HIGHLIGHTS OF TURKEY ISTANBUL AND CAPPADOCIA 3-16 MAY 2020 Ignacio Palacios
ISTANBUL Istanbul, Paris of the East is a magical place and one of the world s great cities. Its old city reflects cultural influences of the many empires that once ruled here. Superbly situated either side of the blue ribbon of the Bosphorus Strait separating Europe from Asia it is, unlike any other city in the world, split between two continents. 2 3
CAPPADOCIA Cappadocia, a semi-arid region in central Turkey, is known for its distinctive fairy chimneys, tall, cone-shaped rock formations clustered in Monks Valley, Göreme and elsewhere. Other sites include Bronze Age homes carved into valley walls by troglodytes (cave dwellers) and later used as refuges by early Christians. 4 5
TURKEY If the earth were a single state, Istanbul would be its capital. Napoleon Bonaparte Turkey is a nation straddling eastern Europe and western Asia with cultural connections to ancient Greek, Persian, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires. Cosmopolitan Istanbul, on the Bosphorus Strait, is home to the iconic Hagia Sophia, with its soaring dome and Christian mosaics, the massive 17th-century Blue Mosque and Topkapı Palace, former home of sultans. We will visit some of Turkey s highlights including Istanbul, Cappadocia, Antalya, Kas, the Kekova Islands, Tethiye, Pamukkale and Ephesus. You will see this iconic land at its best and if your partner is not a keen photographer, we would invite you to bring her/him along as you will both enjoy the rich photo opportunities as well as an amazing cultural experience and natural wonders. With its beautiful light, wild landscapes and rich cultural heritage, Turkey will feed the imagination of any traveler/photographer. 6 Antalya 7
ITINERARY Cosmopolitan cities busy with modern delights, archaeological sites filled with ancient splendor, curious landscapes straight out of a storybook and picture-perfect coastline! This is amazing Turkey! DAY 1-3 May Istanbul If you re arriving on the group flight you will be met on arrival in Istanbul and transferred to the group hotel for overnight accommodation. A meeting will be held this evening with your guide to introduce the trip and meet with your fellow travellers. Later recommendations will be made for your first evening meal in Turkey. Anemon Hotel. DAY 2-4 May Istanbul (sightseeing Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome) late afternoon free to enjoy Today we visit the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome. The Hagia Sophia is a former Orthodox patriarchal basilica, later a mosque, and now a museum. From the date of its dedication in 360 until 1453, it served as the cathedral of Constantinople, except between 1204 and 1261, when it was converted to a Roman Catholic cathedral under the Latin Patriarch of Constantinople of the Western Crusader established Latin Empire. The building was a mosque from 29 May 1453 until 1931, when it was secularized. It was opened as a museum on 1 February 1935. The Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque) was built between 1609 and 1616, during the rule of Ahmed I. The design of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque is the culmination of two centuries of both Ottoman mosque and Byzantine church development. It incorporates some Byzantine elements of the neighboring Hagia Sophia with traditional Islamic architecture and is considered to be the last great mosque of the classical period. The architect has ably synthesized the ideas of his master Sinan, aiming for overwhelming size, majesty and splendour. The Late afternoon will be free to explore the Area of Sultanahmet by your own. Alternative: take a fairy boot to the Asian site of Istanbul, to Kadiköy out of the touristic route where we can have a look into the real local life of Istanbul. Anemon Hotel. DAY 3-5 May Istanbul (sightseeing Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern and the Grand Bazaar) Istanbul, formerly known as Constantinople, was the hub of the Ottoman Empire, and many of the 8 Hagia Sophia 59
ITINERARY CONTINUED grand buildings of this period are present today. You could easily spend a week in this city and still not have seen all the sites. Today we visit the Topkapı Palace, the main palace of the Ottomans from 1460 till 1850. The palace is among the the monuments contained within the Historic Areas of Istanbul which became a Unesco World Heritage site in 1985. On the way to the Grand bazaar we will visit the Basilica Cistern also known as the the Sunken Palace. Afterwards we will have free time in the Grand bazaar of Istanbul, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with 61 covered streets and over 3.000 shops which attract between 250.000 between 400.000 visitors daily. Anemon Hotel. DAY 4-6 May Istanbul Kayseri Cappadocia After having breakfast around 2hrs free time in Istanbul and then transfer to airport for domestic flight from Istanbul to Kayseri. When we arrive at Kayseri airport we will meet with our vehicle and transfer to Cappadocia via Soganli Valley. 