Days 1, 2, 3 & 4: Istanbul, Turkey
October 1, 2, 3 & 4, 2012

Guests arrive in Istanbul and are transferred to the hotel situated in the heart of the old city; trip orientation during a Welcome Cocktail Reception with Tour Director Richard Koegl; Istanbul sightseeing including the Hippodrome, Blue and Suleymaniye Mosques, Hagia Sofia and Roman Cisterns; Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts; Topkapi and Archaeological Museums; Kariye Musuem; Grand Bazaar; full day private Bosphorus Cruise towards the Black Sea and over to Asia Minor. The Four Seasons Hotel Sultanahmet – Deluxe Rooms.

Day 5: Goreme, Cappadocia
October 5, 2012

Regularly scheduled morning flight to Kayseri and transfer to Goreme; full day exploration of Cappadocia’s fairy landscape including Goreme Open Air Museum, a monastic complex composed of churches, rectories and dwellings and one of the earliest centers for religious education; Dark Church which contains fantastic 11th century Byzantine frescoes; Zelve Valley; Urgup; Avanos; Uchisar, the highest peak in the region and the most well-known land formation; and an evening ceremonial performance of the Whirling Dervishes at the 14th century Saruhan Caravanserai. Museum Hotel – Deluxe Cave Rooms.

Days 6: Konya
October 6, 2012

Early morning there is an option to take a hot air balloon ride over the valleys and fairy chimneys of spectacular Cappadocia; cross the Central Anatolian Plateau and visit the Carvanserai at Agzikarahan; Konya sightseeing including the Mosque of Alaaddin Kaykoubat, and the Mevlana Memorial and Museum. Konya Rixos – Deluxe Rooms.

Days 7 & 8: Belek (Antalya)
October 7 & 8, 2012

Descend the Anatolian plateau through jagged mountains and valleys all the way to the Mediterranean Sea; visit the 2nd century AD Theatre at Aspendos, the best preserved in the entire ancient world; Perge, a wonderfully preserved Roman city founded in 1,000 BC by colonists from Greece; Antalya Archaeological Museum, one of the most important and largest in Turkey containing 13 exhibition halls and displaying thousands of articfacts; a walk through Old Antalya, founded in the 2nd century BC by Attalus II, King of Pergamon. The old city contains among other treasures, two Ottoman minarets and a three-arched Commemorative Gate dedicated to Emperor Hadrian who visited the city in 130 AD. Kempinski Hotel The Dome – Deluxe Rooms.

Days 9: Göcek
October 9, 2012

A scenic drive along the famous Turquoise Coast to the ancient city of Myra and visit its rock-cut tombs dating from the 4th century BC; lunch in Kekova Bay, one of the most enchanting coves along the coast with crystal clear waters and magical Lycian ruins; the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Xanthos, the capital city of the Lycian Federation dating back the 8th century BC; Fethiye or ancient Telmessos, a charming and historical port town on the southern coast. Swissôtel Göcek – Premier Rooms.

Days 10 & 11: Bodrum
October 10 & 11, 2012

Further exploration of the Turquoise Coast all the way to Caunos, an important Carian city founded in the 9th century BC and situated on the border with the Kingdom of Lycia. The site is perfectly preserved as the city was abandoned in ancient times when the small harbor silted up; Bodrum or as it was known in ancient times, Halicarnassus of Caria, which contained one the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus. Visit the extraordinary Museum of Underwater Archeology whose collection of amphoras, glass, bronze, and two ancient shipwrecks are housed in Bodrum Castle, a construction built by the Crusaders in the 15th century; time to wander the charming town with shops and cafés. Marmara Bodrum Hotel – Deluxe Rooms.

