Day 1 Mon, March 27, 2006 Dinner 12, 7, and 4 day Eclipse Packages Arrive in Side, Turkey Arrive at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport (IST) according to your own air schedule, or use TravelQuest’s special non-stop group air program from New York, using Turkish Airlines. (Contact TravelQuest if you wish to arrive a day or two early to recover from the long flight, and explore on your own.) From Istanbul we will take a short connecting flight to Antalya, the largest city on Turkey’s "Turquoise Coast." We’ll clear customs and transfer to our hotel, not far from ancient Side. The remainder of the day is yours to spend as you wish at our beautiful beachfront resort, located on the centerline of the eclipse. Our prime eclipse-viewing site is situated on the hotel grounds. Join us this evening for a discussion about the lore and reality of solar eclipses. Overnight: Sunrise Queen Resort (3 nights)

Day 2 Tue, March 28 B/L/D Ancient Side and Roman Sites Today we’ll explore some of the archaeological sites of Turkey’s Mediterranean coast within the ancient district of Pamphylia. Side is our first stop of the day, not only due to its historical importance, but also because this is where we have made special arrangements to set up another eclipse-observing site. After surveying our site and viewing the ancient amphitheater and impressive ruins of Side, we’ll continue on to Aspendos. Here we will see the best-preserved Roman theater in the entire Mediterranean region. Our next stop, ancient Perge, was a city of considerable importance during the Hellenistic (ancient Greek) period.

Day 3 Wed, March 29 B/L/D Eclipse Day! Today is dedicated to the total solar eclipse. In the morning we’ll meet to review what to expect during the next few hours and to ensure that you have everything ready to observe and photograph this grand spectacle. You may choose to view the eclipse at the hotel (on the centerline) or travel a short distance to our specially selected site among the picturesque ruins of Side, 4 km off the centerline. We have arranged for motor coaches to be on standby in case clouds threaten our viewing sites. This evening, join us for a celebration at the hotel.

Day 4 Thu, March 30 B/L/D Konya and Cappadocia This morning we’ll board our private motor coach for Konya, an ancient Roman city and the capital of the Seljuk Turkish Empire during the 11th century. We will visit Mevlana Dergahi (Dervish Lodge), presently a museum in a 13th-century monastery, and Karatay College, now a museum of priceless Turkish tiles. Traveling through the Anatolian steppe, we’ll continue on to Cappadocia, a region famous for its conical-shaped volcanic fairy chimneys and underground cities. Overnight: Dedeman Hotel (3 nights)

Day 5 Fri, March 31 B/L/D Cappadocia Today is dedicated to exploring the riches of Cappadocia’s incredible "moonscape" geography and history, including visits to the Göreme Open Air Museum (featuring dozens of hand-painted cave-churches) and the magnificent Pigeon and Uçhisar Valleys.

Day 6 Sat, April 1 B/L/D Cappadocia Rise early this morning for an optional sunrise hot air balloon ride above Cappadocia’s fantastic volcanic landscape. Later, we’ll continue our exploration of Cappadocia with a visit to the Ürgüp region, including the village of Avanos (famous for its pottery) and the Byzantine monastic complex of Zelve. We’ll also go underground to see the cave-city at Kaymakli, originally inhabited 3,000 to 4,000 years ago and used by the early Christians of the region to escape persecution by invading Roman armies and marauding Arab tribes. Tonight we’ll be treated to dinner at the famous Cave Tavern.

Day 7 Sun, April 2 B/L/D Cappadocia, Ankara, and Izmir Early this morning, we’ll depart for Ankara - once a Hittite city, then a Roman city, and now the capital of modern Turkey. Here, we will see 8,000 years of the region’s past at the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, housed in a restored caravarserai (caravan rest stop). After lunch, we’ll take an early-evening flight to Izmir, the third-largest city in Turkey, situated on the Aegean Sea. Overnight: Izmir Hilton (2 nights)

Day 8 Mon, April 3 B/L/D Ruins of Ephesus and Sardis This morning we will drive to Sardis, the ancient capital city of the Lydian Kingdom, ruled by Croesus during the 6th century BC. Walk down the Marble Way past ruins of Byzantine-era shops, visit the restored Roman gymnasium, and see the large synagogue dating from the 4th century - a very impressive sight because of its decorations of colored marble and mosaics. Our next stop will be Ephesus, the grandest and best-preserved classical city in the eastern Mediterranean. We’ll stroll down the colonnaded Arcadian Way, marvel at the famous Library of Celsus, admire the magnificent amphitheater, and visit the Archaeological Museum.

Day 9 Tue, April 4 B/L Istanbul Checkout will be early this morning as we transfer to the airport for our flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival we’ll travel to the Old City for lunch at Topkapi Palace. Set above the beautiful Bosphorus Straits, separating Europe and Asia, this was the home of the Ottoman Sultans from the mid-15th to mid-19th centuries. After lunch we’ll tour the Palace and its intriguing Harem, and marvel at the Treasury with its jewel-encrusted thrones and incredible religious icons. This evening is free for dining and exploring Istanbul on your own. Overnight: Divan Hotel (3 nights)

Day 10 Wed, April 5 B/L Istanbul Today we’ll explore some of Istanbul’s 2,500 years of history. We’ll begin with a walking tour of the Hippodrome that includes three monuments: the obelisk of Pharaoh Thutmose III, the Serpentine Column, and the Column of Constantine VII. Next we’ll walk to the magnificent mosque of Sultan Ahmet I, more commonly known as the Blue Mosque. We’ll also visit the nearby 1,500-year-old Aya Sofya (St. Sophia), the church of Holy Wisdom, one of the finest architectural creations in the world. Then we’ll go below ground to see the amazing Roman Basilica Cistern, which is supported by 336 columns. Later, we’ll have some time at Istanbul’s famous Grand Covered Bazaar, with its 4,000 specialty shops. The evening is yours to enjoy as you wish.

Day 11 Thu, April 6 B/D Istanbul This morning, we’ll enjoy a leisurely cruise along the Bosphorus, the 20-mile waterway that links the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara and the Aegean Sea. After the cruise we’ll make a brief stop at the famous Misir Carsisi (Spice Market). The afternoon is free to spend as you wish — return to the Grand Covered Bazaar or continue to explore Istanbul’s sights and sounds on your own. Join us this evening for a farewell dinner at one of our favorite local restaurants.

Day 12 Fri, April 7 B Fly home After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home or you may wish to continue your travels with visits to places like the Great Pyramids of Egypt, Jordan and the ancient ruins of Petra, Israel and the Holy Land, the Roman ruins of Libya, or a safari in Kenya.Contact TravelQuest for details.