Dear MIT Alumni and Friends, Join us this fall for a unique journey to Turkey. From the historic capital of Istanbul, to the less traversed southeastern biblical lands, to fascinating and surreal Cappadocia, this two-week adventure will be truly unforgettable. Begin in exotic Istanbul, and explore its famous sites: the ancient Roman Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, iconic Hagia Sophia, the Grand Bazaar, and legendary Topkapi Palace. Then, travel off the beaten path to southeastern Turkey’s biblical lands. Highlights here include Gaziantep, one of the world’s longest continuously inhabited cities and a center of gastronomy where we enjoy a Turkish cooking class. Visit Urfa, believed to be Abraham’s birthplace, Harran, where Abraham is said to have stayed on his way to the Promised Land, and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Mt. Nemrut, the presumed 1st-century bce burial site of Antiochus I. Explore this stunning landscape, with temples, altars, terraces, and colossal decapitated statues—and their heads—scattered about. Continue on to the surreal landscape of Cappadocia to visit the Goreme and Zelve Valleys, home to the “fairy tale chimneys”—thousands of bizarre mud, ash, and lava formations that were carved into early Christian churches. The tour ends in the Turkish capital of Ankara, where we visit the Ataturk Mausoleum, honoring the founder of the Turkish Republic, Kemal Ataturk. Space on this tour is limited to 24 travelers and will fill quickly, so register today. If you have questions, or wish to make a reservation, please call the MIT Alumni Travel Program at 800-992-6749 or email us at
[email protected]. You may also contact the tour operator, Odysseys Unlimited, Inc., at 888-370-6765. Sincerely,
Melissa Chapman Gresh Director, MIT Alumni Travel Program P.S. Please visit our website at http://alum.mit.edu/travel for details and updates on all our programs.
MIT Alumni Travel Program Reservation Form: Turkish Treasures Enclosed is my/our deposit for $______($500 per person) for ____ person/people on Turkish Treasures, departing October 4, 2013. I/we understand the final payment is due at least 95 days prior to departure (or by July 1, 2013). Payment may be made by American Express, Discover, MasterCard, or VISA or by personal check. Please make check payable to Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. and send (with completed reservation form) to: MIT Alumni Travel Program, 600 Memorial Drive, W98-2nd Floor, Cambridge, MA 02139, or call the MIT Alumni Travel Program at 800-992-6749. Or contact the tour operator, Odysseys Unlimited, at 888-370-6765.
Full Passport Name ____________________________________________ Date of Birth______________ Gender____ Badge Name _________________________________________________ MIT Affiliation _________________________ Full Passport Name ____________________________________________ Date of Birth______________ Gender____ Badge Name _________________________________________________ MIT Affiliation _________________________ Address ____________________________________________________________________________________________ City _________________________________________________________ State________ ZIP _____________________ Home Ph. ( ______ ) _______________________________
Cell Ph. ( ______ ) _______________________________
E-mail ___________________________________________ Book my/our air from _____________________________
I/we request a Business Class upgrade q
I will share a room with _____________________________
I request a single room (limited availability) q
Post-Trip “Izmir: Ephesus & Pergamum” Extension: Please sign me/us up q Please Note: The undersigned has read the schedule of activities for Turkish Treasures, October 4-18, 2013, and agrees that their signature below represents their acceptance of the General Terms and Conditions. Signature(s) __________________________________________________________________ Date________________
Method of Payment q Check
q American Express
q Discover
q MasterCard
q VISA
Account #_____________________________________Security Code________________ Exp. Date________________ Name of Cardholder _________________________________________________________________________________ Signature ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Final invoicing will be sent by our tour operator, Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. The balance of the program price must be paid to Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. Final payment is due by July 1, 2013 and is payable by check or credit card.
Health and Medical Issues Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. and the MIT Alumni Association request that you be in good health to participate in this tour. There is a reasonable amount of walking, and you must be able to get on and off motorcoaches on your own. If you require the use of a wheelchair or have other personal needs, you must be accompanied by a companion who will assist you. Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. reserves the right to remove anyone whose physical or mental condition, in its opinion, compromises the operation of the tour or detracts from the enjoyment or safety of the other passengers. In that event, Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. and the MIT Alumni Association assume no financial responsibility for any unused portion of the tour.
