Turkey

Turkey
A fusion of cultures
Since the dawn of time, this land of mountain ranges, high plateaus and fertile river valleys has been the bridge between Orient and Occident, a point where European and Asian cultures have clashed and combined. Once the core of the mighty Byzantine Empire and later of the great Islamic Ottoman Empire, the country has always played a major role in the history of humankind. Some of the earliest towns ever established existed here and the rivers which nurtured the great civilisations of the Fertile Crescent rise in the Turkish mountains. Whilst western Europe was being savaged by Goths and Vandals in the fifth and sixth centuries, the Byzantine emperors presided over a period of great splendour. Blue Mosque Modern Turkey combines this distinguished past with a very lively present and provides a wonderful playground for todays travellers. There is much to explore from Istanbul, the ancient city on the Bosphorus, to the gardens and parks of green Bursa, the old capital, hugging the slopes of the 2,443-metre Mount Uludag (Mount Olympos). For most visitors the Turkish coast is a prime attraction. The Aegean and Mediterranean shores stretch from the Greek border to the frontier with Syria and contain unspoiled sandy beaches and coves fringed with pine forests. Pristine fishing villages and busy market towns, exciting new resorts with a huge range of facilities, services and entertainment, the ruins of Troy, Pergamum, Ephesus and dozens of other fabled sites of antiquity are just waiting to be explored. Apart from the coast, one of the major pleasures of a holiday in Turkey is the excellent cuisine. Due to the enormous variety of fish, fowl, meat, grain, vegetable and fruit produced in the country, combined with the numerous cultures that settled here over the millennia, contemporary Turkish food is amazingly varied. Kebabs, pilavs, borek, egg-plant specialities and the tangy white feta cheese may have

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Grand Covered Bazaar, Istanbul

Sightseeing Istanbul, the cultural city of Turkey; Bursa, its mosques and bazaar; Mount Uludag; Bodrum, the ancient Halikarnassos; Antalya, with its well-preserved charming old quarter of Kaleici; boat cruises on the Aegean Sea; museums in major cities and national palaces. Accommodation Deluxe hotels in Istanbul and thermal spas in Bursa. Shopping What you can buy Excellent shopping in Istanbul, including carpets, suede and leather goods, pottery, glassware, jewellery, textiles and handicrafts. Where you can buy Grand Covered Bazaar and malls in Istanbul and department stores in main cities. Entertainment Numerous bars, discothques and nightclubs with belly dancers. Restaurants featuring Turkish food including mezze. Folkloric and cultural shows. Sports and leisure Water sports windsurfing, snorkelling, scuba diving, swimming, jet-skiing, skiing, fishing, boat cruises, parasailing and sailing; golf, trekking, thermal spas and Turkish hammams. found their way here from central Asia, but all were developed and refined in the kitchens of Turkey. Shoppers will be intrigued in Istanbuls teeming Kapali arsi, the old Grand Covered Bazaar or in modern malls. Turkish carpets are objects of great desire. The Turks claim to be the originators of the knotted pile carpet and they are the heirs to a long and illustrious tradition of textiles. Ula Great Mosque, Bursa

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Tours

The great Anatolia experience

7 days/6 nights Chauffeur-driven private car or minivan tour

Cappadocia

Istanbul Ankara Cappadocia Pamukkale Izmir Discover Ankara, the capital of Ataturk Visit the fairy-tale landscape at Cappadocia Journey to the vast ruins of Hierapolis Delight in Izmir, facing the Aegean Sea

Day 5: Pamukkale Izmir (223 kilometres) After breakfast visit the ancient city of Hierapolis, with its vast Necropolis, the biggest graveyard of the ancient world, Roman baths, basilica and calcium cliffs. After lunch visit the remarkably well-preserved Greco-Roman settlement of Aphrodisias, dedicated to the Goddess of Love. Dinner and overnight in Izmir. Day 6: Izmir Istanbul (455 kilometres) After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Meryemana and visit the House of Virgin Mary, before continuing to Ephesus, the Roman capital of Asia-Minor. Visit the ruins of Odeon, Hercules Gate, the Temple of Hadrian, the magnificent library, Agora and the fantastic Greco-Roman Theatre. Transfer to Istanbul for an overnight stay. Day 7: Istanbul The morning is at leisure before your late afternoon transfer to Istanbul airport for your departure flight. Total distance: 1,956 kilometres.

