A CULTURAL AND RUG STUDY TOUR TO CENTRAL AND NORTH EASTERN TURKEY, ANTALYA and ISTANBUL

Tour dates: May 15 - May 31

Departing from and returning to: New York (JFK)

For participants coming from other cities, connecting flights will be arranged by New Horizons. 

Visit Turkey, a friendly, safe and secular country at the crossroad of many civilizations and cultures. Turkey, one of the most important rug producing centers in the world has also world-class rug Museums. We will explore Eastern and Central Anatolia, its history, people, folk life, contemporary rug and kilim production and most importantly, we will meet and interact with the creative weavers, dyers and restorers who will share their knowledge with us. We will enjoy the excellent cuisine and music of Turkey, find time to relax in Antalya, on the Mediterranean coast, famous since antiquity for its beauty and offering today the best beaches and shopping in Turkey. Our last stop will be Istanbul, a fabulous city to be discovered again and again.

Here is the latest testimony from a member of ASCR who joined our Rug Study tour in June 2002, Mrs. Pamela Hiller:

ITINERARY

Day 01 Arrive ISTANBUL – ANKARA. May 16, 2003
Arrive to Istanbul and take a connecting flight to ANKARA. At arrival transfer to our hotel. Welcoming cocktail and meet our guide, Ms. Tansu Uygun. Dinner and overnight. (D)

Day 02 ANKARA
Visit the Anatolian Civilizations Museum, and the mausoleum of Atatürk. In the afternoon visit two of the “off the beaten track” rug stores specializing in Central and Eastern Anatolian rugs to get acquainted with Turkish Rug Classification. Overnight in ANKARA. (B,L,D)

Day 03 ANKARA – KARS
Take a flight to KARS at 09:45 A.M. Arrive to KARS at 11.25 A.M. Transfer to the hotel and visit Ani, the capital city of the Urartian State, and later of the Armenian Bagratid Kingdom from 953-1045 AD. Among the ruins of this ancient city there are eight churches, a convent and a citadel along with the main cathedral which has alternately served as a church and a mosque. Dinner and overnight. (B,D)

Day 04 KARS – DOGUBEYAZIT – VAN
After breakfast, drive to DOGUBEYAZIT. Visit Dogubeyazit, the closest town to Mt. Ararat. Visit the famous 18th century Ishak Pasha Palace, built on a high plateau overlooking the caravan route. Continue to Van for dinner and overnight (B,D)

Day 05 VAN
Visit Cavustepe, Hosap Castle, reach Akdamar Island by local boats, then visit the Castle of Van. Overnight in Van. We will visit a few of the major rug dealers to see their collections of Eastern Anatolian and other rugs. (B,L,D)

Day 06/7 VAN – Sultanhani - KONYA
Fly to Ankara and drive the next morning to Sultanhani , “the Capital of Rug Restoration” where every building is another rug repair shop. You will see rugs being repaired for museums and collectors alike. Bring your old, antique oriental rug for a free restoration estimate. Visit one of the oldest caravanserails on the Silk Road before arriving to Konya, the capital of the Seldjuk Empire, home to the Whirling Dervishes and an important center for Turkish rug and kilim production. Overnight in Ankara (Day 06) Konya (Day 07) (B/D/L)

Day 08 KONYA
After breakfast visit the Mevlana Museum, the Ethnographic Museum with its superb collection of Central Anatolian and Konya rugs, the Karatay Mosaic Museum and mosques. Visit with our good friends Mehmet “the King of Yellow”and Muammer UCAR from “Silk Road” and Huseyin Kaplan from “Karavan”. A special show and tell by the master weaver Suzan Yalcin who uses natural vegetable dyes produced by Michael Bishoff with ecosystem. Dinner and overnight. (B,D)

Day 09 KONYA - ANTALYA
Check out after breakfast and departure from Konya after lunch. We will cross the scenic Taurus Mountains and arrive in Antalya. Dinner and overnight. (B,D)

Day 10 ANTALYA
After breakfast visit the ancient city of Perge. Then drive to Aspendos for a short visit to see the well preserved amphitheater and the Roman period aqueduct . Return to our hotel for a swim before dinner and a folklore night at our friend Mehmet Saggun. Overnight in Antalya. (B,L,D)

DAY 11 ANTALYA 
In the morning, drive to SIDE, a major harbor during the Roman period and one of 
best known classical sites on the Turkish Riviera. Visit themuseum and the ruins. 
Visit the Manavgat Waterfalls and return to ANTALYA for dinner and overnight
(B,L,D)

Day 12 ANTALYA - ISTANBUL
After a leisurely breakfast and swim, leave the hotel and transfer to the airport for a domestic flight to Istanbul. At arrival transfer to our hotel in Istanbul. (B,L,D)

Day 13 ISTANBUL
In the morning take a ferry to the Prince Islands. Upon arrival tour the island by horse and buggy. Lunch in the Prince Islands. Take a return ferry around 4 P.M. to Istanbul city center. Cocktails and “Show and Tell “ before we pack our luggage. Dinner on your own. (B,L)

