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18 Day Turkey & Romania w/Oberammergau

  

Turkey & Romania w/Oberammergau
18 Day Tour • September 02, 2010
w/ Dr. John Lund

Special Guest Educator













 
Important information:
A note about Turkey and Romania: If Jim & Carol Tyndall from Fun For Less Tours could pick any tour they wanted to escort, the two they choose would be the Eastern Europe with Romania and the Turkey with Romania. They would rather spend time in Turkey and Romania than any place in Europe. You can not go wrong with either tour, especially with the tour that includes Turkey!

PS: The Turkey with Romania Passion Play group, is the only group that we know of that stays right in downtown Oberammergau. They have better seating and the hotel is located right next to the Passion Play Theater. Compared to all of the other tickets and accommodations – these were by far the best!

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Airfare: Airfare will become available approximately 10 months before departure date. We will negotiate the lowest group contracts possible. Airfare is not a profit center for us, and you can always make your own airfare arrangements. Our best estimate on Salt Lake City airfare is somewhere between 799 and 999 plus taxes and fuel surcharges for airfare. We will also offer discounted airfare out of New York. Be assured we are good negotiators and expect our prices to be less than everyone else!
   
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Quality of Hotels: We are confident you will like the hotels we have scheduled for our tours. We have listed them on each itinerary. You will find that most of our hotels are Deluxe (4 star), with a few First Class hotels. Hotel ratings are as follows: Tourist Class hotels are 2 star, First Class Hotels are 3 star, Deluxe hotels are 4 star and Luxury Hotels are 5 star. Other companies in Utah offering Passion Play Tours state their hotels will be “Tourist Class (2 star) and First class (3 star).” We have all our hotels under contract and do not expect any hotel changes, but they are subject to change if we find a hotel that will be better for our group.
   
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European Expert: Ari
•   Will be touring with all of our groups.
•   Fluent in six languages.
•   Expert on European history, art, architecture, and music.
•   Tour director for over 20 years, and has assisted many dignitaries and VIPs throughout Europe.
•   Close friend to Fun for Less Tours. He made our Oberammeragau 2010 tours his top priority.
   
•  2010 Passion Play offers a lot of advantages:
•   The euro is down almost 20% over last year and is expected to stay down for the foreseeable future.
•   We have locked in a low exchange rate. This allows us to ensure the price will stay down.
•   The next Passion Play date isn’t until 2020, over 11 years from now. If predictions are correct, our huge US debt will cause our dollar to fall, making the euro very expensive. Costs could easily increase by over 150% to see the play.

We have compared our prices with another company in Utah that has Passion Play tours. Not only are they more expensive with not as nice hotels, but they require that their tours must be paid in full by May 1st this year with 100% non-refundable! With us, your payments are scheduled over 9 easy payments and it does not become non-refundable until 4 to 5 months before departure. We offer the better price because we are not working through a consolidator! We have our own contracts with the hotels, buses and Oberammergau.

“We are the best for less”
   • We have the best hotels
   • We have the best pricing
   • We have the best educators
   • We have our European expert - Ari
   • We have the best payment schedule
   • We have the best tour itineraries


Hotel Ratings: **2 star = Tourist Class Hotel / ***3 star = First Class Hotel / ****4 star = Deluxe Hotel and *****5 star = Luxury Hotel. When you see a � added to a star rating, it means the hotel is in between two ratings. For example: 3 � star rating would mean it is in better than a First Class, but not quite a Deluxe. The first rating by each hotel is what the hotel rates itself. The second rating is what we believe the hotel rating should be. Where other tours are staying in Tourist Class and First Class hotels - with your tour you have no 2 star Tourist Class hotels, only a few 3 star First Class hotels, a lot of 4 star Deluxe hotels and even one 5 star Luxury hotel.

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY: Partial list - subject to change as needed to improve tour!

Day 1: September 02: Fly to Munich

Day 2: September 03: Munich
We will arrive mid morning and start our tour of Munich. Our tour will include a tour of the old city and visit to Dachua Concentration Camp. We will overnight Munich Area.

