This great price includes all of the following:

• Return Air fares from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to Istanbul with Malaysian Airlines.

• A 15 day tour of fascinating, historical Turkey, including a visit to Anzac Cove, Gallipoli, and the amazing restoration of Ephesus.  

• A 3 night stopover in Kuala Lumpur. 

• Services of tour guides and if there are 12 or more tour participants there will be an Australian tour leader.   

• Entrance fees to most attractions. 

• All transport and transfers.

• Excellent accommodation, mainly 4 star. 

• Many meals, as stated in the itinerary.

The needs of single travellers can usually be met by our supplying them with someone to twin-share with. If you prefer a single room, there is an extra charge of $545.

For anyone with an interest in history, Turkey is a fascinating country. Just to see the excavation of Ephesus would by itself make the whole trip worthwhile. 

Tour Itinerary

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	Itinerary for Turkey with Malaysia Stopover
	Included meals are indicated as B = Breakfast, L =Lunch, D = Dinner
24.10.09	Depart Sydney at 9.20pm  & Brisbane at 11.20pm on MH 140, arriving in Kuala Lumpur at 5.45am the next morning (25.10.09)
25.10.09	Depart Melbourne at 1.15am (Check in by 11.00pm on the 24.10.09) arriving in Kuala Lumpur at 6.25am. Both flights will be met at the airport and  transferred to your hotel in central Kuala Lumpur. The rest of the day is free in this great shopping city.
26.10.09 ( B/L )	Kuala Lumpur This morning there will be a Kuala Lumpur City tour following by lunch. Visit the National Mosque or in Malay the Masjid Negara, which is the most distinguished mosque in Kuala Lumpur. Another must see is the Tugu Negara or War Memorial, where we honour those who perished in the war. Chinatown, located in Petaling Street is full of good bargains and deals, food of sorts and rich Chinese culture. You will also pass the Moorish-styled Federal Court, the old Railway station which is a striking piece of Mohammedan architecture, the Tudor-styled Cricket Club and the King's Palace. Visit the Thean Hou Temple situated in Robson Heights, which is the home to patron Goddess Thean Hou of the Hainanese community. This striking six-tiered temple is regarded as one of the biggest Chinese temples in South East Asia.
27.10.09 ( B, D)	Morning free in Kuala Lumpur.Early afternoon departure for the Royal Selangor Pewter Factory & Showroom. Then we depart for Kampung Tour and Firefly Watching . Kuala Selangor is only one and a half hours drive from Kuala Lumpur and yet it has much to offer, especially to those who wish to take a peek at Malaysian rural life. Fishing and farming are the main occupations here, although a large part of the area has also been cultivated with both palm oil and rubber. Upon arrival you will visit Bukit Melawati. An ideal site for monitoring shipping in the Straits of Melaka, Bukit Melawati once contained two forts. Continue your tour to Taman Alam Kuala Selangor. With almost 150 sighted species of birds, makes this an ideal nature park for bird watching.  This is followed by a sumptuous local seafood dinner, after which you will be treated to the highlight of the evening - firefly watching. You will be rowed upstream to watch thousands of fireflies flickering like Christmas lights in mangrove trees which line the banks of the river. After this tour, you will be driven back to the airport. Depart Kuala Lumpur at 11:59pm on MH 30, arriving in Istanbul at 8:10am the next morning (28.10.09)
28.10.09	Istanbul Transfer from the airport to our hotel, where we have a welcome briefing. Overnight in Istanbul.
29.10.09 ( B )	Istanbul Istanbul, once called Byzantium in the 7th century B.C. was named Constantinople in 326 A.D. by Constantine the Great when he moved the capital of the Roman Empire to what is now Istanbul. The city received its current name from Mehmet II in 1453 and is the only city in the world that spans two continents. It was the capital to three major empires (Rome, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires). Here, we will visit several of Turkey's most famous museums and mosques. Topkapi Palace (excluding Harem) was first built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1453 and was the home of the Sultan until the 19th century. St. Sophia was built by the Roman Emperor Justinian and was completed in 537 A.D. It was the greatest Christian church in the world for more than 1000 years. The Blue Mosque was commissioned by Sultan Ahmet in 1616 and was constructed with the deliberate intention or rivaling the St. Sophia.
30.10.09 (B)	Istanbul We will visit the Rustem Pasha Mosque with its exceptional tiles and the spice market in the morning. We will take a morning Bosphorous cruise on a private boat. In the afternoon, we will visit the Taksim Square and stroll around Istiklal Street (art and fashion centre of Turkey). Among the many things we will do in Istanbul is visiting the Military Museum and enjoy a concert performed in traditional costumes by the world's first established military marching ensemble, we will visit Military Museum and attend a live performance of Military Band (Mehter).
