Ottoman is not Just a Footstool Trip Notes
Trip code: GETO
Trip valid from: 01/01/2013
Trip valid until: 30/06/2014
Trip length: 15
Trip starts in: Istanbul
Trip ends in: Istanbul
Maximum group size: maximum 16
Highlights
- The First World War History Of Gallipoli
- Underground City Of Derinkuyu
- UNESCO World Heritage-listed Pools And Terraces Of Pamukkale
- The Surreal Rock Formations And Valleys Of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cappadocia
In the Ottoman Empire, condemned government officials who were sentenced to death could run for their lives. Literally. They were allowed to challenge their executioner to a foot race from the palace down to the Fish Market Gate. If they made it before the executioner, they would be banished instead of executed. Too bad if you forgot your runners.(Was Turkish Odyssey)
Itinerary
Istanbul
Check out the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome (sadly, there’s no actual hippos here) and Aya Sofya. Your hotel is right in the thick of the action so you won’t have to walk far for your first kebab of the trip. (B)Gallipoli - Canakkale - Ayvalik
Drive to Gallipoli and wander around the famous battlefields - it's hard not to feel moved. Take a ferry across the Dardanelles to Canakkale. Optional trip out to Troy, Brad Pitt’s long gone but it’s still worth a visit. (2B)Selcuk - Pamukkale - Fethiye
Meet the locals on a bus to Selcuk. Walk in Cleopatra’s footsteps at the Greco-Roman site of Ephesus. Then find out why the hot spring city of Pamukkale is known as 'cotton castle'. (3B)Turquoise Coast
The sunken city of Kekova Island sits just under the surface of the water. Did you know the colour turquoise was named after Turkey? This is why. (2B, L, 2D)Cirali - Antayla - Cappadocia
It’s hard to get a bad photo of Antalya (unless your finger is over the lens) thanks to cobblestone streets, the old city, the marina and the Taurus mountains in the distance. Head to Zencefil café for a karniyarik -roasted eggplant split down the middle and stuffed with chopped beef, onions, tomatoes and spices. (2B)Cappadocia
Penis-shaped rocks, fairy chimneys and underground cities. Cappadocia’s got it all. (3B)Ankara - Istanbul
Go eight floors underground at Derinkuyu – one of Cappadocia’s 36 underground cities. Take the bus to Istanbul and celebrate your arrival back in Europe with a fresh fish roll on the Galata bridge. (B)Itinerary Variation
While the information presented here details our planned itinerary, including routes taken, activities included, accommodation and meeting times, please accept that unforseen changes may occur. We are constantly on the lookout to improve our program and further enhance your experience. Naturally, we will keep you up to date with any last minute amendments to your tour.About The Imaginative Traveller
Our aim has always been to provide exceptional travel experiences. We believe that adventure travel should be stimulating, and that it should give you an authentic experience of a place. We want our travellers to relish the amazing diversity of countries and cultures the world has to offer. Our focus is on innovation, not imitation.
Obsessed with quality
One of our strengths has been our obsession with quality. We've always believed that our commitment to you doesn't end as soon as you've paid for your holiday. On the contrary, it is just beginning. Whilst most operators simply get a local company to handle the day to day operation of their tours, we do it all ourselves. We have managers for each of our key destinations around the world and all our small groups are escorted by our own leaders. Our local teams include guides, drivers, administration staff and contacts in the local community who help us ensure that our adventures are active and involving.
For comparability, all prices in this dossier are quoted in one currency. We use the US Dollar since that is familiar to most. However, once on tour you will need to pay for all goods and services in the local currency. See your Country Dossier for details of exchange rates.
Trip Grade
Culture
Whether you’re taking in man’s greatest works at places like Petra or Angkor Wat, experiencing grand set-pieces like the Trans-Mongolian Railway or trying your hand at regional specialities like tango in Buenos Aires, getting to grips with local cultures is what travel’s all about. A few tips from a guide and a sense of adventure are pretty much all you need.