Responsibility The liability of the MIT Alumni Association, as sponsor, and Odysseys Unlimited, Inc., as tour operator, is strictly limited. Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. purchases transportation, hotel accommodations, restaurant and other services from independent suppliers not under their control. Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. serves only as an agent for these suppliers in securing tour arrangements, and therefore will not accept responsibility for wrongful, negligent, or arbitrary acts or omissions of these independent contractors, their employees, agents, servants or representatives. The MIT Alumni Association and Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. are not liable for injury, damage, loss, accident, or delay that may be caused by events not within our control, including without limitation, acts of terrorism, war, strikes, the defect of any vehicle, or the negligence or default of any third party. All coupons, receipts, and tickets issued are subject to the terms and conditions specified by the air carriers, cruise line, and other independent suppliers. Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. will make every effort to operate this tour as planned, but reserves the right to make itinerary changes as necessary. If unforeseen circumstances require Odysseys Unlimited to change a hotel, Odysseys Unlimited will select alternative accommodations of the same or better quality. If you choose to make your own air arrangements, Odysseys Unlimited and the MIT Alumni Association shall not have any liability for any loss resulting from cancellation of this tour or changes in this tour.
Upon reservation you must provide your full legal name as it appears on your passport as well as your date of birth and gender. In the event an airline ticket is issued with incorrect information you have provided, you will be responsible for charges associated with the ticket’s reissue.
Cancellations, Refunds and Changes If you must cancel your trip, the effective date of cancellation will be upon our receipt of your written notification. Refunds for cancellations are subject to the following per person charges: Cancel 95 days or more before departure: $200 charge; Cancel 94-65 days before departure: 25% of tour price; Cancel 64-45 days before departure: 50% of tour price; Cancel 44-30 days before departure: 75% of tour price; Cancel 29-0 days before departure: No refund. If a guest makes any changes to their reservation within 94 and 30 days prior to departure, Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. will apply a $100 per person administrative fee, in addition to any fees or penalties imposed by third parties. Changes are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed. If your reservation changes from double occupancy to single occupancy for any reason, you will be charged the single supplement. No changes are allowed within 30 days of departure.
Not Included in Tour Price Airfare when purchasing a Land Only tour package; costs of passports and visas; personal expenses such as beverages, laundry, room service, and meals not specified; communication charges; airport transfers when purchasing a Land Only tour package; gratuities to your Odysseys Unlimited tour director, which are at your discretion (suggested gratuities $10-$15 per traveler, per day); optional sightseeing; travel protection insurance. Additional baggage fees may apply and are subject to change. You should confirm additional baggage fees with your airline prior to departure.
Please read this information carefully, as payment of a $500 deposit per person represents your acceptance of the following Terms and Conditions.
General Terms and Conditions Presorted Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Odysseys Unlimited, Inc.
Turkish Treasures: The Lost Worlds of Anatolia October 4-18, 2013
MIT Alumni Travel Program 600 Memorial Drive, W98-2nd Floor Cambridge, MA 02139
A lumni T ravel P rogram presents
Turkish Treasures The Lost Worlds of Anatolia October 4-18, 2013 A Small Group Tour for MIT Alumni and Friends 15 days from $4,194 total price from New York ($3,795 air & land inclusive plus $399 airline taxes and departure fees)
Tour membership limited to 24 MIT alumni and friends
Turkish Treasures The Lost Worlds of Anatolia 15 days from $4,194 total price from New York ($3,795 air & land inclusive plus $399 airline taxes and departure fees)
i
t’s a land fashioned from a sultan’s dream, immortalized in myth, and ennobled by antiquity. A crossroads of civilization … East and West ... the ancient world and contemporary culture. From splendid Istanbul and stunning Mt. Nemrut, to southeastern Turkey’s biblical lands and Cappadocia’s surreal landscape, our small group enjoys a broad view of a fascinating nation. Destination Air Motorcoach Extension (air) Entry/Departure
Black Sea
Istanbul Ankara Izmir
TURKEY
Adiyaman/Mt. Nemrut
Cappadocia
Gaziantep Sanliurfa (Urfa)
Aegean Sea Mediterranean Sea
Avg. High (°F) Istanbul Urfa
Oct Nov 68 59 72 61
Small Group Tour Highlights Exotic Istanbul, including Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar, Bosphorus cruise … Gaziantep’s renowned cuisine with cooking lesson … Euphrates River cruise … Abraham’s Pool and ancient city walls in Urfa … Visit to ancient city of Harran … King Antiochus’ statues and temples at Mt. Nemrut … Cappadocia’s surrealistic landscape: Goreme Valley, underground cities, and open-air museums … Ancient Hittite site at Hattusha … Ataturk Museum and Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Ankara
Day Itinerary Hotel Rating 10/4
Depart U.S. for Istanbul
Central Palace 10/5-10/7 Istanbul Sup. First Class Hotel 10/8-10/9
Gaziantep Tugcan Hotel
First Class
Hilton Garden First Class 10/10-10/11 Urfa Inn 10/12
Adiyaman Bozdogan Hotel Not Rated
10/13-10/15 Cappadocia Uchisar Kaya
First Class
10/16-10/17 Ankara
Deluxe
10/18
Hilton Ankara
Depart Ankara for U.S.
