Central Turkey & the Black Sea Trip Notes
Trip code: PECE
Trip valid from: 01/01/2011
Trip valid until: 31/10/2011
Trip length: 14 days
Trip starts in: Istanbul
Trip ends in: Istanbul
Maximum group size: 15
Highlights
- The Surreal Rock Formations And Valleys Of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cappadocia
- Mount Nemrut's Colossal Statues Of The Temple And Tomb Of King Antiochus
- Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar - A Labyrinth Of 4500 Stalls
- Amasya's Ancient Tombs And Ottoman Architecture
Discover the hidden heartland of Turkey
This spectacular journey showcases the hidden treasures well away from the popular highlights of the west. Scenically and historically captivating, the north western Black Sea coast is home to historic Safranbolu, where fascinating remnants from Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman civilizations await. The beautiful natural harbour of Sinop is a picturesque setting for ruins of the ancient citadel and, in Amasya, some of Turkey’s most impressive forms of Ottoman house lie in snug repose along the meandering Yesilirmak River. An insight into Seljuk history can be gained in Sivas with a visit to the city’s impressive architectural gems, the Gok Medrese and the Cifte Minareli Medrese. Further east, the immense statues devoted to Apollo, Fortuna, Zeus, Herakles and King Antiochus can be found on the slopes of Mt Nemrut -simply awe-inspiring, as their craftsman no doubt intended. Moving on to the City of Prophets at Urfa, we visit the wonderful ancient bazaar and, in Harran, witness rural village life little changed since biblical times. Back in central Anatolia, we discover the astounding, mythic landscapes of Cappadocia, which have inspired writers and travellers for years. We end the fortnight in the city where east meets west, rewarded with a final look through one of the world’s great historic capitals.
Itinerary
Istanbul
If arriving at Istanbul's Ataturk International Airport (IST), you will be met and transferred to your starting hotel. If arriving at Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) airport please make your own way to the hotel (unless you have booked a transfer). After checking into your hotel, please look out for the Peregrine notice board in the hotel lobby, which has a list of suggestions for things to see and do in your free time. As today is an arrival day, there is no formal sightseeing planned. Istanbul is one of the great cities of the world, with a history spanning thousands of years. It has been through several incarnations, firstly as Byzantium, then Constantinople and finally Istanbul. The city today is bustling and its streets are crowded with locals busily going about their daily lives. If you arrive early enough, you can wander and absorb the vibrancy of this exciting city that links Europe and Asia. We highly recommend that during this free time today, you visit the Aya Sofya, one of Istanbul's most impressive sites. In the evening there will be a Welcome Meeting (please check notice board for exact time) held in the hotel, where you will meet your tour leader and fellow travel companions.Istanbul
This morning we see some of Istanbul's most important sites. We start with a visit to the Topkapi Palace, which was the home of Ottoman sultans for four centuries. The palace is built in Islamic style and consists of a series of chambers, pavilions and kiosks surround garden courtyards. We then visit the Blue Mosque, built by the Sultan Ahmet I in the 17th century to outshine the Aya Sofya. We also visit the Basilica Cistern, built in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian. This floodlit cistern is the largest and most impressive of the ancient cisterns that lay beneath the city of Istanbul. We then have the remainder of the day at leisure that enables us to explore the famous covered Grand Bazaar or Spice Market, armed with advice from our tour leader as to how to get the best bargains and become more savvy in the art of haggling! There is everything from clothing to jewellery, sweets to spices on offer in the bustling marketplaces. (B)Istanbul - Amasra
After breakfast we drive to Amasra, arguably one of the prettiest of the coastal towns on the Black Sea with a fortified promontory that sits high overlooking the old harbours and a sandy beach. We explore the highlights of Kale (citadel) including the old bedesten (covered bazaar) and Byzantine church, which became a mosque known as Kilise Camii during the Ottoman period. After our sightseeing tour of the town, we adjourn to sit in one of the tea gardens or bars at the base of the castle walls and watch the sunset - a relaxing way to finish the day. (Driving time: 6 hours) (B)Amasra - Safranbolu - Sinop
