THE PASSION PLAY IN GERMANY - TREASURES OF TURKEY

Sept  13  USA- MUNICH, GERMANY

 Sept 14 Munich: Airport welcome and transfer to centrally-located hotel for check-in and rest. Then perhaps take a walk with Gunter around his home city before our dinner. (D)   

 Sept 15  Munich- oberammergau:  After an easy-going morning, drive through picturesque Alpine foothills with mountain lakes and country farmhouses to Linderhof, the Fairy-Tale King’s jewel of a palace. In 18^th C style with pavilions, fountains and grottoes, it was a backdrop for the young king’s romantic fancies. Then we come to the masterpiece of Bavarian Rococo, the famous Wieskirche by Dominikus Zimmerman. A short drive brings us to The Passion Play Village of Oberammergau. (B,D)

 sept 16 oberammergau: Enjoy a free morning followed by the performance of the villagers (up to 2,000 of them are involved) in the long-awaited Passion of Christ. (B,L,D)

 sept 17 Oberammergau- Munich:  This morning Germany’s top Alpine resort, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, is our first stop. Famed as an Olympic Games site, it has kept the charm of an ancient village. Next is the frescoed village of Mittenwald, known for its craftsmen who make handmade violins. Through picture-book countryside we arrive in Munich for free time and dinner. (B,D)

 SEPT 18, SAT: MUNICH-ISTANBUL-CAPPADOCIA. Welcome to Turkey. Our flight has brought us to a land rich in archaeological sites, warm-hearted people and an enormous variety of spectacular scenery. On arrival in Istanbul we board a flight to Kayseri.  A short drive takes us to Cappadocia whose story of the incredible landscape began more than 10 million years ago. Tonight enjoy a special Welcome Dinner with wine in our lovely hotel restaurant. (D)

 SEPT 19, SUN: CAPPADOCIA. Aeons worth of eruptions deposited layers of mud, ash and lava on the area. Eventually these layers compressed and became tufa, a soft rock. Erosion by rain, snow and wind created a fantastic relief of rock formations resembling chimneys, cones, needles, pillars and pyramids. Oxidation gave the area the final artistic touch : rocks painted yellow, pink, red and gray-violet. First we go to Goreme to visit the rock-carved churches decorated with ancient wall paintings, some of which we will see in the open air museum, then continue to the Zelve Valley, where the scenery is dotted with churches, caves and troglodyte dwellings. Next we tour Kaymakli, one of the best- preserved underground cities in the area. These were cities in the truest sense, some stretching as deep as 14 stories below the surface and able to house as many as 12,000 people. Return to the hotel and, after dinner; enjoy a colourful folklore and belly dance performance with dances from many regions in an underground cave. (B,D)

 SEPT 20, MON:  CAPPADOCIA-ANTALYA. Our first stop this morning is the Sultan Hani, Anatolia's best preserved caravansary. During ancient times it was a resting place for travellers and their camels on the way of the Silk Road. Stop in Konya for lunch, then descend the Taurus mountains by going south to the Gulf of Antalya and our Barut Lara Resort Hotel, beautifully located on the sparkling blue Mediterranean (B,L,D)

 SEPT 21, TUE:  ANTALYA. After a leisurely breakfast a short drive brings us to Aspendos to visit what is considered the best- preserved Roman Theatre in Turkey. Built during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius in the 2^nd century, it is striking for the broad curve of seats, perfectly portioned porticoes, and rich decoration. Return to our hotel for a small-group highlight: a Turkish cuisine cooking lesson with the chef of our hotel followed by lunch. This afternoon join us for a walking tour of the Antalya's old town with free time for browsing and shopping, or enjoy a few relaxing hours on Turkey's Turquoise Coast. (B,L,D)

