Blue Voyage:
Turkey and the Turquoise Coast
October 4-19, 2008

Overview
Itinerary
Extension

Overview (Return to top)

Exotic sights, scents, and sounds reign in this fascinating land where Europe and Asia meet.  From Istanbul, magnificent "Empress of the World," to ancient ruins, stunning landscapes, and the dramatic Turquoise Coast where we board a privately chartered yacht for a distinctive five-day voyage, Turkey engages and beguiles, offering us an unparalleled small group travel experience.

Priced from $3,295 from Chicago
Odysseys Unlimited

For reservations or additional information, contact:
Jan Breitman [jbreitman@alumni.iastate.edu]
Iowa State University Alumni Association
Fisher-Nickell Hall
Ames, Iowa 50011-1370

Phone: (515) 294-6526 direct or (877) ISU-ALUM toll-free
Fax: (515) 294-9402

Itinerary (Return to top)

Day 1 
Depart the U.S. for Istanbul, Turkey
Depart the United States early this evening on your Turkish Airlines flight bound for Istanbul.

Day 2
Arrive Istanbul
Accommodations: Divan Hotel
After arriving late this morning, you'll meet your Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director and transfer to your hotel.  There's time to unpack and have a short rest before joining your Tour Director late this afternoon for an informative briefing about the journey ahead.  We'll then take a short walking tour of the Taksim Square area (the heart of modern Istanbul near our hotel) and continue on to a local restaurant where we get our first taste of traditional Turkish cuisine during our welcome dinner. [D]

Day 3
Istanbul
Accommodations: Divan Hotel
It's our first full day in Istanbul, and there's much on the agenda.  This legendary city, divided by the Bosphorus, separates Europe from Asia, and makes this a place where East and West meet in a fascinating melding of cultures.  We cross over Galata Bridge, which spans the Golden Horn, and begin our included tour in Old Istanbul, home of splendid mosques and magnificent palaces.  Our first stop: the marvelous Blue Mosque, topped by six slender minarets.  Inside is one of the world's great collections of blue Isnik tiles (20,000 of them), along with 260 stained glass windows.  During our full day of touring, we also visit the ancient Hippodrome, where chariot races once took place; tour the Sunken Palace, an underground cistern that is part of an ancient Byzantine network of waterways, with 336 marble columns; and see the Islamic Art Museum, a marvelous palace once home to the son-in-law of Suleyman the Magnificent.  Art and artifacts here date from the 8th century, and lend great insight into many centuries of Turkish creativity.  There will be time for lunch on your own before we tour famed Hagia Sophia, which was the world's grandest Cathedral when it was built in 537 AD (it was converted into a mosque in the 16th century).  Then we visit the huge Grand Bazaar, a converted medieval shopping center filled with some 4,000 shops selling gold jewelry, leather goods, and every kind of souvenir imaginable, before returning to our hotel.  Dinner tonight is on your own, and the area surrounding our hotel is filled with fine restaurants serving cuisine from around the world. [B]



Day 4
Istanbul
Accommodations: Divan Hotel
This morning we enjoy a first-hand encounter with the Mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent himself, who ruled during the height of Ottoman glory from 1520-1566.  Here he is interred beneath one of Istanbul's most astonishing sites: a dome that seems to defy the laws of physics.  For lunch we head to Topkapi Palace, former home of Turkey's sultans, where we dine at the Topkapi Konyali, a traditional Turkish restaurant that boasts magnificent views.  Then we're off to explore the vast palace itself, where among other magnificent artifacts, we see priceless paintings, jewel-encrusted swords, and delicate porcelains.  After our tour, the remainder of the day is at leisure.  You may want to visit the fascinating Archeological Museum or take a stroll down Istaklal Street, a pedestrian walkway and the crossroads of old and new Turkey.  Or as so many visitors do, you can return to the Grand Bazaar, where you can keep yourself busy shopping for hours.  Tonight you have your choice of many excellent restaurants for dinner on your own. [B, L]