Today we drive to the northern most edge of Turkey's Black Sea coastline to the town of Sinop. On the way we visit Safranbolu,a world heritage site known for its traditional buildings. While walking through the town's quaint cobblestone streets and laneways we discover a culture reminiscent of yesteryear with traditional trades and crafts still being practised. It's then on to Sinop, located on a narrow peninsula and surrounded by sea on one side and mountains on the other, the town was used as an important port town for thousands of years with many rulers occupying the port city from Cimmerians, Phrygians, Persians, the Pontic Kings to the Romans and Byzantines and later the Seljuks. During November 1853, shortly after the commencement of the Crimean War, the Battle of Sinop erupted when the Russian armada attacked Sinop, destroying an Ottoman fleet and resulting in great loss of life. We visit the ancient Castle which was founded in 2000 B.C and later restored during the Ottoman, the Seljuk, Byzantium, Roman, Greek and Pontus periods. We also visit the old Fortress Prison, strategically situated inside the Sinop Fortress which made escape impossible. This prison, that covered 28 halls on two floors, was erected in 1887. It operated as a high security penitentiary until it's closure in 1997. Tonight we stay in Sinop.(Driving time: 6 hours) (B)Sinop - Amasya
Today we journey to the town of Amasya, one of Turkey's most charming towns. It is set back in the mountains behind the Black Sea Coast, in a narrow valley on the banks of the Yeilrmak River, The half-timber Ottoman period houses that line the north bank of the river are some of Amasya's most endearing features. These side-by-side terraced houses were built in the 19th century and have all the features of traditional Ottoman houses. Amasya was the provincial capital of a once-great Pontic kingdom with the tombs of Pontus kings carved into the cliffs. This place is also famous for producing many types of fruit including apples, cherries and peaches. We venture out and explore the city including the 13th-century Seljuk Burmali Mosque, the fountain, Seljuk tombs (mausoleum) and the bedesten. Tonight we stay in Amasya. (Driving time: 4 hours) (B)Amasya - Sivas
Our destination, Sivas, is the most mountainous city of the central Anatolian region and sits at an altitude of 1275 metres. Once an important commercial centre due to it location at the cross roads of the Persia and Baghdad caravan routes, the city later became an important centre for learning and culture during the rule of the Seljuks. In the afternoon, we visit some of the most famous monuments and sites of Sivas. The ifte Minare Medressa with its twin minarets and grand gateway was built in 1271 and was formerly a law faculty. The Ulu Cami or Great Mosque, built in 1197 by the Seldjoukids Sultan Klaslan II, is the oldest building in the city. The Gok Medressa (theological school) and the Buruciye Medressa, both built in 1271, display the best examples of Seljuk art work. The city of Sivas is also famous for its nomadic Kangal dogs, a unique sheep dog which has become the national dog of Turkey and a designated 'national treasure'. This afternoon there is an opportunity to visit a breeding centre to learn more about these renowned dogs. (Driving time: 3 hours) (B)Sivas - Darende
This morning we farewell Sivas and continue to Darende, en route we take a walk to the waterfalls of Gunpinar, a picturesque and tranquil place. A pleasant riverside eatery is a good spot to sample some local fish. After lunch we enjoy a leisurely walk in the surrounds before we head into the town centre of Darende. Here we enjoy an orientation walk of the town and can see its 300 year old covered bazaar; there's also the possibility to sample the Turkish dried apricot (famous in the area) in one of the local shops. Tonight we can settle in for a relaxing night in Darende. (Driving time: 3.5 hours) (B)Darende - Mt Nemrut - Kahta
After breakfast we drive to Kahta, the base for our visit to Mount Nemrut National Park - one of the most impressive in Turkey. The peak of Mount Nemrut (Nemrut Dai) reaches 2150 metres and is the site of a collection of colossal statues adorning the temple and tomb of King Antiochus. The 10-metre high stone heads were first discovered in 1881 during engineering work and in 1953 archaeological work began to uncover the history of the site, which also includes relics from the Commagene civilisation. We sit and watch the sunset over the site - the perfect time to capture great photos of the stones in their best possible light. After our visit, we drive back to the town of Kahta for the night. (Driving time: 4.5 hours) (B)Kahta - Harran - Sanliurfa
