Turkish Treasureswith Archaeologist, Umit Isin
August 14 - 31, 2010
August 13 - 29, 2011
Far Horizons offers 12 participants an incredible 18-day (17-day in 2011) archaeological tour that includes specially arranged meetings with archaeologists at five archaeological projects - Hattusas, Sagalassos, Arykanda, Patara, and Troy. And as an additional highlight, meet with the archaeologist at the Antalya Archaeological Museum who is in charge of restoring the stunning marble sculptures from nearby Perge.
And there is more! Enjoy an evening cruise up the Bosphorus by private vessel, a cooking class where we prepare and enjoy a Turkish meal, and visit five of the nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites located in Turkey. And as an added attraction, also 
included are three sites on the UNESCO Tentative List – Konya with its architecture from the 12th and 13th century Selcuk period, one of the magnificent Selcuk caravanserais that were shelters for camel trains, and, of course, glorious Ephesus with remains from the Roman period.
From Ephesus to Pergamum, Assos to Bodrum, and Troy to Cappadocia our travels reveal the texture and hue of Turkey’s history, an experience that is sure to continue to resonate with the discerning traveler even once home. Our study leader’s contacts in the archaeological community, and his in-depth knowledge of the history of each site allows us to not only admire visually all that we explore but also gives us an excellent context for all that we see.
"Another great trip! Bravo!!! Thanks for contributing to my traveling pleasures." - Ann Meschery
"One of the greatest travel adventures we have had. Maybe it was that rainy, mysterious visit to Sagalassos, or the glorious, quiet (!) day in Ephesus, or having tea with the caretaker and Umit's wife in the twilight at the excavation building in Patara, or our first, wonderful vision of the glories of Istanbul, or descending the hill from Pergamum, or bumping the other balloon over Cappodocia, or gazing at the astoundingly ancient inscribed stones at Yazilikaya, or just learning how to pronounce Egirdir, but this was a highlight of our travel lives." - Joseph Lambert
(B) breakfast, (L) lunch, (D) dinner
Day 1: Trip Begins: Begin our archaeological tour of Turkey on our flight to Istanbul.
Day 2: Cultural Tour of Istanbul: Arrive Istanbul and transfer to the historic area of the city, Sultanahmet, a UNESCO World Heritage site. After lunch, walk through Topkapi Sarai, built in 1468 as a summer palace for Mehmet the Conqueror. The estate includes lovely gardens, the council chambers of government, and the harem. Then it’s on to the Grand Bazaar where we will see hundreds of shops, a mosque, a school, a post office and police station all housed underneath a vast roof. Dinner is on our own this evening. Overnight for the next two nights in an Ottoman house that has been transformed into a charming bed-and-breakfast inn. The hotel is within walking distance of the important sites within the historic section of Istanbul. Dinner is on our own tonight. (L)
Day 3: Spend the day exploring the historic area of the city. Visit Aya Sofya, the first church of Christianity, begun in the 2nd century AD by Constantine the Great. One of the great buildings of the world, it served as the cathedral of Constantinople and was the center of the Byzantine Empire for almost a thousand years. Walk to the Hippodrome, scene of Byzantine chariot races, athletic events, victory celebrations and executions, and the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts. Housed within a 16th-century palace built by the brother-in-law of Sultan Suleyman, the museum contains the world's richest collection of 13th- to 20th-century hand-knotted Turkish carpets and an ethnographic section depicting objects used in everyday Turkish life. Visit The Church of St. Saviour in Chora Monastery, or Kariye Museum, built between the 11th- and 14th-centuries. When restored, a striking series of mosaics and vibrant frescoes were found within the interior of the building which belong to the last great renaissance of Byzantine art. Lunch will be in the gardens of a restored konak, or wooden mansion, now a restaurant serving Imperial Ottoman cuisine. In the 17th and 18th centuries it became fashionable for high-ranking people of Istanbul to own a summer home on the Bosphorus, the sinuous straits separating Europe from Asia. These wooden yalis, as they are called, were extremely elegant, exhibiting a perfection of structure and a refinement of decoration that are the supreme examples of their architects’ and painters’ genius. This afternoon, we will travel by boat up the Bosphorus to view these lovely wooden villas and elegant marble palaces along the shore. We will leave the yacht to dine in one of the excellent seafood restaurants along the shore. (B/L/D)
