Contact Details For more information contact the WEA tours office during office hours. Phone: (08) 8223 1272 Fax: (08) 8232 3690 Write to: Tours Office, Box 7055 Hutt St PO, Adelaide 5000 Email: tours@wea-sa.com.au Web Site: www.wea-sa.com.au WEA Travel TTA183 Overseas Cultural Tours
TURKEY: THE CRADLE OF CIVILISATION 22 nd September 13 th October 2009 Discover the historical riches of Turkey in this carefully planned tour. Turkey is a fascinating country where many important civilisations have flourished since 1000 BC. Turkey was home to the ancient Hittites, Persians, Macedonians, Romans, Byzantines through to the Ottomans which have left behind them superb architectural, archaeological and historical heritage. Turkey, considered the gateway between Europe and Asia is located on the Mediterranean stretching across the Anatolian peninsula in south-west Asia and the Balkan region of south-eastern Europe. It is bordered by the Black Sea, the Marmara Sea, the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Your Tour Leader Dr Anne Geddes, formerly Senior Lecturer Classics Department, University of Adelaide, has led numerous WEA Tours to Turkey since 1994. Through her knowledge and your local guide the myths and history of these cultures will come alive, especially at sites like Troy where few visible structures remain.
Itinerary Day 1 Tuesday 22 September Depart Adelaide International Airport on Malaysian Airlines for our flight to Kuala Lumpur. (Meals in flight). Overnight in Kuala Lumpur Day 2 Wednesday 23 September A morning departure from Kuala Lumpur has us arriving in Istanbul in the afternoon where we will transfer to our hotel for a three-night stay. Your WEA Tour Leader will help you find places where you can change money and buy dinner. (Meals in flight). Overnight in Istanbul Day 3 Thursday 24 September Istanbul Day Tour Today we enjoy a full day s tour of this cosmopolitan city, where east meets west. We begin with the Topkapi Palace, residence of the Ottoman Sultans for about 400 years. You will see the Harem section, another palace inside the Topkapi hear the history of eunuchs and the high education of concubines. Continuing we walk to Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya), Church of the Divine Wisdom Istanbul s most famous monument. Built by Constantine the Great in the 4th Century, it was used as a mosque during the Ottoman era until 1935 and today is a museum encompassing both Christianity and Islam. Across the park, the Blue Mosque still in use today is famous for its beautiful blue tiles decorating the interior walls. Later in the afternoon, we will discover the highlights of the ancient Hippodrome with its Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column, and other great features. (Breakfast, Dinner). Overnight in Istanbul
Day 4 Friday 25 September Istanbul Cruise on the Bosporus This morning we start with a visit to Suleymaniye s Mosque with its cascading domes and four slender minarets dominating the skyline on the Golden Horn s west bank. We then visit the Spice Bazaar a covered market building where merchandise, especially sacks of sweet smelling dried fruits, herbs, spices and sweets such as Turkish delight, flows out from the little shops onto the narrow passages. Then we have a short walk to board our boat where we will enjoy a Bosporus Cruise. Enjoy a great photographic opportunity as we cruise the mighty Bosporus Strait, lined on either side with historical fortresses, Sultan palace pavilions and opulent palaces of Ottoman wealth. The 19th Century classical style Dolmabaci Palace is on the European bank of the Sea of Marmara and the Beylerbei is on the Asian bank. (Breakfast, Dinner). Overnight in Istanbul Day 5 Saturday 26 September Istanbul Bursa Today we will have a leisurely start and cross the Bosporous following the shores of the Sea of Marmara to the Gulf of Gemlik. Here we head inland towards the Uludag, also called Mount Olympus of Mysia. Bursa lies in its shade, surrounded by lovely orchards and tobacco fields. Founded by the Greeks and fiercely contested during the Crusades, Bursa had its glory days as the capital of the Ottoman Empire. In the afternoon, we visit the great monuments to this period; the ornate Green Ottoman Complex and the Grand Mosque (Ulu Camii). (Breakfast, Dinner). Overnight in Bursa
