SUGGESTED ITINERARY (can be modified according to your specifications)

Day 1   Depart from USA – Fly Istanbul

Day 2   Arrive Istanbul

Arrive Istanbul Airport. Our representative will meet you after the baggage claim, with a “TUTKU TOURS” sign. Istanbul, the only city in the world built on two continents, guarding the precious relics of the three empires of which she has been the capital; a unique link between East and West, between past and present. Istanbul is not only historic, it is still a magnificent great city, fascinating and vividly alive, providing infinite variety: museums, ancient churches, palaces, great mosques, the bazaars and the unforgettable Bosphorus. Meet and transfer to the Galata Anemon Hotel next to the historical Galata Tower in city center. Dinner at the panoramic terrace of the hotel, overlooking the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus. (D) 

Day 3   Istanbul

Historical Istanbul tour; visit the Topkapi Palace, imperial Residence of Ottoman Sultans, with displays of priceless World-class collections of artifacts, jewelry and rare porcelain. Then visit the St. Sophia Church Museum built in 6^th century, once was the largest Christian Church in the world, the Blue Mosque unique with its 6 minarets, and famous for its blue Iznik tiles, the Hippodrome square where ancient chariot races were held, and then visit the world famous Grand Bazaar. Return to the hotel. Today, we will have dinner at an outdoor restaurant in Kumkapi’s vivid atmosphere. Overnight in Istabul. (B,D) 

Day 4   Istanbul

Drive to Bosphorus University campus for 2 hours classroom – Lecture on Art History, Byzantine and Ottoman Art by Turkish Instructor. Then drive to Beyoglu Area to meet a representative of the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (IFCA) who has been organizing art events for over thirty years in the fields of classical music, jazz, film, theatre and visual arts to start a dialogue between the Turkish art world and international art circles. Since 1987, IFCA has pioneered an international Biennial which aims at establishing an open-ended international visual art exchange between artists from different cultures. Through the ISTANBUL BIENNIALS that IFCA has organized, the opportunity for the development of an international cultural network has been secured not only for the Turkish art scene but also for the international artists, curators and art critics. Then visit Art Galleries at Beyoglu area. Return to the hotel. Free evening. Optional Dinner and Show at Turkish Night Club. (B) 

Day 5   Istanbul

We will take a private boat along the Asian and European shores of Istanbul. We will disembark in Sariyer to visit the "Atli Kösk", a private museum owned by Sabanci Family, one of the richest and well-known families in Turkey. We will see the many paintings from 19th century, daily life instruments from Ottoman period and other private collections of the Sabanci Family. Then we will visit the Sadberk Hanim Museum with Oil Paintings from late 19^th and early 20^th centuries. Then, we will drive back to city center to visit the Modern Museum of Istanbul. In the late afternoon, we will visit an Art Gallery in Nisantasi – one of the modern districts of Istanbul. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight. (B,D) 

Day 6  Istanbul – Troy – Canakkale

Drive to Gallipoli, through the European lands of Turkey. Cross the Dardanelles Strait by ferryboat. Visit ancient Troy, see its legendary walls and the replica of the wooden horse. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Canakkale. (B,D) 

Day 7   Pergamon - Izmir

Drive to Bergama. Visit the Acropolis, the steepest theater of the ancient world, the Temple of Trojan, Library. Lunch at a local restaurant. Then visit Asclepion, , the ancient Healing Center, served as a hospital. Famous pharmacist Galenos lived and died at this hospital and taught his first healing techniques to the local people here. Galenos is considered as the "Father of Pharmacy". Galenos has accepted the principles and ways of treatment of Hippocrates who lived about 700 years earlier then him. Drive to Izmir, the third largest city in Turkey. Evening at leisure. Overnight in Izmir. (B,L)

Day 8   Izmir

Visit Izmir Ethnographical Museum; a 3 floor-old building constructed in 1831 as an hospital, then converted to a museum in 1984. The museum displays traditional Turkish dresses, wedding dresses, Ottoman furniture from late 19th century, hand arts such as tin processing, bath clog production, blue bid production, wooden printing, carpet weaving and more interesting daily life instruments. Then visit the Archaeological Museum in the International Fair area and the Old Elevator with a panoramic view of the Izmir Bay. Afternoon visit to two private Art Galleries in Alsancak. Dinner at outdoor restaurant in Izmir. (B,D) 

Day 9   Sardis - Pamukkale

Drive to Sardis to visit the 3rd century Synagogue, the great Gymnasium, and the Temple of Diana.

