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Dallas, USA to
Greater Izmir, Turkey
October 7 - 24, 2010
You are invited to experience TURKEY!
Dallas, USA to Greater Izmir, Turkey
Exchange October 7 - 24, 2010
Exchange #10017
Departing DFW: Oct 7, 2010 - Arriving Istanbul, Turkey: Oct 8, 2010
Cultural, historical, and ethnic tour of Turkey: Oct 8-17
Homestay with Izmir Friendship Force Club: Oct 17-24
Return to Dallas from Izmir: Oct 24, 2010
Enjoy a paradise of beautiful scenery, ideal climate, friendly and hospitable people and a magnificent past in the "cradle of civilization." Be a part of the Friendship Force of Dallas exchange to Izmir and experience this land of historic treasures from 13 civilizations spanning 10,000 years.
Dallas Exchange Director
Zia Shamsy - zia_shamsy@yahoo.com
Request an application form from Zia or download
one from the FFI website. Mail your application form and deposit to Zia. Please contact him with any questions.
Options
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Tour of Turkey only: Oct 8-17: $1,163 to $1,536 plus
airfare |
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Izmir Club homestay only: Oct 17-24: $665 plus airfare |
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Tour of Turkey and Izmir homestay: Oct 7-24: $1,828 to $2,201 plus airfare |
Tour
n a pre-exchange tour for 10 days, 9 nights visit Istanbul – the city in two continents, the capitol in Ankara, strange rock formations of Cappadocia, the
whirling dervishes of Konya, coastal Antalya, petrified falls of Pamukkale, ending in Izmir. Cost will vary depending on the number of participants.
Tour price includes:
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Four-star hotel or better |
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Arrival & departure transfers |
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Entrance fees and luggage handling |
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9 breakfast, 6 lunches, and 5 dinners |
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Touring with air-conditioned deluxe motor |
coach
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Sightseeing with licensed English speaking |
tour guide
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Tour escort throughout the tour |
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Local taxes
and service charges |
Tour price per person, double occupancy:
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For 10 participants: $1,536 |
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For 15 participants: $1,289 |
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For 20 participants: $1,163 |
Single supplement: $ 343
These are October 2009 prices. October 2010 prices will be available in January 2010, which may vary slightly.
Airfare
There will be a designated group flight from DFW to Istanbul. If you choose to make your own arrangements, you must be at the place to be determined for the start of the tour by the time the group flight arrives in Istanbul.
Airfare from DFW to Istanbul: Approximately $950 plus or minus $50. (The October 2009 round trip airfare was $950; airline prices will be set in 2010.)
One-way airfare from Izmir to Istanbul, to connect with return flight - $100. (The pre-exchange tour ends in Izmir. If you are going on the exchange only, you will need to buy a round-trip flight from Istanbul to Izmir to Istanbul - $200.)
Homestay
The Izmir club is known for being well-organized with members who are gracious hosts.
Host club fee includes: One week of bus rental, plus one night hotel in Ephesus, all dinners, lunches and snacks, all entrance fees to the museums and historical places, guide for three days, welcome and farewell parties, a concert, opera or ballet, swim at the hot spring pool, transfer to the airport, and miscellaneous expenses.
The homestay in Izmir features visits to the Anthropological and Ethnographic museums, Balcova Thermal baths (how about a swim or massage?), historic site of Ephesus with overnight stay, home of the Virgin Mary, local craft factories and villages plus experiencing the Turkish food, culture and hospitality.
Izmir Club’s capacity is 20 Ambassadors. However, if there are additional people who want to go on the exchange, they may stay in a hotel and participate in planned activities.
The Izmir Exchange fee of $665 includes FFI fee, Dallas and host club fees, tips and other miscellaneous expenses; excess refundable.
Deposits
This exchange and tour will be open initially to FF Dallas members; after March 15, 2010 it will be open to members of other clubs. Make your deposit as early as possible or by March 15th to assure your place. To reserve airline seats for group travel of 20 or more, we need to reserve the seats as early as possible in the new year. The best connections (with a minimum number of transfers and the least layover time) will be filled up soon after airlines release the seats.
Your deposit is required to reserve your place and will be applied to the final payment. Make check payable to Friendship Force of Dallas. The tour company will accept one check from
FFD.
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Deposit for exchange to Izmir only: $100 |
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Deposit for the land tour only: $150 |
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Deposit for exchange and land tour: $250 |
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Deposit for the land tour, exchange and round-trip airfare
(DFW-Izmir): $350 |
Payment of Balance
Balance due by July 23, 2010. We must provide your name as it appears on your passport. There will be an additional late fee of $150 - $250 for joining the tour after July 23.
Cancellations
Cancellation Charges as a percentage of total price
No. of days before departure
59-40 - 25%
39-22 - 50%
21-8 - 70%
Later cancellation or no shows 100%
Travel Insurance
FFI requires that you buy travel insurance. The tour company will not assume any responsibility for any medical or health related issues. If you buy insurance within 15 days of paying your first deposit, any deposits lost will be covered, whatever the reason for the cancellation.
Visa / Passport
A visa is required; it is purchased at the Turkey airport for $20. You must have a passport with at least 6 months of remaining validity.
Turkey Fact Sheet
 Many important events surrounding the birth of Christianity occurred in Turkey. St. John. St. Paul and St. Peter all lived and prayed in the areas we visit. Tradition has it that St. John brought Virgin Mary to Ephesus after the crucifixion, where she spent her last days in a small stone house on what is now Mount Koressos. It remains a popular pilgrimage site for Christians. The Seven Churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation are all found in Turkey.
We will visit Izmir, once known as Smyrna, one of Turkey's largest cities and a major port. Famous Smyrna figs are still shipped from here, and the bazaar still buzzes with activity. The Velvet Castle perched above the city offers a spectacular sunset. The waterfront boulevards are known for its spirited nightlife.
Less than an hour's drive south of Izmir rise the elaborate ruins of Ephesus, the best-preserved classical city on the Aegean Sea. As the capital of Roman Asia Minor, Ephesus was richly endowed with marble temples, mosaics, and a 25,000-seat Great Theatre. St. Paul spoke here, and later wrote his famous Epistle to the Ephesians. It is believed that Virgin Mary spent her last days here and ascended to heaven from neighboring hilltop. Not far away, the resort town of Balcova provides a good place for swimming after you have toured the ruins. We will go to Ephesus, visit the sites and stay one night in nearby Kusadasi.
Turkey is a secular state and though the population is 99% Muslim, it recognizes freedom of worship. It is one of the countries in which mosques, churches and synagogues have co-existed peacefully for centuries.
You will enjoy Turkish/Mediterranean food. A meal usually begins with a soup or several of the many traditional appetizers, followed by a fish or meat dish, served with rice and cooked vegetables.
Dessert may be fresh fruit or sweet pastry. Turkish coffee or tea complement the meal.
Comfortable shoes are essential for touring archaeological sites. Hats with visor and sunglasses are recommended, and head scarves are necessary for women while visiting mosques.
Electricity is 220 volts, and you need a converter for your electric devices. Water is chlorinated and potable in all cities, but bottled water is advisable.
The flight time from New York to Istanbul is 9 hours 25 minutes and the return trip is 11 hours.
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