Day 6 Sunday 27 September Bursa Ankara This morning we leave Bursa and drive east into the heart of the Anatolian Highland. We tour the excavations of the site of the Phyrian capital of Gordion, where Alexander the Great cut the famous Gordion knot and opened the way to Asia. From here we go on to see the great Earth Tumulus of King Midas famous for the legend of the Golden Touch. We overnight in Ankara, capital of the Turkish Republic since 1923, and Turkey s second largest city. (Breakfast, Dinner). Overnight in Ankara Day 7 Monday 28 September Ankara to Cappadocia A full day with a morning stop at the Mausoleum of Ataturk, a memorial tomb of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk leader of the Turkish War of Independence in 1923. Then onto the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, with its unique collection of Hittites and Phrygian metalwork, stag cult figures and relief s. In the afternoon, we head through the salt steppes and swamps of central Anatolioa towards the volcanic plateau of Cappadocia where we will stay for the next two nights. (Breakfast, Dinner). Overnight in Cappadocia Region Day 8 Tuesday 29 September Cappadocia A full day touring the surreal moonlandscapes around Goreme with its Rock Chapels carved by the early Christians and decorated with frescoes dating from the 6th to the 10th centuries. Next are the
Monastic Complex of Zelve, the Troglodyte Village of Avcilar, and the Kaymakl, Underground City carved out of stone in 2000BC. This part of the world played an important part in the history of the early Christian Church and this extraordinary city accommodated several civilizations including the world s first seminary created by priests. Possible optional balloon trip in the early morning over the region. Day 9 Wednesday 30 September Cappadocia to Konya (Breakfast, Dinner). Overnight in Cappadocia Region Leaving Cappadocia we drive westward along the ancient Silk Road toward Konya. The great days of Konya were during the period of the Seljuk Turks who made it their capital. Their buildings overall are adorned with painted tiles.
The most famous inhabitant of Konya was Celaleddin Rumi, usually known as Melvana the founder of the mystical sect of the Whirling dervishes. At Sunltanhani we stop to visit the Caravanserai, a fort on the Silk Route where the caravans stopped for supplies and trading. (Breakfast, Dinner). Overnight in Konya Day 10 Thursday 1 October Konya to Antalya This morning we head off south across the Taurus Mountains into the abundant green forests, orchards and olive groves on the hills sloping down to the Mediterranean Sea toward the main city ofantalya. Tonight we can enjoy the beautiful harbour and stand upon the ancient city walls and ramparts built by the Greeks. (Breakfast, Dinner). Overnight in Antalya Day 11 Friday 2 October Antalya A day sightseeing is the perfect introduction to Antalya on the Mediterranean Sea, an area known as the Turquoise Coast. Our day includes Hadrianus Gate from the time of Roman Emperor Hadrian; Clock Tower; Palm Street; Old Town
with Marina; Republican Square and finally, Antalya Archaeological Museum; where Antalya s several thousand years of history is laid out before you in chronological order. We travel out to the ancient city of Perge, which is the closest Roman ruin to Antalya. The Great Theatre and the stadium of Perge are its most alluring and still intact buildings, but the most photographed are the remnants of the massive Hellenistic Roman gate towers. At Aspendos, we enter the finest Roman theatre (161-180 AD) the most fascinating one in the world, superbly restored and still in use today. (Breakfast, Dinner). Overnight in Antalya Day 12 Saturday 3 October Antalya to Kas On our way to Kas we will stop off at the ancient city of Phaselis founded as an important trading port in the 7 th Century BC. Ancient Phaselis is set on three small perfect bays, now protected within the grounds of a beautiful national park. We then move onto