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Day 1: Oct. 3, 2012 Wed. Depart USA for Istanbul, Turkey
Day 2: Oct. 4 Thursday. Arrival in Istanbul
Upon arrival at the Ataturk Airport your guide will meet the group and transfer you to your hotel.
This evening enjoy a group Welcome dinner in one of the best local restaurants.
Overnight in Istanbul. (D)
Day 3: Oct. 5 Friday Istanbul
Today’s included excursions are the Hippodrome and domed Basilica of St. Sophia, which has
inspired architects and religious leaders for over fifteen hundred years. Constructed in 326 by
Constantine the Great, it has been a cathedral, a mosque, and is now a museum. Our sightseeing
continues with Chora Church, an 11th century Byzantine monument with remarkable architecture,
then the Suleymaniye Mosque and a visit to the Spice Bazaar where the scent of hundreds of spices
permeates the air. Overnight in Istanbul. (B, D)
- Day 4: Oct. 6 Saturday Istanbul
Spend the morning at the magnificent Topkapi Palace once home to the great Sultans and filled
with treasures and antiquities including twelve thousand pieces of fine Chinese porcelain. The
Istanbul Archaeology Museum is housed in three buildings just inside the first court of Topkapi
Palace and is considered the largest museum in the world housing works from various countries
of the Ottoman Empire. Continue to the unique Blue Mosque whose interior walls are covered
with twenty thousand blue Iznik tiles. End the day at the Basilica Cistern, also called the Sunken
Palace Cistern, so impressive because of it’s huge size and 336 marble columns. Overnight in
Istanbul. (B, D)
Day 5: Oct. 7 Sunday Istanbul – Cappadocia
Today we will fly to Kayseri and visit Kaymakli Underground City, built around the sixth century by the Christian inhabitants of this
region by tunnelling into the soft volcanic rock of the large hills. Overnight in Cappadocia. (B, D)
Day 6: Oct. 8 Monday Cappadocia
Our sightseeing begins with a visit to the fascinating Goreme Valley. The lunar like landscape of this
region is eerie, yet beautiful. Over thousands of years, the rain has eroded this landscape to give rise
to strange rock formations known as “Fairy Chimneys”. Many of these have homes and churches
carved into them. Some of the grottos are magnificently decorated with colorful frescoes depicting
biblical scenes. Then we enjoy a visit to a local municipality carpet cooperation, sort of a carpet farm
where you will get the chance to explore the district from a cultural perspective. In the afternoon
visit Cavusin and the monastery of St. John the Baptist and Uchisar Castle. Overnight Cappadocia.B,D
- Day 7: Oct. 9 Tuesday Cappadocia
Today we will explore a typical Turkish village, Avanos, to see the techniques
of ceramic art dating from 12th B.C. to 3rd B.C. periods. We admire the
villager’s skill and expertise as we watch them making beautiful pottery. Then
we will explore the hidden monastic valley of Pasabagi, which has a large
number of carved rock houses and churches. Then visit the Zelve valley, called
the Zelve Open Air Museum, which is among the earliest-settled and last-
abandoned monastic valleys in Cappadocia. Marvel at the dramatic
topography with it’s crags, pinnacles and steep valleys. Then enjoy a visit to
Sinasos, an old Greek town with its spectacular old Greek houses. Tonight we
will experience Sema (Whirling dervishes ceremony) inspired by the Sufi
mystical poet, Rumi. The Sema represents a mystical journey of man's spiritual
ascent through love, finding the truth and arriving to "Perfection". Overnight
in Cappadocia. (B, D)
- Day 8: Oct. 10 Wednesday Cappadocia – Ankara – Izmir
Morning drive to the Capital City Ankara and visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilization
which contains precious artefacts from Palaeolithic to Roman times. Then board our flight
to Izmir. Overnight in Izmir. (B, D)
Today we visit an ancient city, Pergamum, once ruled by Alexander the Great. Visit the glorious
Temple of Isis, Great Mother and restorer and the Temple of Demeter, the Goddess of the harvest,
the fertile ploughed earth and the Corn Mother. Persephone, the Corn Maiden, is the seed planted
in the ground. In the afternoon we will explore Sardis, the capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia.