This tour takes you from Istanbul to Ankara, Turkeys capital since 1923. Explore Cappadocia, with its houses and churches carved out of the living rock. Journey to Pamukkale with its shimmering white cascades and the vast ruins of Hierapolis and then on to Izmir, situated on a half-moon bay facing the Aegean. Day 1: Istanbul Arrive in Istanbul and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul. Day 2: Istanbul Ankara (352 kilometres) After breakfast drive to Ankara. Overnight in Ankara. Day 3: Ankara Cappadocia (276 kilometres) After breakfast, start your day with visits to the Hittite Museum and the Mausoleum of Ataturk founder of the Turkish Republic. After lunch drive to Cappadocia. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia. Day 4: Cappadocia Pamukkale (650 kilometres) This drive takes you to the 13th century Seljukian Caravansary Sultanhan. En route to Konya, visit the famed Mevlana Museum and the Theological School of Whirling Dervishes. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale. Ephesus

BOSPHORUS Istanbul SEA OF MARMARA Ankara

AGEAN SEA Izmir

Pamukkale

Cappadocia

Tour available as: Chauffeur-driven private car or minivan tour Including airport transfers, entrance fees, English-speaking guide and pre-booked 3 star accommodation.

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Istanbul
The city where east meets west

For more than two millennia the domes, cupolas and minarets of Istanbul have overlooked the Bosphorus, the busy waterway that separates Asia from Europe. Today, this city is Turkeys centre of business, finance, communications and arts. The citys combination of long history and spectacular setting spread over seven hills and surrounded on three sides by water make it a particularly rewarding place to explore. The Topkapi Palace is a maze of buildings from Ottoman times, containing a priceless collection of porcelain, gold and silverware, gems, crystal, arms and calligraphy. Sultan Ahmed Mosque also known as the Blue Mosque is notable for its six exquisitely slender minarets and cascade of domes. The Museum of Turko-Islamic Art houses a superb collection of ancient illuminated copies of the Koran, old carpets and mosque furniture, crafts and miniature paintings. Turkish cuisine relies on the freshness and quality of the ingredients rather than complex recipes. Excellent food can be found all over the city from small bazaar cafs, kebab houses and traditional Istanbul taverns to international hotels. Most shoppers head for the Grand Bazaar, where amongst the maze of narrow, cobbled streets thousands of small shops offer an unbelievable choice of goods. Places of interest: Topkapi Palace; the Blue Mosque; the Museum of Turko-Islamic Art. Best buys: Turkish knotted pile and flat woven kilim carpets and rugs, onyx bowls and ornaments, jewellery, textiles, lace, embroidery, handicrafts, ceramics, copper and brassware, silver, leather goods and beads. Out and about: As a cultural and entertainment hub, Istanbul offers modern and classical plays,

opera, ballet and folkloric shows. Diners have a huge choice of restaurants, cafs and famous fish restaurants along the Bosphorus.

GRAND HYATT ISTANBUL

CIRAGAN PALACE KEMPINSKI ISTANBUL

Average climate in Istanbul

J MAX 0C 8 MIN 0C 3 HRS MM 3 F 9 2 4 M A M J J A S O N D 11 16 21 25 28 28 24 20 15 11 3 7 12 16 18 19 16 13 9 5 5 6 9 11 12 11 8 6 4 3

109 92 72 46 38 34 34 30 58 81 103 120

Topkapi Palace

Daily maximum and minimum averages are guides only and may vary.

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Excursions/Hotels

southern hill, Yule Tepe, is the quieter of the two and also home to St Georges Monastery. Your tour of the island is by horse-drawn carriage as motor vehicles are not permitted on the islands. There is plenty of time to savour the pine-scented air and swim or relax on a beach in one of the many coves that ring the island. After lunch enjoy shopping at the numerous shops conveniently situated close to the pier. In the evening board your boat for the return voyage to Istanbul. The cruise gives you a new perspective of the city with Topkapi Palace or Leanders Tower looking particularly lovely from the sea. This excursion includes pick-up and drop-off to the hotel, Englishspeaking guide, entry fees, lunch, ferry transfers and carriage ride.