10 Cappadocia 11 Alfina Hotel. DAY 5-7 May Cappadocia Cappadocia is an extraordinary geological area of central Turkey reminiscent of a lunar landscape pitted with small volcanic craters, vast barren plateaus and steep jagged cliffs. Only an occasional oasis laying low in semi fertile valleys fed by mineral laden volcanic soil breaks its moonlike landscape. Several centuries ago the Christians hid from the encroaching Arab forces by building underground cave-like cities linked by secret tunnels. Only when it was safe to surface did the people tend to their fields above. Some of the cities descend some 21 stories. After breakfast we will go walking in Kizilvadi, the Red Valley, and visit the troglodyte town Cavusin. We will also see the most interesting triple capped fairy chimneys in Pasabag Valley. There is the option of enjoying a traditional Turkish bath to relax after all orwe go to discover local handcraft of the area, will visit a carpet workshop, whether knotted or flat woven (Kilim) carpets are among the best known art forms produced by the Turks from time immemorial. There are environmental, sociological, economic, and religious reasons for the widespread art of carpet
ITINERARY CONTINUED weaving among the Turkish people from Central Asia to Turkey. Alfina Hotel. DAY 6-8 May Derinkuyu Ihlara Guzelyurt Cappadocia In the morning we drive to Ihlara canyon area for a half day hike via Derinkuyu underground city. Ihlara is one of the nicest walk in the region, a river running in the middle of a gorge of 100m high steep walls hanging on both sides, trees, birds and acoustic of water gives you a very pleasant walk as well as a good taste of Christian s life. We will have time to visit couple of churches and have lunch in the middle of valley at a river side restaurant. In the afternoon visit Selime Monastery, one of the largest ones in the region and spend the late afternoon in Guzelyurt, a Greek town until 1924, beautiful architecture of houses and if you still want to see more; can take a hike in the Monastery Valley, visiting the Cami Kilise, one of the earliest churches in the whole region. In the late afternoon we will drive back tour Hotel in Goreme. Alfina Hotel. Turkey has long been a geographical bridge between the East and West and as a result its heritage is rich, from ancient Roman ruins to Ottoman palaces to Byzantine monasteries suspended on cliffs to the First World War battlefields of Gallipoli. DAY 7-9 May Antalya From here we head to Antalya, located on the beautiful Mediterranean coast of Southern Turkey, first visit Sultanhani, the largest Caravanserai of Country, a hostel for caravans during 13th Century. After a three hour drive we break our journey in Konya where we stop to visit the Whirling Dervishes museum. We then drive for a further four hours through the Taurus Mountains to arrive in Antalya. Antalya is a beautiful coastal town, set atop a limestone plateau, with the Beydaglari Mountain peak looming to the west. Aspen Hotel. DAY 8-10 May Kas From Antalya we drive along the coast to Phaselis, few ruined cities can challenge Phaselis in its location. A forested peninsula with three bays that once were natural harbours, now attractive beaches.in the afternoon carry on driving to township of Demre, famous for the ruins of Myrawith its Lycian rock-hewn tombs. Linda Hotel. 12 Kas 13
ITINERARY CONTINUED DAY 9-11 May Cruises to Kekova Islands Today we will enjoy the turquoise waters of Mediterranean by boat. We start cruising along the Mediterranean coastline to the village of Kale where we plan to explore the ruins of ancient Simena and the medieval Byzantine fortress set above the village. Further time will be spent on Kekova Island where the shoreline boasts Byzantine foundations and ruins partly submerged in the sea. This is known as the sunken city. Following a swim and exploration of the sunken city by land we continue on to Ucagiz, an unspoilt fishing village with white washed houses dotted with Lycian tombs. Linda Hotel. DAY 10-12 May Kas Fethiye Today we drive to Fethiye. Modern Fethiye is located on the site of the ancient city of Telmessos and was the most important city of Lycia, with a recorded history starting in the 5th century BC. Fethiye is one of Turkey s well-known tourist centres and is especially popular during the summer. We spend the Night in Fethiye. After arriving Fethiye we will visit Oludeniz and Kayaköy. Alesta Yacht Hotel. DAY 11-13 May Fethiye Dalyan Akyaka We drive northwest to the Dalyan where we cruise with a boat through the shellfy delta to one of the longest and most beautiful beach of Turkey; the Iztuzu beach. After a one hour drive we arrive at the small town called Akyaka; houses of build-up in traditional style with a glass clear river tour is awaiting us here. Akyaka at the Kerme Ottoman Hotel. DAY 12-14 May Akyaka Pamukkale After Breakfast we drive towards Pamukkale along none-touristy roads of South-Eastern Toros Mountains and arrive to Pamukkale (Cotton Castle); created by deposits from thermal waters that cascaded down the mountainside over hundreds of years, forming a myriad of pools and terraces. As the water overflows from the pools, dazzling cream-coloured stalactites are formed that, from afar, resemble cotton or snow. White pools are full 14 Kekova 15
