Treasures of Turkey 2010 - 25 December 2010

Departs: 25 December 2010
Price:  $4399.00 per person twin share ex Brisbane and Sydney

Diploma Travel in association with Insight Vacations and Singapore Airlines presents

TREASURES OF TURKEY

DAY 1             SAT 25 DEC               BRISBANE or SYDNEY – SINGAPORE - ISTANBUL

Depart Brisbane or Sydney this afternoon with Singapore Airlines and enjoy their in-flight service and entertainment to Istanbul via Singapore.

DAY 2             SUN 26 DEC               ISTANBUL

On arrival in Istanbul, you will be transferred to your hotel. Settle in and relax, or start exploring the wonders of this glorious city, uniquely located on two continents! At 6:00pm this evening join your Tour Director for a welcome drink.
Accommodation:  Conrad Hotel Istanbul

DAY 3             MON 27 DEC               ISTANBUL - BURSA

Embark on a superb Highlight cruise along the Bosphorus past Ottoman palaces, old mansions and fortresses. Leaving Istanbul, take a short ferry trip and drive to Iznik. Visit the ruins of St Sophia and see the city walls before continuing to Bursa. In the afternoon there is time to haggle in the bazaar and silk markets.
Accommodation: Kervansaray Thermal Hotel     (BB,D)

DAY 4             TUE 28 DEC               BURSA - ANKARA

Visit the glorious Green Mosque and Mausoleum complex and Grand Mosque in Bursa before driving to the charming Cumalikizik Village with its traditional wooden houses and narrow cobblestone streets. Visit Gordion, where Alexander the Great cut the famous Gordion Knot, en route to Turkey's modern capital, Ankara.    
Accommodation: Hilton Hotel Ankara       (BB,D)

DAY 5             WED 29 DEC               ANKARA - CAPPADOCIA        

Sightseeing includes a visit to the Hittite Museum, portraying the fascinating history of Asia Minor from earliest times. You also visit Anit Kabir, the mausoleum of Ataturk, Turkey's greatest leader in modern times. Visit the mausoleum of Sufi philosopher Haci Bektas before heading to Nevsehir in the Cappadocia region.
Accommodation: Dedeman Hotel       (BB,D)

Volcanic Landscape of GoremeDAY 6        THU 30 DEC                 
CAPPADOCIA – GOREME EXCURSION

In this unique region of volcanic landscapes and 'fairy-chimneys', visit Goreme's rock-carved churches, see ancient frescoes in the open-air museum and see the Zelve valleys, where the scenery is dotted with caves and troglodyte dwellings. Visit the underground city of Kaymakli and see the cone of Uchisar. Enjoy dinner at the hotel followed by a colourful folklore show in an underground cave, featuring dances from the different regions.
Accommodaton: Dedeman Hotel       (BB,HD)

DAY 7             FRI 31 DEC               CAPPADOCIA - KONYA

Visit the Caravanserai of Sultanhani before driving to Turkey's most religious city, Konya, which was once the home of the mystic sect of Whirling Dervishes and the old capital of the Anatolian Seljuk Empire. Visit the Mevlana Museum, with its beautiful fluted turquoise dome, and see the Karatay Medrese and Ince Minaret.
Accommodation: Dedeman Hotel       (BB,D)

DAY 8             SAT 01 JAN               KONYA - ANTALYA

Descend the Taurus Mountains and drive to Aspendos to visit what is considered the best preserved Roman Theatre anywhere in the world. Drive to the Hellenistic or Roman city of Perge to visit the extensive ruins, including the great Theatre, the Stadium, and the gate-towers leading into a street where ancient chariot ruts can still be seen. As night falls, enjoy a walking tour of Antalya's Old Town.
Accommodation: Sheraton Voyager       (BB,D)

DAY 9             SUN 02 JAN               ANTALYA AT LEISURE

The day is set aside for you to relax and enjoy the leisure facilities of the hotel. Alternatively, you can explore Antalya at your own pace Other suggestions include a stroll around the harbour area or taking a boat trip off the coast.
Accommodation: Sheraton Voyager       (BB,D)

DAY 10            MON 03 JAN               ANTALYA - PAMUKKALE

Pass pine forests and cross the Taurus Mountains on your way to Pamukkale. On arrival, visit the ruins of Hierapolis and the beautiful 'Cotton Castle' - an apt description of its dazzling white limestone terraces.
Accommodation: Colossae Thermal       (BB,D)

DAY 11            TUE 04 JAN               PAMUKKALE - KUSADASI

Visit the Temple of Aphrodite at amazing Aphrodisias before following the Maeander River valley, (so full of twists and turns it gives us the word 'meander') to your beautiful beach-front hotel in the lively coastal town of Kusadasi.
Accommodation: Korumar/Charisma        (BB,D)