Hotel ratings based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference. Unrated hotels may be too small, too new, or too remote to be listed.
Friday, October 4: Depart U.S. for Istanbul, Turkey Saturday, October 5: Arrive Istanbul Arrive in Turkey’s cultural and spiritual heart today, and transfer to the hotel, located near Taksim Square, the heart of modern Istanbul. As guests’ arrival times may vary greatly, there are no group activities or meals planned today. On your own, explore the area surrounding the hotel or simply relax. Dinner tonight is on your own. Sunday, October 6: Istanbul Tour Old Istanbul, beginning with the ancient Roman Hippodrome, site of the 3,500 year-old obelisk brought from Egypt in 390 ce. Next, visit the Museum of Turkish & Islamic Art, home to many artifacts from the 8th to the 20th centuries. Then tour the Hagia Sophia, the 6th-century church that was the most important church in Christendom until it became a mosque in the 15th century. Tonight, take a short walk to a local restaurant for a welcome dinner of traditional Turkish fare. B,D Monday, October 7: Istanbul This morning, tour the Blue Mosque, with its 20,000 blue Iznik tiles and six signature minarets. Next, tour splendid Topkapi. Once the medieval palace of sultans, today Topkapi ranks among the world’s richest museums. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the Grand Bazaar, comprised of some 4,000 shops and the exotic Spice Market. Then take a private cruise on the Bosphorus, the waterway that separates Europe from Asia. Stop in the village of Ortakoy, known for its trendy art scene, cafes, and boutiques. B,L
Cover photo: Mt. Nemrut’s ancient statues venerating the burial place of Antiochus I
On October 7, visit Istanbul’s legendary Blue Mosque.
Tuesday, October 8: Istanbul/Gaziantep Mid-day, fly to Gaziantep (Antep), one of the world’s longest continuously inhabited cities, and center of Turkey’s pistachio cultivation and bakklava production. Upon arrival, tour Gaziantep’s Zeugma Mosaic Museum, featuring a stunning collection of well-preserved mosaics unearthed from nearby sites. B,D Wednesday, October 9: Gaziantep This morning, visit the Gaziantep City Museum for an enlightening orientation to the city and eastern Turkey. Later, explore the semi-enclosed bazaar and several workshops in this city known especially for its handcrafts. A renowned center of Turkish cuisine, Gaziantep boasts many acclaimed restaurants. Dinner is in one such local restaurant tonight. B,L,D Thursday, October 10: Gaziantep/Urfa Leaving Gaziantep, take your motorcoach to Halfeti for a cruise on the Euphrates, the 1,700-mile waterway that fed the development of ancient civilization. Pass Rumkale Castle, a strategically sited fortress dating to the Assyrians, and see the “ghost towns” abandoned bythe construction of a dam. After disembarking, continue on to Urfa, notable in both the Old Testament and Islam. Reach your hotel in the city’s old town late this afternoon. B,L,D Friday, October 11: Urfa/Harran Drive this morning to Harran, where Abraham is said to have stayed on his way to the Promised Land. A major Assyrian center of culture and commerce in antiquity, Harran today is an important archaeological site and hardscrabble village. See the city’s adobe “beehive” houses,
which were inhabited as recently as the 1980s. Returning to Urfa, visit the Halil-ul Rahman mosque, built on the site where Abraham was thrown into a fire that turned into a pool, as well as the atmospheric marketplace in the old city, and Gobekli Tepe, site of the oldest place of worship yet discovered. (Since this is an active archaeological dig, entry may or may not be possible.) Tonight, dine at a local restaurant overlooking Urfa’s ancient city walls. B,L,D
Post-Tour Extension: October 18-21, 2013
Izmir: Ephesus & Pergamum 4 days/3 nights for $997 total price per person, double occupancy ($945 air & land inclusive plus $52 airline taxes and departure fees) Single Supplement: $195
From the lively port city of Izmir, discover the superb ruins at Ephesus and the ancient Greek city of Pergamum in a stunning hilltop setting.
