| Day 1 |
Mar 25, 2006: Arrive Istanbul (D)
Upon arrival to the hotel, welcome drinks will be served while the check-in procedures is held. Few hours free time to freshen-up (depending on the arrival flight details). Welcome dinner at the local restaurant. |
| Day 2 |
Mar 26, 2006: Full Day Istanbul (B,L)
Travel over the unique transcontinental Bosphorus bridge to visit the Beylerbeyi Palace, used by the Ottoman sultans as a summer residence. Visit the Blue Mosque built in the early 17th century and known as "blue" because of its magnificent interior decoration with blue Iznik tiles which are striking both for their color and the immense area over which they are displayed. Continue to the Hippodrome Square, built by Roman Emperor Septimus in 203 A.D., this was the scene of chariot races and the center of Byzantine civic life. Visit St. Sophia Museum built in 360 A.D., St. Sophia was, for many centuries, the world's largest church and was later converted to a mosque through the addition of minarets. Conclude the day with a visit to the Basilica Cistern, built during wartime in 542 AD by Byzantine Emperor Justinian for water storage. (Photo: Karen Warden) |
| Day 3 |
Mar 27, 2006: Tour Istanbul - Flight to Keyseri (B,D)
Visit the historical "Egyptian Bazaar" built in 1664 as a part of the Yeni Mosque complex located next to it. It is called the "Egyptian Bazaar" because the shopkeepers used to sell spices and herbs which were brought through Egypt. During the Ottoman period it was known as a place where shops sold only spices. Continue to board a private boat for a cruise along the Bosphorus, a narrow strait between the continents of Europe and Asia connecting the Black Sea to the north and the sea of Marmara in the south. Next, visit Topkapi Palace, built by Sultan Mehmet II after the conquest of Istanbul in 15th century. The palace housed the 25 Ottoman Sultans and their exotic entourage until the mid 19th century. In 1924, it was turned into a museum at Ataturk's request. Then, drive to the famous historical Grand Bazaar, the largest bazaar in the world where you will find 4,400 shops under one roof with each trade having its own street. (Photo: Lacey Reynolds) |
| Day 4 |
Mar 28, 2006: Full day Cappadocia (B, D)
 Full day tour of Cappadocia, a land of unique landscapes, unusual rock formations called "fairy chimneys", and troglodyte dwellings built by Christian monks to seek refuge. Visit Goreme Valley a complex of rock chapels and churches covered with frescoes depicting the lives of Jesus Christ and some of the early Christian Fathers such as St. Basil, St. George, Gregory of the Nissa etc.. Continue on to visit the villages of Avanos, Zelve and Natural Citadel of Uchisar. Then, drive to an underground city made to accommodate several thousands of people with seven subterranean floors. |
| Day 5 |
Mar 29, 2006: ECLIPSE DAY! (B, D)
Few phenomena have so inspired and humbled humans throughout the ages as a solar eclipse. Standing under the shadow of the moon as it races across the face of the Earth at a typical speed of about 1700 km/hr is a rare opportunity and one that is inexpressibly spectacular.
The astronomers and climatologists of Sirius Travel are committed to selecting an observation site that will optimize this tour’s chances of a successful eclipse viewing experience. The unpredictable nature of european weather in the spring makes proper site location and access crucial to a successful eclipse viewing.
Our location for the days around the eclipse in, historically, one of the driest and most arid areas of Turkey (Cappadocia), allows us the best chance of viewing at our primary location. Sirius Travel's centrally located, primary viewing site gives access to 450 miles of centerline, from Manavgat in the south to Ordu in the northeast to ensure the best possible viewing for our guests.