 SEPT 22, WED:  ANTALYA-KUSADASI. This morning we  travel west past Tavas to Aphrodisias, one of the best preserved archeological sites in Turkey.  After a break for lunch at a nearby country restaurant start the visit to the city of Aphrodite, goddess of love. Aphrodisias, which was granted autonomy by the Roman Empire in the 1^st century BC, prospered as a significant center for religion, arts and literature in the 1^st and 2^nd century AD. Enjoy the local museum with its outstanding marble statues and most exquisitely sculptured sarcophagi, then take a walk with your guide lecturer admiring the Temple of Aprodite, the fine odeon, an intimate concert hall, the hippodrome which could set up to 30,000 spectators, and the theater whose 5,000 lush white-marble seats are simply dazzling on a bright day. Late afternoon continue to our beautiful beach hotel in Kusadasi, providing fabulous views of the Mediterranean Sea. (B,L,D)

 SEPT 23, THURS: KUSADASI.  Before the crowds of the cruise ships have moved in, we enjoy a visit to the ancient sites of Ephesus, probably the most evocative city in the eastern Mediterranean. When St. Paul arrived here he was so awestruck that he asked: “Is there a greater city?”. Admire the colonnaded Arcadian Way, the splendid façade of the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian and one of the best-preserved ancient Amphitheatres. Then drive up a pine-clad mountain to the House of Mary where the Virgin is believed to have spent her last days. After a break for coffee a short drive takes us to Selcuk for a visit to the Archeological Museum which has one of the best collections of Roman and Greek artifacts found mainly in and around Ephesus. The afternoon is yours to either enjoy the hotel’s large pool, beach, Turkish bath and fitness centre or join us for a walking tour of Kusadasi’s old town with free time for browsing and shopping. (B,D)

 SEPT 24, FRI:  KUSADASI-TROY AREA. Start the day with a call at the ancient city of Pergamon, especially under the rule of Eumenes II (2^nd C BC) a magnificent architectural and artistic center. He built Pergamon’s famous library, which contained 200,000 books. When it rivaled the great one in Alexandria, the Egyptians banned the sale of papyrus to the city. Pergamon responded by developing a new paper – parchment – made from animal skins instead of reeds. Admire the dramatic remains of the Acropolis, the restored Temple of Trajan and the Altar of Zeus (remember the altar’s frieze depicting the battle of the gods against the giants at the Pergamon Museum in Berlin!). After a break for lunch enjoy vistas of the Greek island of Lesbos as we drive north to Troy, the city of Priam which was destroyed at the end  of a ten-year siege by Achaean Greeks who entered the city in a giant wooden horse. Spend the night at nearby Canakkale. (B,D)

 SEPT 25, SAT:  TROY AREA-ISTANBUL. By ferry we cross the Dardanelles back to Europe and the 21^st century. Visit World War I  battlefields on the Gallipoli Peninsula where Allied troops suffered heavy casualties in a disastrous campaign. Pay tribute to the heroes of those tragic months of 1915 at the Anzac Cemetery. Then drive along the European shore of the Sea of Marmara to Istanbul (split between Europe and Asia by the Bosphorus) which has always been the meeting place of east and west, old and new, rich and poor. Dinner tonight will be served at one of Istanbul’s popular restaurants. (B,D)

 SEPT 26, SUN: ISTANBUL. Cameras ready! Our tour this morning takes us first to the Hagia Sophia, or St. Sophia – perhaps the greatest building in the city. Built as a church by Emperor Justinian in the 6^th C it was converted into a mosque after the Ottoman invasion and today it is an amazing museum. Next we pay a visit to the Topkapi Palace, magnificent residence of the sultans for almost 300 years. Armies of cooks, gardeners, craftsmen and other servants made Topkapi a city within the city of Ottoman Istanbul. View the extraordinary collection of artifacts, including the Cloak of Mohammed, the founder of Islam. Visit the Treasury and the magnificently tiled Harem, where the sultan walked with silver-soled slippers, warning residents of his approach. Lunch will be served at the famous Konyali Restaurant, offering great views of the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara. Later on this afternoon embark on a superb highlight cruise along the Bosphorus Waterway. Cruising towards the Black Sea, the scenery complements the grandeur of the Ottoman palaces, elegant summer residences and medieval fortresses which we pass. (B,L,D)

