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Peregrine Reserve- Essence Of Turkey
Join our very own Bronny Tudor on an unforgettable journey to magical Turkey.
- Lose yourself in the maze of Istanbul's Grand Bazaar
- Marvel at 11 floors of the ancient underground city of Derinkuyu, which was large enough to shelter tens of thousands of people together with their livestock and food stores
- Explore Kaleiçi, the old quarter of Antalya, with its meandering streets and charming old houses built so close they often overshadow the narrow lanes
Gallery View map
- Lose yourself in the maze of Istanbul's Grand Bazaar
- Marvel at 11 floors of the ancient underground city of Derinkuyu, which was large enough to shelter tens of thousands of people together with their livestock and food stores
- Explore Kaleiçi, the old quarter of Antalya, with its meandering streets and charming old houses built so close they often overshadow the narrow lanes
Gallery View map
Tour Highlights
Peregrine Reserve is a program of Exceptional Journeys featuring outstanding food, wine, accommodation, guides and experiences.Join our very own Bronny Tudor as she revisits the country that astonished and delighted her on her first visit in 1979
"As I crossed the world on an overland truck from Kathmandu to London, there was a long list of countries that I was eager to visit on this three month journey, but I didn't give much thought to the little known country that was Turkey. I was taken by surprise by the vastness and variety of the landscape. The food, people, colour, architecture and culture make Istanbul one of my favourite cities in the world. Turkey remains one of my most vivid memories of that 1979 epic journey across half of the world" Bronny Tudor 2012
Inside the hamams they slap, slough and scrub. Outside in the bazaar they shout, sell and spruik. Turkey's reach knows no bounds. Every day is a feast for the senses, and every night unfurls a new blanket of stars.
Exceptional Experiences
- Lose yourself in the maze of Istanbul's Grand Bazaar.
- Marvel at 11 floors of the ancient underground city of Derinkuyu, which was large enough to shelter tens of thousands of people together with their livestock and food stores.
- Explore Kaleici, the old quarter of Antalya, with its meandering streets and charming old houses built so close they often overshadow the narrow lanes.
Inclusions
- Escorted by our very own Bronny Tudor from Adelaide
- Use of hotel room in Kuala Lumpur as per itinerary
- Return economy class airfares and taxes from Adelaide to Istanbul
- Airport transfer (from/to Istanbul airport)
- Reserve leader
- Entrance fees to all sites listed in itinerary
- Quality transport
- Most meals
- Local wine with included dinners
- Snacks and bottled water
- All tips
- Quality accommodation
- Domestic flights where indicated
- Visas
- Photograph momento book
Cost: $8365.00 per person twin share (Single room is an additional cost of $895.00)
Peregrine Reserve- Essence Of Turkey
Day 1 - 17 May 2013 - Adelaide to Kuala Lumpur
Accommodation: You will have use of a hotel room at the Pan Pacific Kuala Lumpur Airport hotel.
Day 2 - 18 May - Kuala Lumpur to Istanbul
Depart Kuala Lumpur at 12:30am on Malaysian Airlines, arriving into Istanbul at 6:15am.
On arrival at Istanbul airport you will be met and transferred to your centrally located hotel. Cosmopolitan Istanbul is the only city in the world to lie on two continents. It’s a mecca of incredible architectural wonders, fascinating markets and a strong cultural scene. This evening you will be welcomed to Turkey by your experienced tour guide. This will be followed by a welcome dinner at Istanbul’s Pasazade restaurant where you will have the chance to sample some delicious traditional Ottoman cuisine.
Accommodation: Eresin Crown Hotel (or similar)
Days 3 and 4 - 19 and 20 May - Istanbul
Follow your nose to discover the sights, smells and tastes of Istanbul. Take a walking tour through Sultanahmet, the heart of ancient Istanbul. Visit the Topkapi Palace, once the main abode of the Ottoman Sultans; the impressive Hagia Sophia, once the world’s largest church and the iconic Blue Mosque with its unique six minaret design and beautiful blue Iznik tile interior. You’ll also see the ancient Hippodrome, home of the Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column and Fountain of Wilhelm II. After a full and rewarding day of sightseeing, you’ll enjoy dinner at Sarnic restaurant, housed in an old cistern building dating back over 1000 years.
