The Occidental Tourist
A Turkish Delight
Celebrating Toto’s 20th Anniversary
October 16 – 29, 2010

BRIDGE BETWEEN CONTINENTS

In the southeastern corner of Europe lies the Turkish Republic—a land of beauty, abundance, great cities, quaint villages, fertile mountain valleys, and azure seas. It is the home of the Turks, a proud people with a great heritage, a deep history, and a smile for every visitor.
     Turkey is part of Europe, but it is hardly like the rest of Europe. It has a special place in world geography, history and commerce. For centuries, the fertile peninsula called Anatolia or Asia Minor, has been a land bridge linking Europe with Western Asia. In Istanbul you can actually walk across a great bridge from one continent to the other. For thousands of years people have migrated across this beautiful land, or have sailed along its shores. Many people have stopped to enjoy its natural beauty and wealth, and have left behind wonderful treasures of art and architecture.
     Turkey’s history starts in prehistoric times and includes many important events. Classical Hellenic culture and art was born on these shores and great men of philosophy, science and literature lived and worked here. Rome ruled Anatolia and the Romans built hundreds of great theatres. At Ephesus, Roman audiences listened to the sermons of St. Paul as he toured the Seven Churches of Asia. St. Paul was born in Tarsus, on Turkey’s southern shore. The Virgin Mary lived her last years here in a small cottage near Ephesus, a fact confirmed by the Vatican and Pope John II, who personally visited this site.
     Santa Claus, of all people, was born here! Yes, Saint Nick (Nicholas) actually began his fabled existence during Roman times as a bishop in a city on Turkey’s south coast. He gave his first Christmas presents to the local young people. After his death he became a saint, and the Church of Saint Nicholas, in the town of Demre, commemorates his life and work.
     Turkey has seen some amazing things over the centuries. Ancient Troy was the scene of a fabled bloody deceit. In medieval times, the Crusaders marched through Anatolia. They built romantic castles while carrying out their brutal campaigns. Constantinople was the seat of the Ottoman Empire’s vast land holdings during more than 400 years of expansion. Thousands of young men lost their lives at Gallipoli during World War I as the Empire was in its own death throes.
     Cross the bridge from the Western world you have always known to a land of mystery and romance. Start in the Capital City, Ankara. Travel to Cappadocia, land of fairy chimneys, to see fantastic landscapes and underground cities. Walk the streets of ancient classical cities such as Iconium, Perge, Aspendos, and Ephesus. Spend three nights aboard a private yacht cruising the fabled Turquoise Coast. Conclude the journey with three nights in fabulous Istanbul..
     For thousands of years the Orient and the Occident have come together in Turkey, and in their coupling they have created wondrous works to be enjoyed today. Join us as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the founding of Toto Tours. What better place to do so than in a country where the mysteries of the East, the beauties of nature, and the pleasures of modern living are blended in fabulous ways never before experienced by The Occidental Tourist.

ITINERARY

Saturday, October 16, 2010
Depart the U.S.

Arrange your international flight to leave your home city this evening, arriving in Ankara, Turkey as early as possible tomorrow. When doing an on-line search for flights, do a multi-city search using the airport code ESB for Ankara, returning from IST for Istanbul.

Sunday, October 17, 2010
Arrive in Ankara

Upon arrival in Ankara, transfer on your own from the airport to our hotel. Public transportation options will be provided before departure, and we can also arrange for a private transfer if you wish. We meet together for a cocktail reception to meet your fellow travelers this evening, followed by a welcome dinner. Overnight in Ankara.     (Dinner included)

Monday, October 18, 2010
Touring Ankara / Travel to Cappadocia

In Ankara, visit the Anatolian Civilizations Museum where you will enjoy a fantastic collection of all the ancient heritage of Turkey, including the Neolithic Çatalhöyük, Hittite, Phrygian and Urartian civilizations. Before leaving Ankara, visit the Mausoleum of Atatürk, who was the founder of Turkish Republic. On the way to Cappadocia enjoy the beautiful scenery of the world famous Salt Lake and the countryside views of Turkey. Overnight in Cappadocia, the land of fairy chimneys.     (Breakfast / Dinner)

Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Touring Cappadocia

Cappadocia is a unique site in the world, with fantastic volcanic landscapes, underground cities of early Christians, and thousands of rock-cut churches with fantastic fresco paintings. Cappadocia is under the protection UNESCO Cultural Department as a unique World Heritage Site.
     Our full day of touring includes the Kaymakli Underground City, Göreme Valley and Zelve Valley open air museums to visit the churches with the best preserved fresco paintings. You will also visit the Uçhisar and Güvercinlik valleys to enjoy the magnificent landscapes of Cappadocia. We drive by Avanos village, famous for handmade pottery production since the times of Hittites. Overnight in Cappadocia.     (Breakfast / Dinner)

Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Cappadocia to Antalya via Konya