Day 4: An early flight takes us to Ankara, the capital of the country, where we enjoy the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, housed within a splendidly restored 15th-century covered bazaar. Here we will view frescoes from Çatalhüyük, grave offerings from Early Bronze Age burials at Alaca Hüyük, a unique and priceless collection of Hittite art, and discoveries from Gordion’s Midas Tomb. Located within the 7th-century citadel above the city is one of the best surviving Byzantine forts. We lunch within its walls at Zenger Paşa Restaurant, situated in an old Ottoman house with dazzling views over the city. In the afternoon drive to Alaca Hüyük where two large sphinxes flank the entrance gate. During excavations traces of a large Hittite building were discovered, and down the hill was found a royal necropolis of thirteen tombs dating from about 2500 BC. Excavators found remarkable funerary objects including stone figures and gold pins, diadems, and belt buckles, and gold leaf figures with repoussé designs. After exploring the remains, continue to Boğazkale where members of the Hattusa Archaeological Project will join us for dinner. Overnight at the simple Asikoğlu Hotel. (B/L/D)
Day 5: We meet the project director, or a member of his staff, for an insider’s view of the excavations at Hattusa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From 1600 to 1180 BC. Hattusas was the capital of the proud and warlike Hittites, whose empire stretched from the Black Sea to Syria. The fortified city was the residence of the great Hittite kings, the administrative seat as well as the principal cult center. One of the most important discoveries at the site has been the cuneiform royal archives of clay tablets, consisting of official correspondence and contracts, as well as legal codes, procedures for cult ceremony, oracular prophecies and literature of the ancient Near East. One particularly important tablet details the terms of a peace settlement between the Hittites and the Egyptians under Ramesses II, circa 1283 BC. A copy is on display in the United Nations in New York as an example of one of the earliest known international peace treaties. Nearby Yazilikaya is an open air, natural rock shrine located where a spring of fresh water once flowed. The site has characteristics similar to other Anatolian spring-sanctuaries, and may well have been a place of worship for hundreds or even thousands of years before the rise of Hittite power. The former importance of the shrine is shown by the incised Hittite gods marching across the cliff face. We then drive on to the Cappadocia region, noted for its Byzantine churches and monasteries carved out of the volcanic tuff. Dinner this evening will be outside under the stars in one of the beautiful valleys. Spend the next two nights in the Kelebek, a whimsical hotel that depicts the charm of the area with rooms that have also been cut from the living rock. (B/L/D)
Day 6: Millions of years ago, a volcano near Cappadocia spewed out molten lava and dust. Since then, wind and weather have reshaped the soft rock, leaving an eye-catching landscape of cones and "fairy chimneys." Early Christians carved churches and monasteries out of the volcanic tuft, many with colorful wall paintings still visible, and multi-level cities built underground where they could hide from their persecutors. Today’s explorations take us to explore the rock-cut churches of Goreme Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Zelve, a natural amphitheater at the junction of three canyons where the cliff faces are riddled with openings to houses and churches, many still containing multihued frescoes. After a climb to the top of the natural rock citadel of Uchisar, continue to the underground city of Kaymakli and walk through a maze of tunnels and rooms at least eight stories deep. Before returning to the hotel, stop in Mustafapasa, the former Anatolian Greek village of Sinassos. After finding the gatekeeper to unlock the door, walk down steps carved hundreds of years ago to see a church, Ayios Vasilios, still containing painted murals of St. Basil. (B/L/D)
Day 7: Travel along ageless caravan trails with stops to examine a beautifully carved 13th-century caravansary built by Seljuk Turks as a rest stop for camel trains. Jalal ad-Din ar-Rumi, later given the honorary title of Mevlana ("our master"), was the greatest Sufi mystic and Persian-language poet, famous for his lyrics and for his didactic epic which widely influenced early Muslim mystical thought and literature. He was buried in Konya and we will visit his mausoleum. After lunch, drive further southwest to Eflatun Pinar, a beautiful spring-sanctuary that combines a natural spring and a Hittite shrine depicting gods of earth and sky. The monument symbolized the gods who carry the sky and connect the sky with the earth. Overnight in the simple Mavi Gol Hotel in Egirdir on the banks of Turkey’s fourth largest lake. (B/L/D)