ITINERARY CONTINUED of hot-spring water that has healing powers for human s circulation and digestive systems. Just next to Pamukkale are the ruins of Hierapolis, found in 2th Century B.C., became a health centre later. Pamukkale at the Doga Thermal Hotel. DAY 13-15 May Pamukkale Ephesus Selcuk After breakfast we drive to Selçuk to visit the ancient site of Ephesus, one of the twelve cities of the Ionian League during the Classical Greek era. In the Roman period, it was for many years the second largest city of the Roman Empire; ranking behind Rome. Ephesus contains the largest collection of Roman ruins in the eastern Mediterranean. Only an estimated 15% has been excavated. The ruins that are visible give some idea of the city s original splendour and the names associated with the ruins are evocative of its former life. We spend the Night in Selcukat the Hotel. Izmir/Selcuk at the Nea Efessos Boutique. DAY 14-16 May Selcuk Izmir Home Transfer to Izmir airport where the Trip concludes. Turkish food is varied and delicious. It s often meze style with lots of small dishes to sample. It involves a lot of meat, often in kebab form but there are plenty of options for vegetarians too. 16 Myra ancient city 17
ITINERARY CONTINUED Camera skills We will assist you out in the field with the camera skills needed to capture those incredible moments. Regardless of your level and your camera equipment, you will improve your skills as a photographer and you will learn the craft with an expert team. Post-processing During the workshop, we might have the opportunity to process and enhance your images using Lightroom, Photoshop, Capture One and other editing software. If the weather is good, we will be out in the nature photographing but there are always opportunities to sit down and work on your images when we are in our hotel/accommodation. Critique sessions The purpose of critiques is to offer one s impression of a photo. During this session normally at the last day of the tour you will have professional views of your work with a constructive evaluation to include feedback, suggestions and tips. Photography is an art and therefore critiques can often feel personal, but it is often a great learning exercise to have your images reviewed by some professional photographers. Turkey s terrain is very varied with over 8,000 km of coastline, split between the turquoise Mediterranean and the Black Sea, plus multiple mountain ranges undulating steppes and placid lakes. A diverse land, and the perfect introduction to the East. Level of photography All skill levels are welcome. We will be providing instruction on all aspects of image capture and post processing and it does not really matter whether you are a beginner or an expert photographer. We welcome photographers using equipment from mobile phones and tablets, compact cameras to digital SLR cameras. If you haven t traveled with me before, you will need to fill a pre-tour questionnaire, so I understand your level and where to focus. Physical requirements Our guides will take us to a range of different locations most of which involve some short walks. Sometimes, we may take longer walks, but all excursions are optional and if you are tired, you can always sleep in and relax in the hotels. In this expedition there is not strenuous walking/trekking involved. Temperatures can range from day to night so packing layers is essential. 18 On location 19
THE TEAM Ignacio is an experienced travel photographer who has traveled around the world and provided tuition to hundreds of enthusiasts and professionals during their photographer workshops and tours. IGNACIO PALACIOS Ignacio Palacios is a Spanish/ Australian travel photographer based on Planet Earth that stops in Sydney from time to time. He is best known for his travel, landscapes and fine art photography. His previous background was in engineering and management consultant for various companies in wind and renewable energies. Although he has been a part time photographer since 1998, he became a full time professional photographer in 2012 following the footsteps of three generations of photographers in his family. Ignacio has traveled around the world since 1998, gathering an extensive collection of images of people, places, wildlife and landscapes across more than 80 countries in five different continents. He is one of the world s few full-time professional photographers/guides and he has led tours to Patagonia, the Altiplano, the Atacama Desert, Galapagos, Spain, Norway, Finland, and Iceland since 2013. Ignacio writes and provides images to numerous magazines and publications around the world, such as Luminous Landscape and Lonely Planet books and guides. He has received Australian and International awards and has been a finalist and highly commended in some prestigious competitions such as the NSW AIPP Epson Awards, BBC Veolia Environment Wildlife Photographer, National Geographic Travel Contest, Australian Geographic Photographer of the Year, Travel Photography or the Year, IPA, Head On, Eyes on Asia and the International Loupe awards. In 2014 he was awarded with a LUX Gold in Spain (the most prestigious professional photography award in his country). www.iptravelphotography.com.au 20 St. Nicolaus Church 21
