Day 1: Depart the USA. Day 2: Arrive Istanbul and transfer to the flight to Antalya. In the afternoon stroll through the picturesque Old Quarter of the city with its narrow winding streets and lovely Ottoman homes. The area has won architectural awards for its beautiful restoration. The charm of the ancient Roman and later Ottoman architectural styles has been maintained, with outdoor cafes, restaurants, hotels and shops still housed in the old buildings along the twisting streets. Overnight for two nights at the charming Hotel Dogan, housed within a typical Ottoman wooden mansion. The evening is free to relax and rest after the long flight. (B/L)
Day 6: Drive along the coastal road to Silifke and on to ancient Olba Diocaeseria, or Uzuncaburc. The city is located on a high hill and is one of the most well preserved in Rough Cilicia. Inscriptions found on the site leave no doubt that the city was called Diocaeseria during the Roman Period. It was called Olba in ancient times due to a temple dedicated to Zeus Olbius. This 3rd century B.C. temple is in the Corinthian order, the earliest known, and was erected by Seleucos, the ruler of Syria and a former general of Alexander who also founded several cities along the Mediterranean Coast. Along with this temple, we will see a temple dedicated to the goddess Fortuna (Tycaian), a colonnaded street, a monumental arch, Hellenistic tombs and beautiful fortifications. Dinner will be on your own. Overnight in the Tasucu Best Hotel. (B/L) Day 7: This area of southern Turkey is usually described as Rough Cilicia, or Isauria. As we continue east along the scenic Cilician coast, we will seldom be out of sight of temples and fortifications crowning hilltops or protecting the shore, each with a vast necropolis representing centuries of human occupation. Perched on a rocky shelf high in the Bolkar Mountains is Alahan, a stunning Byzantine monastery complex containing two churches. The East Church was begun in the 6th century, and is adorned with lovely carved sculptures. Kiz Kalesi, or Maiden’s Castle, is actually two castles, one on a promontory at the end of a white sand beach, and the other on an island just offshore. We will also visit Tarsus, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, and a very important city in ancient times. It was here that Cleopatra is believed to have met Mark Antony and is also reputed to be the birthplace of the disciple St. Paul. Dinner is on our own. Overnight at the Hilton Hotel in Mersin. (B/L) Day 8: Today we drive to Antakya, ancient Antioch. Located near the mouth of the Orontes River, the city was one of the earliest centers of Christianity, serving as the headquarters of St. Paul for his missionary journeys between 47-55 A.D. On the way we will visit Anavarza, the remains of a 1st century BCE Romano-Byzantine village. After lunch in Kozan we will drive to Dortyol for a private tour of Kinet Hoyuk, ancient Issos, which has provided evidence of a long history of occupation from the early Bronze Age to the Hellenstic period. Issos was believed to have been the location where Alexander the Great defeated Persian King Darius III. Time permitting, we will continue to Yilani Castle, sited strategically on a ridge dominating both the road between Adana and the Armenian capital of Sis and a wide stretch of the Pyranus River. Dinner is on our own. Overnight at the Buyuk Antakya Hotel for two nights. (B/L)
Day 10: Early drive to Gaziantep to visit the Gaziantep Museum. Lunch will be in a traditional restaurant offering a variety of local delicacies. Drive to Zeugma, the "Turkish Pompeii." Continue to Mount Nemrud. The Kingdom of Commagene emerged as a Roman puppet state in the first century BC. The most renowned ruler, King Antiochus, built his extraordinary mausoleum on the summit of Mt. Nemrud. Certainly one of the most extraordinary tombs in the world, from the spectacular sanctuary we can see for 100 kilometers across the Mesopotamian Plain. This evening, we will drive (and climb) to the West Terrace to watch the sun set on the huge statues of Hellenistic gods - Apollo, Zeus, Fortuna - with the king prominently seated among them. Overnight in the Kahta Zeus Hotel. (B/L/D) Day 11: An early morning walk takes us to the summit once again, this time to watch sunrise on the East Terrace. After leaving the summit, we will view Arsameia, the tomb that Antiochus built for his father; at the entrance stands a large relief of the Persian god, Mithra. The tumulus of Karakus was built to house the burials of Commagene queens and princesses. To get there, we cross Cendere, the Roman bridge built to honor Septimus Severus, and spanning the Kahta River in one single arch. The controversial Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) is a massive $32 billion public project to harness the power of the upper reaches of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers and to irrigate the fertile plains that lie between them. We will visit the Ataturk dam, and then continue to Sanliurfa. Overnight Hotel Edessa for two nights. (B/L/D)
