What's Not Included. International flights and visas DETAILED ITINERARY

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1 17 days Istanbul to Bodrum See the very best of Turkey, then up anchor at Bodrum and spend 7 blissful days aboard a traditional gulet, sailing the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean and exploring the beautiful Dodecanese Greek Islands. HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS Trip Highlights Turkey - Sights as per the Classical Turkey itinerary: Istanbul, Cappadocia, Konya, Pamukkale, Pergamum, Ephesus, Kusadasi, Canakkale, Troy and the Gallipoli Peninsular. Bodrum - a lively Aegean coastal resort Knidos - an ancient city on the tip of the Datca peninsular Greece - Dodecanese Islands Kos Island - a popular Greek holiday island Nisiros - a volcanic island. Nikea Village mosaic style square Tilos Island - a quiet and remote island Rhodes - the largest of the Dodecanese Islands Symi - the picturesque port of Yialos What's Included 16 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 12 dinners 9 nights - standard hotels (superior and deluxe hotel options are also available). The cruise boat is of a 2-3 star standard for all departures. 7 nights aboard a standard gulet (motor sailer) Guided sightseeing - Istanbul, Cappadocia, Konya, Pamukkale, Ephesus, Pergamum and Gallipoli, Nisiros, Airport arrival transfer on day 1 English speaking, degree qualified Turkish tour guide for all included sightseeing Fully qualified gulet crew (days 10-17) Private air-conditioned transportation, all relevant transfers Entrance fees for all included sightseeing What's Not Included International flights and visas DETAILED ITINERARY Day 1 : Istanbul Friday. Welcome to magnificent Turkey and the start of a truly epic adventure. Upon arrival you will be met by one of our friendly representatives and transferred to your start hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight - Istanbul Day 2 : Istanbul This morning you set off for a city tour of the old part of Istanbul, once known as the great city of Constantinople. Once ruled by Byzantine and Ottoman Empires the area of Sultanhamet is a sight to behold, straddling both the continents of Asia and Europe and over time having been ruled by both Islamic and Christian rulers it has a unique charm in which these influences can be seen and felt. You will visit the Byzantine Hagia Sofya with its massive main dome that dominates the area. Topkapi Palace located on the tip of the old city and commanding extraordinary views over the water was once the seat of parliament for the Ottoman regime and was built during 1459 to And of course a visit to Istanbul would not be complete without a visit to the world renowned Blue Mosque with its six minarets. Construction began in 1609 and the name Blue Mosque is derived from the over blue Iznik tiles adorning the walls of the interior. Later you will be able to test your haggling skills in the maze like markets of the Grand Bazaar and tonight you will have the option of enjoying a Turkish dinner and show. Overnight - Istanbul (B) Day 3 : Cappadocia - 1 -

2 Istanbul - Cappadocia. After breakfast you will depart for Ankara, declared by Attaturk in 1923 to be the new capital of the Turkish Republic. Since this declaration Ankara has not looked back, moving forward in an almost European city style. Embracing the modern and in this way fulfilling Ataturk s vision of a contemporary Turkey. Ankara has come a long way since its roots as a small, simple city named Angora and more renowned for its production of goat s wool than a bustling capital city. In Ankara you will visit the mausoleum and museum of Ataturk, the great father of modern Turkey. Then it is onwards to Cappadocia via Turkey s Lakeland, an area mostly untouched by tourism and the startling contrast of blue lakes between grey mountains make it a worthwhile visit. Later today we arriving in startling Cappadocia. Overnight - Cappadocia (B) Day 4 : Cappadocia This morning you have the opportunity to take part in an optional hot air balloon ride over the splendid scenery of Cappadocia. Over time the soft rock of the area has been shaped and eroded by water and wind creating chimney like pillars, table mountains, great canyons and castle shaped rocks, this area of Turkey has been inhabited for over a Millennia and many of its caves still are today. Cappadocia offers a spectacular sight, and even more so from the air. A little later you will take a full day tour of Cappadocia including a visit to the warren like underground city of Kaymakli where ancient inhabitants once resided, the Open-Air Museum in Goreme with its beautiful frescoes of the rockcut churches and the natural fortress in Uchisar. Later today you will have the chance to discover the rich history of local handicrafts such as the famous Turkish carpets, Turkish tiles, onyx and potteries. (B, D) Day 5 : Pamukkale Cappadocia - Pamukkale. Today we have an early departure for Pamukkale, en-route you will visit the 13th Century Seljukian masterpiece Sultanhan Caravanserai before arriving in Konya. Konya is a place of pilgrimage for Muslim s the world over and it s capital of selcuk has much more meaning and holds more pride to the local Turks than any of the well known tourist resorts. Konya was the adopted homeplace of Mevlana (Our Master), a Sufic mystic famous for being the founder of the whirling dervish sect and through his writings helped reshape Islamic thought and played a major part in the modifying of popular Islamic culture in Turkey. In Konya you will visit the Mausoleum of Mevlana before continuing on to Pamukkale.