31.10.09 (B,D)	Ankara Morning departure to Ankara, after a five hour drive to Ankara, the capital of Turkey since 1923, we will visit the magnificent Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, which is also known as Hittite museum. This museum presents relics from Catal Hoyuk, one of the earliest known human communities that existed through the Hittite and the Roman Classical period. We will also pay a visit to the Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the father of modern Turkey.
01.11.09 (B,D)	Cappadocia Morning departure to Cappadocia, we will take a morning four-hour drive to Cappadocia. We drive along the Salt Lake, on the way we visit 13th century Agzikarahan Caravansary. Optional Whirling Dervishes performance is held in 13th century Caravansary, overnight in Cappadocia.
02.11.09 (B,D)	Cappadocia Optional balloon tour can be done in the morning, flying over volcanic valleys and rock formations (fair chimneys). After breakfast we visit Goreme, Pasabagi, Uchisar, Kaymakli or Ozkonak underground city. While in Cappadocia, we will enjoy the unique landscapes of wind and rain eroded volcanic formations. Carved directly into stone, Cappadocia's amazing subterranean cities include ancient underground churches and cities hand-hewn from solid rock by early Christians.
03.11.09 (B,D)	Konya - Antalya Today is a driving day. We will travel from Cappadocia to Antalya, on the way we visit Mevlana Mausoleum and Museum, continue the drive to Antalya and see the Toros Mountains. Overnight in Antalya.
04.11.09 (B,D)	Antalya Antalya is a beautiful and historic city snuggled between the Mediterranean Sea and the Toros Mountains. During our stay in Antalya, we will tour the city as well as visit the ruined sites of Aspendos and Perge. Aspendos dates back to the time of the Hittites, yet the only visible remains are from the Roman period. The restored theatre at Aspendos is said to be the best in all of Turkey. Perge reached its height under the Romans and Alexander the Great. Today, what remain are the ruins of a great theatre, a stadium, and the colonnaded main street. Afternoon we will visit excellent Antalya Archaeology Museum and old city in the harbour.
05.11.09 (B,D)	Aphoridisias - Pamukkale We will depart Antalya early and drive to Aphrodisias, the city of art dedicated to the Goddess Aphrodite. Octavian once said that "of all the cities in the world, Aprodisias is my favourite." The marble theatre here is beautiful and the stadium that seats over 35,000 is immense. It is also the largest in the world and the best preserved. Aphrodisias was a centre to cultivate the finest sculptors, whose works were found all over the Roman Empire. After Aphrodisias we will continue to Pamukkale
06.11.09 (B,D)	Kusadasi Morning departure to Kusadasi, we will visit another Greco-Roman city "Hierapolis". It has an incredible necropolis (city of the dead) and we will see many sarcophagi (burial monuments). We will visit the snow-like travertine of calcium for which Pamukkale is famous. Pamukkale is one of the natural wonders of the world with strikingly beautiful mineral springs clinging to the hillsides that will amaze you. In the afternoon we will arrive in Kusadasi.
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07.11.09 (B,D)	Ephesus - Kusadasi This full day tour starts by visiting the incredible city of Ephesus and its colossal Greco-Roman Theatre where St. Paul preached. This particular theatre is still used for performances today. The Marble Road, the Celsus Library, and the Temple of Diana are just a few of the sites we will visit. We will also visit the house where St. Mary lived her final days. (After the crucifixion of Jesus, St. John brought her to Ephesus.)
08.11.09 (B,D)	Pergamum - Troy - Canakkale During a scenic three-hour drive up the Aegean Coast, we will stop in Pergamon to see the Asklepion , an ancient hospital complex. Then we drive three hours up to Canakkale, where we will visit the legendary city of Troy. Here we will have the opportunity to see a replica of the Trojan Horse. To date nine different Troy's have been discovered, all built one on top of the other. While in Canakkale we will stay at the four star Akol Hotel, which overlooks the Dardanelles and Gallipoli across the Straits.
09.11.09 (B,D)	Dardanelles - Gallipoli - Canakkale Morning departure to Gallipoli and across the Dardanelle. Visit Anzac Cove, Chunuk Bair, Lone Pine Cemetery and Gallipoli War Museum. We will drive back to Canakkale and explore this splendid city located by the Dardanelle. Overnight is in Canakkale.
10.11.09 (B)	Istanbul We will leave the hotel early in the morning and take a ferryboat from Canakkale to the European. We will drive to Istanbul. In the afternoon we will visit the Grand Bazaar and explore this world wide known historical market of the city.
11.11.09 (B)	After breakfast we transfer you to the airport.Depart Istanbul at 12:00 noon on MH 31, arriving Kuala Lumpur at 6:00am the next morning (12.11.09)
12.11.09	Sydney & Brisbane passengers depart Kuala Lumpur at 9:00am on MH 141, arriving in Sydney at 7.55pm & Brisbane at 9.50pm. Melbourne passengers depart Kuala Lumpur at 9:55am on MH 129, arriving in Melbourne at 8:35pm.

