12 DAY Turkey Explored EXTUII-7PR

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1 12 DAY Turkey Explored EXTUII-7PR This tour visits: Turkey Fascinating culture paired with stunning scenery make a tour of Turkey a truly unforgettable experience. Starting amidst the historical grandeur and modern wonder of Istanbul, we ll marvel at the ancient ruins of Ephesus and Pergamon, before being swept away by the otherworldly Cappadocia and gorgeous coastal villages on the Mediterranean all while indulging in mouthwatering local cuisine and enjoying the traditional hospitality of the locals. Too good to be true? You better believe it. Following the recent unrest in Turkey, the team at Topdeck have made the decision to suspend all trips that travel through Istanbul and Ankara for the remainder of the summer season ending October It is always our utmost priority to ensure our passengers are safe and can enjoy their trip of a lifetime, so we will monitor the situation closely and reassess our position after the summer season.

2 The Bucket List More Inclusions ANZAC Cove in Gallipoli Visit Pamukkale & Hierapolis Explore Derinkuyu underground city Visit the historic site of Troy Welcome & farewell dinner in Istanbul 11 breakfasts, 5 dinners 11 nights hotel accommodation (twin or double) Smaller group size Modern air-conditioned coach Sightseeing tours of all major cities Local Trip Leader Trip Itinerary Day 1 - Istanbul, Turkey Arrive, check in and dump your gear. Meet the crew and get the lowdown on local etiquette (you're not in Kansas anymore) then get your Turkish love affair started with your first taste of Turkey. #shishkebab. -Dinner Day 2 - Istanbul to Ankara This morning should be called the great Istanbul bucket list. Tick off the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, the Aya Sofia and Underground Cistern on a guided tour. Grab a quick bite before we jet off to Ankara for a primer in ancient urban history. Cover the bases with the Anatolian Civilization Museum and the Mausoleum of Turkey's first President, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk then roam free and explore. Included today: -Walking tour of Istanbul -Walking tour of Ankara Optional activities: -Entrance to Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sofia and the Basilica Cistern Day 3 - Ankara to Cappadocia Arrive, check in and dump your gear. Meet the crew and get the lowdown on local etiquette (you're not in Kansas anymore) then get your Turkish love affair started with your first taste of Turkey. #shishkebab. -Dinner Day 4 - Cappadocia Wander the streets of Goreme or check out the Uchisar Castle (optional) for more epic views then get your groove on at tonight's optional Turkish dance show.

3 Included today: -Ilhara Valley visit Optional activities: -Goreme open air museum -Uchisar Castle -Traditional Turkish dance show Day 5 - Cappadocia to Konya Kick back on today's drive to Konya. First stop en route at Sultan Han Caravanserai, a pit-stop for camel trains on the old Silk Road. More otherworldly landscapes await in Ihlara Valley. Shelf your claustrophobia and venture underground on an optional tour of the buried Derinkuyu city where Christians hid to avoid persecution from the Romans (entry optional). Then another stop for a photo op at Obruk's deep blue lake and whirling dervishes upon arrival on a tour of the Mevlana Museum. Tonight is a good time to see a man about a kebab. The food here is famous for a reason (read: slow-roasted mutton the local way). Included today: -Mevlana Whirling Dervish Museum tour -Underground city Derinkuyu Day 6 - Konya to Fethiye Fethiye and another fifty shades of blue. And white beaches. Wade through the icy blue to battle waterfalls set against limestone canyon walls on an optional visit to Saklikent Gorge. Locals call this place a paradise granted to Earth by God. When you see the beaches, you'll know why. -Dinner Optional activities: -Saklikent Gorge visit Day 7 - Fethiye Like most rivieras, this place doesn't lack options to worship the sun. Check out tombs carved into rock cliffs or alternate between dips and sandy naps on the beach. This afternoon: sail the lagoon on an optional boat cruise then mingle with the newbies joining tonight, or split off to dig into some more local fare. Optional activities:

4 -Blue lagoon boat cruise Day 8 - Fethiye to Kusadasi On to the cotton castles of Pamukkale for a dip in the best natural hot tubs in Turkey. Take a tour of the ancient Roman city Hierapolis before we roll into Kusadasi in the early evening. Included today: -Pamukkale visit -Hierapolis ruins visit -Dinner Day 9 - Kusadasi More Indiana Jones vibes today as we check out the ruins of the Roman city Ephesus. Apart from buildings dating back to 3,000 BC, this is also the home of the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven ancient wonders of the world. See forgotten city halls, a former library, Greek amphitheatre and a stadium whose last race saw chariot and horses compete. The rest of the day is free to explore Kusadasi. Flex your haggling skills at the Grand Bazaar, hit the beach or go baklava hunting. You can't go wrong. Included today: -Ephesus visit Day 10 - Kusadasi to Canakkale On to Troy. Think ancient battle, hidden soldiers and that movie with Brad Pitt. But first, a visit to the ruins of Pergamon for an optional tour of the Acropolis. Spend the night in Canakkale after a photo op with the notorious wooden horse. Included today: -Visit Pergamon and Troy Optional activities: -Guided Acropolis tour in Pergamon -Entrance to site of Troy Day 11 - Canakkale to Istanbul Today we take on a more sombre tone. On to the WWI-scarred shores of Gallipoli for a one of the most defining events in the histories of Australia, New Zealand and Turkey. Pay your respects at the Australian memorial at Lone Pine, the New Zealand Memorial at Chunuk Bair, visit ANZAC Cove and the Turkish Memorial. Lest we forget. Then more turkish delight and teary goodbyes at our farewell dinner in Istanbul. Included today:

5 -Gallipoli visit incl. Australian Memorial at Lone Pine, New Zealand Memorial at Chunuk Bair, and ANZAC cove -Farewell dinner in a local restaurant -Dinner Day 12 - Istanbul You can never have enough baklava. Eat yourself into a food coma this morning, we're out of here after breakfast. Accommodation We endeavour to select a combination of good quality hotels that reflect the character of the local area as well as being as centrally located as possible, all the while striving to keep the cost affordable. Your trip will stay in a range of European hotels of three and four-star quality. Please be aware that European hotel rooms, especially those in major urban centres or older cities, may be smaller than what you are used to in other parts of the world. Standards and ratings may also be different to your home country. Rooms are en-suite and either twin- or triple-share, depending on what you have booked. If you are a solo traveller, you will always be sharing a room with someone of the same sex. If you are travelling as a couple and would prefer to have a double bed, please officially request a double room with your travel agent or Topdeck trip consultant. We never presume that two people travelling together are a couple, even if you share the same surname, unless informed otherwise. Optional Activities On all trips we have arranged extra activities that we think will enhance your travel experience, but you have a choice as to whether or not you will participate. These are not included in the cost of your trip. They are usually organised on a group participation basis and should be taken into consideration when budgeting your spending money. None of the Optional Activities on your trip are operated by Topdeck, nor do they form part of your contract with Topdeck for your trip. Topdeck arranges the activity as an agent of the local supplier. Should you participate in any Optional Activities your contract will be with the local supplier and their conditions will apply. Please note: while we make every effort to keep these prices as accurate and up-to-date as possible, they are subject to change and in rare circumstances the actual price may vary slightly to what is published here.

6 Cappadocia Traditional Turkish show 40 Goreme Open Air Museum 25 TRY Underground cities 25 TRY Fethiye Saklikent Gorge 2.20 Islands of Fethiye boat tour (min 16 pax) 45 Istanbul Topkapi Palace 35 TRY Hagia Sophia 35 TRY Basilica Cistern 25 TRY Konya Mevlana Museum 2 Pamukkale Pamukkale Hierapolis 25 TRY Hierspolis Archaelogy Museum 5 TRY Ephesus Ephesus Ancient City 35 TRY Pergamon Pergamon Acropolis 25 TRY Troy Site entrance 25 TRY Meals Your included meals are detailed in the 'More Inclusions' section of this document. Breakfasts are included every day in the hotel (except on the first morning). They are usually 'continental breakfasts', which are typical in most European countries. A typical breakfast may consist of cereals with milk or yoghurt, bread, croissants, cold meats, cheese and a range of spreads, with fruit juice, tea or coffee to drink. It is rare to get a hot breakfast in continental Europe, though on some occasions there may be some hot food available as well. Included evening meals are in local restaurants or accommodation places, and are either two or three courses. In most cases table water is provided with the meals, and if you wish to purchase additional drinks you can do so at your own expense.