Day 8: A drive over the towering Taurus Mountains reveals terrain ranging from pastoral valleys to breathtaking snow-crested peaks, and the splendid remains of Sagalassos clings perilously to the southern granite slopes of these mountains. Originally inhabited by Pisidians, the pirates of the central Anatolian world, this was the highest city in the Roman Empire. The Sagalassos Archaeological Project has made many incredible discoveries recently including the remains of a colossal, 15-foot tall statue of the emperor Hadrian, a huge statue of Marcus Aurelius the longest surviving successor of Antoninus Pius, and an imperial statue of the empress Faustina. Here we meet the director of excavations or a member of his archaeological staff for a private tour of the project's excavations, including the exquisite Antonine Nymphaeum. Many of the extraordinary excavation finds can be seen in the Burdur Museum that we visit this afternoon. Continue to Antalya, magnificently situated atop 150-foot cliffs overlooking the sea. The award-winning renovations of the Old Port Section have recaptured the charm of the ancient Roman and Ottoman styles. Our hotel for the next two nights is the Dogan, a beautifully restored 19th-century Ottoman home located within the Roman walls encircling the ancient section of town. Gather this evening for a cooking class and a delightful Turkish meal. (B/L/D)
Day 9: Begin our explorations at the Antalya Archaeological Museum, an architectural delight, where we meet the archaeologist in charge of restoring sculptures for a private talk and tour of the stunning marble sculptures from nearby Perge. Then we drive to two of the southern coast’s most remarkable ancient cities. Greek settlers journeyed to Perge following the Trojan War, and substantial signs remain of a great theater, stadium, enormous Hellenistic and Roman gates, and a colonnaded street. Nearby Aspendos contains what is probably the finest Roman theater in the country, restored by Ataturk in 1932, and almost ten miles of still intact Roman aqueduct. Return to Antalya with time free to explore the city and enjoy one of Antalya’s fine restaurants. (B/L)
Day 10: As we leave Antalya, our first stop is the rarely-visited site of Arykanda perched high in the Taurus Mountains. Set on a pine-forested slope with sweeping views, the city once controlled ancient trade routes. The remains are truly glorious. Built of huge basaltic stone blocks, many of the monumental buildings still stand, and the remnants of intricate mosaic floors can still be seen. A member of the Arykanda archaeological staff will give us a private tour of the site and its odeon, theater, stadium and immense Roman bath. Our delightful lunch will be a feast of trout in an outdoor restaurant situated alongside a flowing stream. This part of the coast, heavily indented and full of isolated caves and islets, has some of Lycia's most rugged scenery. Hundreds of tombs dot the hills and valleys, and castles guard the sea channels. Along our way, we stop to explore the huge necropolis of tombs in the cliff-faces of Myra, carved before the time of Christ by Lycians, and Demre where St. Nicholas was the bishop in the 4th century. Through his good works the bishop became known as Santa Claus, and we see the Church of St. Nicholas, dedicated to him. Continue along this spectacular coast road to the village of Kalkan and the Hotel Happy, our home for tonight. (B/L/D)
Day 11: Today, visit three important capitals of the Lycian civilization. The Letoon was a shrine dedicated to the goddess, Leto, and her children by Zeus - Apollo and Artemis - the principal deities of Lycia. The sanctuary became the place of assembly during the height of the Lycian League and national festivals were celebrated here. During recent excavations information has been found that links the three temples to the cult of Leto and the Nymphs. Nearby Xanthos was the capital city of the Lycian Federation and its greatest metropolis for most of Lycian history. Finds during excavations date back to the 8th century BC, but it is possible that the site may have existed during the Bronze Age. The history of the city is quite violent - the Xanthosians twice demonstrated their fierce independence when they chose to commit mass suicide rather than submit to invading forces. The city’s fine theater is dominated by monumental carved tombs. Xanthos and Letoon are UNESCO World Heritage properties. After the 4th century BC, nearby Patara was the capital of the Lycian Federation and its port. Today the harbor has completely silted in and the resulting five-mile-long beach is one of the most beautiful in southern Turkey. Turkish archaeologists have been excavating here for the past decade, and they are restoring the city to its former grandeur. One of the archaeological staff will join us this afternoon and walk with us through Patara explaining the discoveries that have been made during excavations. Continue to Bodrum and overnight in a charming bed-and-breakfast inn overlooking the azure waters of the Aegean Sea. Dinner will be in a stylish restaurant frequented by Turks vacationing from Istanbul. (B/L/D)