Day 14 ISTANBUL
A half-day tour of historic Istanbul which includes a visit the Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque and the Cistern. After lunch, we will visit the TIEM with its fabulous collection of Classical Turkish carpets dating from the 13th - 19th century followed by a special visit to the newly opened gallery of Mehmet Cetinkaya. Dinner on your own. (B,L)

Day 15 ISTANBUL
FREE day to enjoy Istanbul on your own. You can have a short visit to take in the aromas of the Egyptian Spice Market, followed by a boat tour on the Bosphorus, and view the picturesque beauty of the European and Asian shorelines. Return to your hotel by 6 P.M. for our farewell dinner at the famous CIRAGAN PALACE TUGRA restaurant. (B,D)

Day 16 ISTANBUL - FLIGHT BACK 
Transfer to the airport for our return flight to New York and our connecting flights home. (B)


TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Number of participants: A minimum of 20 participants per tour is required to maintain the prices cited here below. If less than 20 people register for the tour, NHI reserves the right to adjust the cost of the tour based on the number of participants.

Tour cost: (Based on current airfares and exchange rates) Air/Land Package. Includes all internal flights $3415 US + Airport taxes.  Single Room Supplement $315 US.

Air Travel: International air travel reservations for New Horizons International (NHI) are made on scheduled airlines by an IATA certified travel agency. We obtain special group rates which are lower than the lowest airfare available. Invoicing, payments for your airline tickets and any special billing to and from the participant's city of departure is done through NHI. European participants can join the tour in ANKARA and depart the tour at the city of their connecting flight.

Air/LandTour cost includes:
*Round-trip, economy-class airfare from the tour originating airport. 
*Accommodations in first class or best available hotels based on double occupancy.
*Most meals and bottled water at all specified meals. 
*Group transfers and baggage handling.
*Transportation within country of visit w/modern A/C buses. 
*All entrance fees to museums.

What is not included:
*Airport taxes
*Entry visas to Turkey (obtained at Airport)
*Laundry, telephone calls, personal items.
*Domestic airfare to and from the tour originating airport..
*Excess baggage charges.
*Medical and cancellation insurance
*Individual transfers for Land Only package.
*Customary gratuity to the guides/bus drivers left to participants' discretion. 

GENERAL INFORMATION

Reservation and Deposits: A deposit of $ 500 per person is required to confirm all reservations. Tour deposit and final payments can be made by check only. Telephone reservations will be accepted but tour participation cannot be confirmed without the signed reservation form and payment. Final payment, by check only, is due 90 days prior to departure date. Checks should be made to: NHI Inc. and mailed to:

     NHI

     P.O.Box 187

     Newtown, PA 18940

Telephone inquiries: 1-800-820-6867


Cancellation: Deposits and final payments, less $100 handling fees, are refundable upon receipt of a written notice by New Horizons Int., 90 or more days prior to departure date. Cancellations made within 90 days of departure are subject to full forfeiture of all money paid unless the tour is fully booked and the participant's place can be resold (in which case only a $100 handling fee per person will be retained). If the required number of people for the tour do not register or there is a major change in the itinerary, NHI Inc. reserves the right to cancel the scheduled tour in which case, the entire payment will be refunded with no further obligation on its part.

It is strongly recommended that upon receipt of his/her confirmation, the participant purchase a cancellation and general travel insurance for which NHI Inc. will supply an application.

Passport & Visa: A valid passport and visa are required for US citizens traveling to Turkey. A visa is easily obtained in Turkey at the port of entry / Airport. 

Itinerary: NHI Inc. will provide participants with a detailed itinerary. Any major change from the original one will be communicated in written form. We reserve the right to change the itinerary as necessary. Prior to departure each participant will also receive a listing of all the hotels and their addresses, telephone and fax numbers; names of contact persons and general information about the climate, clothing, money exchange, etc. and a list of recommended readings. 

Health and Special Dietary Consideration: Participants should be in good health and capable of dealing with moderate altitudes, full-day activities, walking over uneven terrain in villages and archeological sites. It is up to the participant whether or not to take part in certain activities such as long hikes or excursions at high altitude. Every effort will be made to comply with special dietary needs or restrictions of the participants, providing this information is communicated to NHI in advance.

Responsibility: New Horizons International, Inc. is responsible for organizing the scheduled tour and making the necessary travel, hotel and service arrangements for the participants. NHI Inc. is not liable nor responsible for the operations of the Tour Operator (TO), local agents and other transportation companies. Neither NHI Inc., TOs nor any individuals connected with the offering of this tour may be responsible or liable, however caused, for any direct, indirect, consequential or incidental damage of property, personal injury, loss, accident, sickness, expense, delay or which may be occasioned by any act beyond their control or its omission, whether negligent, willful, intentional or a breach of contract by a third party who is to or does supply goods or services for the tour. Once the participant has signed the reservation form and made a deposit, it is assumed that he/she has read the schedule of activities, recognized and accepted any risks thereof. NHI Inc., also reserves the right to accept or decline to retain any person as a participant at any time.

* To have a brochure and registration form mailed to you, please call 800-820-6867 or contact us by email at: sales@centalasiatours.com