7 If you have any dietary requirements we will make every effort to cater to your specific needs as long as you advise your travel agent or Topdeck Trip Consultant when you book, or make note of this in the Topdeck App when you check in (refer below). But please be aware that although we will do everything in our power to arrange it, we cannot guarantee that every restaurant we use will be able to cater to all dietary needs, particularly in Eastern Europe. We also cannot cater for tastes or dislikes, as most of our included evening meals feature a set menu. No Tip Necessary Your Topdeck crew never expect tips themselves and will not ask for any; that s not what friends do! We also know how much tipping can cost you. So go ahead, spoil yourself with the money you will save by travelling with Topdeck (just don t forget Mum s souvenir). Topdeck Travel App Our travel app has landed! It is available for all passengers on our trips in Europe (excluding festivals) and in North America. More destinations coming soon With a range of cool features including a Currency Converter, Budget Planner, Check-In tool and Social Timeline (so your next #TravelEnvy post is never too far away) you can plan your trip like a pro. Think of it like your very own Topdeck Trip Leader, always on call with the latest info, weather, maps and city guides to give you the trip of a lifetime, all in the palm of your hand. Get it for iphone Get it for Android Other Information Finances Changing Money ATMs/cashpoints are available all over Europe and are the safest and easiest way to access money. Major credit cards are also accepted and we recommend you bring yours along in case you see something special that you hadn't budgeted for. Some nationals may have access to pre-paid cards that you can use at any ATM just like a debit card that you may want to consider as a viable alternative or addition to your bank card. We recommend that you change approximately 100 in cash before departure and approximately 30 Swiss francs (if your trip goes through Switzerland). This will cover you for spending money until you have the chance to change more or find an ATM on the ground. Please note credit cards cannot be used to pay for Optional Activities.

8 Spending Money Based on experience, we recommend at least per day. This is to cover daily expenses including sightseeing, small souvenir shopping and non-included meals. Remember, this is a rough figure only and spending habits vary greatly between individuals according to their budget and habits! Tipping Although you may not be accustomed to tipping at home, in many European countries it is customary. In some countries a service charge may be added to your bill, in other countries it is usual to round the bill up to the nearest Euro or to leave an additional amount of between 5% and 10%. Your Trip Leader will be able to advise you further on the tipping customs in the countries you visit. Topdeck Top Tip: it is a really good idea to hide away somewhere a small amount of cash and/or extra card; this will really come in handy in the unlikely event that you lose your wallet or any other kind of emergency. European Currencies While the predominant currency throughout Europe is the euro ( ), there are still many European countries that sit outside the Eurozone for which you will need to use local currency (or rely on your credit/debit cards). It is generally always possible to exchange money into local currency after arriving in the country, but the easiest way is to make a withdrawal from a local ATM/cashpoint. Below is a list of all the other currencies you will use on your trip: Turkey - Turkish Lira (TRY) Insurance It is compulsory for all passengers to take out comprehensive travel insurance before the trip departs covering cancellation, medical expenses including repatriation, loss or damage to baggage and personal belongings, money and personal liability. For more information go to You must bring a copy of your travel insurance policy with you on the trip. Details of your policy must be uploaded into the Topdeck app before your trips departs, otherwise they will be requested by your Trip Leader on Day One. Passports and Visas Please make sure your passport is valid for at least six months after the last day of your trip. Some countries will refuse entry if there is not at least six months validity remaining on your passport after your departure date from their country. Depending on your nationality, you may require a visa to enter certain countries. It is your responsibility to obtain these prior to the departure of this trip. You can consult the government websites of the countries in which you will be travelling or your own government s website to determine which visas you will require. We also have a visa chart on our website listing the visas required by some nationalities travelling on our trips. To check go to