TERMS AND CONDITIONS WORKSHOP DATES AND PRICES Tour dates: 3-16 May 2020 The tour commences in Istanbul and ends in Izmir, Turkey Cost is US$8,990 per person, twin share. Single room supplement: US$1,190 Maximum 12 participants A deposit of US$2,000 is required when you book the workshop Terms of payment A deposit of US$2,000 must be paid to secure your place. The deposit is non-refundable unless you can sell your place to someone else Note: the workshop is quoted in US$. To calculate the rate in AU$, the currency exchange rate will be obtained from the Westpac website at the time of transferring the deposit and balance (https://www. westpac.com.au/personalbanking/services/currencyconverter/). If you are located outside Australia, I accept payments in US$ through PayPal and Transferwise. The payment should be sent in US$. Any bank fees, PayPal or Transferwise fees should be paid. Wire transfers from overseas directly into my bank account are also accepted but the amount in AU$ will have to be calculated taking into account the Westpac currency exchange rate at the time of transferring the deposit. The Registration Form must be filled in and signed by each participant at the time of paying the first deposit. Participation will be declined otherwise The remaining balance must be paid on or before 1 October 2019 Bookings will be accepted strictly in the order they are received Important: the workshop requires a minimum of 6 participants to run so please don t book your flights until the trip has been confirmed. All meals, full board, soft drinks, water, coffee and tea All excursions All airport transfers Domestic flight from Istanbul to Kayseri English speaking Turkish guide throughout the tour who will look after you exclusively All local taxes Entrance fees in the parks/ reserves, museums, concerts, churches and monasteries Travel agent support letter to apply for Turkish visa (if required). What s not included International flights to/from Turkey Overnight accommodation prior to and following the expedition Travel and cancelation insurance. Please note that travel insurance with emergency evacuation is mandatory as a condition of booking Visas (if required) Camera/Equipment Insurance Optional personal activities Alcohol consumption, extra beverages and souvenirs purchased during the tour outside the main meals Any other personal expenses such as telephone calls, laundry, room service etc. Airport Taxes and excess baggage charges Video recording or photography fees at sights and performances service, it is entirely appropriate to tip them. We emphasize that such tips should be at your own discretion and based solely on the level of your service satisfaction. Cancellation Policy A written notice of any cancellation must be received by you at which time the following cancellation fees will apply: If cancelled between 1 October 2019 and end of 1 February 2020, 50% of the workshop cost will be payable If cancelled between 1 February 2020 and before departure, a fee equal to 100% of the workshop cost will be payable Failure to pay by the due dates will be considered a cancellation of the booking and fees paid will be nonrefundable Bookings made after 1 October 2020 must be paid in full No refunds will be made for unused portions of the workshop. The photography workshop is sold as a land package (no airfares included) Cancellation fees are not transferable. Camera gear There is really no limit to what camera gear you take. Check with your airline about weight restrictions. Whatever level of camera equipment you have, we will help to ensure you get the most out of it. Check the camera equipment checklist at the end of the brochure but if you want to discuss specific equipment for this trip, contact me. terrain or tracks and hiking. A basic level of walking fitness will help, but this tour is not a hiking tour or a trekking tour so nothing extreme will be required. If you have concerns about your own capabilities or health, please check with your doctor before booking a place. By signing the Registration Form, you guarantee that to the best of your knowledge, you do not have any physical or other disability that could create a risk for you or other tour participants. Once a booking has been accepted by IP Travel Photography, medical circumstances will not be accepted as an exemption to the Cancellation Policy above. Within the Registration Form, please indicate any health issues, allergies or dietary requirements. IP Travel Photography does not assume any responsibility or liability for medical care or special dietary requirements. If a participant become ill during the workshop, IP Travel Photography reserves the right to continue the tour for the benefit of the rest of the participants. IP Travel Photography will make every effort to assist you whilst trying to minimize disruption of the workshop for other participants. Visas A valid passport is essential to all international travel; please check the expiry date of your passport, and ensure you have a sufficient number of blank pages for Visas, entry/exit stamps etc. for the entire intended duration of travel. A visitor who requires a tourist visa to enter Turkey can apply for it either through a Turkish Embassy or Turkish Consulate. Depending on your