 SEPT 27, MON :  ISTANBUL. After a leisurely breakfast enjoy a visit to the Blue Mosque, show-piece of Islamic design. The remarkable sense of cultural continuity between Byzantium and the Ottoman Empire is nowhere better expressed than in the grand domes and minarets of Istanbul's largest mosque. Next we pay a visit to the Basilica Cistern, one of the few architectural examples that have survived till the present day. It is the most impressive part of an underground network of waterways built during the 6^th century, the age of glory for Eastern Rome. After a break for lunch we are off for plenty of free time to the famous Grand Bazaar where, all under cover, there are more than 4,000 shops, cafes and tea houses. This early version of a shopping mall, originally built by Mehmet II in 1450s, is filled with thousands of items –  fabric, clothing, brass candelabra and jewelry. Our festive Farewell Dinner with wine tonight will be served at a local restaurant overlooking the Bosphorus. (B,L,D)

 SEPT 28, TUE:  ISTANBUL-USA. Transfer to Istanbul airport for your daylight flight back to the USA. (B

 LAND ARRANGEMENTS INCLUDE:

 ·          Deluxe & First- Class accommodations

·          Sea view rooms in Kusadasi

·          Buffet breakfast and dinner daily and 5 lunches

·          Bottled water served at included lunches and dinners

·          Services of professional tour director, Gunter Walter, as well as local guide-lecturer throughout

·          Transportation by deluxe, air-conditioned motor coach

·          All sightseeing and excursions as outlined in the itinerary including entrance fees

·          Baggage handling in hotels and all European taxes

 ITEMS NOT INCLUDED:

 ·          Visa for Turkey (we obtain at Istanbul Airport, $25)

·          Tips to driver and local guide lecturer

·          Transfers other than with group flights

 OTHER SPECIAL INCLUDED FEATURES:

 ·          Welcome Dinner with wine, Cappadocia

·          Visit to the underground city of Kaymakli

·          Folklore Show in an underground cave, Cappadocia

·          Visit to the caravansary of Sultan Hani

·          Visit to the Roman Theatre, Aspendos

·          Cooking lesson with Chef of our resort hotel, Antalya

·          Visit to Aphrodisias, the ancient city of Aphrodite

·          Visit to former capital of Roman Asia Minor, Ephesus

·          Visit to the House of  Mary, Ephesus

·          Visit to the Archeological Museum, Selcuk

·          Visit to the Acropolis of Pergamon

·          Visit to the Homer's Troy and Gallipoli Peninsula

·          Visit to Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace, Istanbul

·          Private cruise along the Bosphorus Waterway, Istanbul

·          Visit to the Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern and the Grand Bazaar, Istanbul

·          Farewell Dinner with wine at a local restaurant, Istanbul

 Trip Price:

Land cost: Oberammergau plus Turkey: $4950.00 per person sharing a twin room. Single supplement:  $ 850.00

 NOTE: Ask for second brochure describing Munich/ Oberammergau trip without Turkey for a shorter trip and more reasonable cost or combine the extra stay in Munich with this program for an in-depth trip. 844-6106

 Prices based on minimum group size of 20 and exchange rate the time of printing.  Please note that credit card fees may apply for card use on final payment.

 Airfare:

Regency Travel will issue tickets at the least expensive rate and best schedule available. Regency can also book business class air.  Travellers are welcome to arrange their own air using mileage seats or upgrades. Please contact Regency BEFORE booking independent tickets.  Roundtrip hotel/airport transfers are included only at set flight times.  Taxis are readily available at the airport for other flight times.  For information please call Glenda Owen at 901-844-6106 or (800) 278-8924 ext. 106.

 Deposit to reserve space: $600.00 per person.  We are holding 24 spaces for this trip.

 Insurance:  Group trip cancellation/medical insurance will be offered.  This covers illness or death in immediate family of traveller or traveller’s roommate and, with this group rate, covers pre-existing conditions of a medical nature.

 Cancellation:  

·          Until May 1, 2010 :  $150.00 per person

·          From May 1- July 1 :  $600.00 per person

·          From July 1 until departure: 100% of land costs

 For information, bookings, or brochures for friends, please call LINDA WALTER (901) 844-6105 or GLENDA OWEN (901) 844-6106 at Regency Travel or (800) 278-8924 ext. 106.  E-mail: lwalter@regencytravel.net

 The Passion Play and The Treasures of Turkey

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