Day 13: At least 5000 years old, Diyarbakir is one of the oldest cities in the world. It is a fascinating city encircled by a massive parapet built of jet-black blocks of basalt. This 4th century wall is more than three miles long and is covered with inscriptions and carved reliefs. From the top there are magnificent vistas overlooking the Tigris and Euphrates River valleys. A walking tour takes us to the fortification walls; Ulu Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in Anatolia; and the 12th century Zinciriye Medrese, or religious school. Dinner and overnight in Diyarbakir at the Class Hotel. (B/L/D) Day 14: Today's drive takes us to Van. We will stop along the way to view the Malabadi Bridge, built by the Artukids, a Turkmen dynasty that ruled a thousand years ago. And visit Bitlis, strategically located on the only route from the Van basin to the Mesopotamian plains. Much of the architecture of the city is from the early Selcuk and Ottoman periods. Overnight for two nights in the Merit Sahmaran Urartu Hotel in Van. (B/L/D) Day 15: We will visit three spectacular sites today. A drive takes us to majestic Hosap Castle, built by a Kurdish warlord in 1643. According to local tradition, the hands of the architect who built this formidable stronghold were cut off so that he could not build another. In the afternoon travel by boat across Lake Van to visit Akdamar Island to see a spectacular 10th-century church built by an Armenian king. Built of carved red stone blocks, the walls of the chapel are adorned with exquisite friezes depicting stories from the Old Testament. The modern city of Van was built on the ruins of Tushpa, the capital of the Urartians, and within the citadel are walls containing inscriptions carved by King Sarduris I of Urartu. In the late afternoon, we will climb to the fortress to watch sunset. (B/L/D) Day 16: Transfer to the airport for our flight to Istanbul where lunch and the afternoon are free. We will overnight in a hotel within the Sultanhamet area with plentiful sites, shops, and museums. There will be time for last minute shopping. In the evening, meet to go to Kumkapi, a delightful neighborhood where seafood restaurants abound and musicians entertain with lively music. (B/D)
(B)
breakfast, (L) lunch, (D) dinner NOTE ABOUT ITINERARY CHANGES: 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. STUDY LEADERS: Maud Burnett McInerney received her PhD from University of California, Berkeley, in Comparative Literature, and her BA in English, Latin and Greek from the University of Toronto. She is presently Associate Professor of English, Haverford College in Pennsylvania where she teaches courses in Medieval Studies, with an emphasis on iconography, and early Christian culture. Dr. McInerney has also taught courses in Greek Mythology and reads Latin and Greek. Her book, Eloquent Virgins from Thecla to Joan of Arc, was published by Palgrave Press in 2003. Her recent research has concerned itself with Greek Christian writers in Asia Minor and contacts between Byzantium and the Holy Roman Empire in the ninth and tenth centuries. Dr. McInerney’s familiarity with the mythology and history of the ancient Mediterranean, and her enthusiasm for her subject will make traveling with her a very special experience. TRIP COST: $9,495.00 (per person, double occupancy) includes international airfare from New York and two Turkish domestic flights in coach, all hotels, meals as noted, entry fees, and ground transportation in Turkey. The price does not include the separate donation check of $150.00 to Friends of Bilkent University, Inc. for the Kinet Hoyuk archaeological project; passport or visa fees; beverages or food not on regular menus; Turkish arrival and departure taxes; laundry, excess baggage charges; gratuities to guides and drivers and other items of a personal nature. SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $795.00. Should a roommate be requested and one not be available, the single supplement must be charged. TO REGISTER: A deposit of $500.00 and a separate check for $150.00 made out to Friends of Bilkent University, Inc. with “Kinet Hoyuk Project” noted in the memo line, are required along with your completed and signed registration form. Your donation supports excavations at the ancient port town of Kinet Höyük, classical Issos. Excavations have been taking place here since 1992 under the general direction of Marie-Henriette Gates. Final payment is due 75 days before departure (March 31, 2008). Any cancellation received in writing at least 75 days before departure will result in a cancellation fee of $250.00. Cancellations received less than 75 days before the starting date will not receive a refund. Travel insurance that includes trip cancellation is strongly recommended. CANCELLATION AND REFUNDS: 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 before departure will not receive a refund. If for any reason you are unable to complete the tour, we will not reimburse any fees. If for any reason you are unable to complete the trip, FAR HORIZONS will not reimburse any fees. It is strongly advised that you purchase travel protection that includes trip cancellation upon registering for the trip. AIRLINE NOTE: Turkish Airlines requires that tickets be issued 90 days before departure. Participants who register after that date may be charged an additional fee due to price changes. PRIVATE TOURS OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES: 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.
