UNDISCOVERED

Explore the highlights and discover some wonderful hidden treasures 15 Days starting SEP 13 – SEP 27, 2016

with Tarik Saylan

UNDISCOVERED TURKEY

Trip Outline Tour Host – Tarik Saylan

Beyond the popular sights along the Aegean coast, there Tarik Saylan is our partner in is much to see and do in Turkey’s hinterland. Istanbul, too, Turkey. Richard Mole has worked offers a fabulous cornucopia of delights, some of which with him for many years and this is visitors either fail to see, or simply don’t know about. This the third tour he has led for tour takes in three well-known highlights: Istanbul, Byroads. He is a highly professional and – and in each place we offer and informative guide who initially more than the normal sightseeing fare. In addition, there trained as a Chemical Engineer is a special focus on the region that lies between northern before entering the travel industry and the , which boasts some wonderful in 2002, when he worked with an Ottoman towns and villages. adventure tour operator based in the lovely coastal town of Kas. In We spend a total of five nights in Istanbul. This allows 2005 he returned to university and in 2008 he graduated as ample opportunity to see all the major sights, as well a tourism guide. He is now one of the most sought-after some special places that other miss. On our return from guides in Istanbul. Importantly, he has worked with many Cappadocia, we take a ferry trip along the Bosphorus, to Australians over the years and has an excellent sense of visit the lovely Sadberk Hanim Museum. humour! A short flight takes us south, to Izmir, where we travel to the picturesque Greek village of Sirince – a victim of the Tarik thoroughly enjoys getting out of Istanbul to present population exchange that took place in the 1920’s. We the many highlights of his country. The Black Sea hinterland spend the night in traditional village houses and the is a favourite area, and one that he knows particularly well. following day there’s a comprehensive tour of Ephesus. His contacts, in places like Yoruk Koyu, allow closed doors to be opened and special sights to be seen. Tarik enjoys Boarding the sleeper train we travel to where we taking the time to make his own discoveries and his tours stop to visit the excellent Museum of Anatolian are structured to allow participants to wander off and Civilisations before driving north to the provinces of ‘smell the roses’. But you can also be confident you’ll visit Karabuk and – regions that boast some of the all the ‘must see’ attractions – and more – with local guides most perfectly preserved Ottoman towns in Turkey. employed to provide plenty of background information. Of all the typical Ottoman villages that still remain in Turkey, UNESCO World Heritage-listed Safranbolu is generally acknowledged as the jewel in the crown, a picture-postcard town that ‘ set a standard in public and domestic architecture and exercised a great influence over a large area of the ’ . To the east is Amasya, another charming place where half-timbered houses jostle along the riverbank, backdropped by Pontic tombs built in the 2 nd and 3 rd centuries BC.

As we head south, we stop at another World Heritage site: the ancient Hittite capital of , dramatically located high above the Bodakozu River Valley. We then continue to Cappadocia, where we stay in a lovely cave-style hotel. We spend two full days exploring some of the more curious sights in this extraordinary region and then fly back to Istanbul, where our tour ends.

Itinerary – starts in Istanbul

TUE 13 SEP: ISTANBUL – Upon arrival you are met and transferred to your hotel. Today is simply an arrival day and we will plan to meet up in the evening. Pre-tour accommodation is available if you wish to arrive a day earlier (see back page for details).

WED 14 SEP: ISTANBUL – We start our exploration of Istanbul with a full day guided tour to the Mosaic Museum, the celebrated Haghia Sofia and the splendid Topkapi Palace – seat of empire for over 400 years. (B)

THU 15 SEP: ISTANBUL – This morning we visit the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art, the celebrated Byzantine Cistern and the fabulous of Rustem Pasa, just near the Egyptian Bazaar. After lunch we explore the European Quarter (Pera), including the excellent Pera Museum and some gracious old arcades that characterise this part of the city. (B)

FRI 16 SEP: ISTANBUL-SIRINCE – A morning flight takes us to Izmir (see note on domestic flights). An hour to the north is the charming and picturesque hillside village of Sirince, where the afternoon is free to explore our surroundings. (B)

SAT 17 SEP: EPHESUS – Known for its Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, Ephesus is considered one of Turkey’s most important archaeological sites. After our afternoon tour we drive to Izmir for the sleeper train to Ankara. (B)

SUN 18 SEP: ANKARA-SAFRANBOLU – Ankara is the nation’s capital and on arrival we visit the excellent Museum of Anatolian Civilisations. We then drive north to Safranbolu, one of the most beautiful and best-preserved Ottoman towns in Turkey. (B)

MON 19 SEP: SAFRANBOLU, YORUK KOYU – Safranbolu, named for the saffron trade, has many beautiful period homes. We spend the morning exploring the old centre on foot and later we drive out to the very traditional village of Yoruk Koyu for a private visit to a very old home. (B)

TUE 20 SEP: SAFRANBOLU-KASTAMONU-AMASYA – Leaving Safranbolu, we enjoy morning tea in Kastamonu, backdropped by a splendid 12 th century castle. Later, we drive over the mountains and along the very scenic Yesilirmak River Valley to Amasya, where we make a late afternoon visit to the magnificent rock-cut Pontic tombs that tower above the town. (B)