Day 5
Istanbul/Gallipoli/Troy/Assos
Accommodations: Nazlihan Hotel
We rise early to begin our day of travel to the Northern Aegean coast and the battlefields of Gallipoli, where in 1915 Allied troops faced the Turkish army led by Lieutenant-Colonel Mustafa Kemal, also know as Ataturk, the man who later became the leader of modern Turkey.  Large numbers of casualties were suffered here, and we pay our respects to those who gave their lives as we visit one of the Allied cemeteries.  Then we travel across the Straits of the Dardanelles to Troy, once believed to have existed only in Homer's epic poem.  But Heinrich Schliemann discovered the real Troy in the 1870s; indeed excavations have revealed the remnants of at least nine civilizations here dating back 5,000 years.  After an exploration of the ruins and relics here, we continue on to Behramkale, ancient Assos, where we spend the night. [B, L, D]

Day 6
Assos/Pergamum/Kusadasi
Accommodations: Kismet Hotel
This morning we depart for Pergamum, once one of the richest small kingdoms in Asia Minor, which housed one of the world's largest collections of books.  Here we visit the magnificent Acropolis, which contains the ruins of Pergamum's acclaimed 200,000-volume library, so large it challenged the world's greatest library in Alexandria, Egypt.  In fact, the Egyptians were so afraid that Pergamum would attract scholars away from Alexandria that they cut off the area's supply of papyrus, forcing the invention of pergamen (Latin for parchment), made from animal hides rather than papyrus reed.  Along with the library, the Acropolis also boasts a great theater seating 10,000 and the marble-columned Temple of Trajan.  Below the theater lie the ruins of the Temple of Dionysus along with the Altar of Zeus, in a marvelous setting shaded by evergreen trees.  Much of Pergamum has been lovingly restored; it is now considered one of the premier ancient sites in Turkey.  After enjoying our lunch in a typical Turkish kebab restaurant, we continue on to Asclepieum, a sanctuary and healing center built in the 4th century BC in the name of Asclepius, god of healing.  Later this afternoon we continue on to Kusadasi and our hotel, where we dine together tonight. [B, L, D]

Day 7 
Kusadasi/Ephesus
Accommodations: Kismet Hotel
Today we visit Ephesus, perhaps the world's best-preserved ancient city.  In Roman times, Ephesus was the provincial capital of Asia, with a population of 250,000 at the height of its glory.  An important Christian community arose here, and Ephesus was visited by St. Paul, who later wrote one of his epistles to the Ephesians.  Perhaps its greatest claim to fame is the fact that Ephesus once housed the Temple of Diana, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.  Today the magnificently preserved ruins attract visitors from across the globe.  A full day of touring here includes the immense amphitheater that holds 24,000 people and is still used today.  We'll walk along the Sacred Way, where the rich once lived and where an ingenious water and sewer system was constructed beneath paving stones of marble; see the Temple of Hadrian, a Corinthian-style building with the head of Medusa on the porch to keep away evil spirits; and admire the Library of Celsus, which once held 12,000 ancient scrolls.  After having our home-hosted lunch in the beautiful village of Sirince, we'll visit the Ephesus Museum, filled with statuary, ancient relics, mosaics, and artifacts excavated from the site.  Our last stop of the day is at the House of Virgin Mary, who is believed to have come to Ephesus near the end of her life in 37 AD.  We return to our hotel late this afternoon and dine there together this evening. [B, L, D]

Day 8
Kusadasi/Marmaris
Accommodations: Gulet yacht
Today we continue our journey south, stopping along the way to see a demonstration of the ancient art of carpet weaving at a local factory.  Then we'll stop in a local village for lunch and a visit to the Camlik Steam Train Museum where we can view the excellent collection.  We continue on to coastal Marmaris, arriving this afternoon.  Once a sleepy fishing village, Marmaris is now a bustling center of commerce where fishing trawlers dock next to million dollar yachts.  Here we board our 14-guest gulet, a replica of a traditional Turkish fishing boat.  Today's gulets are built with modern comforts in mind, containing small but cozy cabins with private bath and shower, public areas, and broad decks in an area approximately 85 feet long and 21 feet wide.  Beautiful craftsmanship combined with ancient artistry makes the gulet the perfect vessel in which to cruise the waters of the Turquoise Coast.  After settling in to your cabin, you'll enjoy your first dinner on board, prepared by the ship's crew with fresh local ingredients.  Tonight you may wish to join others sleeping on deck under the stars. [B, L, D]

