|
March
21 - April 1, 2006
Last
chance. Only a few spaces available.
Tour
includes:
- Flight
Istanbul/Ankara & Kusadasi/Istanbul
- Four
Star and Five Star accommodations throughout
- Baggage
handling at hotels
- Meals
as listed in the itinerary
- Fully
escorted with an English speaking guide and driver
- Museum
entry fees as listed
- Special
events: Astronomical lectures, Turkish Folkloric Evening
- Eclipse
with protective glasses
- Document
packet
Guest
Lectures:
-
Dr. Chris McKay, Mars Project Manager, NASA
For
a general interest form, and registration, please contact MWT Associates
at tours@melitatrips.com
or visit their website at www.melitatrips.com
ITINERARY
Day
1 March 21 —USA,
ISTANBUL
Day 2 March 22 —ISTANBUL
Welcome to Istanbul! You will be transferred to your hotel located
in the heart of the old city, Sultanahmet with its Hippodrome, once
the scene of chariot races of Byzantine times. The remainder of
the day is yours free to explore. Overnight in Istanbul for three
nights.
Day
3 March 23 —ISTANBUL
Visit
the underground Basilica Cistern, a palatial 6th century underground
reservoir supported by 336 columns. The tour continues through this
exciting city that spans both Europe and Asia visiting the Aya Sofia,
built in 537 A.D. and the Blue Mosque. Lunch will be served at Konya
Restaurant in the Topkapi Palace. After lunch a visit to the Topkapi
Palace, which was used by the Ottoman Sultans from 15th to 19th
centuries and houses an impressive collection of priceless jewels,
crystal, silver, and robes worn by the sultans. B/L
Day
4 March 24 —ISTANBUL
After breakfast you will visit the Dolmabahce Palace, the last executive
palace of Ottoman dynasty. This afternoon there is plenty of time
to browse the Grand Bazaar, where are more than 3000 shops indoor
and 2000 outdoor to temp you with trinkets to priceless treasures.
Dinner and oriental show will be at the historic Galata Tower. B/D
Day 5 March 25 —ISTANBUL, CAPPADOCIA
This morning fly to Ankara and continue to Cappadocia. Upon
arrival you will visit Ataturk Mausoleum and Ancient Anatolian Civilizations
Museum before continuing to Cappadocia.Afternoon trek takes you
through the wildly beautiful Ihlara Valley, a region once favored
by Byzantine monks. Optional Whirling Dervish (Sema) Show is offered.
Three nights at the Cappadocia Hotel. B/D
Day
6 March 26 —CAPPADOCIA
Marvel at the lunar landscape of Cappadocia. Experience life in
an Anatolian village, where houses are built in caves and life seems
to be as it was centuries past. You may see villagers drying fruit
on their rooftops or riding on donkeys to their fields. You will
take a guided tour of the "fairy chimneys" in the Devree Valley,
visiting the Goreme Museum, which was once a Byzantine monastery.
After
lunch you will visit the rug looms where the villagers are dyeing
the yarns with natural dyes. You will also visit the pottery area
which has been a tradition of the since the Neolithic ages and Hittites.
B/L
Day
7 March 27 —CAPPADOCIA
Continue your tour of this starkly dramatic moonscape volcanic valley
filled with richly-painted monastic churches, hollowed from the
soft stone. Visiting underground City Kaynakli, Keslik and Soganli.
Back to the hotel to prepare for the eclipse with an astronomy lecture.
B/L/D
Day
8 March 28 —CAPPADOCIA, Konya, SIDE
Continue to Side on the Old Silk Road trade route visiting the Caravanserais
Sultan Hani from the Seljuk period.
En route you will visit the shrine of the Whirling Dervishes in
Konya (Iconium); once the capital of Seljuk Turks from the 12th
to 13th centuries. Perissa Hotel for two nights. B/L
Day
9 March 29 —ECLIPSE DAY,
SIDE
There will be plenty of preparation before First Contact at 11:38a.m.
with expected Totality of 3 minutes, 45 seconds. Select your viewing
and photo site next to scattered ruins of the Hellenistic city in
Side, framed on either side by a mile of perfect sand beach. The
Amphitheater looms up after you pass the aqueducts, remains of city
walls and a Nymph ion. Cars are not allowed. Walk down the main
street to the harbor passing the Temple of Apollo and Athena, dating
from the 2nd century with a feeling of another time and place. B/L/D
Day
10 March 30 —Pamukkale, KUSADASI
Built on the ancient Hellenistic and Roman city of Hierapolis, Pamukkale
has been famous with its thermal springs having healing purposes
on the nerves and skin diseases. Before continuing on to Kusadasi,
a visit to the natural thermal water pools is planned. Tusan Beach
Hotel B/L/D
Day
11 March 31 —Ephesus, ISTANBUL
Absorb yourself in history today with a guided tour of Ephesus at
the Library of Celsius, Temple of Hadrian, Agora and fantastic Greco-Roman
theater. Feel the mystical atmosphere of the city halls and stadium
where chariot and horse races were once held. Return to Istanbul.
B/L
Day
12 April 1 —ISTANBUL, USA
You will be transferred to the airport for your journey home or
extend your stay on our five day extension to Jordan.
|