So what are you waiting for? It’s time to get the lowdown on high Tibet among Lhasa’s magisterial temples; follow up Delhi’s eye-popping bustle with a fix of its fiery food; and mix manic markets and Incan masterpieces in Peru.
Walking
Maybe you’re after a ramble through Morocco’s Dades Gorge, or a stroll in Malaysia’s Cameron Highlands. Or perhaps something more energetic, a hike in South Africa’s spectacular Drakensberg Mountains or along a stretch of China’s Great Wall.
Whatever you want, the same principles apply: keep it simple, and slow it down. Stretching the legs is a great way to discover somewhere, whether a city’s downtown or remote countryside. You quickly get into the feel for how life’s lived, the local rhythm of where you’re travelling.
And there’s no better way of meeting locals – take a walk through African plains or South American valleys and you’ll soon be trying to hurdle language barriers with friendly villagers and farmers.
Cruising
Camp on the Nile’s banks or jump off your junk into Halong Bay. Chill out on the Mekong or explore Kerala’s hidden channels. The perfect mix of relaxation and exploration, spending time on the water turns a holiday into an adventure, a chance to get closer to locals and see countries in a unique way.
And there’s one place if you want to explore you really must go by boat: the Galapagos. Only boats get you to uninhabited islands and the best snorkelling spots; only by boat can you get closer to all the amazing animals of these fabulous islands.
Fitness
This trip is graded as 'Moderate', meaning a reasonable level of fitness is required. These trips generally involve some physical activities and occasional long travelling days. Accommodation and travel conditions may be basic and varies from local pensions to budget hotels.
Included
- Gecko's expert English-speaking local tour guide.- Visit to the battlefields, monuments and cemeteries of Gallipoli. - Boat trip on the Turquoise Coast, sleeping under the stars on a comfortable mattress on the boat deck. - Time at the natural pools, shelves and ridges of Pammukale. - Walks in the lunar-like landscape of Cappadocia including: Akvadi (White Valley), Pigeon Valley, Pasabaglari (Priest Valley) and Kizilçukur (Red Valley). - Visits to one of the greatest Greco-Roman sites in the world – Ephesus; to the eternal flames of Chimeira; and to the Lycian city of Phaselis. - Sightseeing (including entrance fees where relevant): Istanbul; Tuz Golu salt lake; underground city of Derinkuyu; Konya; and Ayvalik.
Not included
International flights, arrival and departure transfers, airport/departure taxes, entrance fees for optional sites, visas, pre-tour or post-tour accommodation, additional meals (including some meals on boat), drinks, optional sightseeing tours, travel insurance, tips, laundry and other items of a personal nature.
Meals
14 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
Accommodation
Boat,Pension,Hotel,Overnight coach
Single room supplement
Most of our travellers like the thought of travelling with a few like-minded souls. There are NO compulsory single supplements on most tours as we simply arrange twin shared accommodation for you and another tour member of the same sex. But don't worry if that doesn't appeal. We do understand there are times when you just want a bit of privacy and 'me' time so we are more than happy to arrange a private room upon request when you book.Transport
Ferry,Local bus
Other information
The 23 Apr 2011/12 departure ties in with ANZAC day at Gallipoli and the night of Day 2 will be spent camping in Anzac Cove. These dates have a surcharge of $105 per person.
The itinerary and supplementary information has been compiled with care and provided in good faith. However it may be subject to change, and does not form part of a contract between the client and The Imaginative Traveller.Responsible Travel - Travellers' Guidelines
At Imaginative Traveller we love helping our clients experience the beauty and cultures of the destinations we visit. However, hand in hand with this we have always been aware that we have a responsibility to minimise any negative impacts that tourism can bring.
Responsible Travel is twofold. It’s about taking people to the places they want to go in a safe and responsible manner but also about respecting and maintaining the natural and often delicate balance of the destination. Economic gain from tourism is often fundamental to a country, but should never be at the expense of its culture or the environment.
Our Aims
- It is our aim to provide journeys that have minimal negative and maximum positive impact on the places we visit.
- We do not believe that, as visitors, we should impose our own cultures on others; rather that we should experience foreign cultures and appreciate them for what they are.