ancient Myra (Demre) where we visit the Church of St Nicholas, better known to us as the one and only... Santa Claus. In the afternoon we will cruise to Kekove, a peaceful group of islands well scattered with very distinct rock sarcophagi and ancient submerged ruins. There is the possibility of a swim from the boat in the salty and buoyant waters of the Mediterranean before heading to our hotel for the night. (Breakfast, Dinner). Overnight in Kas Day 13 Sunday 4 October Kas to Pamukkale A morning drive inland across two mountain passes to Pamukkale. The name means, Cotton Castle and refers to the spectacular white lime cascades formed by its hot springs. Visit the fascinating archaeological sites of Hierapolis, the thermal resort founded by a Pergamene
King in 190 BC and greatly enlarged and embellished by the Romans. At the hotel tonight, a leisurely bath in a pool of hot thermal water might be just the way to relax. (Breakfast, Dinner). Overnight in Pamukkale Day 14 Monday 5 October Pamukkale to Kusadasi A pleasant easy day of travel through the lovely mountainous region around Pamukkale and down to the Agean coast. On the way, we visit the ancient city of Aphrodisias, which flourished under Roman and Byzantine rule. Excavations in the 24-metre-high (78 ft) theatre hill have revealed layers of settlement going back to the Bronze Age (c. 2800-2200 BC). Our stopover for the next two nights is Kusadasi a popular cruise ship port where you will find vibrant oriental markets. (Breakfast, Dinner). Overnight in Kusadasi Day 15 Tuesday 6 October Kusadasi Today we visit Ancient Ephesus. One of the most interesting and extensive ancient cities in the world, established by the Greeks, and successively occupied by Persians and Romans. The art and architecture of emperors adorn the city in a state of remarkable preservation. The Theatre, the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, Corinthian Temple, the Baths of Scholastica, the town brothel and many more will feature throughout the day. Before we leave Ephesus we will have time to see The Cave of Seven Sleepers. Then stop at the Temple of Artemis, protectress of Ephesus which dates back to 1300 BC and is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Our day will continue with The House of Virgin Mary which is situated at Mt Bulbul. It is believed that Virgin Mary came to Selcuk with Apostle John from Jerusalem after Jesus was crucified and spent her last days there until she died at the age of 64. The day will end with a visit to Ephesus Archaeological Museum where you will have the chance to see a statue of Artemis from Ephesus dating back to the 2 nd century AD. (Breakfast, Dinner). Overnight in Kusadasi
Day 16 Wednesday 7 October Kusadasi to Assos This morning a drive to Pergamum, a powerful kingdom during the ancient Hellenistic period and visit the Acropolis. An impressive structure of the Acropolis houses the Temple of Trajan, the Heroon Shrine, the Sanctuary of Athena and the Altar of Zeus, where we view the Theatre and the Library of Pergamum, the collections of which came second only to that of Egypt s Alexandria. We continue onto to Asklepion, the ancient medical centre built in the name of Aesculapis, God of Medicine, where different healing methods like therapy with music and the sound of water were first used. After Pergamum, we continue towards the city of Assos for our overnight stay. (Breakfast, Dinner). Overnight in Assos Day 17 Thursday 8 October Assos and Troy After breakfast we explore the ancient city of Assos, the ancient Aeolian city clinging to a rocky hillside above the charming and sensitively developed fishing village of Behramkale in the Aegean region. The area was first colonised by the Greeks from the island of Lesbos and in the 6th century BC became part of Lydia and eventually the Persian province. It was a philosophical intellectual centre, thanks to Aristotle and the Cleantheses of Associations one of the founders of the Stoic School. On the top of the city the Temple of Athena, goddess of the city and fine arts and war, has the best place to watch the sunset. We then drive to the city of Troy, which existed over 4000 years ago, known as the centre of ancient civilizations. This famous archaeological and mythological site, home of the Trojan Horse and Helen of Troy has become famous from stories of the Trojan War. It is believed to be the sixth or seventh Troy. (Breakfast, Dinner). Overnight in Canakkale