Today we drive to Sanliurfa (also known as Urfa). En route we visit the village of Harran, famous for its traditional mud-brick beehive houses. The design of these conical shaped houses dates back thousands of years with many of the current structures built within the last two hundred years. The village also has biblical significance with the prophet Abraham having lived here with his family. We drive to Urfa, the City of Prophets, where we visit the ancient bazaar built in the mid 16th-century. The most interesting part of the bazaar is the old bedesten, where silk products have been sold for hundreds of years. We explore the ruined Crusader castle of Urfa (known as Urfa Kalesi), which sits high above the city and from where we enjoy magnificent views. Tonight we stay in Urfa. (Driving time: 3 hours) (B)Sanliurfa - Gaziantep
Today we travel to the town of Gaziantep, known as Aintab during Ottoman rule. The city, Turkey's sixth largest, has a vast and interesting history spanning as far back as the Hittites. During Turkey's War of Independence, the bravery and heroism of the local people gained the city an honorific. Today Gaziantep is a modern sprawling city and one of the most important agricultural centres of Turkey. It is the hub of pistachio cultivation in the country and is renowned for its baklava production which many claim is the best in the world. Expansive olive groves and vineyards can also be found in the city's surrounds. We pay a visit Gaziantep's impressive mosaics museum which houses stunning mosaics from the nearby Roman site of Belkis-Zeugma. Many of these mosaics have been restored to their original state. This evening is free to explore the city. (Driving time: 2 hours) (B)Gaziantep – Ni?de - Cappadocia
Today we journey into Central Anatolia to our next destination - Cappadocia. On the way we have a stop for a lunch break in Ni?de, a small rural province in the southern part of Central Anatolia. The province is surrounded on three sides by ranges of the Taurus Mountains, including Mount Hasan and the Melendiz mountains. The plain is covered with nutritious volcanic soil and Nigde is a successful agricultural region, particularly apples and potatoes. The area has been settled since the Neolithic period of 8000-5500 BC. The area was later settled by the Hittites, who lived here for a thousand years up until 800BC. Then came Assyrians and Phrygians, Greeks, Persians, Alexander the Great, Romans, who built the city of Tyana with its palaces and waterworks. Roman rule persisted from the Eastern capital of Byzantium until the area was occupied by the Seljuk Turks from 1166 onwards. By the early 13th century Ni?de was one of the largest cities in Anatolia and a number of impressive mosques and tombs date from this period. The area was brought within the Ottoman Empire in 1471 and thus passed into the territory of the Turkish Republic in the 1920s. We then drive to the incredible underground city of Derinkuyu, with some dwellings containing rooms expanding seven levels beneath ground level! Late in the afternoon we will arrive at Cappadocia. We will be based here for the next three nights to explore the wonders of Turkey's most surreal region. Don't forget to pack sturdy, well worn in, walking shoes or boots and a comfy day pack, to explore the valley's of Cappadocia. (6 hours driving). (B)Cappadocia
After a relaxing breakfast we take a walk through Love Valley, where its magnificently sculptured, phallic rock formations have created one of the most surreal valleys of Cappadocia. Small valleys, cones, peaks and fairy chimneys blend harmoniously with fascinating caves. In the afternoon we drive to the unique Pasabaglari Valley, where multiple fairy chimneys hewn from the earth and shaped by centuries of erosion lend a moon-like landscape and atmosphere to the valley. A chapel dedicated to St. Simeon and a hermit's shelter are built into one of the fairy chimneys, which appears to have three heads! We walk today for a total of about three hours. In the afternoon we will take the opportunity to discover the local handcraft of the region and visit a carpet workshop were we will be fascinated by the beauty of the carpets, a tradition that reveals the nomadic origins of the Turkish people. Returning to Goreme, we have a night at leisure. We may have an opportunity to attend a folk dance show or witness an original Whirling Dervish 'Sema' performance. (B)Cappadocia
