Travel-Learn Program

When: May 21, 2011 - June 04, 2011 (iCal)

Description

In “the cradle of civilization”, where Europe and Asia meet, Turkey is yours to discover on this exclusive 15-day tour. We will begin our journey in Istanbul, Turkey’s cultural and spiritual heart with its legendary Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia, and Topkapi Palace, one of the world’s richest museums. Then travel south to the World War I battlefield of Gallipoli, and on to Troy. Here we will explore the wealth of Greco-Roman ruins at ancient Pergamum, and then spend a full day at Turkey’s nonpareil classical city, Ephsesus. After admiring its many archeological treasures, we will board a privately chartered gulet yacht in the coastal town of Göcek. A four day cruise of the exquisite Turquoise Coast follows, as we relax and discover hidden sights, quaint fishing villages, and remote ruins. We will end our journey in the seaside resort Antalya. There is an optional 5-day/4-night post-tour extension to Cappadocia and Ankara.

Featuring Host

Dr. Usha Sellers

Cost

From $3,995 per person based on double occupancy, air & land inclusive.

Contact

For more information,contact Usha Nand Sellers Ed. D., Director Tufts Travel-Learn Program, at usha.sellers@tufts.edu or 617-627-5323.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Depart the U.S. for Istanbul, Turkey

Depart the United States early this evening on your flight bound for Istanbul.

Day 2 - Arrive Istanbul

After arriving late this morning, we’ll transfer to our hotel, unpack and have a short rest. We’ll then take a short walking tour of the Taksim Square area and continue on to a local restaurant for a taste of traditional Turkish cuisine during a welcome dinner.

DAY 3: Istanbul

The legendary city of Istanbul is a place where East and West meet in a fascinating melding of cultures. We cross over Galata Bridge, which spans the Golden Horn, and tour Old Istanbul, home of splendid mosques and palaces. After touring the ancient Hippodrome, we continue on to the Blue Mosque; resplendently decorated with blue Isnik tiles and stained glass windows. Next we visit famed Hagia Sophia, built in 537 AD as a Christian cathedral, converted into a mosque in the 15th century and then converted to a secular museum by Ataturk.

After a traditional Turkish lunch we will tour the Topkapi Palace. Once the home of Ottoman sultans, it now holds many magnificent artifacts. Dinner tonight is on our own.

Day 4 -Istanbul

Our first stop this morning is the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s largest covered markets with some 4,000 shops and stalls selling goods from across the world. We then visit the renowned Museum of Turkish & Islamic Art in the restored Palace of Ibrahim Pasha. Next we cruise on the Bosphorus Strait, the waterway that separates Europe from Asia. We stop in the village of Ortakoy, known for its art scene, cafés, and boutiques as well as its historic mosques and synagogues. There’s time to explore and have lunch on our own before we return to our hotel mid-afternoon. The remainder of the day is at leisure and dinner is on our own.

Day 7 - Istanbul/Gallipoli/Troy/Assos

Today we travel to the northern Aegean Coast for a brief visit of Gallipoli, where in a deadly battle in 1915 Allied troops faced the Turkish army led by Mustafa Kemal, also known as Ataturk, the future founder of modern Turkey. We then travel across the Straits of the Dardanelles to Troy, where excavations have revealed the remnants of at least nine civilizations dating back 5,000 years. After an exploration of the ruins and relics here, we continue on to Behramkale, ancient Assos, where we spend the night.

Day 6 - Assos/Pergamum/Kusadasi

This morning we depart for Pergamum, once one of the richest small kingdoms in Asia Minor, which housed one of the world’s largest collections of books. Here we visit the magnificent Acropolis, which contains the ruins of Pergamum’s acclaimed library, which rivalled the great library of Alexandria. Much of Pergamum has been lovingly restored; it is now considered one of the premier ancient sites in Turkey. After lunch, we continue on to Asclepieum, a sanctuary and healing center built in the 4th century BC and then on to Kusadasi and our hotel, where we dine together tonight.