Sardis became a Greek city with an impressive Temple of Artemis, the maiden goddess of the hunt,
bearing a bow and arrows. In the Roman era, the temple was expanded and used also for the
imperial cult, and a huge bath-gymnasium complex was built. Overnight in Izmir. (B, D)
Day 10: Oct. 12 Friday Izmir – Ephesus – Flight to Istanbul
Morning visit to Ephesus. One of the greatest of the Ionian cities, it became the leading
seaport of the region. Its wealth was proverbial. According to the old legends, Ephesus
was founded by the female warriors known as the Amazons. Once populated with three
hundred thousand people, it has an enormous amphitheatre, which can still hold twenty
four thousand spectators. Here we can genuinely 'soak in' the atmosphere of Roman
times. As we walk down the marble covered streets we'll see gymnasiums, baths houses,
public latrines, and the library of Celsius. Then explore the House of the Virgin Mary where
the Apostle John cared for the mother of Jesus. Transfer to Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport
for our flight to Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul. (B) Farewell Dinner.
After breakfast, transfer to Ankara Airport for your flight home. (B)
Accommodations in 4 Star Hotels:
Istanbul City Center Hotel ( www.citycenterhotel.com.tr ) or Grand Yavuz Hotel ( www.grandyavuzhotel.com )
Izmir Best Western Konak ( www.bestwesternhotelkonakizmir.com ) or Aksan Hotel ( www.aksanotel.com )
Cappadocia Mustafa Hotel ( http://www.otelmustafa.com.tr/ ) or Yiltok Hotel ( http://www.yiltok.net/eng/ )
- Kathryn Harwig, Group Leader is a psychic/medium who has led
numerous mystical journeys to destinations all over the world. A former
attorney, she now dedicates her time to writing, speaking and traveling.
She is the author of seven books, the most recent, “Return of Intuition”
was released by Llewellyn worldwide in August of 2010. Kathryn has helped
thousands of people to enhance their intuitive skills, find their soul’s
purpose and live in joy. She calls herself a professional wanderer and has
visited over 90 countries thus far. Kathryn lives in Minnesota.
Visit Kathryn's website:
| Join Kathryn In Mystical Turkey Traveling is one of the best ways to enhance psychic ability and nurture your spirit. New views and experiences open our minds to look beneath and beyond our typical world view. It challenges us to see beyond normal vision, to hear between the words and to intuitively know things outside of our five senses. Traveling in a small group facilitated by master psychic, Kathryn Harwig, will give you an amazing experience of one of the truly mystical places on earth. Turkey has more Greek ruins than Greece and more Roman ruins than Italy. We will be exploring the mystery of the ancient Roman cities of Pergamom and Ephesus and walking in the fairy tale landscape of Cappadocia and exploring early Christian underground cities. In the bustling city of Istanbul we will visit underground Roman aqueducts as well as savor the bustle of the Grand Market and the beauty of Ottoman Mosques. You will be part of a small group where you will be encouraged to use your intuition and spirit. Kathryn Harwig, a professional psychic and author, will provide spiritual support and intuitive lessons, including channeling her guides, the Light Collective. A pre-trip gathering will prepare you for the experience and let you meet your fellow adventurers. |
| Mystical Turkey Tour Itinerary October 3 – 13, 2012 |
| Tour Cost PP: $3,599.00 based on a minimum of 12 travelers in shared accommodations Single Supplement: $799.00 $500 deposit required to reserve your space Includes All transfers per program itinerary 9 Nights accommodation in 4 Star hotels All Domestic Flights (Istanbul to Kayseri , Ankara to Izmir and Izmir to Istanbul) Breakfast and dinner daily / Welcome and Farewell dinner Transportation by modern, Air-Conditioned Midi-bus Baggage Handling at the hotels English speaking Professional Tour Guide, (Spiritual and history specialist) "Sema" Whirling Dervish Ceremony All entrances Fees / All applicable Taxes Tips to drivers and guides and included meals All local services charges Intuitive and Spiritual facilitation by Kathryn Harwig At least one channeling session by the Light Collective Pre-trip gathering hosted by Kathryn to discuss the trip and meet your fellow travelers Does Not Include Visa for Turkey - $20 PP Paid upon arrival in Istanbul Beverages with meals, soda, bottled water, wine etc. Tips to hotel room maids Items of a personal nature, phone calls, drinks, laundry etc. Travel insurance (strongly recommended) International flight to Istanbul Domestic flight costs subject to change until flights are booked PRINT REGISTRATION FORM: For more information or questions Contact Gayle Lawrence Journeys of Discovery Travel Email Gayle or call 727-785-5563 Return to Home Page: |
The best way to see
the"Fairy Chimneys" of
Cappadocia is in a
hot air balloon!
(Optional activity)
