Bay Area Travel Buddies and Local Events

Join here: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/turkey-small-group-tours/

Email us at joinus@photoflytravel.com for the daily itinerary!

Our friends at PhotoFly Travel Club have created a brand new adventure to Turkey. Experience the rich tapestry of history and culture throughout her diverse regions and landscapes. In the vibrant city of Istanbul, explore iconic landmarks like Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and the bustling Grand Bazaar. Be immersed in local flavors with a street food culinary tour, and enjoy a scenic cruise along the Bosphorus. In Cappadocia, marvel & photograph its unique landscapes, including the fairy chimneys of Devrent Valley and the ancient rock-cut churches in Red Valley. In Antalya, visit stunning waterfalls and the charming old town of Kaleiçi. Relax on a white sand beach or explore further at the ancient cities of Perge and Aspendos. In Pamukkale, walk on the mesmerizing travertine terraces and explore the ancient city of Hierapolis. Discover the ancient Roman metropolis of Ephesus and the picturesque village of Sirince, concluding with a delightful farewell dinner by the sea. A perfect blend of history, photography, cultural immersion, and breathtaking natural beauty; need we say more?

• 12 Nights/13 Days Turkey
• Istanbul (3 Nights)| Cappadocia (3 Nights) | Antalya (3 Nights) | Pamukkale (1 Night) | Kusadasi (2 Nights)
• Charming boutique hotels & resorts
• 3 Domestic flights INCLUDED!
• Breakfast daily
• 4 Dinners
• Privately guided adventures throughout
• All taxes, transfers, fees included

Email us directly at joinus@photoflytravel.com to receive a detailed daily itinerary!

Istanbul - 3 nights

• The Old City: Guided tour of Hagia Sophia, Byzantine Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and Grand Bazaar.
• Culinary Immersion: Taste Istanbul's popular street foods, visit a traditional artisan restaurant for homemade delicacies and enjoy Turkish delights with coffee.
• The Spice Market: Capture Istanbul's 17th-century Spice Bazaar, renowned for its vibrant atmosphere and rich history as a hub of spice trade; an authentic sensory feast with aromatic spices, herbs, teas, and traditional Turkish products amidst Ottoman-inspired architecture.
• Cruise the Bosphorus: Admire the banks sailing between Europe and Asia, a unique winding strait separating two continents.

Cappadocia - 3 nights

• Devrent Valley, Pasabag, and Avanos: A photographer's dream; Devrent Valley, known for its unique rock formations, offers our cameras surreal landscapes resembling animal shapes and fairy chimneys. Pasabag features extraordinary hoodoos and multiple-stemmed fairy chimneys, while Avanos is famed for its pottery traditions along the banks of the Kızılırmak River.
• Optional Sunrise Hot Air Balloon: Enjoy and photograph the views of this astounding, unique landscape from the sky as the sun's golden hues blanket the valley!
• Open Air Museum: The heart of Cappadocia, famous for its wall painting dating back to the 10th century, describes the life of Jesus Christ.
• Red Valley & Cavusin: Renowned for its striking red-hued rock formations, Red Valley offers panoramic views and excellent photography opportunities amidst picturesque backdrops. Cavusin, an ancient village nearby, showcases historic cave dwellings and rock-cut churches, providing a glimpse into the region's rich cultural and architectural heritage.
• Özkonak Underground City: A lesser-known but fascinating underground complex carved out of soft volcanic rock with multiple levels of tunnels, rooms, and ventilation shafts, offering insights into ancient underground living and defense strategies in the region.
• Creating the cuisine: A memorable cooking class with a 4-course meal including soup, entrée, main meal, and local dessert.

Antalya – 3 nights

• Kaleiçi (Old Town): Discover the ancient quarters, renowned for picturesque narrow streets, historic Ottoman houses, and a vibrant atmosphere with shops, cafes, and ancient landmarks.
• Stunning Waterfalls: The Karpuzkaldıran Waterfall cascades dramatically down steep cliffs into the Mediterranean Sea while Kursunlu Waterfall provides a tranquil setting amidst lush greenery, with cascades that flow into small ponds ideal for nature walks, picnics, and of course, photography!
• Relax and enjoy the beach: Free time to relax, wander the ancient streets, or head to one of the beautiful white sand beaches that dot the coast.
• Optional adventure to Perge & Aspendos: Showcasing remarkable Roman archaeological sites, Perge features well-preserved ruins including a grand theater, agora, and Roman baths, offering insights into urban life during antiquity.

Pamukkale – 1 night

• The Cotton Castle: Famed for its natural hot springs and stunning terraces of travertine formations, these mineral-rich terraces have been formed over millennia by the flow of calcium-rich waters cascading down the mountainside.

Kusadasi – 2 nights

• Sirince Village: Nestled in the hills near Kusadasi and Ephesus, this village charms visitors with its cobblestone streets, traditional Ottoman houses, and vineyards producing local fruit wines.

Ephesus

• Guided Discovery of Ephesus: Explore and learn about the Arcadian Way, Roman Baths, Temple of Hadrian, Celsius Library, and the Antique Theatre; amazing Greco-Roman architecture to photograph in every direction.

Email us at joinus@photoflytravel.com for the daily itinerary!

Price: $3,595
Single Supplement: $995

Go here to sign up: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/turkey-small-group-tours/

*****Aloha Wildcat Lovers ! It's Indie Tom & back to have you experience these
beautiful & exotic animals again ! Please put this on your must to do list of
special Events ! As i don't know how much longer this hidden Wildcats
Adventure will be running?
***** This is not a zoo. & all the cats are raised on a hidden mountain top
under redwoods ! Guests will be up close to these beautiful animals .
***** Event AGENDA: We meet in Occidental in front of the Union hotel.
Our first location will be be in a secluded forest of ancient Redwoods.
Our forest walk will here will take about 1 hour. Then a short drive to the
Wildcat's Lair * compound.
***** This tour is in 2 parts with a light lunch break & question & answer
period following. Note: The 18 Cats to be interacted with are :
Cheetah's , Mountain Lion. Bobcats, Lynx, Snow Leopard, Caracals,
Sand Cat, Black Leopard, Fish cat, Serval , and several more ! Note: please
use a small lens camera for the best closeup photos !
********
The whole day's experience is only $125.00 & is a non profit organization Please pay via , Zelle, Venmo. Check or $$. You must make a 50% deposit with your RSVP ! Venmo is: Tom-Bold-1 & Zells is Thomas Bold -925 787 3041. My email is boldbackroads@ gmail.com & my
phone # again is 925 787 3041 (Indie Tom)
***** Hope you can attend this most unique & memorable experience !
The minimum # of guests is 6 & maximum is 12 guests.
Venmo : Tom-Bold-1 & Zelle is : Thomas Bold & 925 787 3041 .
****** BRING A FRIEND & THEY WILL THANK YOU FOR THIS UNIQUE EXPERIENCE FOR A GREAT CAUSE !!!!!