For early birds, there is the possibility of rising before dawn to take an awe-inspiring optional hot-air balloon ride over the 'otherworldly Cappadocia landscape and witness an amazing sunrise in the process. This morning we visit the Greme Open Air museum a fascination complex of medieval painted cave churches carved out by rock. The people of Greme, at the heart of the Cappadocia region, realised that the soft rocks of the area could be easily carved out to form houses, churches, monasteries. This Christian sanctuary contains many examples of Byzantine art from the post-iconoclastic period. These frescoes are a unique artistic achievement from the 10th - 12th centuries. There are several fascinating Byzantine cave chapels to explore, most of them decorated with exquisite and colourful biblical frescoes. (B)End Istanbul airport
Our group arrangements end this morning in Cappadocia. You will be transferred to one of Cappadocia's airports for a flight back to Istanbul (unescorted) and the tour ends upon arrival at Istanbul airport at approximately 12pm. If booking onward air travel on this day please note this arrival time and any possible delays. Istanbul has so much to explore that we recommend booking some extra accommodation at the end of your tour. For those wishing to spend extra time in Istanbul, we can book a transfer into the city and additional nights' accommodation - Please enquire at time of booking. (B)Itinerary Variation
While the information presented here details our planned itinerary, including routes taken, activities included, accommodation and meeting times, please accept that unforseen changes may occur. We are constantly on the lookout to improve our program and further enhance your experience. Naturally, we will keep you up to date with any last minute amendments to your tour.About The Imaginative Traveller
Our aim has always been to provide exceptional travel experiences. We believe that adventure travel should be stimulating, and that it should give you an authentic experience of a place. We want our travellers to relish the amazing diversity of countries and cultures the world has to offer. Our focus is on innovation, not imitation.
Obsessed with quality
One of our strengths has been our obsession with quality. We've always believed that our commitment to you doesn't end as soon as you've paid for your holiday. On the contrary, it is just beginning. Whilst most operators simply get a local company to handle the day to day operation of their tours, we do it all ourselves. We have managers for each of our key destinations around the world and all our small groups are escorted by our own leaders. Our local teams include guides, drivers, administration staff and contacts in the local community who help us ensure that our adventures are active and involving.
For comparability, all prices in this dossier are quoted in one currency. We use the US Dollar since that is familiar to most. However, once on tour you will need to pay for all goods and services in the local currency. See your Country Dossier for details of exchange rates.
Trip Grade
Culture
The greatest cities in the world and the richest historic sights; the finest regional food and the must-see spectacles. Museums and markets, medinas and mosques – from Hobart to Hong Kong, Cairo to Caracas, get under the skin of local life and explore what your destination means to its own people.
Dive headlong into exotic metropolitan buzz – the souks of Marrakech, La Paz’s markets – or adventure to remote African hills to explore ancient and mysterious rock art. Take in cutting edge art at Bilbao’s dazzling Guggenheim, or soak up timeless rhythms sitting under a balanzan tree in Mali listening to Tuareg musicians.
Whatever it is, wherever you are, there’s no greater adventure than learning how another culture ticks.
Walking
Some places can only really be appreciated on foot. The timeless villages of Europe – think Italy’s Cinque Terre and Amalfi Coast or France’s Provencal and Burgundy jewels – are at their most seductive when approached via swooping coastal trails or ancient paths winding across valleys.
There is no better way to reconnect with nature: moving slowly among Greek gorges, Moroccan valleys and Czech hillsides gives greater opportunity to take in the surrounding pastoral landscapes, sculpted by centuries of man and nature’s labours.
And there’s no more sociable means of travel: the gentle beat of the placed and lifted foot allowing time to meet the locals, to both observe and adopt the rhythm of their daily lives.
Included
• The services of Peregrine's expert English-speaking local tour leader.
• Local flight from Cappadocia to Istanbul.