Day 12: Whitewashed and flower-decked Bodrum is one of the loveliest towns on the western coast of Turkey. As a place where people have lived continuously for thousands of years, Bodrum has a rich past. In ancient times known as Halicarnassus, this town is the location of the Tomb of King Mausolus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Dominating the harbor is the Castle of St. Peter, begun in 1402 by the Knights Hospitallers of St. John as a hospital for pilgrims to Jerusalem. It soon became part of a network of fortresses to defend the southeastern Aegean and now houses the Bodrum Underwater Archaeology Museum and Laboratory. We will enter the museum which houses a wide range of fascinating underwater findings displayed throughout the Castle in a myriad of atmospheric halls and galleries. As we depart Bodrum, stop to see two gorgeous sanctuaries. Probably dating from the 6th century BC, Euromus contains a classically proportioned temple with columns still supporting the crossbeams. And the temple at Didyma housed the oracle that declared Alexander the Great to be the son of Zeus. Continue to Miletus, a powerful Greek force before the 5th century BC, to view the Temple to Athena, the agora, the Roman stadium built in 150 A.D, and a colossal theater crowned with a crusader's castle. Overnight for the next three nights in the Hotel Kismet, located high on a cliff overlooking the sea and owned and run by a granddaughter of the last sultan. Dinner will be in the outdoor gardens of the hotel. (B/L/D)
Day 13: Today’s tour takes us to Aphrodesius where some of Turkey’s most exciting recent discoveries have been made. Within this ancient city, dedicated to the goddess of love, have been found monuments of great beauty, many of Aphrodite herself. Here, see some of the lovely marble statues that have been found during the excavations. Dinner is on our own this evening. Note: A visit to Aphrodesius will not be included in the 2011 itinerary. (B/L)
Day 14: Of all the cities of ancient Turkey, Ephesus is the most visited. Dedicated to the virgin goddess of the chase, the city is the site of the Temple of Diana (Artemis), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the Church of Saint John. Walk through the church where St. John spoke, and visit the classic city of Ephesus with its beautiful 2nd century Library of Celsus, the burial place of Gaius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus, the governor of the province of Asia. Then it’s on to the nearby Selcuk Museum containing striking artifacts found in the nearby excavations. Dinner tonight will be in a local restaurant, renowned for its fresh seafood. (B/L/D)
Day 15: Created by the heirs of Alexander, Pergamum was a Hellenistic city that rivaled Ephesus. Climb to the ancient metropolis that stands majestically on an acropolis rising precipitously to a height of nearly a thousand feet above the modern city of Bergama. Cross a 14th-century Ottoman bridge to reach Assos with the picturesque village of Behramkale clinging to the side of the ancient acropolis. Down the cliff-face from the ruins is the tiny port with charming buildings dating from the last century when the town was Greek. Overnight tonight in one of these lovely houses, now the Hotel Nazlihan. Dinner is on our own this evening. (B/L)
Day 16: Our climb to the top the Assos acropolis takes us to the Temple of Athena, dominating the top of a mountain and with an awe-inspiring vista of the azure 
Aegean Sea.
The oldest part of the city wasHellenistic, and the stunning basaltic walls encircling the site date from this period. Drive on to Troy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where late 19th century excavations revealed nine principal levels of occupation covering a period of over 3000 years. Possibly founded by the Hittite King Tudhaliyas IV, it was encircled by more than two miles of imposing 4th century BC walls. While here, learn how recent excavations have given us much more information on the city. Overnight in the Hotel Tusan in Çanakkale. (B/L/D)
Day 17: A trip by ferry across the Dardanelles Straits and a scenic drive through Thrace returns us to Istanbul. The afternoon is free for last minute shopping and further exploration of the city. Dinner will be in a stylish seafood restaurant housed within a wooden mansion, or konak. (B/L/D)
Day 18: Return to the U.S.A. (B)
"This was one of the very best trips that I have ever taken. Umit was without a doubt the very best leader with whom I have ever traveled. His knowledge of Turkey and of the sites we visited was enormous." - Edward Keeler
Trip Leader - Umit IsinUmit Isin received his MA degree in archaeology from the University of Ankara in 1987. As a specialist in ancient geography and architecture, he has worked on archaeological projects throughout Turkey, including Arykanda, Caunos, Habibusagi, Lykia and Pisidia. Mr. Isin has been leading Far Horizons trips for more than a decade and is one of our most popular scholars. His intimate knowledge of his country, his expertise in its fascinating archaeological heritage, his contacts among the archaeological community, and his wonderful personality make him an ideal trip leader.
