Guided tour of Turkey - October 2012

This is a slight departure from my regular business blog posts, but I had to share this opportunity... My mum is leading a guided tour of Turkey in 2012 and it is priced very reasonably!

I know what you are thinking... 'Your Mum?'. Yes, but I have a mum that doesn't fit the usual mold. Diane (mum) has always been a world traveller and as an example, not that many years ago she up-rooted herself to spend six months teaching and helping in Kazakhstan or somewhere like that - with her old peace corp buddies!

Back in the 1960's Diane left the relative safety of a farm in Nebraska (USA) to go and teach the English language in rural Turkey. She not only lived there for many years, she also married into an English family with ties to the country and has travelled back frequently. So this makes her an excellent guide who not only speaks the language but has many connections in many parts of the country.

Diane currently lives in Melbourne and her contact details are at the end of the brochure information below. You can also download the official tour brochure here.

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Craft, Culture & Cuisine Tour of Turkey
Starts Istanbul 01 October 2012
17 Days Istanbul, Bursa, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Izmir, Edirne & Gallipoli

Join Diane Whittall for 17 days touring the highlights of Turkey. This leisurely paced ‘live like a local’ trip will give you rare insight into this ancient country where east meets west. So pack up your kit bag and come along on this unique small group adventure! Temperature mild, enthusiasm high, cost low. Your leader has spent years in the country, part of the time teaching in remote areas, so communication will not be a problem.

ISTANBUL

For things to see and do, Istanbul needs no introduction. And, if you were fortunate enough to fly a leg with THY (Turkish Airways) you would have seen the enticing in-flight videos, The hotel, SED (meaning fortress) was chosen for several reasons: It is not so westernised that you will fail to notice you left home.   The roof restaurant has lovely views of the Bosporus but, last but not least, it is situated near ferry and tram terminals, making day trips to various places of interest quite easy. Once you have learned to use the trams, independent exploration and shopping is simple.

BURSA

A very important seat of government at one stage in its history, Bursa is now evolving from being a quiet, leafy town into an industrialized city. Once an elegant home, our chosen hotel is now refurbished overlooking the old city gate and the city that lies below. According to local history, in 1867 the first restaurant featuring a vertical spit was opened by a Turkish gentleman named Iskender. The same little restaurant is still going strong on main street, and only serves Iskender kebab with a generous splosh of melted butter. What a lunch! Yum!
A short distance further up the mountain is Cumakizilik, a village intent on preserving its Ottoman character. The Turkish people cherish it and visit here much the same as Melbournians go to Ballarat – to see their history. For that reason, many houses undergoing restoration are receiving government aid. The ladies sell their produce and handiwork. Marvellous!

IZMIR

Lovely coastal city, gateway to the Mediterranean villas of the south.   From what I have been told, for attitude it is probably close to Adelaide, quite content and stress free. The museum here has the best collection of embroidery I have found thus far, not to forget to mention a most interesting display on camel fighting.

EPHESUS

This place dates back to more than 1,000 years B.B. Archaeological advancements have produced a fine, under-roof area of houses decorated with mosaics. Talk about a jigsaw puzzle!!

PAMUKKALE

Translated as “cotton castle” this lays approximately 50km from Denizli, where your intrepid leader spent her first year teaching in 1964/65. This calcified wonder of nature has blossomed over the past 47 years by moving the hotels away from the source of the hot springs and allowing more free flow over the mountain side. Now, everyone has a chance to enjoy the dazzling spectacle.   Above Pamukkale, there are the ruins of Hierapolis, if you are not already too “ruined” from a day out at Ephesus the day prior.

EDIRNE

The mosque of Selimiye is UNESCO heritage listed. The attached museum displays the correspondence between the architect and sultan of the day. It is small, but the translations really tug at the heart strings…at least it did for me. The hotel here is extremely interesting, a refurbished caravan saray, huge, with all sorts of nooks and crannies. There is an internet café just down the street. The museum of early medicine has been done so well that it has received a very prestigious European award. It is a “must visit.” Locals and visitors alike enjoy a food specialty that is freely available, and that is deep-fried calves’ liver. Even if you think that you never liked liver, give it a go, there have been many on-the-spot conversions to liver eaters.

Itinerary Outline

01 October 2012
Arrive in Istanbul, transfer to Hotel. Overnight Istanbul

02 October 2012
Free day at leisure. Overnight Istanbul

03 October 2012
Half day market visit and cooking class. Overnight Istanbul

04 October 2012
Free day at leisure. Overnight Istanbul

05 October 2012
Driver & vehicle collect you from hotel. Take car ferry to Mudanya and drive to Bursa. Overnight Bursa

06 October 2012
Day visit of Bursa including Great Ulu Camii Mosque, Bazaar, Silk Market, Muradiye, Tombs of the Sultans, Green Mosque & Green Mausoleum. Overnight Bursa

07 October 2012
Day tour to Cumalikizlik village, Iznik and Kizderbent. Overnight Bursa

08 October 2012
Drive overland to Izmir (@ 5 hours). Afternoon visit to Archaeological Museum & Ethnography Museum. Overnight Izmir

09 October 2012
Drive to Ephesus for guided visit to Virgin Mary's House, the Temple of Artemis, St. John's Basilica & Sirince Village. Drive to Kusadasi. Overnight Kusadasi.

10 October 2012
Drive to Pamukkale. Private guided day tour of Pamukkale & Hierapolis. Overnight Denizli

11 October 2012
Drive to Canakkale. Overnight Canakkale

12 October 2012
Guided morning tour of Troy. Cross the Dardanelles. Guided tour of Gallipoli. Drive to Edirne. Overnight Edirne

13 October 2012
Day visit of Edirne including Selimiye Mosque, Uc Serefeli Mosque, Macedonian Tower, Museum of Archaeology, Old quarter (Kaleici) and the Medical Museum. Overnight Edirne

14 October 2012
Drive to Istanbul. Overnight Istanbul

15 October 2012
Free day at leisure. Overnight Istanbul

16 October 2012
Transfer to Istanbul Airport. Departure flights

Tour Includes

Six nights Sed Hotel Istanbul Standard Room
Three nights Safran Hotel Bursa Standard Room
One night Blanca Hotel Izmir Standard Room
One night Grand Onder Hotel Kusadasi Standard Room
One night Anemon Hotel Denizli Standard Room
One night Kervansaray Hotel Canakkale Standard Room
Two nights Rustem Pasa Kervansary Hotel Edirne Standard Room
Breakfast daily
Return airport transfers
Half day market visit and cooking class
10 days driver & private van arrangement & associated costs
Day tours of Bursa, Cumalikizlik village, Iznik and Kizderbent, Ephesus with Virgin Mary visit, Gallipoli, Edirne & Troy
Archaeological Museum & Ethnography Museum

Not Included - entrance fees to museums and sites, optional tours, meals and beverages where not mentioned, tips, shopping, personal expenses, international airfares, travel insurance & any items not mentioned in the program.

Prices & Booking Details

Single Room (Own Room)$3705   Twin Room (Sharing) $2825

To Book: Contact Food and Wine Travel on 03 9889 5987, complete a Booking Form and send with $500 to secure your place.

Air Fares
Early bird airfares are available for travel to Europe in 2012 until 30 November 2011. Please ask for details of flight options.

Pre & Post Travel Arrangements
Participants may choose to extend their stay in Turkey or any other part of Europe. Airfares can be constructed to accommodate individual plans pre and post the tour.

Travel Insurance
Comprehensive insurance is essential for this tour. Premiums depend on health, age & level of cover. Please ask for details.

For more information contact Diane Whittall on 03 9327 3084 or,