TURKEY: THE CRADLE OF CIVILISATION 22 nd September 12 th October 2009
Itinerary Summary Day 1: Depart Adelaide to Kuala Lumpur Day 2: Arrive Istanbul Day 3: Istanbul Day Tour Day 4: Istanbul: Suleymaniye s Mosque, Spice bazaar and cruise on the Bosporus Day 5: Istanbul to Bursa, capital of the Ottoman empire Day 6: Travel to Ankara via Gordion Day 7: Morning: Ankara, modern capital of Turkey Afternoon: Travel to Cappadoccia Day 8: Cappadoccia: surreal landscapes and underground dwellings Day 9: Cappadoccia to Konya via the ancient Silk Road Day 10: Konya to Antalya on the Mediterranean Sea Day 11: Antalya and the ancient city of Perge Day 12: Antalya to Kas, Afternoon: Cruise to Kekove Day 13: Kas to Pammukale and its spectacular cascading hot springs Day 14: Pammukale to Kusadasi on the Agean coast Day 15: Kusadasi and the ancient city of Ephesus Day 16: Kusadasi to Assos via Pergamum Day 17: The ancient city of Assos and the archaeological site of Troy Day 18: Gallipoli Peninsula including Anzac Cove and Lone Pine, Return to Istanbul Day 19: Depart Istanbul Overnight in transit Day 20: Kuala Lumpur Two days at leisure Day 21: Kuala Lumpur Overnight in transit Day 22:Arrive Adelaide WEA Travel TTA183 Overseas Cultural Tours
Day 18 Friday 9 October Gallipoli We cross the Dardanelles by ferry and arrive on the Gallipoli Peninsula. We reach the coastline that has been set aside as a permanent memorial to the thousands of dead from the allied campaign to capture the Dardanelles in1915. Our day will include the Kabatepe War Museum, Anzac Cove, Lone Pine (Australia s Memorial Cemetery), Quinns Post, Turkish 57 th Regiment Cemetery, The Nek and Chunuk-Bair (New Zealand s Memorial and Cemetery). We arrive late afternoon in Istanbul and transfer to our hotel for our final night in Turkey. (Breakfast, Dinner). Overnight in Istanbul
Day 19 Saturday 10 October Istanbul Today we transfer to the International Airport for our flight to Kuala Lumpur. (Meal in flight) Day 20 Sunday 11 October We arrive in Kuala Lumpur in the morning and transfer to our hotel. The remainder of the day is free to explore the city sights or rest. (No meals included). Overnight in Kuala Lumpur Day 21 Monday 12 October After a free day in Kuala Lumpur, we will transfer to the International Airport for our evening flight back to Adelaide (Meals in flight) Day 22 Tuesday 13 October We arrive early in the morning at Adelaide International Airport.
Important Notes Cost: The inclusive Adelaide to Adelaide fee is $5450 (Subject to increases levied by tour operators, airlines, hotels, governments and currency fluctuations - December 2008) Single supplement is an additional $980 (as at December 2008) A deposit of $300 is to accompany the Tour Enrolment form. Final payment due by close of business Friday 24 July 2009 with a valid passport required from this date for obtaining visas. Inclusions: Air travel Adelaide to Istanbul and return. Twin share accommodation in tourist class hotels with private facilities. Meals as per itinerary, in flight meals and snacks served according to airline policy. All admission fees, transfers and tours as detailed in the itinerary unless specified as optional. Pre-tour get-together with wine and cheese at the WEA Centre, Angas Street, Adelaide. Educational study notes. Notes: Where possible the WEA will attempt to match singles wishing to share, however this cannot be guaranteed and the single supplement will apply should no match be possible. Any changes or extensions to the WEA Tour travel arrangements must be in writing at least two months before final payment date. No changes will be pursued if altered flights are not able to be confirmed by the airline at the time of final payment. A service fee of $100 will be incurred for individual alterations to the Group Tour arrangements in addition to fees and charges levied by our suppliers.
