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“CROSSROADS OF TURKEY: A PHOTOGRAPHIC EXPEDITION”
Trip Length: 12 days September 17 to September 28, 2008 Maximum number of participants: 12
This unique trip/photo workshop will be led by the acclaimed photographer Steve Mohlenkamp. Mr. Mohlenkamp’s photographic career spans 25 years and has encompassed venues as diverse as the Indianapolis 500, world-class motor-sports, motion pictures, and the television industry. His first love is nature photography and his work has been featured in such magazines as Arizona Highways, Sunset, Plateau Journal, and Sunset Books. He is currently awaiting the publication of a photographic book on the American West. Don’t miss this opportunity to hone your photographic skills and experience the wonders of Turkey in the company of a master photographer!
Quick-View Itinerary: Days 1 & 2: Fly to Istanbul. Day 3: Tour Istanbul. Day 4: Drive to Çanakkale; tour Gallipoli and Troy. Day 5: Drive to Kusadasi; tour Pergamon. Day 6: Tour Ephesus. Day 7: Drive to Pamukkale; tour Afrodisias. Day 8: Drive to Antalya; tour Hierapolis. Day 9: Tour Antalya. Day 10: Fly to Istanbul. Day 11: Tour Istanbul. Day 12: Return to U.S.A.
DETAILED ADVENTURE ITINERARY
DAY 1: Wednesday, September 17
Depart your home city for flight to Istanbul.
DAY 2: Thursday, September 18
Arrive in Istanbul. You’ll be met at the airport by your guide and transferred to the four-star Citadel Hotel, located on the “old” European side of Istanbul. Time and light permitting, you will begin looking for photo opportunities. In the evening your group will gather for a Welcome Dinner at an excellent local restaurant in colorful fish market district of Kumkapi. (Breakfast on the airplane; lunch on your own; dinner included.)
DAY 3: Friday, September 19
In the early morning we will take advantage of the dawn light to capture photographs in the old city. Then the day will be spent seeing and photographing some of the major sights of this exciting and historic city, including the Blue Mosque, with its exquisite Iznik tiles; the remains of the ancient Roman Hippodrome, with its remarkably well-preserved Egyptian obelisk; and the awe inspiring Aya Sofya. We will also visit the captivating Grand Bazaar and the aromatic Spice Bazaar. Dinner will be at a charming restaurant right next door to the imposing Süleymaniye Mosque. (Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.)
DAY 4: Saturday, September 20
Today you will journey south to Çanakkale. On the way, you will visit Gallipoli, the moving site of the famous World War I battle. We will reach the ruins of ancient Troy for sunset. The night will be spent at the Kolin Hotel. (Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.)
DAY 5: Sunday, September 21
Today you will be traveling further south to Aegean Sea town of Kusadasi. On the way, a stop will be made at the acropolis ruins of Pergamon. Pergamon is actually two sites, the Acropolis and Asclepion (a medical center dedicated to the god of medicine, Asclepius). Your hotel in Kusadasi will be the five-star Kismet. (Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.)
DAY 6: Monday, September 22
Your day will be spent exploring the extensive ruins of Ephesus, the best-preserved Greco-Roman site in the world. Visits will also be paid to the House of the Virgin Mary, reputed to be Mary’s final home on earth and sanctified by the Vatican as a holy shrine; St. John’s Basilica; and the Ephesus Museum, featuring artifacts from the Temple of Artemis (Diana), one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Lunch today will be a special treat: a meal in a home in the charming village of Sirence. (Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.)
DAY 7: Tuesday, September 23
Your destination today is the enchanting natural spa site of Pamukkale, which means “cotton castle” in Turkish. Over thousands of years warm, calcium rich mineral waters have formed shallow pools supported by stalactites of white and black. This place has been a popular resort since the time of the Romans, and you will visit the ancient ruins of Hierapolis, a Roman city built near the springs. En route to Pamukkale you will visit the breathtaking ancient ruins of Afrodisias, built in honor of the goddess of love. During Roman times Afrodisias was the home of a famous school for sculptors. Your hotel for the night will be the Richmond Spa. The hotel has its own mineral hot spring and you can test its fabled curative powers. (Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.)
DAY 8: Wednesday, September 24
Your destination today is the beautiful seaside resort of Antalya, the largest town on the Turkish Mediterranean. Your home in Antalya will be the five-star Divan Talya Hotel, located near the city center and the historic old town (the kaleiçi). (Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.)
DAY 9: Thursday, September 25
Antalya is rich in historical sites, and today you will be seeing and photographing some of the most important and picturesque. You will be awed by a visit to Aspendos, site of the best-preserved Roman theatre in the world. It stands in almost perfect condition, which is absolutely amazing considering that it was built in the time of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius (161 – 180 A.D.) Performances are still held there today. We plan to catch the light of dusk at the beautiful Temples of Apollo and Athena in the seaside resort of Side. (Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.)
DAY 10: Friday, September 26
Fly from Antalya to Istanbul. On your return to Istanbul, the group will check into the five-star Central Palace Hotel, located on the “new” European side of the city. Before dinner we will walk through the colorful market adjoining the Çiçek Pasaji and then on to our restaurant for a typical Turkish meal. After dinner, we will walk along the vibrant Istiklal Caddesi back to the hotel. (Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.)
DAY 11: Saturday, September 27
Today’s activities will be centered on photo opportunities and can vary, depending upon the weather conditions. We will definitely be on the Asian side of Istanbul for sunset shots over the city. Afterwards, a special Farewell Dinner is planned that will be a fitting finale to your Turkish adventure. (Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.)
DAY 12: Sunday, September 28
Morning departure for the U.S.A. (Breakfast included.)
PRICE OF “Crossroads of Turkey” TRIP:
Land only including domestic flights within Turkey.
Group of 6: $3,899.00 per person/double occupancy Group of 8: $3,549.00 per person/double occupancy Group of 10: $3,249.00 per person/double occupancy Group of 12: $2,899.00 per person/double occupancy
Single Supplement: $400.00
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