Discover Turkey
By Land and Sea

For Friends and Members of Gualala Arts
April 24 - May 9, 2008

Phil and Ann Graf invite you to join us on our discovery adventure to Turkey, where Europe and Asia meet, the home to 10,000 years of culture, and a treasure chest of ancient wonders and stunning landscapes.

Our custom tour begins and ends in Istanbul, magnificent "Empress of the World." We explore the fascinating interior of Turkey by private coach and sail the glittering Turquoise coast aboard a gulet-style yacht. Our expedition into art, archaeology, history and Turkish hospitality will be led by an experienced and knowledgeable native guide who will provide an informative and interesting daily narrative on the history and culture of this engaging and beguiling country.

Update, September 3, 2007 Response to our Turkey trip has been gratifying, to say the least. All places were claimed in just a few days, and we have a waiting list. It is not too early to sign up for the India trip, 2 - 16 November 2008.

April 24       Depart SFO

April 25       Arrive Istanbul mid-morning. Transfer to luxury motor coach for four hour drive to Ankara. Check in at hotel, dinner and overnight in Ankara. (L, D)

April 26       Morning tour of Ankara, capital of Turkey includes Ataturk's magnificent mausoleum and the Museum of Anatolian Civilization. In the afternoon, our ride through the Anatolian countryside takes us to Cappadocia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since the 1980s, and an important religious center of the Byzantine Empire. Overnight in Cappadocia. (B, D)

April 27       Today will be spent exploring the moon-like landscape of Cappadocia, carved out of volcanic rock three million years ago: the valleys of Zelve and Uchisar, where troglodyte life is still alive; the Goreme Open Air Museum with its 1600 year old rock carved churches, monasteries and colorful frescoes; and the underground city of Kaymakli, carved as a refuge during the early Christian era. Overnight in Cappadocia. (B, D)

April 28       From Cappadocia we follow the ancient Silk Road, stopping at Sultanhani, a 13th century caravansary, and continuing on to Konya, home of the Whirling Dervishes, to Antalya, spectacularly sited between the towering Taurus Mountains and the Turquoise Coast. Overnight at Antalya. (B, D)

April 29       We visit ancient sites near Antalya including the ruins of Perge, where St. Paul delivered one of this first sermons and Aspendos, a beautifully preserved Roman City with a 15000 seat outdoor theater. This will prepare you for the impressive collections dating back to the Stone Age at the Antalya Museum. Overnight in Antalya. (B, D)

April 30 - May 5       We drive to the Gulf of Fethiye, where we board our gulet to spend five nights enjoying the splendors of Turkey's Lycian coastline (reputedly Anthony's wedding gift to Cleopatra). Our private gulet-style yacht has individual cabins, each with private facilities. Three delicious meals a day are prepared and served on board. Our sailing journey will take us to small villages along the fabled coast, usually with two shore excursions a day and time for water sports in the crystalline sea. Cruising on a private yacht to Greco-Roman and Byzantine ruins through stunning scenery: this is an unparalleled travel experience. Five nights aboard a gulet. (B, L, D)

May 5       We disembark at charming Bodrum and drive to Kusadasi via Ephesus. Ephesus is the jewel in Turkey's architectural crown. It was once the fourth largest city in the Roman Empire, and a thriving center of trade. Our tour there includes the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, as well as the chapel on the site of the Virgin Mary's home, and St. John's Basilica. Farewell dinner and overnight in Kusadasi. (B, D)

May 6       Fly Izmir/Istanbul. Afternoon tour of Istanbul. (B, L)

May 7       Full day tour of Istanbul. During our stay we explore this 3000 year old metropolis. Here East meets West and past and present collide in a jumble of sensory experiences. We visit Hagia Sophia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a thousand years Christendom's most important church before being converted to a mosque in the 15th century, now a museum; as well as the Blue Mosque with six minarets; the palace that is the Topkapi Museum; the old city and the labyrinthine Covered Bazaar, housing 4000 shops. (B, L)

May 8       Free day in Istanbul, at leisure and for shopping.

May 9       Fly Istanbul to San Francisco.

Limited to 24 participants. An early deposit will secure your place on this unique tour.

TOUR PRICE: $3,369
         Air credit:   $675

TOUR INCLUDES: domestic air, superior first class hotels Ankara (1 night), Cappadocia (2), Antalya (2) , Kusadasi (1), Istanbul (3), and gulet/yacht accommodations (5), all meals as indicated, entrance fees per itinerary, guide, deluxe coach, tax/service/porterage.

DEPOSIT: $400 per person by check to:
Flying Dutchmen Travel, 1455 N. Dutton, Santa Rosa, CA 95401 Attn: Nancy Berto 707-546- 1212 (work), 707-546-2870 (home), 800-248-7471

Itinerary/price subject to change. Cancellation: $100 non-refundable fee; 120-90 days 40%, 90-60 days 50%, 59 days or less no refund. Travelex cancellation/medical insurance

The Gualala Arts Center, located at 46501 Gualala Road in Gualala, CA,
is open weekdays 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and weekends from noon to 4:00 p.m.
Please call (707) 884-1138 for more information, or email info@gualalaarts.org.