Exclusions: Passports (6 months validity and at least two blank pages is required). All visas WEA will arrange where necessary. Travel insurance must be obtained and sighted by the WEA Travel office prior to departure refer Clause 11 of Enrolment Conditions. Personal items and drinks with meals. Gratuities and tips. Single room supplement does not include stopovers provided by the airlines between connecting flights. Airport taxes to be advised. E&OE The WEA regularly organises tours to many parts of the world including developing destinations. Travel to such destinations can require special conditions. The WEA urges you to attend any pre-tour briefing that may be arranged. You are also urged to study the Tour Enrolment Conditions following. The Department of Foreign Affairs has daily updates of Travel Advisories on their internet site: www.smarttraveller.gov.au
Tour Enrolment Conditions THESE CONDITIONS are to be read in conjunction with and deemed to form part of the attached TOUR ENROLMENT FORM. That form must be signed by you prior to your enrolment in the tour described herein. The conditions form part of your offer to WEA and of your contract with WEA. Please read them carefully. 1 EXCURSION FEE Subject to condition 8, the cost of the tour shall be $5,450 which is hereafter called the tour fee. 2 DEPOSIT 2.1 Upon enrolment, a deposit of $300 shall be paid immediately to WEA and 2.2 The deposit will not be accepted unless it is accompanied by a completed TOUR ENROLMENT FORM 2.3 After acceptance by WEA of your enrolment, the deposit will not be refunded by WEA under any circumstances. 3 CONFIRMATION OF ENROLMENT 3.1 Upon receipt of the TOUR ENROLMENT FORM and the deposit, WEA will confirm in writing on your receipt the acceptance or non acceptance of the enrolment. 3.2 It is only upon the confirmation of acceptance of the enrolment that a contract shall come into existence. 3.3 The date of formation of acceptance of the contract and the acceptance of the enrolment shall be the date shown on the written confirmation of acceptance to be issued by WEA 3.4 WEA reserves the right to refuse to accept any enrolment and shall not be bound to give any reasons for its refusal. 3.5 If WEA does not accept your enrolment, your deposit will be refunded in full. 4 PAYMENT OF BALANCE 4.1 The balance of the tour fee shall be paid by the close of business on Friday, 24 July 2009 at the offices of WEA at 223 Angas Street Adelaide 5000. 4.2 Enrolments in relation to which payments are received by WEA after that date may or may not be accepted by WEA at its absolute discretion.
5 EFFECT OF NON-PAYMENT OF BALANCE Both non-payment of the balance of the tour fee by the due date and nonacceptance by WEA of a late payment of the balance of the tour fee will result in: 5.1 The forfeiture of the deposit paid by you; and 5.2 Cancellation of your enrolment so that there shall thereafter be no further contractual relationship whatsoever between you and the WEA. 6 CANCELLATIONS 6.1 Cancellations will be accepted after your enrolment is accepted but not after the payment by you of the balance of the tour fee. 6.2 If a cancellation is made by you during the period after your enrolment is accepted but before the payment by you of the balance of the tour fee, WEA is not required to repay your deposit to you. 6.3 No cancellation of any nature whatsoever will be accepted after the payment of the balance of the tour fee. 7 CANCELLATION OF TOUR BY WEA - REFUND OF MONEYS 7.1 WEA may, at its discretion, cancel the tour prior to the date of commencement thereof. Upon your request the WEA will provide reasons for its decision to cancel the tour. 7.2 WEA shall be entitled to cancel the tour after its commencement if, in the opinion of WEA or the tour leader: (i) the continuation of the tour would for any reason jeopardise the safety of the participants; (ii) the continuation of the tour would for any reason make the tour financially (iii) burdensome to WEA or the tour leader: the continuation of the tour would for any reason violate any law or direction of any government authority and the re-routing of the tour is impracticable 7.3 Upon cancellation of the tour, WEA will repay to you in full any monies paid by you pursuant to this contract to the extent that they have not been paid by WEA to third parties. 7.4 WEA shall not be bound to seek to recover moneys paid by WEA to third parties, but if indemnified by you, will lend its name to an action for the recovery of moneys against such third parties.