(B, D) Day 6 : Kusadasi Pamukkale - Kusadasi. After breakfast take a visit to the Ancient Hierapolis with its magnificent Necropolis graveyard on our way to Kusadasi. The Ancient Hierapolis has a good collection of ancient Roman ruins, the Temple of Apollo and the Plutonium, dating back to third century BC although many of the current ruins are built upon ruins dating back to the second century AD, although some of these earlier ruins are still visible such as the Roman theatre. Later we continue to Selcuk with a visit to the Temple of Artemis en-route before arrival in Kusadasi. Overnight - Cappadocia (B, D) Day 7 : Kusadasi Kusadasi. After breakfast you will embark on a visit to Ephesus, a visit to this region is not complete without such a visit. Besides pompeii, Ephesus is the best preserved and largest ancient city on the Mediterranean. It is also the most commonly visited part of Turkey after Istanbul and once you set eyes upon it you will see why. Make sure to pack plenty of water as during the hotter months Ephesus can get very warm indeed and the water vendors do not sell their wares for cheap. Best to be prepared. After being advised by an oracle advised by indications of a fish and a wild boar, Androlocus, the son of King Kodrus (who founded Athens), Ephesus was founded. Or so legend tells it. The indigenous Cybele accepted the worship of artemis and the original Ephesus of 1000 BC was built on the north facing slope of Mount Pion. In 334 BC Alexander the Great visited and offered to help fund the completion of the shrine to Artemis but was refused. After Alexander s death his lieutenant, Lysimachus endeavoured to move the city due to the receeding sea and built its first walls. During the roman imperial period Ephesus was declared the capital of Asia, however over time and due to the general decline in the Byzantine era and the abandonement of the worship of Artemis following the introduction of Christianity, Arab raiders and the final straw, the silting of the harbour, the population began to move elsewhere and Ephesus fell in to ruin. Today you will visit the remains of the library, theatre, temples and St. Mary s House constructed between the second and fourth centuries AD. This afternoon you will have the opportunity to purchase locally made leather products. Overnight - Kusadasi (B, D) Day 8 : Canakkale Kusadasi - Canakkale. An early departure for Bergama this morning to visit the Acropolis. With ancient ruins from the Altar of Zeus built by Eumenes II in honour of his father s victory over the Gauls, to the third-century Temple of Athena and most famously the library which gave birth to the modern book. Pergamon s library had over titles due to the prolific and zealous collecting by Eumenes II and later by Attalos II containing volumes by Aristotle - 2 -

3 and theophratsos. The Egyptians soon got wind of this mighty collection and fearing it would overtake their extensive collection in Alexandria the exporting of papyrus was banned. Hence the Pergamene dynasty reverted too their old method of writing on treated animal skins. Due to it not being possible to roll the skins like papyrus the paged book was formed. Later we visit famous Troy, not the most magnificent of archaeological sites in Turkey but certainly one of the most famous due to the writings of Homer. Just outside the gate is a reconstruction of the famous Trojan horse used to get in the city walls and filled with warriors waiting for nightfall to launch a surprise attack. You can climb a ladder into the belly of the horse and see out over the ruins of the city and make your own mind up whether Homer s Iliad is more fact or fiction. Overnight - Canakkale (B, D) Day 9 : Istanbul Canakkale - Istanbul. After breakfast we cross the Dardanelles. The famous stretch of water the Allies fought so valiantly yet fruitlessly for during the First World War. Today you will visit the legendary Anzac Cove and Gallipoli itself, the place where over 8000 Australians and around 3000 New Zealanders lost their lives in a vain attempt to take the surrounding hills and open up a supply route through to the Black Sea. It is not completely certain how the ANZAC s made land fall where they did but the most likely reason is that the strong currents of the Dardanelles were not fully taken into account causing the ANZAC s to land way off course. Due to landing under the cover of darkness this was not fully realised until they were already ashore and it was too late and the awaiting Turkish machine guns opened fire. Today you will get the chance to explore the most famous battle sites in what is considered to be one of the world s best preserved battlefields. You will get a chance to see where the battle of the Nek, Chanuk Bair and Lone Pine took place, also visiting the 57th Regiment memorial and the war museum before we travel back to Istanbul. Overnight - Istanbul (B) Day 10 : Gulet Istanbul Bodrum. Today you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight to Bodrum located on the south west coast of Turkey. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your gulet, your home for the following 7 nights. Bodrum is a popular resort town with both foreign tourists and Istanbul based weekenders. It s appeal mostly lies in its as yet undiscovered beauty by the masses yet this is changing with wealthy yacht owners mooring here on the way to far flung places and more tourists coming due to other areas such as Marmaris and Kusadasi becoming overcrowded. There are many watersport activities to take part in or perhaps an exploration of the incredible Castle of St Peter, built in 1406 by the Knights of St John to replace the fortress at Smyrna that had been destroyed by the Mongols. The castle is now home to the Museum of Underwater Archaeology and is well worth the visit. Overnight - Gulet (B, D) Day 11 : Kos - Greece Bodrum - Kos. During breakfast you will be informed of the cruise program and what sort of activities you can take part in. After dealing with customs you will set sail for Kos, a beautiful island with 290 kilometres of beach. Overnight - Gulet (B, L, D) Day 12 : Nisiros - Symi Kos - Symi. Early we set sail to Nisiros. The volcano on Nisiros island erupted in 1422 and is still active. Nikea village located on the side of the crater has charming white streets and a mosaic-style square. There is an optional bus tour to Nikea and crater which is still active, where you can see the gases rising up eerily from underground. Cruise to the beautiful island of Symi where we anchor in the port for the evening. Overnight - Gulet (B, L, D) Day 13 : Rhodes Symi- Rhodes. Early this morning sail to Rhodes, the largest of the Dodecanese Islands. Rhodes has the largest European Medieval city and is steeped in history. The island was once the home of the knights of St John, then the Ottomans and Italians. The main port is in Rhodes City which is still surrounded by 12 meter-thick city-walls and gives you the feeling of travelling back to Medieval times especially when you walk around its narrow, stonepaved roads. Overnight - Gulet (B, L, D) Day 14 : Datca Rhodes - Datca. Today we return to Turkey's south-west coast, sailing to the Datca Peninsula. Long, narrow and mountainous, Datca is a place of unspoilt beauty just waiting to be explored. Take a stroll around the lively Datca Harbour, before travelling on to beautiful Kargi Bay for the night. Overnight - Gulet (B, L, D) Day 15 : Knidos - Turkey Datca - Knidos. Today, return to Turkish waters via the entry point of Datca. Take a walk on shore whilst your captain takes care of customs procedures. After lunch, sail to Knidos, once a Greek city in Asia Minor and one of the most famous cities in the ancient world. Knidos was known for its artists, philosophers and engineers; including - 3 -

4 Sostrates the architect of the Lighthouse of Alexandria - one of the 7 Wonders of the World, Praxiteles, one of the greatest Greek sculptors and the astronomer Eudoxus. Today temple foundations, toppled columns, carved marble friezes, huge amphitheaters and a necropolis are all that remains of Knidos former glory. Enjoy free time to explore of ruins of this ancient city Overnight - Gulet (B, L, D) Day 16 : Bodrum Knidos - Bodrum. This morning anchor in Karada Poyraz Bay for a last swim break in the beautiful blue waters before sailing to Bodrum Port for dinner and overnight stay. Overnight - Gulet (B, L, D) Day 17 : Bodrum Today after breakfast tour arrangements draw to a close. If you need an onward transfer to the airport this can be arranged at the time of booking. We hope you have enjoyed your adventure through Turkey and Greece.(B) KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Blue Mosque renovations The Blue Mosque (also known as Sultanahmet Camii in Turkish) is currently undergoing renovations and for the foreseeable future there will be scaffolding erected inside and other construction works will be taking place. Whilst we will visit the inside of the Blue Mosque when included on a tour, please be aware that some parts of the Mosque may be off limits to tourists. Visas Please be advised that visa requirements are subject to change and that visa procurement is the responsibility of the traveller and not On The Go Tours. Please also ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your planned date of departure from Turkey. After booking your holiday, please provide us with your passport details as soon as possible. Australian, British, Canadian and Irish passport holders can obtain a 3-month tourist e- visa online prior to departure. Costs are currently USD$60 for Australian and Canadian passport holders, USD$20 for British, USA and Irish passport holders. South African passport holders currently need an e-visa but there is no charge for this. New Zealand passport holders currently do not require a visa for a stay not exceeding 3 months. To arrange a Turkey e-visa online go to: After suspending all visa services for U.S citizens in October 2018, the Turkish Government have now announced the resumption of limited visa services for U.S. citizens. U.S citizens are not eligible for E Visas and must apply for a visa via their nearest consulate or embassy. Please note that the Turkish Government may change the visa requirements/restrictions at any time. If you are a