nationality you might have different requirements, please check with a Turkish consulate about your specific situation. Rights IP Travel Photography reserves the right to: Substitute hotels/ accommodation Make changes in the itinerary or transport if required due to changes in airline schedules, or when necessary. We may be forced to change or alter the itinerary due to unforeseen circumstances; please be aware, however, that we will attempt to stick as close to the original program as possible Cancel the workshop prior to departure, in which case a full refund of all payments received will be given. If such event occurred, IP Travel Photography will not be responsible for any other expenses such as nonrefundable air fares, visa fees and other related expenses. The responsibility for such bookings lies with the participant. As such, IP Travel Photography recommends participants to purchase a travel protection and cancelation insurance prior to paying the first deposit Substitute the tour leader and guest photographer as originally specified, in which case this substitution will not entitle the participant of a refund Accept or refuse any person as a participant in the workshop Change the price of the workshop at any time due to adverse currency exchange fluctuations, airline schedule changes, fuel and tax price charges. Change the price of the workshop at any time due to major unforeseen increases in expedition related costs and may have to be adjusted as a result. Liability The operation of the workshop is at the sole discretion of Ignacio Palacios (IP Travel Photography Pty Ltd), having in mind the wellbeing and interests of all participants and the safe and sensible operation of the program as specified within this itinerary IP Travel Photography does not accept any liability for the acts, omissions or default, whether negligent or otherwise of third party providers IP Travel Photography disclaims liability for any injury, damage, loss, delay, additional expense or trouble caused by force majeure or any other event which is not preventable by reasonable diligence on IP Travel Photography s part. IP Travel Photography IP Travel Photography Pty Ltd is an ASIC business name with Australian Business Number 16578586693 and registered in Australia under the Business Names Registration. IP Travel Photography (Ignacio Palacios) will guide and provide photography tuition to all participants during the tour. IP Travel Photography is not a Tips/gratuitiess To enter Turkey as a tourist a Note on tips: gratuities for local visitor needs to obtain a tourist guides, hotel staff, butlers etc. Fitness and health visa. The tourist visa is valid for a are not included on this tour. Run the photography workshop What s included considerations period of 90 days. However, the However, if you feel that any without the guest photographer Full 14 days (13 nights) in Sometimes participants will be need for a tourist visa depends 22 staff has given you exceptional if the group size is less than 6 travel agent or travel service Turkey required to walk on uneven on the nationality of the visitor. participants provider. 23
CHECKLIST Camera equipment DSLR. To bring a couple of bodies is always recommended. (check your baggage allowance with your airline/travel agent) Tripod with quick release plate Standard zoom, wide angle and telephoto lens Plenty of batteries and a couple of chargers Shutter cable release Polarising filter and ND filters Laptop computer with Photoshop and Lightroom and/ or Capture One External backup drives (SSD recommended) and memory cards for storage. We recommend to shrink-wrap your baggage at your departure airport. Ensure your telephoto lenses are packed in protective packs designed for such lenses. We also recommend that you pack your camera equipment as your hand luggage as much as possible so that if the checked-in baggage is lost or delayed at least you can start photographing as soon as you arrive. What to bring, clothing and other Our accommodation is clean and comfortable with all bedding and towels provided. Hiking boots (well-worn in) and good socks Gore-Tex Thin gloves and hat Water bottle or camel pack Hat, sunscreen, insect repellent Sunglasses Raincoat Head torch Alarm clock/smart phone. IP Travel Photography reserves the right to cancel this workshop. In the event of this happening, all payments received will be refunded but participants shall have no further claim against IP Travel Photography arising from such cancellation. Any such refund will not include payments for any bookings for other services made in addition to the itinerary outlined above. The responsibility for such bookings lies with the participant. As such, IP Travel Photography recommends participants to purchase a travel protection insurance prior to paying the first deposit. To reserve your place for 2020 or to make an enquiry, please email ignacio@iptravelphotography. com.au Note: Please contact me if you want to discuss equipment for this trip. 24 Ürgüp Cappadocia 25
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TO RESERVE YOUR PLACE FOR 2020 OR TO MAKE AN ENQUIRY, PLEASE EMAIL IGNACIO@IPTRAVELPHOTOGRAPHY.COM.AU 2019 IP Travel Photography www.iptravelphotography.com.au