You will experience the maze that is the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest covered bazaars in the world. It’s a lively trading hub, with over 3000 stalls selling a mix of beautiful jewellery, interesting antiques, leather goods, textured fabrics and exotic woven rugs. You’ll then explore the colourful Egyptian Spice Bazaar where the smell of the exotic east will fill your senses. The afternoon is at leisure for you to relax or make further discoveries of your own. This evening you embark on a memorable boat cruise along the mighty Bosphorous River with dinner served onboard. From the river, magnificent scenes of Istanbul illuminated at night will make a lasting imprint in your memory.
Accommodation: Eresin Crown Hotel (or similar)
Day 5 - 21 May - Cappadocia
This morning you will be transferred to the Istanbul airport for a short flight to Cappadocia. Cappadocia is one of the most unique and intriguing landscapes of the world, and a place that has bewitched travellers for centuries. It was formed over a millennium ago, when volcanic ash settled then hardened into soft rock and finally eroded, creating fantastic natural spires, domes, pinnacles and gorges. Spend the next few days exploring this surreal environment.
Lunch today is enjoyed in the unique private room of a cave restaurant. This afternoon we explore the fascinating underground city of Derinkuyu, an impressive ancient city that once expanded eleven levels underground. This evening we witness a Whirling Dervish ‘Sema’ performance, a cultural experience unique to Turkey.
Accommodation: Cappadocia Cave Resort (or similar)
Day 6 - 22 May - Cappadocia
Today you rise before dawn to embark on a very special experience - a hot air balloon flight at sunrise. This will take you across the colourful and surreal valleys and rock formations of Cappadocia, a superb way to see the region.
Later in the morning, you discover the fascinating Goreme Open Air museum on a guided visit. The people of Goreme, at the heart of the Cappadocia region, realised that the soft rocks of the area could be easily carved out to form houses, churches and monasteries. The Christian sanctuary contains many examples of Byzantine art from the post-iconoclastic period. These frescoes are a unique artistic achievement from the 10-12th centuries. There are several Byzantine cave chapels to explore, many of them decorated with exquisite and colourful biblical frescoes.
For lunch today you will be a guest at the home of a local Turkish family, a wonderful way to interact with the local people and learn more about local life. In the afternoon, a short drive brings you to the unique Pasabaglari valley, where multiple fairy chimneys hewn from the earth and shaped by centuries of erosion lend a moon-like landscape and atmosphere to the valley. A chapel dedicated to St Simeon and a hermit’s shelter are built into one of the fairy chimneys which appear to have three heads.
Dinner this evening is at Orient restaurant which has its own garden brimming with fresh organic herbs, vegetables and flowers.
Accommodation: Cappadocia Cave Resort (or similar)
Day 7 - 23 May -Antalya
You’ll be up early today for a drive to Turkey’s capital, Ankara. Time is spent visiting the impressive Anatolian Civilisation Museum of Ankara exhibiting a rich collection of archaeological objects found during excavations in Anatolia.
In the afternoon a short flight takes you to the city Antalya, Turkey's principal holiday resort with its shady palm-lined boulevards and prize-winning Marina. After settling into the hotel, the afternoon is at leisure so why not lose yourself in the narrow winding streets and old wooden houses of the picturesque old quarter of Kaleici. Alternatively relax and unwind at the hotel.
Accommodation: Tuvana Hotel (or similar)
Day 8 - 24 May - Antalya
Today you will discover two impressive sites of antiquity which surround Antalya. Termessos was a Pisidian city built at an altitude of more than 1000 metres at the south-west side of the mountain Solymos. What is known of the history commences principally at the time that Alexander the Great surrounded the city in 333 BC, which he likened to an eagle's nest and failed to conquer. The historian Diodorus has recorded in full detail an unforgettable incident in the history of Termessos. Termessos was obviously not a port city, but its lands stretched south-east all the way to the Gulf of Attaleia (Antalya). Because the city possessed this link to the sea it was taken by the Ptolemies. The end of Termessos came when its aqueduct was crushed in an earthquake, destroying the water supply to the city. It was abandoned - a fact that does much to account for its remarkable state of preservation today.