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Deposits and Payments - A non-refundable deposit of $200.00 per person is payable within 7 days of booking. This deposit is not refundable should you later cancel. The balance is payable in full 8 weeks prior to departure. 

Refunds and Cancellations - Cancellations after final payment will result in a refund limited to whatever we can recoup from the airline.

Insurance - Adequate travel insurance is essential. We can arrange this for you if desired.

Passports - All travellers require a current passport with at least 6 months left on it at the end of the tour. Non-Australian passport holders require a re-entry visa for Australia.Visa are required for Turkey, but can be issued on arrival in Istanbul. Current cost $30 USD, but subject to change.

Basic Tour Price and Taxes -  Air taxes and fuel levies are included in the basic tour price, therefore, as air taxes and fuel surcharges change regularly the exact amount will be advised at time of final payment. Total tour cost may therefore change by a small amount.

Not Included in the Cost - All items of a personal nature such as telephone calls, drinks, excess baggage, tips, meals, (except those specified in the itinerary), etc. Also travel insurance.

Health and Fitness
Macleay Valley Travel recommends that the passenger is reasonably healthy and/or fit to participate in this tour.  Persons with a disability requiring special assistance must be accompanied by a companion. Macleay Valley Travel and their representatives cannot provide this service.  Macleay Valley Travel reserves the right to accept/decline or terminate a passenger's participation in the tour under certain circumstances.

Booking through other Agents - As we keep the cost of out tours as low as possible, there is insufficient margin for us to be able to pay commission to other travel agents, so some bookings can only be accepted if the client pays the other agent's commission. Macleay Valley Travel is a fully licensed travel agent and as such any monies paid to us are fully insured by the Travel Compensation Fund. We are happy for any prospective traveller with us to check us out with your local Consumer Affiars (fair trading) department.Similarly, credit card payments can only be accepted if 2% is added to the price to help defray the heavy merchant fees charged to us by the credit card companies.

Limitation of Liability - As Macleay Valley Travel acts only as agent for the Airlines, Hotels, Coach Companies etc., providing accommodation, transportation and other services, Macleay Valley Travel shall not be liable or responsible for death or injury to any person or loss or damage to any property including baggage arising out of or connection with any transportation, accommodation or other services, or resulting directly or indirectly from acts of God, fire, breakdown in machinery or equipment, acts of Government or other authorities, de jure or defacto wars, whether declared or not, hostilities, civil disturbances, strikes, riots, thefts, epidemics, quarantines, medical or customs regulations, delays or cancellations caused by changes in schedules or itinerary, or over bookings or defaults or for any causes beyond Macleay Valley Travel's control or any loss or damage resulting from improper or insufficient passports, visas or other documents and neither Macleay Valley Travel, and its servants or employees shall be or become liable or responsible for any additional expenses or liability sustained or incurred by the tour member as a result of the foregoing causes.
Macleay Valley Travel reserves the right to modify the itinerary or the accommodation if circumstances make this necessary, provided that the amended itinerary is of equal value or greater value than that of the original program.
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