August 14 - 31, 2010
August 13 - 29, 2011
(Please call the Far Horizons office for Trip Cost for the 2011 Tour)
$9,995.00 (2010) (per person, double occupancy) includes international flights from North America to Istanbul and one Turkish domestic flight on Turkish Airlines (Istanbul-Ankara); all hotels; most meals (as noted in brochure); all entry fees; and ground transportation.
Cost Does Not Include: The tax-deductible check for $150.00 written to the AFDAI (In the subject line – “to be used for the Hattusas Project”); passport or visa fees; airport or departure taxes; beverages or food not included on regular menus; laundry; excess baggage charges; gratuities to guides and drivers and other personal tips; email, telephone and fax charges; or other items of a personal nature.
Single Supplement: $755.00. Should a roommate be requested and one not be available, the single supplement must be charged.
Donation Checks: The cost of the trip does not include the separate donation check for $150.00 (per person) to AFDAI (the Hattusas Project). As a tour company that benefits from the historical, cultural and natural riches of our destinations, we have a policy of donating to scholars, archaeological and cultural projects, and museums in each of our destinations. This has created a bond with the academic community that allows you to gain an 'insider's view' of work being done in each country.
Fuel Surcharges: Far Horizons must pass on price increases when additional fuel charges are levied.
A deposit of $500.00 to Far Horizons and a separate check for $150.00 to the AFDAI is required upon making your reservation along with a completed and signed registration form. Final payment is due 75 days prior to departure. Upon receipt of your deposit and completed registration form, you will be sent a reading list and a tour bulletin containing travel information. Prior to the trip, we will send links to various websites of pertinent interest to the trip.Click here to download our Registration Form.
Cancellations received in writing at least 75 days before departure will result in an administrative fee of $250.00. Cancellations received less than 75 days prior to departure will not receive a refund. If for any reason you are unable to complete the tour, we will not reimburse any fees. Registrants are strongly advised to purchase travel insurance that includes trip cancellation upon registration.
Continuous excavation since 1931 by the German Archaeological Institute has exposed the huge palace complex and part of the Lower City. In the Upper City 30 temples and other administrative structures have been identified. It was the study of the cuneiform tables of Hattusas (by now some 30,000 fragments) that led to the discipline of Hittitology.
If you do not fly on the group flight, you are responsible for all flight arrangements and transportation (including airport transfers) to join the group. If Far Horizons must change the trip dates or cancel the trip for any reason, Far Horizons is not responsible for any air ticket you may have purchased.
Changes in our itinerary, accommodations, and transportation schedules may occur. A good book to read as well as a flexible attitude and a sense of humor are essential.
In keeping with the theme of our trips, hotels are chosen to depict the charm characterizing the Turkish culture. Where available, they are restored historical buildings - elegant Ottoman mansions furnished with period antiques; bed-and-breakfast style inns filled with lovely weavings, carpets and kilims, and handmade crafts; beautiful cut-stone Selcuk caravanserai originally built for camel caravans, and other unique accommodations too small for "tour groups". Of course, all rooms have private bathrooms.
Wherever possible, meals will be in charming restaurants instead of in your hotel. Breakfast is Continental (fresh bread, cheese and coffee or tea).
The private tours of archaeological sites and talks by specialists are scheduled in advance and include a donation to each. Specialists working at these sites are excited about showing their work to interested enthusiasts. However, please be aware that there may be times when the director or a member of the staff may not be onsite when our groups arrive due to other commitments.
THIS ARCHAEOLOGICAL TOUR TO TURKEY IS LIMITED TO 15 PARTICIPANTS