Princess Islands
Full-day coach and boat excursion from Istanbul with lunch
This enthralling excursion takes you away from the bustle of Istanbul to the peace and tranquillity of the Princess Islands, a small archipelago in the Sea of Marmara. The islands, on which monasteries were established during the Byzantine period, were once a place of exile for Byzantine princes. We leave Istanbul by boat and cruise to Princess Islands. You disembark at Buyukada, the largest island in the archipelago. From the sandy beaches the island rises up to two hills with a valley in between. The

Grand Hyatt Istanbul

Location: Taksim. This luxury hotel with its distinctive style, warm atmosphere, two-storey atrium lobby and landscaped gardens, is located just a short walk from Taksim Squares shopping and entertainment areas. It provides a spectacular setting of elegance and refinement, with stylish interiors and contemporary rooms that are decorated in light colours with spacious marble baths and glass-enclosed rain showers. The rooms offer views of the city, outdoor swimming pool and gardens. Shaped by the influence of a crossroads location and a centuries-old bathing tradition, the recently opened Gaia Spa is both a truly contemporary spa and a traditional Turkish hammam. Ataturk International Airport is 25 kilometres away. Facilities: 360 rooms and suites. Two restaurants, three bars, 24-hour room service, shops, beauty salon, business centre, childrens activities, babysitting, interconnecting and non-smoking rooms. Suitable for the physically challenged. King Rooms: These rooms are located on the lower floors. Airconditioning, hairdryer, bathrobe, TV, CD, minibar, tea and coffee, iron and safe. Sports and leisure: Outdoor pool, fitness centre, spa, sauna, steam bath, solarium, massage, Turkish bath and tennis court. Check-in: 1400 hours Check-out: 1200 hours.

King Room

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iragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul
Location: iragan Caddesi. This hotel is well-known to be the only Ottoman Imperial Palace & Hotel by the Bosphorus. Impressively restored and ideally located on the shores of the magical Bosphorus near the ancient city of Istanbul, this hotel provides a one of a kind experience with its historical surroundings, luxurious facilities, award-winning cuisine and legendary service. Ataturk International Airport is 22 kilometres away. Facilities: 313 rooms and suites. Three restaurants, bar, 24-hour room service, shops, hairdresser, beauty salon, safety deposit boxes, business centre, babysitting, interconnecting and non-smoking rooms. Superior Bosphorus View Rooms: Air-conditioning, hairdryer, bathrobe, TV, data ports, wireless connectivity, minibar and safe. Sports and leisure: Outdoor and indoor pools, fitness centre, spa, sauna, steam bath and Turkish bath. Check-in: 1500 hours Check-out: 1200 hours. Superior Bosphorus View Room

Hotels

InterContinental Ceylan Istanbul

Location: Business district, Taksim. This hotel is an elegant and stylish jewel in the heart of Istanbul. Located near the best attractions, fashionable shops and business district, the hotel offers impressive views of the Bosphorus, Taksim, Istanbul skyline and the Blue Mosque. The interior of this hotel reflects a skillful mixture of regional art and culture, against the backdrop of an international environment. Ataturk International Airport is 20 kilometres away. Facilities: 388 rooms and suites. Four restaurants, two bars, 24-hour room service, shopping arcade, hairdresser, business centre, interconnecting and non-smoking Deluxe Bosphorus View Room rooms. Deluxe Bosphorus View Rooms: Air-conditioning, hairdryer, bathrobes, TV, tea and coffee, minibar and safe. Sports and leisure: Outdoor pool, fitness centre, spa, sauna, steam bath, solarium, Turkish bath and massage. Check-in: 1400 hours Check-out: 1200 hours.

Conrad Istanbul
Location: Close to Taksim Besiktas. This landmark hotel is located just off Barbaros Boulevard on Yildiz Street, adjacent to Yildiz Park and is within walking distance of shopping, commercial and business districts as well as historic sites. It offers stunning views of the Bosphorus and the old city. Ataturk International Airport is 22 kilometres away. Facilities: 586 rooms and suites. Three restaurants, bar, 24-hour room service, shop, beauty salon, business centre, interconnecting and non-smoking rooms. Suitable for the physically challenged. Business Floor Rooms: These rooms are situated on higher floors and offer city views. Air-conditioning, hairdryer, bathrobe, TV, data ports, minibar and safe. Sports and leisure: Outdoor and indoor pool, fitness centre, sauna, Turkish bath, massage and tennis courts. Check-in: 1400 hours Business Floor Room Check-out: 1200 hours.

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Hilton Istanbul
Location: Taksim. Hilton Istanbul stands on the top of a hill overlooking the meandering Bosphorus. The hotel is also within walking distance of Taksim Square and all the shopping, dining and entertainment areas. Ataturk International Airport is 24 kilometres away. Facilities: 498 rooms and suites. Three restaurants, two bars, 24-hour room service, shops, hairdresser, business centre, babysitting and non-smoking rooms. Standard Rooms: These rooms offer a garden view. Air-conditioning, hairdryer, bathrobe, TV, data ports, minibar and safe. Bosphorus View Rooms: Additionally these rooms offer a view of the Bosphorus and have a balcony. Sports and leisure: Outdoor and indoor pools, fitness centre, sauna, Turkish bath, massage, tennis courts, squash court and jogging track. Check-in: 1400 hours Bosphorus View Room Check-out: 1300 hours.