Ephuses Kusadasi TurkeyDAY 12            WED 05 JAN               KUSADASI - IZMIR

Tour one of the world's finest archeological sites, Ephesus. Visit the Amphitheatre and walk along the Arcadian Way to view the splendid facade of the Library of Celsus. Visit the House of the Virgin Mary, situated above the ruins, before continuing to the Selcuk archeological museum, where many artefacts from Ephesus are displayed. Stay overnight in the Aegean port of Izmir.
Accommodation Hilton Hotel        (BB,D)

DAY 13            THU 06 JAN               IZMIR - CANAKKALE

Stop in Pergamon, the impressive site of an ancient kingdom, to visit the Acropolis, the Temple of Athena and library, before viewing the Red Courtyard and the ruins of the Asklepieon. Drive to Homer's Troy to see the ruins of nine cities built on top of each other, and an enormous reconstruction of the famous wooden horse. The evening is spent in Çanakkale.
Accommodation: Kolin Hotel        (BB,D)

Memorial Statue GallipoliDAY 14            FRI 07 JAN               CANNAKKALE – ISTANBUL

Cross the Dardanelle Straits by ferry and continue to the Gallipoli Peninsula, scene of fierce fighting in World War One. Pay your respects at Anzac Cove and visit the emotive Lone Pine Cemetery before returning to Istanbul.
Accommodation: Conrad Hotel       (BB)

DAY 15            SAT 08 JAN               ISTANBUL SIGHTSEEING

Visit the Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome, where Roman chariot races were held. Also visit St Sophia, a former cathedral and a mosque which is now a magnificent museum. The afternoon is dedicated to the Topkapi Palace, a walled city perched above the Bosphorous and the Golden Horn. Test your haggling skills now as you visit the glittering Grand Bazaar. Don't worry, your guide will give you a full explanation of the time-honoured ritual of bargaining! Consider an evening of dinner and belly-dancing.
Accommodation: Conrad Hotel       (BB)

DAY 16            SUN 09 JAN               ISTANBUL - SINGAPORE

The tour ends after breakfast with transfers to the airport.   (BB)/Inflight meal

DAY 17            MON 10 JAN               SINGAPORE – BRISBANE or SYDNEY

This morning we arrive in Singapore where there will be a transit stop and plenty of time to explore the Duty Free Shops before continuing on your flight to Brisbane or Sydney.

Meal Key:      (BB) = Buffet Breakfast      (L) = Lunch    (D) = Hotel Dinner   (HD) = Highlight Dinner

TOUR PRICE ex Australia:  Per person sharing twin room from Brisbane or Sydney $4399.00. Single Supplement $865.00.

Prices Includes:

  • International Flights with Singapore Airlines
  • Airline & Govt taxes & levies as at 08/03/2010
  • Transfers on arrival and departure
  • Accommodation and meals as per itinerary
  • Sightseeing as specified in the itinerary
  • Entrance fees for monuments and palaces
  • Services of a Diploma Travel escort (subject to minimum number 25)
  • Ticket Wallet

Not included: 

  • Variations in Airline & Govt taxes after 08/03/2010 and prior to departure date 
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Travel Insurance
  • Credit Card Merchant fees
  • Gratuities (approx USD $80 - $100 pp)
  • Arrival Visa Turkey (USD $25.00)

This tour should be read in conjunction with the Diploma World Travel Service Booking Conditions and Diploma World Travel Service Privacy Policy.

TRAVEL INSURANCE:  A condition of travel on Diploma World Travel group tours is that all passengers must obtain adequate travel insurance prior to departure. Travel insurance should include cover for unexpected cancellation fees, medical emergencies, etc. Please visit our travel insurance page for an online insurance quote or www.fos.org.au for more information on insurance.

Escorted Tour price is based on minimum group of 25 passengers.  In the event that the number is not reached, Diploma Travel reserves the right to recost the tour or operate the tour as fully escorted in Turkey by a local representative of Insight Vacations.

DEPOSITS: A non refundable deposit of $650.00 is due at the time of confirmation of your tour.

REGISTRATION: To register your expression of interest for this tour please complete the Registration Form and return this together with our Diploma World Travel Booking Conditions form and your deposit of $650.00 per person. Please click here for Registration Form.

BALANCE OF PAYMENT: Balance of payment is due by 22 October 2010.

CANCELLATION POLICY:

  • On confirmation up to 61 days        Loss of deposit
  • 60 - 22 days prior to departure        30% of the tour price plus applicable airline cancellation fees
  • 21 - 08 days prior to departure        50% of the tour price plus applicable airline cancellation fees
  • Within 7 days and after departure    No refund

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