Itinerary
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Day 3: Straddling a rocky mountain valley and protected by three impenetrable walls, Termessos was built by the Pisidians before the time of Christ. The fierce independence of these people was shown when they chose to build in such a high remote place. This was the only city never conquered by Alexander the Great. In 333BC, Alexander swept eastwards with all cities falling to him; then he came up against a city so impregnable and well-defended that after camping below it for one night he decided to waste no more time and moved on. The ruins of the city, despite being overgrown, have a grandeur rarely equaled. Termessos is located within a recently declared national park, notable for its fine forests and other flora, as well as for the archaeological remains. In the afternoon, return to Antalya and visit the Antalya Archaeological Museum, an architectural delight; the artifacts contained within are from the many nearby ancient cities. Gather this evening for a welcome dinner at the renowned 7 Mehmet Restaurant, overlooking the sea. (B/L/D)
Day 4: Depart this morning for the Roman city of Selge, strikingly situated in the mountains at the top of Köprülü Valley. The site contains a spectacular theater, stadium, agora, necropolis, and temples to Zeus and Artemis. Nearby Bridged Canyon National Park (Köprülü Kanyon Milli Park), takes its name from the Roman bridge spanning the river and still in use. Continue to Alanya. During classical times Alanya served as a haven for pirates who plagued the Mediterranean coast. The spectacular old portion of the city is encircled by towering walls, and its rose-pink Seljuk fortress dominates the skyline. Standing more than 100 feet high, the Red Tower is an octagonal fortress located along the city fortifications. Along the harbor stands the tershane, the only one of its type still existing in Turkey. In former times, this building was a dockyard where the ships of the Seljuk fleet were built and repaired. Overnight in Alanya, dinner will be in a local restaurant. (B/L/D)
Day 5: Mamure is without a doubt the most spectacular medieval castle in southern Turkey, and its magnificent presence still dominates both land and sea approaches to Anamur. The tall towers and walls enclosing the fortress are still standing to their original height, and a moat encircles the complex. The large ancient city of Anemurium is made up of several Byzantine churches, a theater, odeon, and two bath complexes with floors of inlaid geometric mosaic tiles still visible. The extensive necropolis here includes tombs ranging from simple barrel-vaulted chambers to large two-story constructions, some still containing mosaics and frescoes. Continue to Bozyaz for dinner and overnight at the Marmure Hotel. (B/L/D)
Day 9: Spend all day exploring Antakya. Visit the Mosaic Museum, housing beautiful Roman mosaics rescued from the ruins of Roman villas in Daphne, and the Grotto of St. Peter, a cave church where St. Peter is believed to have preached and the new word, Christian, came into use. In the afternoon, drive to the village of Cevlik to explore Seleukia Pieria, an important ancient harbor and base for the Roman Navy. Here, impressive waterworks still remain. To prevent flooding, a dam and artificial watercourse were built that diverted the river into an underground channel almost 5000 feet long. Then it’s on to see two churches dominating a mountain peak that were constructed to honor the two St. Simeons who spent most of their lives in prayer and fasting while seated atop a column. (B/L/D)
Day 12: Urfa, a city whose origins are rooted in the Bronze Age. Renamed Edessa in the 4th century BC, it became a famous religious and intellectual center during the Byzantine period. We will take time to visit the old quarters of the city, Urfa Bazaar, and the Urfa Archaeology Museum. Drive to the Harran plain, and visit a village of curious beehive shaped homes. We will see the impressive 8th-century Great Mosque, built by the last of the Umayyad caliphs. (B/L/D)
Day 17: Our morning transfer takes us to the airport for our flight back to the USA. (B)