Proceed to Pamukkale, the Cotton Castle. See the white travertine’s; there are underground hot water springs in Pamukkale. This water contains many minerals including calcium. The calcium deposits formed the white Pamukkale hill over thousands of years. The city of Hierapolis in Pamukkale was a spa center during the Roman period. There are still tourists coming to Pamukkale for its hot spring waters. Dinner at the hotel. Swimming is available at the indoor or outdoor hot spring pool of the hotel. It is said that this water is good for the eyes, for the stomach. (B,D) 

Day 10  Aphrodisias – Kusadasi

Drive to Aphrodisias, the city of Aphrodite or Venus, the goddess of love. The archaeologists named the city Aphrodisias because they found so many statues of her here. The New York University is leading and supporting the excavations financially. We will see the Stadium which seated 35,000 people and is the most well-preserved in the world, the Hadrian Baths, the Theater, the Agora and the Archaeological Museum where many Aphrodite statues are on display. Continue to Kusadasi, a holiday town on the coast of the Aegean Sea. Dinner and overnight at the hotel overlooking the Aegean Sea. (B,D) 

Day 11  Ephesus – Kusadasi

Drive Ephesus, the most famous ancient Roman city in Turkey, maybe in the world. See the House of the Virgin Mary, the Odeon, the Temple of Hadrian, the Celsus Library, the Marble Street, the Great Theater and the Harbour Road.  Then, visit the Archaeological Museum of Ephesus and meet with the Director or the Curator of the Museum. Before driving back to Izmir, shopping opportunity in Ephesus area; Souvenirs, Hand-Made Ceramics and Hand-Made Carpet Weaving. Return to the hotel in Kusadasi. (B,D) 

Day 12  Kusadasi – Izmir Airport – Fly back home

Early transfer to Izmir Airport for flight back to USA. End of our services.
  

LAND & AIR TOUR RATES: 12 Days ARTS & CULTURE TURKEY TOUR

USD RATES Per Person in Double Occupancy

                                               Jan-Feb-Mar             Apr-May Apr-May

20-29 persons + 1 free        $3,590                         $3,990
30-39 persons + 1 free        $3,550                         $3,950
40 persons-up + 2 free       $3,520                         $3,920
Single Room Supplement  $520                            $640     

HOTELS TO BE USED ARE: (or similar)                       

Istanbul            Galata Anemon  www.anemonhotels.com           (Special Class)
Çanakkale        Iris Hotel            www.irisotel.com                      (4 Star)
Izmir                Anemon             www.anemonhotels.com           (4 Star)
Pamukkale       Colossae           www.colossae.com.tr                (5 Star)
Kusadasi          Pine Marina       www.pinebay.com                     (4 star) 

TOUR FEATURES:

·          International flight tickets between USA-Turkey
·          Izmir-Istanbul domestic flight on Day 12
·          10 nights hotel accommodation at the above mentioned hotels
·          Sightseeing as per the itinerary
·          All escorted transfers
·          Daily open buffet breakfast at the hotels
·          1 lunch at local restaurant in Pergamum
·          2 Dinners at outdoor restaurants
·          6 Dinners at hotels
·          Usage of formal classroom at Bosphorus University in Istanbul as noted on itinerary.
·          Adjunct Turkish art history instructor to teach art history of the region, as noted on itinerary, 2 hours
·          All Transportation by Private Deluxe Bus with driver
·          English speaking, Government-Licensed professional tour guide throughout the tour
·          All Entry fees to the sites & museums
·          Tips to the hotel and restaurant staff
·          Service charges & local taxes
·          Travel documents, maps 
 

EXCLUDING:

·          Drinks and meals which are not listed at the itinerary
·          All personal expenses
·          Turkish Visa Fee is $20 per person for US citizens, to be paid upon arrival. Citizens of other
            countries must check the Turkish Visa procedure available for them.
·          Tips to the tour guide and driver

BOOKING PROCEDURE & PAYMENT:

1^st Deposit:      $200 per person at the time of booking
Name List        90 Days prior to departure
Full Payment   to be paid to our bank account 60 days prior to depature. 
Cancellation Penalty:

        -          90-61 days prior to departure     No Penalty
-          60-30 days prior to departure:    No Penalty (full refund except the deposit)
-          29-15 days prior to departure:    10%
-          14-7 days prior to departure:      50%
-          6-1 days prior to departure:        No refund