9 Remember that some visas can take up to six weeks to acquire, so don t leave it until the last minute. Also bear in mind that the validity of the visa often runs from the date of issue rather than date of entry into the country. Please check with the appropriate embassies prior to departure as requirements do change periodically. Transport Coach Time We try to spend as little time on the coach as possible so that you have more time to enjoy the places you visit. But do please remember that Europe is a large continent and it takes time to get around! On driving days between cities you will be on the coach during the day, stopping off to visit places of interest where possible. Strict driving rules apply in Europe that limit the maximum number of hours your Driver can drive each day. They also limit the maximum number of days that can be driven before a day off must be taken. We have worked hard to make sure this does not affect your trip, but in some cities it means we will use public transport while your Driver has a well-earned rest day. The cost for this is included in your trip price and your Trip Leader will show you how to get around town as the locals do! Please note: this doesn't cover your own local transport while in a city, only when the coach is not in operation. Wi-Fi Free Wi-Fi is available for all passengers in Europe, this includes both coach and sailing trips. For more information about our Wi-Fi allowance and availability per country, please head to our website Please note: Wi-Fi charges are subject to change. If you feel necessary, please enquire with us to ensure your particular coach has Wi-Fi availability. Health and Safety We want to make sure you re having the time of your life while travelling with us. Therefore, if you suffer from any kind of medical condition or allergies, we will need to know at the time of booking, or at least six weeks prior to the departure of your trip. If you require regular medication, you must have a sufficient supply before your trip departs, as it may be difficult to obtain while travelling. You must be able to administer your own medication, as Topdeck Road Crew will not be able to administer it, and there are no guarantees that there will be anyone with first aid training on board. Vaccinations There are currently no compulsory vaccinations required for any of the countries this trip visits. Please reconfirm this with your GP or health professional before you leave as conditions can change. General Information Public toilets In most European countries you can expect to pay a small amount to use public toilets at service stations and in city centres. It is a common practice in Europe and should be regarded as a form of tipping, as the money goes to the people who clean and/or maintain the facilities. It

10 is very rare that public toilets do not supply toilet paper, but it may be useful to carry a pack of tissues with you. Power All European countries (with the sole exception of the United Kingdom) use a CEE7/16 standard round, two-prong plug and a single adaptor will work in all countries. Voltage Throughout Europe the voltage is a uniform 220v. If the voltage is the same or similar in your home country your appliance will comply. If you have a 110v appliance you will need to use a transformer to avoid damaging your appliance. In Cases of Emergency While we hope you never have to use it, if for any reason you need to contact someone from Topdeck, whether it be that you have missed a trip departure meeting, have become separated from your trip on the road or any other unforeseeable problem, the following options are available to you. London Office Your best recourse to assistance during the day is to call our team between 8am-9pm Monday to Friday and 9.30am-4pm on Saturdays UK time. Tel: +44 (0) Emergency Contact If you need to contact Topdeck outside of the above hours the following number is available: Mobile: +(44) Please remember if it is a genuine emergency, we of course want you to call us; however, if it can wait until the next day, we ask that you call during our office hours. What to Bring We recommend soft bags, suitcases or frameless backpacks, plus a small day pack or carry bag. No external framed bags please, as they damage other bags on the coach. Please limit your luggage to a maximum of 20kg. Luggage must not exceed dimensions of 70cm in height, 45cm in width and 25cm in depth. Only one piece of luggage is allowed. Please note that due to space and weight restrictions on our coaches, passengers with too much luggage on departure morning may be told that they cannot take their entire luggage with them. Luggage storage facilities are usually available at the departure point, if they are not available you will have to make your own arrangements to have it stored or shipped home. Any luggage left behind will be at your own risk and you will be required to pay any costs incurred. Sleeping Bags A sleeping bag will not be required for your trip. Suggested Packing List

11 The golden rule is to travel as light as you can. Only bring what you really need and leave plenty of space for things you might want to buy. Don't forget you will have to carry your bag around yourself before and after the trip, as well as in and out of where you re staying while on your trip! The following is a suggested clothing list only, based on our experience: 1 pair of comfortable walking shoes 1 pair of smart casual shoes 1 pair thongs/jandals/flip-flops 2 pairs jeans/trousers 2 pairs shorts/skirts 4 shirts/t-shirts 2 sweaters/jumpers Smart casual evening wear 1 rainproof jacket 1 warm jacket Underwear and socks! Other things to pack: Swimwear Towel Toiletries Hat and Sunscreen Basic medical kit (including plasters, aspirin etc.) Washing powder Insect repellent Conversion plug Optionals to consider: Sewing kit Pillow case Torch Travel pillow Please note: entry into some religious sites, such as cathedrals and mosques, requires clothing to cover the knees, chest and shoulders. Final Checklist Passport (with visas if required!) Airline tickets (where applicable) Insurance Policy (you must bring these details with you) Camera; batteries; chargers; conversion plug That s it you re now ready for your trip of a lifetime! If you have any further questions feel free to give our team a shout at any time. Happy

12 travels!