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Origins of Civilization

19-day adventure

Where the Western World began. We'll go ballooning over exotic Cappadocia and hike through a Mediterranean landscape that bears much resemblance to California, Provence and Tuscany. We cruise the exquisite blue waters aboard an air-conditioned, traditional Turkish gulet or yacht, exploring on shore during the day and snoozing through the nights in quiet anchorages.

We'll learn about Hittites in Ankara, hike to early Christian cave churches in Cappadocia, stroll through the ancient sites of Didyma, Perga, Priene, Ephesus, Aspendus, Myra and many more. We then spend four days exploring Istanbul while luxuriating at the Four Seasons in the heart of the old town.

For a luxurious, intelligent exploration of the delights of Turkey, it doesn't get any better than this!

Highlights

4 days in Cappadocia

6-day cruise of the Turquoise Coast aboard a luxury gulet

Visits to graeco-roman ruins, crusader castles, mosques, churches, and museums

4 nights at the Four Seasons Istanbul, in the heart of the Old City

Trip Summary

Day 1

Depart USA.

Day 2

Arrive in Ankara, gather for welcome dinner.

Day 3

In Ankara visit the Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, then head to Cappadocia.

Day 4

Optional hot air balloon ride, then hike through Cappadocia and explore gardens, a underground city and a little-visited monastery.

Day 5

Hike through vineyards of the Red Valley of Cappadocia, visiting rock churches. Lunch of typical dishes with a Turkish family. Afternoon visit to Goreme Open Air Museum, or free for personal exploration.

Day 6

Cross the Anatolian plain along the Silk Road to Antalya, with stops en route to explore Konya, the countryside, and Catalhoyuk—regarded as the first urban center in the world.

Day 7

Visit Antalya Archaeological Museum, Perga, and the world's best-preserved Roman theater at Aspendos. Afternoon stroll through "old town" Antalya.

Day 8

Visit Termessus then Phaselis and Myra. Board our gulet and sail for Kekova Roadstead and the castle above Kale.

Day 9

Cruising and exploring Kas and Gemiler Island.

Day 10

Cruising and exploring Kayaköy, and into the Bay of Göcek.

Day 11

Cruising and exploring Göcek, and Tersane Adasi. Hike to the Mausoleum at Lydae.

Day 12

Cruising and exploring Caunus, hike to Bay of Ekincik, or visit Dalyan and sail to Ekincik.

Day 13

Disembark our gulet. Explore Bodrum.

Day 14

Visit Euromus, Didyma, Priene, and Kusadasi.

Day 15

Explore Ephesus, then fly to Istanbul for four nights at the Four Seasons Hotel-Istanbul. After check-in, we get oriented in Istanbul with a walking tour of ancient streets and walls.

Day 16

Visit Aya Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome for the Egyptian obelisk, Taksim Square, and more.

Day 17

Visit the Topkapi Palace and the Suleymaniye Cami'i, built for Suleyman the Magnificent by Sinan. Afternoon introduction to the Grand Bazaar.

Day 18

Visit the Spice Bazaar, Rüstem Pasha Mosque (also built by Sinan), and, after our farewell lunch, spend the rest of the day exploring.

Day 19

Depart for home, or on to other adventures.

Departures

2012

May 7 - May 25

May 21 - Jun 8

Sep 10 - Sep 28

Sep 23 - Oct 11

Prices & Supplements

2012

$9795

Single

Hotels-Only Single Supplement: $2200 to $3200

Hotels and Gulet (entire trip) Single: $7695 to $8595

Small Group

A Small Group Supplement applies if there are fewer than four travelers on your trip.

Notes

Included

Roundtrip airport transfers as specified in itinerary, all yacht and hotel accommodations (double occupancy, unless Single purchased) as specified in itinerary; all meals while on yacht and as specified in itinerary; all non-alcoholic beverages while on yacht; all guides, activities, tours and sightseeing arrangements as specified in itinerary; use of equipment while on yacht as specified in itinerary.

Not Included

Not included are any airfare, airport taxes and fees; tips for yacht crews, and guides (at your discretion); excess baggage charges, or other items of a personal nature.

Price also excludes any insurance coverage for trip cancellation-interruption, travel accident, travel delay, baggage delay or baggage theft (we recommend you obtain coverage for these items), medical or hospitalization expenses.