Extra Value Winter and Spring Packages Offer Easy, Enjoyable Ways to Explore Ancient and Modern Wonders

Especially for first-timers, those traveling to a country with as many fascinating vacation experiences as Turkey may find it advantageous to join a guided tour. Comfortable and convenient, packages from leading tour operators are available for this winter and coming spring that help travelers maximize their time in this large, multi-faceted nation and, through expert guides, enhance tourism experiences by adding valuable context and insight into this millennia-old crossroads of civilizations.

Fittingly, most travel packages to Turkey mix the old and new in a country where modernization has come quickly and impressively. In Istanbul, for example, the legendary Blue Mosque stands adjacent to the ancient Hippodrome. Meanwhile, only the fourth seven-star hotel in the world will open barely a mile away. Such is the endearing, exciting dichotomy of Turkey. Moderate winter temperatures and value – Turkey is well known for its affordable luxury and its currency, the Turkish Lira, is far less cumbersome for Americans than the pricier Euro – are two more reasons to tour Turkey this coming season.

Following is a sampling of tour packages from leading tour operators.

European Tours is offering a ten-day/nine-night “Classical Turkey” itinerary with set departures throughout 2010, starting at $945 for double occupancy excluding airfare to Turkey. Featuring four- and five-star hotels, the guided tour starts in Istanbul, where major sites include Topkapi Palace, St. Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar, and includes stops in Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Kusadasi, Troy Gallipoli, and Canakkale. Other highlights include the Mausoleum of Ataturk in Ankara, Cappadocia’s Kaymakli Undergound City, and the ancient city of Ephesus’ Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Call European Tours at 800-882-3983 800-882-3983 for reservations and more information. Visit www.europtours.com.

HI Tours also offers a special 15-day/14-night “Discover Turkey” option priced from $1,699 for double occupancy that features Gallipoli, Kusadasi, Fethiye, Myra, Phaselis, and Konya as well as Istanbul, Troy, Pergamum, Antalya and Ephesus. With departures throughout the months of May, June, July, August, September and October, the package includes hotel accommodations, 14 breakfasts, two lunches and seven dinners, English-speaking guides, a cruise in Fethiye and transfers. Airfare to Turkey and entrance fees at certain sightseeing stops are not included in package price. Contact HI Tours at 800-448-6877 or www.hitours.com.

Key Tours offers a 15-day Deluxe Glories of Turkey guided tour with 11 departures in December, January, February and March at prices starting at $1,499 for double occupancy including air transportation from New York and select other cities. Featuring the major tourism sights in Istanbul, Canakkale, Kusadasi, Pamukkale, Antalya, Konya, Cappadocia and Ankara, the tour includes Superior Class accommodations, all transfers, 13 breakfasts and 11 dinners, English-speaking guides, transfers and attraction fees. Gallipoli and the Dardenelles are also featured in the itinerary. Call 800-576-1784 or visit www.keytours.com.

Prime Travel and HI Tours offer a 14-day/13-night “Turkey Expert” tour beginning in April 2010, with one departure per month in April, May, June, September and October. The escorted vacation includes Istanbul, Troy, Canakkale, Pergamum, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Hierapolis, Aphrodisias, Antalya, Cappadocia, Ankara and Bursa and features travel by deluxe motorcoach. Priced from $1,799 per person for double occupancy, the package includes hotel accommodations, sightseeing, transfers, daily breakfast and seven dinners, entry fees, service charges and taxes. Price excludes airfare to Turkey. Contact Prime Travel: www.primetravel.com, 800-887-5493; or HI Tours, www.hitours.com, 800-448-6877.

Turkey at Its Best offers a luxurious, ultra-attentive ten-day “Private Tour of Western Turkey in Winter” featuring the most prominent sites in Istanbul, Gallipoli, Troy, Pergamon, Ephesus, Pamukkale and Antalya. A full day in Ephesus and visits to Aphrodisias, Hierapolis and the Aegean coast are also included. The package includes tours with English-speaking guides in private vehicles, four- and five-star accommodations, three dinners, entrance fees, all taxes and service fees and all transfers. Offered from December through March 2010, the tour is priced from $2,985 per person based on double occupancy and a minimum of two people. This price does not include airfare to Turkey. Call 949-719-2800 949-719-2800 or e-mail Engin@TurkeyAtItsBest.net.

For more information on Turkey, call 1-877-FOR-TURKEY or contact the Turkish Culture and Tourist Offices in New York at 212-687-2194 ; Washington, D.C. at 202-612-6800; and Los Angeles at (323) 937-8066. Information is also available at www.tourismturkey.org or www.goturkey.com. Take a virtual tour of Turkey here.

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