Turkey Sabbatical
Ancient and Modern Wonders
October 2 - 16, 2009

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Description

Welcome to Turkey... This is the country where the eastern and the western civilizations meet in a great harmony. It is like an open air museum of various important civilizations which flourished on this land since 9,000 B.C. Along with a long history it is a cultural and artistic melting pot of all its rich past. The people, living in modern Turkey now, are descendants of these past civilizations on various ways. Naturally, in Turkey you will experience an incredible diversity in environment, history, culture, art, ideas and beliefs; diversity is the most prized feature of favorite destinations.

You will explore ancient empires and centuries old battlefields. During this fantastic journey you will encounter many wonders starting from the fascinating city of Istanbul, previously known as Constantinople, to treasures of art and nature in Cappadocia, the marvels of Pamukkale, the mystery of Nemrud Dag and the boundless silences of Mount Ararat. Never to mention the wonderful western and southern coast of Turkey. It can only be described as magnificent... The famous ancient city of Troia with its wooden horse, just next to Gallipoli; the famous biblical city of Ephesus, with the house of Virgin Mary next to it; the birthplace of Homer, Smyrna, now called Izmir; the Hellenistic splendor of Pergamum are only the most evident and striking notes in an archaeological context one cannot help but marvel at and admire.

Turkey as a modern state and a republic today, is only the last picture in this marvellous album of civilizations. It carries many colours from very ancient times. Hattis, Hittites, Phyrgians, Urartians, Lycians, Lydians, Ionians, Persians, Macedonians, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks and Ottomans have all held important places in Turkey's history and its people's culture.