Day 9
Cruising - Dalyan River/Ekincik Cove
Accommodations: Gulet yacht
Our route for the next five days is along the coastline that Mark Antony is said to have given Cleopatra as a wedding gift.  Named for the brilliant color of its waters, the Turquoise Coast is nature's gift to all those who travel here.  The swimming is glorious, in crystal clear waters that afford views into the depths.  With the scent of eucalyptus perfuming the air, and forested mountains as our backdrop, we begin our "Blue Voyage" by traveling to the mouth of the Dalyan River.  Here we disembark and board a small riverboat for a trip through a maze of channels surrounded by bamboo and cattails.  Keep your eyes open for the Lycian rock tombs skillfully carved into the mountains century upon century ago.  These relics of ancient Lycia, which stretched along the Mediterranean coast from Koycegis in the West to Antalya in the East, are the few remaining artifacts of this great culture.  After lunch in a local restaurant, we meet up with our gulet in Ekincik Cove where we anchor for the night. [B, L, D]

Day 10
Cruising - Aga Limani/Cleopatra Baths
Accommodations: Gulet yacht
Today we cruise to the hidden cove of Aga Limani where an optional hike of approximately three hours along an herb-scented trail brings us to Lydea, a little-known Greco-Roman site.  The hike concludes at the Sunken Baths of Cleopatra, built in a breathtaking inlet by Mark Antony for the last Egyptian pharaoh.  If you prefer a less strenuous day, you can choose to stay on board the gulet as it sails to the Sunken Baths to meet up with the hikers.  There's plenty on board with which to keep occupied, including games, cards, or simply chatting with your fellow guests. [B, L, D]

Day 11
Cruising - Yassica Isles/Bedri Rahmi Cove/Tersane Island
Accommodations: Gulet yacht
After breakfast we set sail in the stunning, calm Gulf of Fethiye, surrounded by the pine-covered lower slopes of the Taurus Mountains.  Our destination is Bedri Rahmi Cove, where we spend the day exploring the islands dotted with Lycian rock tombs, swimming, and relaxing.  Called Taskaya Cove by the locals, Bedri Rahmi is now widely known for Turkish writer and artist Bedri Rahmi Eyupoglu who painted a well-known fish on a boulder here in 1973 on one of the earliest "Blue Voyages."  Tonight we anchor in a quiet cove nearby. [B, L, D]

Day 12
Cruising - Gemiler/Kayakoy
Accommodations: Gulet yacht
Early in the morning we sail for our next anchorage, Gemiler Island, where we disembark for a tour of the 6th-century Byzantine monastery here.  After lunch, we disembark and drive to the Greek "ghost" town of Kayakoy, deserted after World War I and the Turkish War of Independence.  Residents abandoned approximately 2,000 stone houses, which eventually will restored by the Turkish Ministry of Culture.  We'll explore the town and its two churches, which still retain some of their painted decoration and mosaic floors.  Later we return to our gulet and remain anchored in Gemiler tonight, our last night on board. [B, L, D]

Day 13
Cruising - Fethiye/Demre/Myra/Antalya
Accommodations: Talya Hotel
This morning we sail to Fethiye, where we disembark, bid farewell to our gulet crew, and board a motorcoach for the long drive to Antalya.  Along the way we stop in Demre to tour the ancient site of Myra, with an extremely well preserved Roman theater and striking Lycian tombs (including one topped with a dramatic deathbed scene).  As a point of interest, Demre is where the legend of Father Christmas ("Noel Baba" in Turkish) is said to have originated with a Christian bishop who gave dowries to penniless girls.  The bishop became known as St. Nicholas.  We also visit Demre's 12th-century Church of St. Nicholas, whose last major renovations in 1862 were sponsored by Czar Nicholas I of Russia.  After lunch here we continue our drive to Antalya along the beautiful Turquoise Coast.  Late this afternoon we reach our hotel, splendidly perched on a cliff at the edge of the sea.  We dine there tonight. [B, L, D]

Day 14
Antalya
Accommodations: Talya Hotel
This morning we take a walking orientation tour of Antalya, where we see the resort city's Old Town, the extravagantly carved Hadrian's Gate, and the lovely Yivli ("fluted") Minaret.  Then we board a coach for the ride to Antalya's Archaeological Museum, which chronicles the history of the area through a wealth of ancient artifacts discovered locally.  Of special interest here is the "God Gallery" housing statues of 15 gods from Aphrodite to Zeus.  For lunch we'll have a cooking lesson, learning to prepare traditional Turkish cuisine - then enjoy the fruits of our labors together.  We return to our hotel and the remainder of the day is at leisure; you may wish to indulge in an authentic bath!  Dinner tonight is at our hotel. [B, D]

