Pre and Post Tours
Pre and Post Tours
Adventures in Turkey
We are excited to offer some exciting entertainment options for your pre- and post-Congress itinerary. There are some wonderful, cultural places we plan to explore, and we hope you can join us!
Please click on the button below and you will be guided to the booking page, where you be prompted to create a Log-In (Email and Password). Once logged-in, go to “Pre/Post-Tours” or “Daily Tours” and you can select the activities you are interested in.
Please use the following links to book any Pre, Post or daily tours.
Pre-Congress Tour 1: Ephesus (3 Days)
September 17-19
Ephesus was an ancient port city whose well-preserved ruins are located in modern-day Turkey. The city was once considered the most important Greek city and the most important trading center in the Mediterranean region (Figure 1).
Day 1: Early flight from Istanbul to Izmir, where you visit Ephesus to marvel at the extensive ruins including baths, gymnasium, theatres, and other monuments which line the marble streets. Also be sure to visit the reputed last home of the Virgin Mary, the Basilica of St. John, and the Seljuk Museum. Lunch will be provided in a local restaurant in Izmir, followed by dinner and accommodation at a local hotel.
Day 2: Full-day tour to visit the Roman Agora, the Archaeological and Ethnographic Museum, and Kadifekale (Mt. Pagus). Lunch will be provided in a local restaurant in Izmir, followed by dinner and accommodation at a local hotel.
Day 3: After breakfast, enjoy a visit to the historic Sirince Village (Figure 2), where you will have the chance to explore the small village which dates to the Hellenistic period. Lunch and departure flight from İzmir to Istanbul.
Pre-Congress Tour 2: Cappadocia (3 Days)
September 17-19
Some three million years ago, violent volcanic eruptions covered the plateau in this area with tufa, a soft stone comprised of lava, ash, and mud. Subsequently, the wind and rain have eroded the brittle rock to form a spectacular surrealistic landscape of rock cones and capped pinnacles, called Fairy Chimneys (Figure 3) that are painted in colors ranging from warm reds and gold to cool greens and grays. During Byzantine times, Christian chapels and monasteries were hollowed out of the rock, and later these dwellings served as a refuge for Christians, persecuted by the Romans.
Day 1: Early departure from Istanbul, flight to Kayseri-Nevşehir and continue to Cappadocia region. Visit the underground, eleven-storied city of Kaymakli (Figure 4), and see the extraordinary rock formations at Uçhisar, and the charming town of Ürgüp with its fairy chimneys. Lunch will be provided in the area, dinner, and accommodation at a local hotel.
Day 2: Visit the rock dwellings, chapels, and monasteries of the Göreme Valley and Zelve Valley. You will also enjoy visiting the villages of Çavusin and Avcilar. Lunch will be provided in the area, dinner, and accommodation at a local hotel.
Day 3: Early departure from the hotel and to Kayseri-Nevşehir with departure flight Istanbul.
Post-Congress Tour 1: Cappadocia (3 Days)
September 25-27
Some three million years ago, violent volcanic eruptions covered the plateau in this area with tufa, a soft stone comprised of lava, ash, and mud. Subsequently, the wind and rain have eroded the brittle rock to form a spectacular surrealistic landscape of rock cones and capped pinnacles, called Fairy Chimneys (Figure 3) that are painted in colors ranging from warm reds and gold to cool greens and grays. During Byzantine times, Christian chapels and monasteries were hollowed out of the rock, and later these dwellings served as a refuge for Christians, persecuted by the Romans.
Day 1: Early departure from Istanbul, flight to Kayseri-Nevşehir and continue to Cappadocia region. Visit the underground, eleven-storied city of Kaymakli (Figure 4), and see the extraordinary rock formations at Uçhisar, and the charming town of Ürgüp with its fairy chimneys. Lunch will be provided in the area, dinner, and accommodation at a local hotel.
Day 2: Visit the rock dwellings, chapels, and monasteries of the Göreme Valley and Zelve Valley. You will also enjoy visiting the villages of Çavusin and Avcilar. Lunch will be provided in the area, dinner, and accommodation at a local hotel.
Day 3: Early departure from the hotel and to Kayseri-Nevşehir with departure flight Istanbul.
Post-Congress Tour 2: Gocek Bays (4 Days)
September 25-28
Due to its well-protected geographical formations, the Gulf of Gocek is one of the most important spots for yacht tourism (Figure 5). A variety of islands and coves from large to small offer an abundance of options for boating with their low, high, deep, and shallow waters.
Day 1: Welcoming and boarding starts at 4:00 pm in Gocek Yacht Marina. Visit Cleopatra Bay (Sunken Bath) where lunch will be served. Next, cruise to Aga Port for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 2: Visit Butterfly Valley located in the Oludeniz region. The reason it’s called Butterfly Valley is that it’s home to more than 80 butterfly species, including the Jersey Tiger. After a swim break, cruise to Oludeniz (Blue Lagoon). Dinner and overnight stay will be at Gemiler Island (Aya Nikolas Island).
Day 3: After breakfast cruise to Bedri Rahmi Bay (Figure 6) named by a famous Turkish painter, writer, and poet who came here in 1974. After lunch and another swim break, cruise to Tersane Island, the largest island of Gocek Bay. Dinner and overnight stay will be in the beautiful Yassica Islands region.
Day 4: In the morning, cruise to Sarsala Bay for breakfast and swimming. Later, cruise to Incirlik Bay located on the southwestern side of Gocek Island for lunch and the last swim break on your Blue Cruise. After swimming, we will return to Gocek Harbor.
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