Day 3: September 04: Munich - Oberammergau
This morning we will travel into the German Alps with a stop at Neuschwanstein Castle, possibly the most beautiful Castle in the world from the outside. We will visit a spot above the castle for a breathtaking view. The best of Mad Ludwig’s Castles and his favorite is Linderholf, which we will visit inside tomorrow.
Overnight: Oberammergau area, where we will experience staying in local homes or apartments. Note: The Passion Play tickets and accommodations are controlled by Oberammergau. We do not know yet what homes or local apartments we will be staying in. We will spend two nights in Oberammergau area. There is no way to put a rating on our accommodations!

Day 4: September 05: Oberammergau – Passion Play
This morning before the play, we will visit King Ludwig’s favorite castle, Linderhof, located near Oberammergau. We will then return to Oberammergau to experience the Passion Play.
Overnight: Oberammergau area

Day 5: September 06: Oberammergau – Cappadocia Turkey
This morning we will travel back to Munich for our midday flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival we will immediately transfer to our domestic flight to Cappadocia in the middle of Turkey. We will overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 6: September 07: Capadoccia
Today will be a highlight day as we explore the amazing mystical landscapes around Capadocia. We experience the ancient underground cities of Kaymakli, Guverclnlik and Devrent Vallesy. We will also visit the natural rock castle at Uchisar; Avanos and Pasabaglari and the beautiful open-air museums at Zelve and Goreme. The remains of churches and Christian settlements date back thousands of years. This is a place where you simply let your mind wander and be amazed at the history and beauty of the region. Overnight Capadoccia

Day 7: September 08: Konya, Pamukkale
This morning we will make our way to the city of Konya, where we visit the Mevlana Museum and the tomb of Mevlana, the founder of the mystical Whirling Dervishes, Karatay Medrese and the Ince Minare, now a museum. This afternoon we will continue to Pamukkale to overnight.

Day 8: September 09: Hierapolis, Aphrodisias
Today we discover the ancient tourist resort of Asia Minor, Hieraplis. Hierapolis was the ancient city located on top of the Pamukkale - the world famous snow-white terraced hot springs. Hierapolis is a UNESCO World Heritage site. We then drive to Aphrodisias to explore the remains of the city where there was a school of sculpture in ancient times. We also visit the stadium and the temple of Aphrodite. Late this afternoon we will arrive in Kusadasi next to Ephesus. Overnight Kusadasi

Day 9: September 10: Ephesus
Today and tomorrow will be highlight days as we tour Ephesus and the Island of Patmos. This morning we will be a full day exploring Ephesus and the surrounding area. We will start with the house of the Vergin Mary on top of Bulbul Mountain and the proceed to the ancient city of Ephesus where you will explore some of the best preserved theaters, fountains and buildings found any where in the world. We will overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 10: September 11: Island of Patmos Greece
This morning we will take our private ferry to the Greek Island of Patmos for the full day. This is the island of Revelations and John the Revelator. We will return in the evening back to Kusadasi to overnight.

Day 11: September 12: Istanbul
Early morning flight to Istanbul. Today we visit the magnificent Hagia Sofia, Hippodrome and the stadium of ancient Byzantium, where an Egyptian obelisk and bronze sculpture of the entwined serpents from Delphi still survive. We then continue on to the Blue Mosque which owes its name to the exquisite tiles adorning its interior. In the afternoon we will visit the amazing Topkapi Palace, which from the 15th to the 19th Century was the principle residence of the Ottoman Sultans. Overnight Istanbul

Day 12: September 13: Istanbul - Bucharest
We will start the day with a boat ride on the Bosporus, the water that separates Asia from Europe. Istanbul is both in Asia and Europe. You will also have plenty of time to shop for those important turkey souvenirs as we will spend time in the Grand Bazaar. The Grand Bazaar is a gigantic flee market of shops that is a shoppers dream come true. Late this afternoon we will fly to Bucharest to overnight.

