Photos: Ephusus Ruins Gentleman in Istanbul

Turkey Travel, Tours and Vacations MERHABA !   Take a taste of Turkey Meander Adventures style. We were first beguiled by this extraordinary country on our initial visit in 1981. We have been back each year since and our love affair continues to grow. Turkey is today one of the world's most inviting destinations for the discriminating traveler; a romantic, stimulating country combining 20th century sophistication with ancient splendor and the bluest and most pristine of seas. Discover a country that has captivated all who have entered. Home at different times to the Hittite, Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires, this intriguingly beautiful land offers the best of both east and west.

Few realize Turkey's many archeological treasures. Where else can you swim through cerulean waters where Antony frolicked with Cleopatra, sit in the ancient theater of Ephesus where St. Paul preached and now the likes of Yanni and Joan Baez perform,or watch the sunset over the towering minarets in Istanbul, one of the world's most beautiful and fascinating cities.

In the minds of many westerners the mention of Turkey conjures up vague stereotypical visions of oriental splendor and decadence, of mystery and intrigue,of sultans and harems, of luxury and wickedness. These outdated stereotypes quickly evaporate once the visitor arrives in the country. The Turkish republic is democratic, rapidly modernizing, secular and western-oriented with a vigorous economy.

ISTANBUL SIGHTSEEING Istanbul is a magical city and our private and group sightseeing excursions will help you discover the allure of this intriguing city.

MINI TOURS Combine one or both of our mini tours with a visit to Istanbul and perhaps a gulet cruise to create the perfect group or independent visit.

GULET CRUISES Picture yourself on board a beautifully handcrafted wooden gulet, cruising gently along the picturesque Turkish coast from bay to bay, village to village. These spacious, lovingly maintained vessels are fashioned after fishing boats of old and today provide every possible convenience. Lounge on cushions on the aft deck as your well trained crew serves freshly prepared meals. Windsurf, snorkle, hike on shore, visit ancient ruins and intruguiging coastal towns.

GULET CABIN CHARTER On your own or perhaps just two of you? Don't want to charter a whole boat? Join 8 - 12 like minded travelers from around the world for a private cruise without paying private prices. Departing from Marmaris every Saturday, a cabin charter is perfect to add to other itineraries in western Turkey, or perhaps to combine with a visit to Greece. There are daily hydrofoils from Marmaris to the Greek island of Rhodes.

INDEPENDENT CUSTOM TOURS We specialize in custom designing Turkish tours for 2 - 20. We work with you to find just the right combination of sites and activities. We help you choose from the myriad of wondrous places to experience and we work within the constraints of your budget. We can provide hotels simple or deluxe and always they will be clean and interesting.

The Turks are unfailingly friendly to foreign visitors, the cuisine is considered one of the 7 major cuisines of the world and is exquisite, the cities are dotted with majestic old buildings, the extraordinary coastline is crowned by pine forests and the countryside is often as beautiful as a national park.

It is not just Turkey's synthesis of past cultures, but its present as well that makes this unique country of Turkey such an exciting place to visit. Just wandering through the twisting, turning streets of Istanbul alive with the cries of street vendors, the smells of freshly baked bread and the eerie, atonal song of the muezzins calling the faithful to prayer quickly immerses you in the charm of 20th century Turkey.

Istanbul, with one leg in Europe, the other in Asia, is the only city in the world to straddle two continents. Here you might wish to stay in a restored Ottoman House in Sultanahmet and walk a few hundred yards to the Blue Mosque, Haghia Sophia, Topkapi.

In Cappadocia you can immerse yourself in a countryside filled with churches and houses carved into stone outcroppings and underground cities 6 and 7 stories below ground. You might choose to cruise the Turquoise Coast on board a handsome handcrafted wooden gulet, attentive crew attending to your every need. From Kusadasi you can spend days visiting the most famous of Hellenistic ruins at Ephesus, Pergamom, Priene,Miletos and Didyma.

Turkish guides are among the friendliest, best educated and knowledgeable in the world and whether you are on one of our small, group departures or a custom trip designed just for you, you will come away knowing not just the country but wonderful new friends as well.

HOS GELDINEZ !

e-mail: info@Turkey-Tours-Cruises.com

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