Day 12: Kusadasi
October 12, 2012

Transfer to Kusadasi and begin our exploration of one of the most important Archaeological sites in the world – Ephesus, an ancient Greek city and later the second largest Roman city in the empire, and in the world during the 1st century BC. We explore the extensive site whose monuments include the Temple of Hadrian, Odeon, Basilica of St. John, the 44,000-seat Theater which is believed to be the largest outdoor theater in the ancient world, and the Celsus Library. A special visit will also be made to the Terraced Houses, a series of wealthy merchant homes that have recently been excavated along the Marble way. Afterwards we visit the Selçuk Archaeological Museum which houses an exquisite collection of artifacts excavated mostly from Ephesus. Final night cocktail reception and dinner. Korumar Hotel – Executive Rooms.

Day 13: Istanbul
October 13, 2012

This morning head north to Bergama and visit the ancient site of Pergamum, and ancient Greek city situated on a promontory overlook the Aegean Sea. Following the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC, one of his generals Lysimachus chose the city as the depository for his vast wealth. Pergamum later became the capital of a flourishing Hellenistic Kingdom and one of the principal centers of Hellenistic civilization. Late afternoon we take a regularly scheduled flight from Izmir to Istanbul and transfer a few minutes to the hotel. Renaissance Polat Istanbul Hotel – Standard Sea View Rooms.

Day 14: Departure Istanbul, Turkey
October 14, 2012

Turkey Tour Fee:

US$8,495.00* per person land cost based on minimum of 15 guests in shared accommodation (and a maximum of 20 guests).

US$280.00 per person domestic air flights in economy class including departure taxes: Istanbul / Kayseri; Izmir / Istanbul. Due to the instability and fluctuation of fuel costs, fuel surcharges and rates on domestic air flights are subject to increase until ticket issuance.

US$3,670.00* Single Supplement. Note that there are a limited number of single rooms available and will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis.

*This published tour fee is based on the current exchange rates between the USD and Euros / Turkish Lira. As rates of exchange fluctuate and most certainly will in the year ahead, every effort will be made to keep this tour fee as is. However if rates change beyond our control we reserve the right to add a surcharge to the tour fee. We will assess this prior to departure before final payment is due.

Trip Cancellation Insurance: Call for rates.

Tour Fee Includes:

13 nights in superior deluxe hotels with priority rooms as indicated and available; 13 breakfasts, 10 lunches and 4 dinners; bottled water provided while sightseeing and at all included meals; Welcome and Farewell Cocktail Receptions; all sightseeing as indicated and outlined, entrance fees and transfers by private air-conditioned motorcoach with an accompanying professional English-speaking local guide throughout; baggage handling, taxes, service charges and gratuities to local guides and representative, drivers, waiters, and porters; services of professional Oasis Tour Director Richard Koegl; Oasis pre-departure information.

Not Included:

International airfare to and from Istanbul; tourist entry visa for Turkey; non-medical / accident / baggage / cancellation insurances; anything other than mentioned in inclusions, and any items of a personal nature.

Istanbul: The Four Seasons Sultanahmet

The Four Seasons Sultanahmet was created from a century-old neoclassic Turkish prison located in the heart of Istanbul and just steps from both the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace Museum. With just 65 guest rooms and suites that frame an open courtyard, the atmosphere is intimate, personal and elegant. The hotel has a Health Club, full Spa with massage and aromatherapy, business center and a fine restaurant. A glass pavilion in the courtyard as well as a rooftop lounge is where one can enjoy more casual fare, cocktails or traditional coffee. Deluxe rooms provide views of the landscaped courtyard, partial views of St. Sophia or the Blue Mosque, the exterior garden or the street. Room amenities include a minibar, direct dial telephone, plasma TV, DVD and Bose CD player. Each room has an ensuite marble bathroom with a deep soaking tub, separate shower and LCD television.

Istanbul (Airport): Renaissance Polat Istanbul Hotel

The Renaissance Polat Istanbul Hotel is a new, modern world-class hotel located 5 minutes drive from the Istanbul Ataturk International Airport. It’s sleek, contemporary design makes it a favorite for business and tourist guests who prefer the close proximity to both the airport and downtown. The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool on the shores of the Marmara Sea, a Turkish Hammam and Spa, a fully equipped Fitness Center, and several international restaurants. Its 414 rooms offer all the amenities one would expect including direct dial telephone, satellite TV, and full ensuite bathrooms.