U.S Citizen who plans to visit Turkey, it is essential that you contact your local Turkish embassy/consulate for the latest advice. Entrance fees On group tours, entrance fees to tourist sites are not included in our tour price (except on our City of Sultans tour). Funds will be collected in Turkey (and Egypt if travelling on one of our combo tours) for your entrance fees, that are payable in local currency - Turkish Lira and Egyptian Pounds and will be collected by your tour guide. You will find the cost of entrance fees noted under 'What's Not Included' on page 1 of this document. Entrance fee amounts do change, therefore upon arrival in Turkey your tour leader will outline the exact total of your entrance fees and collect this amount in Turkish Lira on day 2 of your tour. A breakdown of these costs is available upon request from your guide. Tipping Kitty It is customary to tip in Turkey. At the start of your tour we collect a small tipping kitty from all tour participants to cover tips en-route (to be paid in Turkish Lira). This saves you the hassle of when and how much to tip bellhops, luggage handlers, waiters, your airport representative and other support staff throughout your tour. This tipping kitty does not include a tip for your tour guide (for a job well done!) where we recommend an amount of approximately USD $4-5 per day, though the amount to tip your guide is up to you. Climate Turkey is a destination that can be visited year-round. Temperatures in Turkey during the Northern Hemisphere summer are generally high, particularly during the summer months from June through September. April can spring up surprising results. Days can be amazingly warm, though temperatures do drop at night, so pack some warmer clothes. Summer in Turkey for the most part is hot and dry. For the beach worshipper, June through September is best, when you ll enjoy glorious Mediterranean sun. Turkey is a lovely winter destination, the weather is usually temperate, although from December through to February you may enjoy a little snow in Istanbul, Anatolia or Cappadocia. Whatever month you consider, you ll be rewarded with seasonal variations that range from leaf-strewn autumns to sun-kissed summers. Health Requirements You should seek medical advice before travelling to Turkey from your local health practitioner and ensure that you receive all the appropriate vaccinations. As a guide Diphtheria, Hepatitis A and Tetanus is strongly recommended. The tap water in Turkey is generally considered safe to drink, but as a precaution against stomach upsets you may want to drink bottled mineral water, which is readily available from shops, hotels and restaurants. Currency The official currency in Turkey is the Turkish Lira. Euro, British Pounds, US Dollars and other major currencies can be exchanged locally or in advance of departure. Istanbul Ataturk Airport offers speedy currency exchange facilities adjacent to the baggage hall. Additionally, exchange facilities are available at various bureau de changes and banks in major towns have ATMs. It's advisable to request bank notes in smaller denominations, as it can sometimes be hard to get change from large notes and smaller notes are handy for smaller purchases and gratuities. Traveller's Cheques are not recommended as they're often difficult to exchange and incur high fees

5 Time & Voltage Turkey is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Meantime (GMT). From the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October, Turkey observes Daylight Saving and is 3 hours ahead of GMT. Standard voltage is volts. Primary sockets generally require the 3 round-pin variety, similar though not identical to European sockets. Greek sockets are of the 2 round-pin variety. We recommend that you pack a universal travel adaptor. You will need a voltage converter and plug adaptor to use U.S. appliances. Essential Packing A small daypack for your day-to-day needs A photocopy of your passport data pages The voltage in Turkey is generally 220V and outlets fit a two-pin European plug. You should pack a Universal Adaptor and check that it is suitable for Turkey Spare camera batteries/memory card so you can go snap happy If you fancy a tipple, take advantage of Duty Free Take out some Turkish Lira from the ATM facilities at the airport upon arrival Buy a phrasebook and practice your Turkish Keep a supply of small notes for local transactions Pre-Tour Accom & Arrival Transfers If you would like to arrive into Turkey prior to your tour or stay on longer, we can arrange pre or post tour accommodation for you. Pre/ post tour accommodation is located at the hotel your tour commences/ends and is inclusive of breakfast. If arriving on day 1 of a holiday or booking pre-tour accommodation with us on a tour or short stay that includes an airport arrival transfer (as indicated in the 'What's Included' section of these trip notes) we will be at the airport (Ataturk or Sahiba Gokcen), ready to transfer you to your hotel. If arriving prior to 8am on day 1 (essentially on a flight that arrives very, very early in the morning) you will need to purchase a night of pre-tour accommodation to save you waiting until standard hotel check in time, which is generally 2pm. ARRIVING VIA ATATURK AIRPORT As you enter the arrival hall in Ataturk Airport turn