Day 13: September 14: Bucharest – Sinai - Brasov
This morning early we will travel approx. 80 miles to the mountain resort of Sinai. This beautiful valley contains three castles. One of which we consider the most beautiful castles in the world: The Pales Castle. We will then drive 30 miles to Brasov and the Bran Castle, often referred to as Dracula’s Castle. We will also do a city tour of Brasov.
Overnight: Hotel Ambient
Hotels rating: **** 4 star deluxe / Our rating *** 3 star first class

Day 14: September 15: Brasov - Sibiu
This morning will travel to Sibiu, designated the European capital of culture for 2007. Sibiu is one of the most important fortified cities in Europe and many of the streets have not changed in over 500 years. The center of town is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Overnight: Continental Forum
Hotels rating: **** 4 star deluxe / Our rating **** 4 star deluxe

Day 15: September 16: Sibiu – Sighisoara - Sibiu
This morning we will travel the short distance to the walled city of Sighisoara, possibly the best walled city in Eastern Europe. This is also the birthplace of Count Vlad Dracula. We will do a city tour and then have time to explore on our own this fantastic walled city. We will return to Sibiu and our hotel at the end of the day.
Overnight: Continental Forum

Day 16: September 17: Sibiu – Hunedoara – Bucharest
This morning we drive to Hunedoara Castle, located in the Transylvania Alps. It was recently named the scariest place on earth. This 14th Century castle held Count Vlad Dracula in prison for 7 years. After our tour of this fantastic castle, we will continue through the Transylvanian Alps to Bucharest.
Overnight: JW Marriott Bucharest Grand
Hotels rating: ***** 5 star luxury / Our rating: ***** 5 star Luxury

Day 17: September 18: Bucharest
This morning you will do a city tour of Bucharest that will include Ceausescu’s “House of the People”, the world’s second largest building after the Pentagon. You will also visit the Revolution Square, Village Museum and more before returning to your Hotel.
Overnight: JW Marriott Bucharest Grand

Day 18: September 19: (Sunday): Fly Back to the US & Home


Pricing & Payment details

Price: $4,995
Pricing Information:
•   Price is per person sharing double room
•   The $4,995 is the cash discount price:
•   A Credit card can be used to pay an initial deposit of 500 to hold your space. The rest of the payments would need to be paid by cash or check.
•   Regular price is 5,195 (for those using a credit cards for deposit and payments)

Price Includes:
•   Deluxe hotels, buses, guides, entrance fees, tours
•   All Transfers
•   Passion Play tickets and accommodations around Oberammergau
•   Educator
•   Fun For Less Tour Escorts
•   Price does not include airfare or airfare taxes and fees

Payment Schedule:
$4,995 Tour Price per person
$49 Booking fee
   
$5,044 Total Price per person – to be paid as follows
   
1,500 Initial Deposit per person, paid as follows:
 
•   Those taking advantage of the cash discount price:
•   $500 paid by credit card (which will hold your space)
•   $1,000 paid by check - due within 10 days of initial deposit
•   For those paying regular price – all 1,500 would be taken by CC
   
3,000 $600 per person, to be paid each month for the next five months and $544 per person your final month. Payments would be due the 20th of each month starting the first month after your initial deposit. Note: $3,000 must be paid in full on or before May 1, 2010.

Airfare:  Group airfare will not become available until 10 months before your tour.  You can purchase your own airfare or you can purchase group airfare from us.  Our group airfare becomes non refundable after these tickets are purchased. 

Cancellation policy for Oberammergau Passion Play tours:

•   Many of our hotels and Passion Play tickets require payment in full and are non-refundable. We have had to adjust our cancellation policy for this reason.
•   15 days from your initial deposit: $1,500 becomes non refundable
120 days from you initial deposit: $3,000 becomes non refundable
May 1: 100% of Land Tour becomes non refundable.
Airfare: Becomes non refundable when ticketed
We recommend the purchase of Travel Insurance!
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If for any reason a person needs to cancel and if we are able to fill their space (from a wait list, that we will create after the tour is sold out), we will refund all but $250 per person (the refund on airfare is subject to the airline approving the name changes and the new passengers needing the same airfare). Even though there is a good chance we can find a replacement, we cannot guarantee that we can fill your spot.


 


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