• Sightseeing (including entrance fees where applicable): Istanbul; Amasra; World Heritage site of Safranbolu; Sinop; Amasya; Sivas; UNESCO World Heritage-listed Divrigi Ulu Camii mosque; Darende village and waterfalls at Günpinar; Harran; ancient bazaar and Crusader castle of Sanliurfa; Hittite city of Gaziantep; Ni?de; underground city of Derinkuyu; and Göreme Open Air museum.
• Visit to Mount Nemrut National Park.
• Walks in Cappadocia's ‘Love Valley’ and Pasabaglari Valley.
• Arrival transfer.
Not included
International flights, departure taxes, visas, insurance, other meals, drinks, optional additional tours or activities during free time, tips and items of a personal nature.
Meals
13 breakfasts
Accommodation
13 nights Comfortable hotel
Single room supplement
Most of our travellers like the thought of travelling with a few like-minded souls. There are NO compulsory single supplements on most tours as we simply arrange twin shared accommodation for you and another tour member of the same sex. But don't worry if that doesn't appeal. We do understand there are times when you just want a bit of privacy and 'me' time so we are more than happy to arrange a private room upon request when you book.Transport
Plane,Private vehicle,Public aircon coach
Optional excursions
*prices below are guide only
Cappadocia - Hamam - traditional Turkish bath- - 20 Euro
- - 1.30 hours - 230 - 250 Euro, per person
1 hour - 165-175 Euros, per person
Passport
Well before travelling, please ensure that you have a current passport, with an accurate photo, that is valid for at least six months after your scheduled return home. Also check that your airline tickets are in exactly the same name as your passport. Some countries may require that you have a return air ticket, or have sufficient funds to purchase such a ticket.
Insurance
On all our holidays you must have comprehensive travel insurance that covers you for medical costs associated with hospitalisation, emergency travel and repatriation back to your home country. Please take your insurance policy with you when you travel as your tour leader will need to see and record your policy details at the pre-tour briefing. If you arrive without travel insurance they will require you to purchase a policy before you continue your journey with us.
If you are covered by a policy arranged through your credit card company you will be asked to provide evidence of this cover as well as a 24-hour emergency contact number. Your leader will need to record your credit card type and number as this is required to activate your request for emergency assistance. It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet the requirements set out by your credit card company in order to be effectively covered and that the cover offered is of a suitable standard.
Visas
Turkey -
Australians, Americans, British and Canadians require a visa for Turkey. Both Single and Multiple entry visas are available on arrival. New Zealanders do not currently require a visa for Turkey. For all other nationalities please reconfirm your visa requirements with your travel agent of the nearest Turkish Consulate or Embassy. Both Single and Multiple entry visas are available. You will need to pay for your visa in cash (US dollars, euros, or pounds sterling) in exact change. No traveller’s cheques and no credit cards are accepted. At the time of writing, the cost of a single-entry visa is EUR15 or US$20 for Australians, Americans and British and EUR45 or US$60 for Canadians. Please note that these amounts may change.
It is your responsibility to ensure you have all required visas for your trip. Rules and regulations governing the issuance of visas are constantly changing, and vary for different nationalities and you should check visa requirements with your travel agent or relevant consular authority well before travel.
Vaccinations
It is your responsibility to ensure you have all required visas for your trip. Rules and regulations governing the issuance of visas are constantly changing, and vary for different nationalities and you should check visa requirements with your travel agent or relevant consular authority well before travel.
Other information
Flight from Cappadocia to Istanbul is unescorted.
Responsible Travel - Travellers' Guidelines
At Imaginative Traveller we love helping our clients experience the beauty and cultures of the destinations we visit. However, hand in hand with this we have always been aware that we have a responsibility to minimise any negative impacts that tourism can bring.
Responsible Travel is twofold. It’s about taking people to the places they want to go in a safe and responsible manner but also about respecting and maintaining the natural and often delicate balance of the destination. Economic gain from tourism is often fundamental to a country, but should never be at the expense of its culture or the environment.
Our Aims
- It is our aim to provide journeys that have minimal negative and maximum positive impact on the places we visit.
- We do not believe that, as visitors, we should impose our own cultures on others; rather that we should experience foreign cultures and appreciate them for what they are.