Initial eclipse information at primary observation site*
(Longitude: 034 39.0E Latitude: 39 01.4N)**
* this information will be updated with time as information becomes available
** Lat/Long information from coordinate tables published by NASA.
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| Maximum eclipse: |
11:04 UT |
Duration:
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3:37 min:sec
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NOTE: For more specific information please visit: Fred Espenak, NASA's eclipse specialist. Photo: Kamran Sahami
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| Day 6 |
Mar 30, 2006: Cappadocia, Konya, Pamukkale (B, D)
See the cultural center for the Whirling Dervishes and visit the Mausoleum of Mevlana as we travel from central Anatolia to the Aegean coast. |
| Day 7 |
Mar 31, 2006: Pamukkale, Hieropolis, Aphrodisias (B, D)
Pamukkale, which translates to "COTTON CASTLE", appears as such when you approach it from across the valley. Calcareous hot springs descend over hundreds of meters creating a fascinating travertine in the form of white terraces and basins. Visit the ancient cities of Hierapolis. and Aphrodisias. |
| Day 8 |
Apr 01, 2006: Ephesus and House of the Virgin Mary B, D)
Drive to the ancient city of Ephesus, the Roman capital of Asia Minor which remains as the best preserved ancient city in the world and one of the Seven Churches of apocalypse. |
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| Day 9 |
Apr 02, 2006: Pergamum and Troy (B, D)
  After the breakfast, drive to Pergamum, the capital of the large and powerful pre-Roman Kingdom and one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. Visit the Acropolis of Pergamum. Built by the Greeks and later expended by the Romans, this boasted one of the largest libraries in the ancient world. Visit includes the Theater, the Altar of Zeus, and the temples of Tragion & Athena. Then continue south to the Ascelpion, known as the world's first health centerm and a sanctuary to the God of Medicine, Asclepios!
Visit ancient Troy. Famous for the legendary Trojan Horse from the times of an equally legendary couple - Helen & Paris. The remains of the city were excavated by Heinrich Schliemann, a pioneer in the field of archaeology who used Homer’s Illiad to locate the site and who also took many of the valuable treasures he found there back to Germany with him. Homer had immortalized Troy with his narration of the stories of King Priam, Hector, Paris and the beautiful Helen. Excavations revealed nine separate periods (layers) of settlement. The ruins include a temple, theater, and foundations. Today, a wooden copy of the famous Trojan Horse stands symbolically on the site to recall the legendary original long since vanished. (Photos: Karen Warden) |
| Day 10 |
Apr 03, 2006: Istanbul (B, D)
Early morning departure for Istanbul via the Dardanelles. Free afternoon for last minute shopping and exploration in Istanbul. Farewell Dinner. |
| Day 11 |
Apr 4, 2006: Depart Istanbul (B)
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| Tour Cost (in USD) per person: |
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Adult Turkey-only: $2595.00
Adult RT from NYC: $3685.00
Adult (12-15) Turkey-only*: $2395.00
Adult (12-15) RT from NYC*: $3485.00
Child (6-11) Turkey-only*: $2245.00
Child (6-11) RT from NYC*: $3235.00
Child (0-5): airfare only
Single Supplement: $650.00
*Triple occupancy with parents - rate only applies to child on extra bed - parents still pay regular rate. Airlines consider a child to be under 12 years of age. If child (6+) shares room with one adult, child pays adult rate. If
child (0-5) shares room with one adult, adult pays single supplement. It is not possible to accommodate two
children and two adults in one room. Two children in separate room from parents pay adult rate
**Base rates are double occupancy. Airfare calculation is based on March, 2004 rates. This is subject to change
and will be fixed 10 months prior to departure. |
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Tour includes: |
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Guides: Two Sirius Travel astronomer guides, a staff in Turkey, and a local English speaking guide with the tour at all times.
Equipment: Sirius Travel will provide three different ways to view the eclipse. A telescope with solar filter, a solar projection device for group viewing, and eclipse viewing glasses for all guests.
Lectures: Astronomy lectures and general science discussions will be given throughout the tour. All Sirius Travel guides are experienced travelers, educators, and scientists. They enjoy discussing a wide range of topics in addition to their areas of expertise.
Small group size: Our group size is limited, 15-30 guests, for an enjoyable and unique travel experience.
Hotels: 10 nights of accommodation in Turkey at 4 and 5-star hotels.
Meals: As described in the itinerary.
Vehicle: Luxury coach
Entrance Fees: Included
Porterage: Included
Airfare: Domestic airfare included |
Not included: |
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Items of a personal nature, passport and visa fees, gratuity to local guides ($5-7 per day), beverages not included with meals. |
Deposits & Cancellations: |
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To secure your space, a $900 per person advance payment with a completed reservation form is required. A second payment of $600 is due May 1, 2005. Final balance is due December 20, 2005.
For cancellations made through May 1, 2005, there will be a $100 per person cancellation fee. For cancellations made between May 1 - December 20, 2005, there will be a $900 per person cancellation fee. There are no refunds after December 20, 2005. Air cancellation terms are additional.
Trip cancellation/medical insurance is available and recommended. Applications will be provided to tour members with reservation booklet or initial invoice.
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