Perge was an ancient Greek city in Anatolia and the capital of Pamphylia. Today it is a large site of ancient ruins. Located there is an acropolis dating back to the Bronze Age. During the Hellenistic period, Perge was one of the richest and most beautiful cities in the ancient world, famous for its temple of Artemis. It also is notable for being the home of the renowned ancient Greek mathematician Apollonius of Perge.
Accommodation: Tuvana Hotel (or similar)
Day 9 - 25 May -Mediterranean Coast
Spend a relaxing day cruising along the stunning Mediterranean coast in a traditional wooden boat. The journey explores the eastern coast of Antalya and you can experience views of the majestic Taurus Mountains in the distance. A freshly prepared local lunch will be served on board. The cruise includes a visit to a magnificent waterfall which falls from the high cliffs of Antalya. The voyage ends in the late afternoon and the rest of the evening is free in Antalya.
Accommodation: Tuvana Hotel (or similar)
Day 10 - 26 May - Antalya - Izmir
Today is free to relax and unwind in Antalya – sit by the pool or on the beach or further explore the archaeological wonders. You will transfer to the Antalya airport in the early evening for your flight to the city of Izmir, a modern and sophisticated hub and Turkey’s third largest city.
Accommodation: Met Boutique Hotel (or similar)
Day 11 - 27 May -Ephesus
Today you will embark on an in-depth guided tour of the famous site of Ephesus; possibly the greatest Greco-Roman site in the world and definitely a highlight of your trip! Always an important religious centre, Ephesus was founded by Ionian Greeks in the 11th Century BC and flourished under Roman rule. The Greeks replaced the cult of the Anatolian fertility goddess Cybele with Artemis and built a fabulous temple in her honour. With the arrival of the Romans, it became the Temple of Diana and was one of the original seven wonders of the ancient world. We visit the vast amphitheatre, walk the marble street once trodden by Cleopatra and Mark Antony, and marvel at the gymnasium, baths and wonderfully restored Library of Celsus. The visit also includes entrance into the Terrace houses which are still being excavated today.
A local lunch will be eaten under a tent in typical nomadic tradition and you will see the local women prepared the famous Gözleme (local pancake). This afternoon you visit the traditional town of Sirince, famous for its olive oil and wine production; there will be an opportunity to sample some of these local products.
Accommodation: Met Boutique Hotel (or similar)
Day 12 - 28 May - Istanbul
A short flight brings you back to Istanbul. This afternoon there will be the opportunity to visit one of the city’s most historical bathhouses for a rejuvenating Hamam. Hamans have been an essential part of Ottoman and Turkish culture for many centuries and were an important part of daily life; a place to meet and socialise as well as adhere to the Qu’ran, with washing being an essential and important part of the Islamic religion. Dinner this evening is on a tiny islet on the Bosphorus Straight at the Maidens tower, a historic location with wonderful views of the city.
Accommodation: Eresin Crown Hotel (or similar)
Day 13 - 29 May - Istanbul to Kuala Lumpur
Enjoy breakfast and a final Turkish tea before your tour ends, with a private transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Depart Istanbul on Malaysian Airlines at 3:10pm.
Day 14 - 30 May - Kuala Lumpur to Adelaide
Arrive in Kuala Lumpur at 6:35am.
You will have use of a room at Pan Pacific Kuala Lumpur Airport hotel.
Depart Kuala Lumpur on Malaysian Airlines at 10:20pm.
Day 15 - 31 May - Adelaide
Arrive in Adelaide at 7:10pm.
IN A NUTSHELL
15 Days
$8,365Please call
May 17, 2013
12 people
Easy/Luxury