Goreme (Cappadocia): Museum Hotel

The Museum Hotel is a unique boutique property created by the passionate spirit of a local businessman who salvaged antiquities from the ruins of local homes and structures and incorporated them in a ‘museum’ establishment. Situated on a hill overlooking the ‘fairy chimney’ landscape of Cappadocia, its 30 rooms and suites are ancient rock-hewn caves and stone houses that were once used for various purposes by the settlers of this region. Room amenities include direct dial telephone, ensuite bathrooms and satellite TV. The hotel has an excellent restaurant, an outdoor swimming pool and offers local massage treatments.

Konya: Konya Rixos

The 280 room Konya Rixos is a new, international hotel situated 10 minutes from the city center. Its 26 floors offer guests all the luxuries one would expect from a first class establishment. The hotel has a Health Club, Turkish Hammam, both an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, and several excellent restaurants and bars. Rooms are modern and fully equipped with direct dial telephone, satellite TV, minibar and safety deposit boxes.

Belek: Kempinski Hotel The Dome

Located just 45 minutes from Antalya, the Kempinski Hotel The Dome is a luxury resort situated on a private beachfront on one of the most picturesque corners of the Turkish coast. The hotel blends a natural setting of indigenous pine trees with first class amenities and offers guests a spectacular outdoor swimming pool complete with connecting ‘lagoons’. There is also a heated indoor pool, Spa, fitness center, business center and free WiFi anywhere in the hotel. There are four restaurants which offer Turkish specialties, international cuisine, and flavors from the Far East. All indoor restaurants and bars are complemented by spacious terraces offering stunning views over the Mediterranean Sea and the Taurus Mountain range. Deluxe Rooms are elegantly decorated in the Seljuk style and deliver comfort and luxury with the Kempinski signature. These rooms have an amazing Mediterranean Sea view with a small balcony. Room amenities include international direct dial telephone, free high speed internet access, satellite TV, minibar, and an electronic safe.

Gocek: Swissôtel Göcek

Set against a stunning mountain backdrop in a picturesque former fishing village, now a yachting haven, the Swissôtel Göcek Marina & Resort is only deluxe property of its kind in the area. The intimate resort has 57 rooms with views of the village, its own beautiful lush manicured gardens or the surrounding mountains. Hotel facilities include a waterfront restaurant and bar, an outdoor pool, sauna, massage and beauty treatments, and access to Göcek’s only private beach. There is also a business center with wireless internet access, and two restaurants offering Turkish and seasonal Mediterranean fare. Guestroom amenities include international direct dial telephone, satellite TV, safety deposit box, and minibar.

Bodrum: Marmara Bodrum Hotel

The Marmara Bodrum Hotel is a member of the small luxury hotels of the world and is among the world’s finest boutique hotels anywhere. The hotel offers 96 deluxe rooms all finished in earth shades and have either a balcony or a terrace with a comfortable seating area. There is an excellent Mediterranean restaurant on a terrace overlooking the Bodrum peninsula, two bars and a lounge area. The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool, an outdoor lap pool, high-tech fitness center, tennis and squash courts, Turkish Hammam, sauna and Spa. Guestrooms are large and amenities include WiFi internet access, satellite TV, international direct dial telephone, minibar and electronic safe.

Kusadasi: Korumar Hotel

The Korumar Hotel sits on a rocky promontory overlooking the charming port town of Kusadasi. Its spectacular location combined with first class amenities makes this hotel one of the best in the area. There are both indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a Turkish Hammam, sauna, Spa, fitness center, two main restaurants and several bars. Its 248 guestrooms offer all the modern amenities including international direct dial telephone, satellite TV, minibar, and full ensuite bathrooms.