- Whilst it is our aim to show destinations and cultures in a positive light, we do not believe in papering over the cracks or shielding visitors from the realities of life. This does not mean, however, that we condone or endorse certain situations or regimes that may be in place.
Our guidelines are meant not as rigid instructions but rather as suggestions to make our holidays more enjoyable – for everybody. As cultural and environmental sensitivities vary from country to country more specific guidelines can be found in our individual country and trip dossiers.
Travellers' Guidelines
Before you depart try to spend some time familiarising yourself with the destination you will be travelling to – their culture and customs. The country dossiers on our website offer detailed information about all the regions we visit. They also include some useful phrases in the local language for you to use on your trip! A few words of the local language can open up many more opportunities for you to interact with the people you will meet.
Although it is tempting to give out pens, sweets and money to people begging, and particularly tempting to give to children, we feel that this encourages a begging mentality and has a long-term negative impact on communities. If someone begging earns more than someone in the same community who works this can discourage local employment. If children regularly bring home money it may discourage their parents from sending them to school. It is of course your own personal choice but you could consider giving to registered charities or contributing to our Responsible Travel fund instead. Money donated through our fund to our worldwide projects is matched pound for pound by Imaginative Traveller and used to help local grassroots projects.
Always ask permission to photograph local people and respect their decision if they would prefer not to have their picture taken.
Respect local dress codes, especially at religious sites. Our tour leaders are always on hand to give you advice about this.
In many of the countries we visit you might see examples of animal cruelty (for example dancing bears, performing monkeys and snake charmers). Please do not take photographs of this or offer money as it encourages the activity.
Respect the environment you are in. It sounds obvious but do not throw litter, take it with you or use rubbish bins! You may see locals throwing rubbish on the street but do not follow their example!
When shopping in countries where haggling is the norm – enjoy it and only pay what you feel is a fair price for the goods you are purchasing. However, remember that the shopkeeper does have to make a living so do stop once you have reached a price you are happy with. Bargaining should be fun but always remember that a small amount can mean much more to the vendor than to you.
Endeavor to take home souvenirs made locally; the money you spend can be very important to the local communities. However, do use your common sense and don’t buy anything that you think might be made out of endangered animals or plants.
To help keep as much money as possible in the host country - try to eat in locally owned restaurants and order local drinks and produce rather than international brands.
In hotels do be conscious of how much water you are using. Many of the areas we visit regularly have shortages; try not to have hour long showers! Don’t leave lights, air conditioners or fans on when you leave the room – you wouldn’t at home!
Respect the environment you are in, especially when in national parks or reserves. Pay attention to rules about keeping on paths, keeping a distance from animals and not removing any of the natural habitat.
Relax and immerse yourself in the differences of the culture you are in – you’ll be back home in the familiar soon enough (and wishing you were still on holiday!). These cultural differences are part of what makes your experience special.
If you would like to offset the carbon dioxide that will be produced on your flights you can do this on our website (on our Responsible travel page). We work with climatecare, who will reduce the equivalent amount of carbon dioxide that you produce in another part of the World through their emission reduction projects. These projects are low carbon efficient technologies in developing countries and not only serve to reduce emissions but also help to spread the adoption of low carbon technologies and improve the quality of life for local communities. Details of climatecare’s projects can be found on their website.
If you would like to contribute to our Worldwide projects, helping communities all over the World, you can also do this on our website or with a sales consultant. Please refer to our responsible travel page on the website for details of our current projects. Any donation you make will be matched £ for £ by Imaginative Traveller (up to a maximum of £1000).
Have a great trip!
Please do let us know if you have any comments about responsible travel at rto@imtrav.net
The Imaginative Traveller & Gecko's Adventures This trip is operated by our partner company, Gecko's Adventures. Gecko's is an Australia based company with more than 10 years experience in adventure travel and they share our ethos for offering unique holiday adventures. As this is a code shared departure you can expect there to be both Imaginative Traveller and Gecko's travellers on your trip.Last updated: 06/02/2013
Share with a friend