WED 21 SEP: AMASYA – Amasya is a stunning little town in a dramatic location and this morning we stroll through the old centre, visiting the small museum, the Mosque of Beyazit II, an ancient madrasa and a fine old Bedestan. The afternoon is free to explore further. (B)

THU 22 SEP: AMASYA-HATTUSA-GOREME – Driving south we pass through a rich variety of scenery as we make our way into the heart of Cappadocia. We stop to visit the outstanding World Heritage-listed city of Hattusa, once the capital of the Hittite Kingdom, and expect to reach Goreme in the late afternoon. (B)

FRI 23 SEP: CAPPADOCIA – This morning we visit the celebrated Goreme Open Air Museum, known for its superb churches and fine frescoes. After lunch at the picturesque village of Cavusin we visit the fabulous Zelve Valley – a highlight of the region. Tonight we have dinner in a local home – always a fun experience! (BD)

SAT 24 SEP: CAPPADOCIA – There’s an optional balloon ride this morning and later we visit the incredible underground city at Kaymakli. We stop for lunch at Uchisar and then visit an excellent ceramics centre at Avanos. The evening is free to explore Goreme further, or perhaps try out the local hamam.(B)

SUN 25 SEP: GOREME-ISTANBUL – After a leisurely breakfast we head to the airport for our flight back to Istanbul (see note on domestic flights). The balance of the day is free to explore the Grand Covered Bazaar or for a traditional bath at the historic Cemberlitas Hamam. (B)

MON 26 SEP: ISTANBUL – No visit to Istanbul is complete without a day on the Bosphorus and we spend our final day exploring this lovely waterway on the local ferry. We disembark at Sariyer, where we visit the outstanding Sadberk Hanim Museum. After time for lunch at the picturesque port we cruise back to the city centre. Tonight we’ll head out for a final dinner together. (B)

TUE 27 SEP: ISTANBUL – Our journey ends today, after breakfast. Post-tour accommodation is available if you wish to stay on for a night or two (see back page for details). Airport transfers can be easily arranged from our hotel. (B)

Prices & Inclusions Additional Expenses: Food prices vary considerably in Turkey, with relatively high prices in Istanbul. Here you should allow 15 Day Undiscovered Turkey around A$15 for a light lunch and around A$25- $30 for dinner. Elsewhere, a daily budget of about A$30 should Provisional price: $3395 (per person twin-share) suffice. Beer is about the same price as back home but wine is Single Supplement: $1100 quite expensive (A$30-$70 a bottle). In addition you should budget for any personal shopping you may wish to do. Please Price includes: Services of Tarik Saylan as Tour Guide, arrival also allow extra funds to tip your local tour guide, driver, and transfer, all transportation, 14 nights accommodation in porters (full details will be provided in the pre-trip Field character accommodation, overnight train in twin share Guide). compartments, meals as indicated. Flights and transfers: Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Etihad Not Included: Visa fees, travel insurance (compulsory on all all have regular services in and out of Istanbul. Alternatively, trips), domestic flights, additional meals, drinks, departure there are many other choices if you are coming from, or transfer, optional tours, laundry and tips. continuing to Europe. All arrival flights will be met, however the final departure is not included. Accommodation: The accommodation is a particular highlight of this trip and each property has been carefully Domestic Flights: The Istanbul-Izmir flight on 18 Sep, and Nevsehir-Istanbul flight on 27 Sep are NOT included in the tour selected. In Istanbul we stay in a very well located and price as domestic airfare costs fluctuate wildly and at the time historic hotel just minutes from the Blue Mosque. In Sirince of publication were not available. To ensure that everyone we stay in charming village houses and in Safranbolu we travels together, WE WILL BOOK these domestic sectors. The experience a typical Ottoman home in the centre of town. In additional cost is likely to be between A$175 and A$250 per Amasya our boutique hotel is beautifully located on the person, which will be added to your final invoice. banks of the river and in Goreme we stay in an atmospheric cave-style hotel, with great views of the village. Extra nights in Istanbul: Extra nights can be reserved, either pre- or post-tour but you MUST advise us well in advance.

Costs are as follows:

Istanbul Hotel Twin B/B – $140 per person Single B/B – $260 per person

Documentation: Upon receipt of final payment, a comprehensive field guide will be mailed and you will be sent the relevant tour and accommodation vouchers prior to Istanbul Hotel Sirince village boutique hotel departure.

Pricing: Due to the volatility of the Australian dollar, we have opted to quote ‘provisional prices’. Final prices will be advised closer to the tour departure date.

What next? Byroads is the operator of this tour. For further information visit www.byroads.com.au . There is an enquiry page if you have any questions. Ottoman homes, Safranbolu Amasya Hotel Bookings: Travel on Q (Sydney) is the sole booking agent for this tour. Please register your interest ASAP in order to secure your place and note there are a limited number of single rooms available. A non-refundable deposit of $750 per person is required, to secure your place, with final payment mid- July 2016.

Contact details: Carole Grassby Travel on Q , 94 Cathedral Street, Woolloomooloo Cave hotel, Goreme Cave hotel, Goreme Sydney NSW 2011

Tel: (02) 9357 6800 Food and drink: Breakfast is included every day. For most Email: [email protected] lunches and dinners you are free to enjoy the great variety of tasty and inexpensive food. Bottled water can be found everywhere and the normal range of soft drinks is available, along with beer and a good selection of Turkish wines.

Group size: Maximum 15/16

www.byroads.com.au