LEFT and walk along the concourse. Look to the right, our representative will be waiting here behind the barricade, displaying an On The Go sign. Remember, the representative won t know what you look like, so it will be important to look out for our company sign, to facilitate rendezvous. SABIHA GOKCEN AIRPORT If arriving into Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport, an additional 50km from the Istanbul city centre. Please be timely in exiting customs and in meeting our awaiting representative, who will be holding an On The Go tours sign. If your tour or sailing holiday does not include an arrival transfer, you will need to make your own way to the tour start point. Details of the tour/ sailing holiday start point can be found on your Tour Voucher. Departure Transfers We offer the following complimentary departure transfers: Aegean Explorer, Turkey Unplugged & Remembrance Day tours - departure transfers at 11am and 1:30pm on the final day of your tour (day 8 for Turkey & Tutankhamen tour) to Ataturk International Airport. Turkey & Tutankhamen tour: on day 8 at 11am & 9pm. Turkey Discovered: Departure transfer on the final day of your tour at any time of day to Ataturk International Airport. Christmas Turkey: Departure transfer on the final day of your tour at any time of day to Ataturk or Sabiha Gokcen Airports. Should you require a departure transfer at any other time, this can be booked in advance or locally. Site Opening Times Popular sightseeing spot in Istanbul are closed on specific days. Please plan your visit accordingly. Topkapi Palace - Closed Tuesdays Grand Bazaar - Closed Sundays Blue Mosque - Closed during all prayer times The Spice Bazaar and Grand Bazaar are closed every year on the 01 January and 29 October. Additionally, the Spice and Grand Bazaars will be closed all day; 15th of June, 21st of August and 29th of October ALL museums in Turkey will close at 1pm, on the 15th of June and 21st of August During Ramadan (known as Ramazan in Turkey), some restaurants and shops (excluding those catering mainly for tourists) and attractions may close earlier, so scheduling may be slightly altered to ensure featured attractions are visited. Approximate Ramazan dates: 05 May - 04 June April - 23 May 2020 Shopping Turkey is a virtual Aladdin s Cave. The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is cavernous and full of unusual and everyday objects. Known locally as Kapali Carsi the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul s Old City is a massive conglomeration of shops (some 4000) divided into areas specialising in gold, carpets, leather, souvenirs and clothing. Turkish handicrafts include a rich variety of textiles and embroideries, articles of copper, onyx and tile, mother-of-pearl, inlaid articles, leather and suede products. Jewellery, carpets and kilims represent top buys at the bazaar. Opening hours: Mon - Saturday hrs (closed Sunday). The Egyptian Spice Bazaar at Eminonu near Istanbul is an easy continuance from the Grand Bazaar or good start point before heading onto the cavernous Grand Bazaar. Here, you can buy a dizzying array of spices at a fraction of the cost you d expect to pay back home. Pine Kernels, peppercorns, real Iranian saffron and other precious commodities are hawked here at knockdown prices! Real Turkish delight is available by the tonne as well. Why not the milkbased Turkish delight studded with pistachios! Opening hours: hrs Monday Sunday

6 Markets and bazaars abound in other towns, too. During your stay in Turkey, you may visit a leather manufacturer and emporium. Although the quality of some of the jackets and clothing outstanding, the initially quoted prices can also be rather outstanding. If you do fancy a particular item, haggle, even if you are in the confines of what looks to be a smart showroom. Carpet Buying Turkey is justly famous for its carpets and kilims (a napless woven rug) and you ll be spoilt for choice. To ensure you get a good buy, spend time visiting several shops to compare price, pattern-type and quality. A good quality, longlasting carpet should be 100% wool. Check the quality of the weave for possible holes. A wool carpet will have fine, frizzy fibres if you turn the carpet on its back. Cheaper carpets are made of cotton and most often the fringe will be too. If you want a wool carpet and the fringe is of cotton, it s likely the carpet won t be a woollen one! The lies can be bigger than the fall of Ottoman Empire. Don t make the mistake of buying a cotton carpet at the price of a wool one! Many carpets are made to look like antiques at prices to match. IMPORTANT FOR ALL SHOPPING Set your budget and don t be swayed, remember the caveat Let the buyer beware. Any purchases made whilst on holiday with us, irrespective of whether the store is recommended by us or other, are at your own discretion. Please make sure that you are completely happy with the product you are purchasing and the delivery arrangements (we would recommend you take away with you any purchases rather than rely on shipping services). On The Go cannot be held responsible or accountable for items bought in country or shipping arrangements. We will not become involved later in your holiday or once you return home should your purchase not live up to your expectations. Proceed with caution