Hotels

Hilton Park SA
Location: Taksim. Situated in a central but quiet area, this charming hotel overlooks the Bosphorus. It is close to Dolmabahce Palace and minutes away from the citys shopping and entertainment districts. Guests can enjoy Turkish dishes in the modern Artz Restaurant or sip cocktails in the stylish Zest Bar. Ataturk International Airport is 24 kilometres away. Facilities: 119 rooms, restaurant, bar, 24-hour room service, shops, hairdresser, safety deposit boxes, business centre, babysitting and non-smoking rooms. Standard Rooms: Air-conditioning, hairdryer, TV, data ports, minibar and tea and coffee. Bosphorus View Rooms: Additionally these rooms offer bathrobes and have panoramic views of the Bosphorus. Sports and leisure: Swimming pool, fitness centre, tennis courts and squash court at the Hilton Istanbul. Check-in: 1500 hours Bosphorus View Room Check-out: 1200 hours.

The Marmara Istanbul

Location: Taksim Square. Built on the highest of Istanbuls seven hills, The Marmara Istanbul offers guests a view as far as the Bosphorus and Seraglio Point, to the Sea of Marmara. This hotel is in the heart of the citys vibrant cultural, entertainment and commercial centre, Taksim. Ataturk International Airport is 25 kilometres away. Facilities: 387 rooms and suites. Three restaurants, two bars, 24-hour room service, shops, hairdresser and business centre. Deluxe City View Rooms: Deluxe Bosphorus View Room Air-conditioning, hairdryer, TV, data ports, minibar and safe. Deluxe Bosphorus View Rooms: Additionally, these rooms offer a view of the Bosphorus. Sports and leisure: Outdoor pool, fitness centre, sauna, steam bath, Turkish bath, solarium, massage and dance classes. Check-in: 1500 hours Check-out: 1200 hours.

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Eresin Crown Hotel
Location: Old Town, Sultanahmet. This luxury boutique museum hotel is situated in the historical heart of the city and is within walking distance to the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Topkap Palace and the Grand Bazaar. Historical art pieces such as a cistern and mosaics from the Hellenic, Roman and Byzantine eras found during the construction of the hotel have been kept on display for guests. The superior service at the Eresin Crown Hotel makes it a truly deluxe hotel. Ataturk International Airport is 15 kilometres away. Facilities: 59 rooms and suites. Two restaurants, bar, 24-hour room service and non-smoking rooms. Moderate Rooms: All rooms have jacuzzi-style bathtubs. Air-conditioning, hairdryer, TV, data ports, minibar, tea and coffee and safe. Check-in: 1400 hours Moderate Room Check-out: 1200 hours.

Hotels

Best Western Eresin Taxim Hotel

Location: Taksim. This stylish property is located in the heart of the lively, bustling business and shopping area, Taksim. The hotel offers easy access to the Congress and Exhibition Centre, concert hall, opera house and many attractive points of interest such as Dolmabahce Palace, Ataturk Cultural Centre, Yildiz Palace, Museum of Fine Arts or Ortakoy Mosque. Its cosy, intimate atmosphere and spacious rooms make this an ideal hotel for business travellers and holidaymakers alike. Ataturk International Airport is 18 kilometres away. Facilities: 70 rooms and suites. Two restaurants, bar, 24-hour room service, safety deposit boxes, business centre and non-smoking rooms. Standard Rooms: Air-conditioning, hairdryer, TV, data ports, minibar, tea and coffee and safe. Sports and leisure: Indoor pool, fitness room, sauna and steam bath. Check-in: 1400 hours Check-out: 1200 hours. Standard Room

Best Western The President Hotel

Location: Historical Istanbul. This hotel offers a marvellous view of the citys skyline with its minarets and steeples. It is within walking distance of the Grand Bazaar, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Ayia Sofia, the Underground Cistern and Hippodrome. The President Hotel offers the perfect combination for those wishing to explore the traditional historical areas of the city. Ataturk International Airport is 17 kilometres away. Facilities: 204 rooms and suites. Four restaurants, three bars, 24-hour room service, nightclub, shop, beauty salon, safety deposit boxes, business centre, babysitting, interconnecting and non-smoking rooms. Standard Rooms: Air-conditioning, hairdryer, TV, data ports and minibar. Sports and leisure: Small indoor pool and sun deck, fitness room, sauna, jacuzzi, steam bath and massage. Check-in: 1200 hours Standard Room Check-out: 1200 hours.

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