DAY 7: Kusadasi/Ephesus

Today we visit Ephesus, perhaps the world’s best-preserved ancient city. Once the home of the Temple of Diana, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World - today the magnificently preserved ruins attract visitors from across the globe. A full day of touring here includes the immense theater, the Sacred Way, the Temple of Hadrian, and the Library of Celsus. Before enjoying lunch in the beautiful rustic village of Sirince, we’ll visit the Ephesus Archaeological Museum for cruising, filled with relics excavated from the site. We return to our hotel late this afternoon and dine there together this evening.

Day 8 - Kusadasi/Göcek

Today we journey south, stopping along the way for a demonstration of the ancient art of carpet weaving at a local factory. After lunch, we continue on to Göcek, and board our 14-guest gulet, a replica of a traditional Turkish fishing boat. Today’s gulets are built with modern comforts in mind, and beautiful craftsmanship combined with ancient artistry makes the gulet perfect for cruising the waters of the Turquoise Coast. After settling in to your cabin, we’ll enjoy our first dinner, prepared by the ship’s crew with fresh local ingredients. Tonight we may wish to join others sleeping on deck under the stars.

DAY 9: Cruising – Aga Limani/Cleopatra Baths

Our route for the next few days is along the Turquoise Coast. The swimming is glorious, with crystal clear waters and the scent of eucalyptus in the air. With forested mountains as our backdrop, we begin our “Blue Voyage” by traveling to the hidden cove of Aga Limani where an optional hike brings us to Lydea, a little-known Greco-Roman site. The hike concludes at the Sunken Baths of Cleopatra, built in a breathtaking inlet by Mark Antony for the last Egyptian pharaoh. For a less active day, there is the choice to stay on board the gulet as it sails to the Sunken Baths to meet up with the hikers.

Day 10 - Dalyan River

This morning we disembark and drive to Dalyan, an environmentally protected area where we board a small skiff for a trip through an intriguing maze of channels. At the Lake of Koycegiz, we see our first Lycian rock tombs. After lunch in a local restaurant, we drive to our gulet in Fethiye Bay where we anchor for the night.

Day 11 - Gemiler/Kayakoy

Today we sail to Gemiler Island, where we disembark for a tour of a 6th-century Byzantine monastery. After lunch on board, we head to the Greek “ghost town” of Kayakoy, deserted after World War I and the Turkish War of Independence. We’ll explore the town and its two churches, which still retain some of their painted decoration and mosaic floors. Later we return to our gulet for our last night on board.

Day 12 - Fethiye/Demre/Myra/Antalya

This morning we sail to Fethiye, disembark and drive to Antalya. Along the way we stop in Demre to tour the ancient site of Myra, with an extremely well preserved Roman theater and striking Lycian tombs. After lunch here we continue our drive to Antalya along the beautiful Turquoise Coast. Late this afternoon we reach our seaside hotel and later dine together at the hotel.

Day 13 - Antalya

This morning we take a walking tour of Antalya, where we see the resort city’s Old Town, the extravagantly carved Hadrian’s Gate, and the lovely Yivli (“fluted”) Minaret. Then we board a coach for the ride to Antalya’s Archaeological Museum. We return to our hotel for lunch on our own. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Dinner tonight will be at a local Turkish restaurant in Antalya.

Day 14 - Antalya/Perge/Aspendos

This morning we set off for a tour of the once-thriving Roman city of Perge, which reached its pinnacle during the era of Alexander the Great. Among the outstanding ruins are the ancient shopping arcade, the awe-inspiring 12,000-seat stadium, and a 15,000-seat theater. We return to Antalya in time for lunch on our own and an afternoon at leisure before a farewell dinner at the hotel tonight.

Day 15 - Return to U.S.

Today we return to the United States or continue on the optional extension to Cappadocia and Ankara.

Price and Itinerary remain tentative and subject to change

617-627-5323|usha.sellers@tufts.edu