When: October 17-31, 2009          

Led by:Jim Gold and Lee Otterholt

Featuring:

• Folk dance with local Turkish teachers !
• International folk dancing with Lee Otterholt !
  

Land only: $2895
Land and air: $3295

About Jim Gold

About Lee Otterholt
Lee Otterholt, born in the USA of Norwegian-American parents, has lived and worked most of his life in Norway as a professional dancer, teacher, and choreographer. He founded the Center for International Folk Dance in Oslo;he was also professor of dance folklore at the Norwegian National College of Ballet, and University College of Oslo.

Lee established folk dance and performing groups in Norway, taught at festivals and workshops throughout Europe, United States, and East Asia, and was the author of folk dance and instructional manuals used in Norwegian schools. A choreographer for folk ensembles, theater, and TV, Lee was one of the principal choreographers for the Opening Ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games in Lillehammer.

Day 2-3: Sunday-Monday, October 18-19:
Arrive in Ankara. Transfer to our hotel. Visit the Anatolian Civilizations Museum and Mausoleum of Ataturk. Travel to the historic Hittite capital of Hattusas, and visit the Underground Gate, Citadel, and Sanctuary of Yazýlýkaya. Folk dancing with Lee and local group. Dinner and overnights in Ankara.

Day 4-5: Tuesday-Wednesday, October 20-21:
Morning drive to fascinating Cappadocia! See hollowed-out dwellings of early Christians who hid in these cave dwellings to escape Roman and Byzantine persecutors. Stop by Agzikarahan caravanserai enroute. Visit the underground city of Kaymakli. Next day, we travel to see churches in Goreme, fairy chimneys of Pasabag Valley, and the natural citadel of Uchisar and Avanos. Folk dancing with Lee and local groups. Dinner and overnights in Cappadocia.

Day 6: Thursday, October 22:
Drive to Konya and visit the famous Mausoleum of Mevlana. Folk dancing with Lee. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale.

Day 7: Friday, October 23:
In Pamukkale explore ancient city of Hierapolis in detail, then drive to the Greco-Roman settlement of Aphrodisias, dedicated to Goddess of Love. Folk dancing with Lee and local teachers. Dinner and overnight in Izmir.

Day 8: Saturday, October 24:
Drive to Kusadasi. Visit the house of Virgin Mary. Then explore one of the great archeological sites of the world, the Roman Capital of Asia Minor, the ancient Ionian city of Ephesus! Folk dancing with Lee, local groups, and teachers. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 9: Sunday, October 25:
Morning drive to Pergamon. Visit this ancient capital, its healing Asclepium, and dramatic Acropolis. Later, we’ll drive along the coast to visit Homer’s legendary Troy! Dinner and overnight in Canakkale.

Day 10: Monday, October 26:
Morning drive to Bursa. Explore Ulu Cami (Grand Mosque), Green Mausoleum, and old Silk Market in the Covered Bazaar where you can buy Turkish towels. Dinner and overnight in Bursa.

Day 11-15: Tuesday-Wednesday, October 27-31:
We travel to Istanbul! City tour: Visit St. Sophia Museum, Hippodrome, sportive Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and the Grand Bazaar, a maze of over 4000 tiny shops selling gold, jewelry, leather work and fine carpets, and the exotic Spice Bazaar. We’ll take a scenic cruise on the Bosphorus! Enroute we’ll pass palaces, castles, palatial homes, visit majestic Dolmabahce Palace (residence of latterday Sultans of the Ottoman Empire) and Camlica Hill, with breathtaking views of the city. Meet and dance with local Istanbul folk dance groups and teachers! Dinners and overnights in Istanbul.

Day 15: Wednesday, October 31:
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.