya, the major city on the “Turquoise Coast” of Anatolia. Transfer to your hotel. Full day excursion to the ancient Pamphylian cities of Perge which dates back to 1000 BC and where St. Paul preached his first sermon, and to Aspendos with its well preserved 15,000 seat theater famous for its excellent acoustics. (BD)

Day 12 – Antalya – Boat Tour - After breakfast, transfer to the marina. Full day (10:00 am – 5:00 pm) boat tour of the beautiful sea and islands of the Turquoise Coast. Swimming will be available. (BD)

Day 13 - Antalya – Termessos - Bodrum - Visit impregnable Termessos, known in antiquity as the “Eagles Nest,” avoided by Alexander the Great. Drive to Bodrum via the Southwestern coastline. See Fethiye, the principal port of Lycia during Roman times. Also see Kalkan with centuries old red tiled houses on the harbor. Kas is also on the way. (BD)

Day 14 – Bodrum – Bodrum was known as Halicarnassus in antiquity (founded in 1000 BC by the Greeks). We visit its famous Marina, the 15^th century Bodrum Castle, and its Underwater Archaeological Museum. Then visit the Theater and the Mausoleum, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. (BD)

Day 15 - Bodrum - Aphrodisias - Pamukkale Drive to Aphrodisias and see its wonderful Stadium and well preserved Theater. Visit Aphrodisias Museum, which contains a large number of Aphrodite statues. Continue to Pamukkale for dinner and overnight. Swimming is available at the hot spring pools (famous since the Roman Period) of the hotel. (BD)

Day 16 - Pamukkale – Hierapolis – Kusadasi - Visit the Roman ruins of Hierapolis and its Temple of Apollo in the morning. Then drive to Kusadasi on the Aegean Sea Coast. Visit the Archaeological Museum on the way. (BD)

Day 17 – Ephesus – Kusadasi - Full day tour to the ancient city of Ephesus. Visit the House of the Virgin Mary, and then the ancient city of Ephesus, the Celsus Library, the marble paved Arcadian Road, the Brothel, the Roman Baths, the Theater, and the Temple of Artemis (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World). (BD)

Day 18 – Pergamun – Assos – Canakkale - Drive to Pergamum and visit the Greco Roman city built on four rising terraces and the Asclepion. Continue to Assos to see the panoramic view of the Temple of Athena. (B)

Day 19 – Canakkale – Troy – Istanbul - Drive to Troy, the legendary town in the Iliad of Homer, the site of the Trojan Wars. Cross the Dardanelles by ferry. Visit the Anzac Cove and the Lone Pine Cemetery. Then, drive to Istanbul. Farewell Dinner at the famous Beyti Restaurant. (BD)

Day 20 – Istanbul – Los Angeles - Transfer to Istanbul Airport for return to Los Angeles via Munich. (B)

TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:

- Round-trip air transportation, from Los Angeles to Istanbul, via Lufthansa Airlines.

- Istanbul/Ankara Overnight Train, in twin cabin.

- 17 Nights Hotel Accommodations based on share

twin occupancy, at first class/superior (four- star) hotel properties.

- 34 Meals:

Daily buffet breakfast (17) at the hotels

1 Lunch

8 Dinners at hotels, and 7 dinners at restaurants.

- English Speaking Professional Tour Manager

throughout the tour.

- All Entry Fees to the sites and museums

- Private Boat Tours in Istanbul and Antalya

- Ferry Tickets in Canakkale

- Baggage handling at hotels for one suitcase per

person.

- All transfers and transportation by air- conditioned deluxe motor coach (full size).

- Service charges and local taxes.

- A $100 donation to the Maturango Museum

- Air Departure Taxes/Fuel Surcharges, currently $290.00.

TOUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:

- Turkish Visa fee ($20 for US citizens to be obtained upon arrival)

- Meals, which are not listed above, and all drinks

- Tips to tour manager, guides or motor coach driver

- All personal expenses

PROGRAM PRICE:

$4820 per person, double occupancy.

*Single supplement: $910

Prices are based on a minimum of 20 passengers.

PAYMENT:

* Deposit of $600 per person to reserve space

* 2nd deposit of $600 per person due December 29th

* Balance of $3620 per person due

February 1^st, 2008

CHECKS MADE PAYABLE AND SENT TO:

EXCLUSIVE TOURS

644 SHERRI CT

RIDGECREST, CALIF. 93555

CANCELLATION POLICY

* No cancellation fee till Jan 1^st, 2008

* January 2nd to February 10th, $500

* After February 10th, only that recoverable

from the suppliers is returned. Entire trip

cost is at risk.

TO CONTACT LEO GIRARDOT

The following applies:

* By phone: 760- 375-8737

* By mail : 644 Sherri Ct. Ridgecrest, Calif. 93555

* By email anytime: magics@ridgenet.net

Tour Organizer & Leader

This tour has been organized and is being led by Leo Girardot, a retired professor (after 33 years) from Cerro Coso College. Mr. Girardot has been organizing and leading trips since 1980 and has experience in Europe, China, Greece, Turkey, Egypt, and South East Asia, as well as India and Africa, Mexico, South America, New Zealand, and Australia.