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Istanbul and Beyond
A Turkish Encounter
March 28-April 7, 2002
TOUR ITINERARY
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International Itinerary
Thursday, March 28
Depart San Diego, Delta 1984, 6:30 am
Arrive JFK 4:24 pm EST
Depart JFK, Delta 72, 5:30 pm
Fri., Mar. 29 Arrive Istanbul, 10:10 am
Sunday, April 7
Depart Istanbul, Delta 73, 11:55 am
Arrive JFK, 3:50 pm EST
Depart JFK, Delta 1985, 5:40 pm
Arrive San Diego, 10:28 pm
Daily Itinerary in Istanbul
Friday, March 29
10:10 am Arrive Atatürk International. Airport
Pay visa fee (about $40)
Check in at Hotel Fehmi Bey, Üçler Sokak 15, Sultanahmet
Change money on Divan Yolu boulevard
Lunch at a Turkish restaurant on Divan Yolu
Take taxis to Askeri Müze (Military Museum), visit museum
3-4 pm, mehter band concert in museum, meet the players
Return to hotel, dinner in the area
Saturday, March 30
Turkish breakfast on hotel terrace, with Marmara Sea view
Visit Sokollu Mehmet Pasha Mosque and Little Aya Sofya
Visit Haghia Sophia museum and the Underground Cistern
Lunch on Divan Yolu
Visit record and musical instruments shops in Unkapan›
Visit Süleymaniye Mosque
Dinner at Darüzziyafe Restaurant, with classical fas›l music
Sunday, March 31
Optional Easter service at the Catholic cathedral
Walking tour of Taksim area, Istaklal Caddesi street
Lunch in Çiçek Pasaj› market area
Visit Galata Tower, walking tour of Beyoglu (old Pera)
Optional Turkish bath
Dinner at a good restaurant with folk or fas›l music
Monday, April 1
Early morning departure by minibus for Edirne
Visit Selimiye mosque in Edirne (Sinan's masterpiece)
and other local sights
Go to Kirklareli for afternoon picnic with gypsy musicians
Return to Hotel Fehmi Bey in Istanbul
Tuesday, April 2
Visit Blue Mosque and At Meydan monuments
Kamil's carpet tour at Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art
Lunch in the area
Afternoon visit to Kap›l› Çarsh› (Covered Bazaar)
Dinner at leisure
Wednesday, April 3
Morning cooking class at Daruzziyafe restaurant, with lunch
Afternoon visit to Archaelogical Museum and Topkap› Palace
Dinner at leisure
Thursday, April 4
Morning free for shopping at the Egyptian bazaar market area
Lunch at Borsa Kafeteria or Pandeli restaurant
Take ferry to Asian side for afternoon sightseeing and dinner
Evening visit to Sufi dervish meeting in Üsküdar (Asia side)
Friday, April 5
Alternative 1
Bosphorus boat tour in morning if the weather is good
Lunch in a fish restaurant near the Black Sea (Sariyer or
Anadolu Kavag›)
Return by boat, alight near Dolmabahçe Palace
Visit Dolmabahçe Palace on the Bosphorus
Dinner in Besiktash (Iskander kebab) or dine in Ortaköy
Evening visit to a taverna in Arnavutköy
Alternative 2 (cost about $120)
Fly to Izmir at 7:45 am, arrive 8:20
Spend the morning visiting the Greco-Roman site of Ephesus
After lunch, visit the museum in Seljuk and Basilica of St. John
After dinner, fly back to Istanbul at 7:45, arrive 10:00 pm
Saturday, April 6
Visit the Kariye Cami (Chora) and the Byzantine city walls
Afternoon free for shopping, or Byzantine Mosaics Museum
Optional late afternoon tea at Pierre Loti Café, with a view
of
the Golden Horn at sunset
Farewell Ottoman banquet at Darüzziyafe, with fas›l music
Sunday, April 7
Depart Istanbul, 11:55 am
Arrive JFK 3:50 pm
Depart JFK 5:40 pm
Arrive San Diego 10:28 pm
Costs
Total cost for the ten day tour is $1,195*
Included in the price:
An evening orientation meeting or two in San Diego
Round-trip air fare, San Diego/Istanbul (or other departure city)
Nine nights at the Fehmi Bey Hotel, Istanbul*
Very substantial Turkish/European buffet every morning
Full-time services of a government licensed guide, 10 days
Airport transfer on arrival and departure
Full day trip to Edirne by minibus, picnic and entertainment
Not included in the price:
Visa fee (at airport on arrival, about $40)
Local transport by bus, tram and taxi (very reasonable prices)
Lunch and dinner (also reasonable)
Entrance fees at museums, cooking class or other incidental fees
Trip to Ephesus and Seljuk (about $120)
* Based on two people per hotel room. Single supplement is $100 more.
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