Your Price Includes
• Air transportation Ankara/Izmir • 3 nights’ accommodations at Swissotel Grand Efes (Deluxe) • 7 meals: 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners • Extensive included sightseeing of Ephesus and Pergamum • Services of an Odysseys Unlimited tour director • Private motorcoach transportation • Gratuities for dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
Land Only guests: $1,145 total price (Please note: the increased Land Only price is due to the higher cost of internal airline tickets when not purchased as part of an international airline ticket.)
Saturday, October 12: Urfa/Mt. Nemrut/ Adiyaman Depart early this morning for the three-hour drive to the UNESCO site of Mt. Nemrut, the presumed 1st-century bce mountaintop burial site of Antiochus I, with temples, altars, terraces, and decapitated statues of ancient gods–and their heads–scattered about. Having withstood both time (two millennia) and attempted destruction by iconoclasts, the colossal 26- to 33-foot high statues evoke a very distant and storied past. Walk to the summit and enjoy a picnic lunch in this spectacular setting, then tour the archaeological site and museum here. B,L,D Sunday, October 13: Adiyaman/Cappadocia Depart early this morning for the daylong journey to Cappadocia, arriving late this afternoon. B,L,D Monday, October 14: Cappadocia Centuries of volcanic eruptions dumped mud, ash, and lava here, later sculpted by rain and wind into whimsical cone, needle, and chimney Rock dwelling in Cappadocia formations, in which early Christians built thousands of churches in the Goreme Valley. They also built the “rock city” of Uchisar, and the underground village of Kaymakli, all of which are explored on today’s tour. B,L,D Tuesday, October 15: Cappadocia Today’s touring features the vast Zelve Valley complex of caves laced with dwellings, churches, and public spaces, where villagers lived until just 40 years ago, the amazing fairy talechimneys at Pasabag, Urgup winery, and the medieval Ottoman town of Avanos, where local craftspeople fashion pottery and weave rugs. B,L,D
Your Trip Price Includes •R ound trip air transportation from listed cities; all flights within itinerary • 13 nights’ accommodations in Deluxe, Superior First Class, First Class, and unrated hotels • 32 meals: 13 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 10 dinners • Extensive sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees • Services of an Odysseys Unlimited tour director • Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip • Luggage handling for one bag per person • Gratuities for local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
Wednesday, October 16: Cappadocia/ Hattusha/Ankara Leaving Cappadocia this morning, travel to the Hittite site of Hattusha, former capital of the Hittite empire dating to the 2nd-millennium bc, and known for its thoughtful urban layout. Tour this UNESCO site, then continue on to Ankara. Dinner in Ankara is on your own this evening. B,L Thursday, October 17: Ankara This morning, visit the Ataturk Mausoleum, honoring the founder of the Turkish Republic, Kemal Ataturk, and the notable Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, which chronicles the history of Asia Minor. This afternoon is at leisure, before tonight’s farewell dinner at the hotel. B,D Friday, October 18: Depart for U.S. Early today, fly to Istanbul and board your flight to the U.S. B
Trip Departs: October 4, 2013 Prices include international airfare and all taxes, fuel surcharges, and fees. New York
$4,194
Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Miami, Philadelphia, Tampa, Washington, DC
$4,494
Atlanta, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Minneapolis
$4,594
Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Portland (OR), San Francisco, Seattle
$4,694
Single travelers please add $695. Prices are per person based on double occupancy and include airline taxes, fuel surcharges and departure fees of $399, which are subject to change until final payment is made. All tour prices above (excluding airline taxes, fuel surcharges and departure fees) are guaranteed. Please call if your city is not listed. The Land Only price is $3,495. Airport transfers are not included for Land Only guests. Business Class upgrade on round-trip Trans-Atlantic flight is an additional $4,995 per person. Business Class upgrade is subject to availability and pricing is subject to change. Please note: This trip involves considerable walking on uneven or cobblestone streets and at sites of ancient ruins. You should be in good physical condition to enjoy the tour the fullest.
For reservations or more information please contact the MIT Alumni Travel Program at
800-992-6749
Or email
[email protected] Or call Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. toll-free at
888-370-6765 Monday-Friday, 9:00a.m-7:00p.m, Eastern Time