Day 15
Antalya/Perge/Aspendos
Accommodations: Talya Hotel
This morning we set off for a tour of the once-thriving Roman city of Perge, which reached its pinnacle during the era of Alexander the Great.  Among the outstanding ruins here are the ancient shopping arcade, the awe-inspiring 12,000-seat stadium, and a 15,000-seat theater.  Then we move on to Aspendos, whose huge theater is considered one of the best preserved in all of antiquity.  We return to Antalya in time for lunch on our own and an afternoon at leisure before we gather for a farewell dinner at our hotel tonight. [B, D]

Day 16
Return to U.S.
You will transfer early this morning to the airport for the one-hour flight to Istanbul, where you will connect with your flight to the U.S.  Or, you may join the optional extension to Cappadocia and Ankara.

Extension (Return to top)

Optional Post-Tour Extension to Cappadociz & Ankara

Day 16 
Transfer to Cappadocia
Accommodations: Kapadokya Lodge
Guests who are joining our optional extension to Cappadocia and Ankara will have a full-day motorcoach transfer via historic Konya, where we'll stop for a visit to the Mevlana Museum, home of Turkey's renowned Whirling Dervishes - a mystic order whose members dance wildly to free themselves from earthly bondage.  We'll have lunch here before continuing on to Cappadocia in central Turkey.  Renowned for its awe-inspiring natural rock formations - which were utilized for everything from housing to churches and even complete underground villages - Cappadocia is a magical today as it was when early farmers discovered the fertile powers of the volcanic ash that covered the area thousands of years ago.  Cappadocia became a haven for the first Christians, who ultimately carved more than 3,000 churches in the porous rock, painting many of them inside with splendidly preserved scenes from the Old Testament.  We reach Cappadocia late this afternoon, and enjoy a buffet dinner this evening at the Kapadokya Lodge, our hotel built from lava and rock. [B, L, D]

Days 17-18
Cappadocia
Accommodations: Kapadokya Lodge
For the next two days, we'll explore more of this unique region.  We tour the rock churches of the Goreme Valley, including an open-air museum with 8th-century murals; and the refuge of Kaymakli, which was constructed over a period of centuries and provided a safe haven for Turks during times of war and conflict.  A maze of tunnels reaching four stories deep, this underground city held as many as 3,000 people who were able to breathe thanks to a ventilation system that allowed fresh air in the complex structure.  We also visit the vast Zelve Valley complex of caves laced with dwellings, churches, and public spaces where villagers lived until just 50 years ago; and marvel at the fairy tale chimneys at Pasabag; and the troglodyte village of Uchisar.

During a stop in the charming town of Avanos we watch local craftspeople as they practice their arts, which include fashioning beautiful hand-colored pottery; and weaving rugs of natural colored wool, a regional specialty that has been perfected by the Turks over many hundreds of years and continues to be passed down from generation to generation.  Both evenings, we'll dine at the delightful Kapadokya Lodge.

For those who wish, an optional early morning balloon ride is available on Day 18 (at additional cost).  The ride offers an unparalleled view of the lunar-like landscape and may be reserved on-site during your stay. [B, L, D]

Day 19
Transfer to Ankara
Accommodations: Ankara Hilton
This morning we board a motorcoach for the half-day transfer to Ankara, Turkey's capital.  Upon arrival we visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, where we will gain insights into Turkey's fascinating past.  One of the exhibits dates back to the earliest known human community, and takes us through civilizations that include the Urartu, Hattie, Hittite, Phrygian, and Assyrian.  The building itself dates from the 15th century, and is a restored covered market.  As we tour the museum, we will bring together all we have learned about Turkey and its people during our 2 1/2 weeks of traveling.  Tonight we gather one last time for a farewell dinner at our hotel. [B, D]

Day 20 
Depart Ankara for the U.S.
Early this morning, you'll transfer to the airport for the one-hour flight to Istanbul, where you'll connect with your flight to the United States. [B]

Priced at $695