8 VARIATION OF TOUR FEE 8.1 The tour fee has been calculated based on fees, fares and costs current as at time of publication 8.2 Increases in fees, air fares and other tour costs of any nature whatsoever which occur at any time before the commencement of the tour are at your risk and will be passed on to you. 8.3 Increased fees, fares and costs are payable by you within fourteen days of demand being made for the same by WEA. 8.4 In the event of failure by you to pay increased fees, fares and costs within fourteen days of demand being made for the same by WEA, you will be deemed to have cancelled your enrolment and clause 6 shall apply. 9 VARIATION OF TOUR 9.1 WEA reserves the right to change the itinerary of the tour: (a) when required to do so by events outside its control; or (b) if it or the tour leader is reasonably of the opinion that the change or changes are in the best interests of the participants of the tour. 9.2 No compensation shall be payable to you by WEA as a result of such changes. 10 THIRD PARTY LIABILITIES 10.1 All travel arrangements in relation to the tour (including arrangements for the issuing of tickets and the making or arrangements with travel agents, hotels, airlines, bus companies, railroad companies and other third parties) are made by WEA as your agent and not as agent for any third party. 10.2 Accordingly, WEA is not liable for any act, omission or default of any such third party (whether negligent or amounting to a breach of contract by the third party or otherwise) nor is it responsible for any loss, damage, or injury caused by any such third party. 10.3 In addition, you are subject to any conditions imposed by the third party on the tour arrangements. 11 TRAVEL INSURANCE 11.1 All tour participants must take out personal travel insurance to cover the costs and effects of personal injury, property loss or damage, tour delays and cancellations (including cancellations before the tour commences), repatriation, and all other risks against which international travellers usually insure. 11.2 WEA may require production of the insurance contract prior to the commencement of the tour.
11.3 If you are unable to show to the satisfaction of WEA that such an insurance has been issued to you, you will not be permitted to commence the tour. 11.4 In that event, you will not be entitled to a refund of any monies paid by you to WEA pursuant to this contract. 12 EXCLUSION CLAUSE 12.1 WEA does not accept any liability or responsibility for: (i) any loss, accident or delay however caused whether prior to, during or subsequent to the tour; or (ii) loss or damage caused to you or your effects caused (a) by the acts or omissions of its employees, whether negligent or involving a breach of contract or otherwise (b) by any act or omission of any nature by any third party 12.2 Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing, WEA shall not be responsible for any injury or loss caused by political disputes, border closures, refusal of visas, industrial action, delayed transport, effects of climate, war, natural disaster or other events beyond the control of WEA. 13 NECESSARY TRAVEL DOCUMENTS You are responsible for ensuring that all necessary travel documents (e.g passport, visas, certificates of vaccination (where and if required etc.) are current, valid and effective. 14 AUTHORITY OF TOUR LEADER 14.1 At all times before and after the commencement of the tour, the decision of WEA s expedition or tour leader or representative will be final on all matters pertinent to the safety and well being of the tour participants. 14.2 You must at all times strictly comply with the laws, customs and currency and drug regulations of all countries visited. Should you fail to comply with any such law, custom or regulation or should you interfere with the well being of the group, WEA s tour leader or WEA representative may order you to leave the tour and in that event you will have no right to any refund from or any other recourse against WEA. 15 DISCLOSURE OF MEDICAL CONDITIONS You are required to make full and true disclosure to WEA of all ailments and physical or psychological impairments of which you are aware that may affect in any way you ability to undertake the tour without endangering your health, or the
health or safety of other tour participants or the orderly progress of the tour. The WEA may at its discretion request a medical report from a medical practitioner nominated by the WEA concerning your physical and or psychological medical condition. The reports will be provided to the WEA at your cost. Upon production of the report the WEA may, at its discretion, terminate your enrolment. Upon termination in these circumstances the WEA is not bound to provide a reason for that termination. If your enrolment is terminated in these circumstances the WEA will (except where the tour is cancelled) fully refund to you all moneys paid by you pursuant to this contract. 16 EFFECTS OF ACTING ILLEGALLY Should you act in any way contrary to the laws of Australia or any other country during the course of the tour, you do so at your own risk and WEA is not obliged to provide legal or other assistance to you. 17 LAWS OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA This contract is subject to the law of South Australia and is to be interpreted in accordance with that law. The parties shall submit to the jurisdiction of the Courts of South Australia.
WEA Travel: Turkey 2009