Today we have a long drive, but a scenic one, through the Taurus Mountains. En route visit Konya (ancient Iconium). Konya was the capital city of Seljukian Turkish Empire of 13-14th centuries. The city was also where Rumi, the great Moslem Mystic of 13th century lived and died. Rumi was the founder of the Whirling Dervishes order. Visit the museum / mausoleum of Rumi. Also visit the Karatay Madrasa with beautiful tiles, a school for higher education from 13th century, where Rumi also carried out his teachings. Continue to Antalya for dinner and overnight.     (Breakfast / Dinner)

Thursday, October 21, 2010
Visits to Perge and Aspendos

This morning we embark upon a sightseeing excursion to Perge, the ancient city where Paul preached. Paul and Barnabas went through Perge on their way to and from Antiochia on their first missionary journey. See the remnants of a theatre, a large stadium, baths, a unique Hellenistic City Gate, Agora and many other ruins.
     Continue on to visit Aspendos, a ruined Roman city with the best preserved ancient theatre in the world which is still in use. We also see the well preserved aqueduct system and other features. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight in Antalya.     (Breakfast / Dinner)

Friday, October 22, 2010
Myra / Kekova / Xanthos / Fethiye

Today we experience some of the most interesting colors and sites of the Mediterranean coast. This morning we drive to Myra, where we visit the Church of St. Nicholas ‘’Santa Claus’’ who was the bishop of Myra. We also see the beautiful Lycian rock-cut tombs of the ancient city.
     After another short drive we board a small boat for an unforgettable cruise along the coast to Kekova Bay, where we see the partly sunken ruins of Dolchiste, an ancient town which was destroyed by an earthquake during the 2nd century. At the conclusion of this memorable cruise, we disembark and continue toward Fethiye.
     Our final visit along the way is to see Xanthos, an important ancient city with an amazing history as the capital of Lycia. We arrive at the Fethiye marina and board the private yacht which will be our home for the next three nights. Dinner and overnight onboard.     (Breakfast / Dinner)

Saturday, October 23, 2010
Cruising the Turquoise Coast

Depart the Fethiye marina after breakfast this morning, and cruise towards to the Gocek Islands (not the port city). We pass between the greatest islands, stopping in gorgeous bays for swimming. breaks. Continue cruising to the Yassica Islands where we anchor for the night in a bay with excellent views.     (All Meals)

Sunday, October 24, 2010
Cruising the Turquoise Coast

After breakfast we visit Batik hamam (Manastir or Cleopatra’s bay). Part of this ancient building is covered with water, and the hill behind the bay is covered with pine. We also visit Sarsala before reaching Aga Limani in the afternoon, where we anchor for the night.     (All Meals)

Monday, October 25, 2010
Disembark / Kusadasi

After breakfast we bid our crew farewell and disembark, driving to Kusadasi. En route visit Magnesia ad Maeandrum, an ancient town famous with its Hellenistic Artemis Temple built by famous architect Hermogenes of Priene. Continue on to visit the House of Virgin Mary. A strong tradition in the Catholic Church claims that St. John brought the Virgin Mary to Ephesus, and that she ascended to heaven from Ephesus. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi.     (Breakfast / Dinner)

Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Ephesus / Izmir / Istanbul

This morning we visit the glorious city of Ephesus. Ephesus was the capital city of the Roman Province of Asia Minor and the site of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It was also the site of the third richest library of the ancient world - the Celsus library. St. Paul came to Ephesus in 54 AD and stayed for three years. He preached the Gospel, gained followers and also established the church of Ephesus, spending his last years here. He is believed to be buried within the Basilica of St John.
     After touring the highlights of Ephesus we transfer to the Izmir airport to catch an afternoon flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival, we drive straight to the old city to visit the Hippodrome area, the remnant of an arena built in the reign of Septimus Severus. Our final stop today is the Basilica Underground Cistern, providing a mystic atmosphere carried by 336 columns. We reach our hotel to enjoy dinner and a relaxing evening.     (All Meals)

Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Touring Istanbul

Enjoy a full day of sightseeing in this fantastic city, beginning with a visit the Spice Bazaar, near the Galata Bridge just by the entrance of the Golden Horn. Then we will visit Topkapi Palace, the residence of the Ottoman Sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries. After a break for lunch we continue with a visit to St. Sophia, which was Christendom’s greatest church built by the emperor Justinian. It is a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture. Nearby is the 17th century Blue Mosque, so called due to its more than 20,000 blue Iznik tiles that adorn the interior walls. We conclude our adventures today by exploring the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, where we can practice our haggling skills.     (Breakfast)

Thursday, October 28, 2010
Free Day / Farewell Dinner

Today is entirely free to allow you time to return to sites of special interest, do some last-minute souvenir shopping, or explore new places not previously seen. Our tour guide will help you make plans to fulfill your goals for the day.
     We gather together this evening for a farewell cocktail reception and sumptuous dinner with unlimited local cocktails and drinks.     (Breakfast / Farewell Dinner)

Friday, October 29, 2010
Departure

The tour ends officially after breakfast this morning. Arrange your international flight to depart any convenient time today. Because we are not departing as a group, no transfers are included in the tour price. We will help to organize shared taxis so that those leaving on flights at approximately the same time can travel together. Toto Tours has favorable hotel rates for those who wish to extend their stay in Istanbul either before or after the tour.     (Breakfast)