- Whilst it is our aim to show destinations and cultures in a positive light, we do not believe in papering over the cracks or shielding visitors from the realities of life. This does not mean, however, that we condone or endorse certain situations or regimes that may be in place.
Our guidelines are meant not as rigid instructions but rather as suggestions to make our holidays more enjoyable – for everybody. As cultural and environmental sensitivities vary from country to country more specific guidelines can be found in our individual country and trip dossiers.
Travellers' Guidelines
Before you depart try to spend some time familiarising yourself with the destination you will be travelling to – their culture and customs. The country dossiers on our website offer detailed information about all the regions we visit. They also include some useful phrases in the local language for you to use on your trip! A few words of the local language can open up many more opportunities for you to interact with the people you will meet.
Although it is tempting to give out pens, sweets and money to people begging, and particularly tempting to give to children, we feel that this encourages a begging mentality and has a long-term negative impact on communities. If someone begging earns more than someone in the same community who works this can discourage local employment. If children regularly bring home money it may discourage their parents from sending them to school. It is of course your own personal choice but you could consider giving to registered charities or contributing to our Responsible Travel fund instead. Money donated through our fund to our worldwide projects is matched pound for pound by Imaginative Traveller and used to help local grassroots projects.
Always ask permission to photograph local people and respect their decision if they would prefer not to have their picture taken.
Respect local dress codes, especially at religious sites. Our tour leaders are always on hand to give you advice about this.
In many of the countries we visit you might see examples of animal cruelty (for example dancing bears, performing monkeys and snake charmers). Please do not take photographs of this or offer money as it encourages the activity.
Respect the environment you are in. It sounds obvious but do not throw litter, take it with you or use rubbish bins! You may see locals throwing rubbish on the street but do not follow their example!
When shopping in countries where haggling is the norm – enjoy it and only pay what you feel is a fair price for the goods you are purchasing. However, remember that the shopkeeper does have to make a living so do stop once you have reached a price you are happy with. Bargaining should be fun but always remember that a small amount can mean much more to the vendor than to you.
Endeavor to take home souvenirs made locally; the money you spend can be very important to the local communities. However, do use your common sense and don’t buy anything that you think might be made out of endangered animals or plants.
To help keep as much money as possible in the host country - try to eat in locally owned restaurants and order local drinks and produce rather than international brands.
In hotels do be conscious of how much water you are using. Many of the areas we visit regularly have shortages; try not to have hour long showers! Don’t leave lights, air conditioners or fans on when you leave the room – you wouldn’t at home!
Respect the environment you are in, especially when in national parks or reserves. Pay attention to rules about keeping on paths, keeping a distance from animals and not removing any of the natural habitat.
Relax and immerse yourself in the differences of the culture you are in – you’ll be back home in the familiar soon enough (and wishing you were still on holiday!). These cultural differences are part of what makes your experience special.
If you would like to offset the carbon dioxide that will be produced on your flights you can do this on our website (on our Responsible travel page). We work with climatecare, who will reduce the equivalent amount of carbon dioxide that you produce in another part of the World through their emission reduction projects. These projects are low carbon efficient technologies in developing countries and not only serve to reduce emissions but also help to spread the adoption of low carbon technologies and improve the quality of life for local communities. Details of climatecare’s projects can be found on their website.
If you would like to contribute to our Worldwide projects, helping communities all over the World, you can also do this on our website or with a sales consultant. Please refer to our responsible travel page on the website for details of our current projects. Any donation you make will be matched £ for £ by Imaginative Traveller (up to a maximum of £1000).
Have a great trip!
Please do let us know if you have any comments about responsible travel at rto@imtrav.net
The Imaginative Traveller & Peregrine Adventures This trip is operated by our partner company, Peregrine Adventures. Peregrine is an Australia based company with more than 30 years experience in adventure travel and they share our ethos for offering unique holiday adventures. As this is a codeshared departure you can expect there to be both Imaginative Traveller and Peregrine travellers on your trip.Last updated: 10/11/2011
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