Art & Culture Tour of Turkey, 2010
April 30 to May 14, 2010
Program Overview
Tour Information Brochures (posted Jan 6/10)
Fly into Istanbul and visit the city that spans two continents - Europe and Asia! We'll see the famous Byzantine church, the Agia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and former sultan's Topkapi Palace, as well as explore the Grand Bazaar! Our bus tour will then drive through varied and interesting topography along the turquoise blue Aegean coast, stopping at the ancient Greek sites of Troy, and Pergamom, then on to Ephesus of biblical fame. Known as the great city of Asia in ancient times, Ephesus is probably the best preserved Greco-Roman city in the Mediterranean region. Heading further south we will visit Antalya on the Mediterranean, before circling up into the central plains where we will stop in the famous Islamic centre of Konya. From there we will travel to the eerie hoodoo formations in Cappadocia,many that have been inhabited for centuries, and then on to see the underground cities. Afterwards, the group will fly back to Istanbul for their departure home.
Extend your stay and add 2 nights in Istanbul for only $349. Shop in the Grand Bazaar, or relax while crusing down the Bosphorus.
Group size will be limited to around 35 travelers with 15 of those seats reserved for students.
Click Here to read and interesting article on Turkey!
Program Conditions
This trip is designed as a budget tour - clean, serviceable, but not high end. It is designed to offer university students the opportunity to travel, although community members are welcome to come also. You will have to carry your own suitcases; meals will be basic and possibly boring. Hotels will be clean and, if they're better at times that will be great. Participants must be able to walk at a fairly brisk pace, and travelers should be prepared for uneven, sometimes rocky terrain. People are free "to do their own thing" if they don't want to go with the group, and there is a fair amount of free time. Those who can't keep up to the group walking pace should expect to make arrangements for themselves for the day, unfortunately, the pace of walking tours cannot be altered to suit individual needs. The tour will have a type of classroom environment with numerous talks given to the group and participants must "think for the group dynamic" when we are all together. When walking and gathering as a group, people will have to follow instructions that are best for the group. This tour may not be suitable for people who are very independent.
Cost
The program cost is around $3521 CAD and includes departure fees.The basic program fee is guaranteed until Dec. 31, 2009 and includes:
- Return airfare to Turkey (participants can chose a variety of departure cities, but may not be with the group if they leave from somewhere other than Victoria)
- Hotel accommodation (3-4 star hotels)
- Transportation within Turkey
- Breakfasts
- 8 dinners
- Entrances to the various sites
Land Only Cost: The basic program cost excluding airfare is only $1999.00, if you are choosing to purchase your own flight. (i.e. through an Air Miles provider).
Optional Excursions: Note that there are a variety of optional excursions available. If you're at all interested, it's best to sign up when you register as you can withdraw without penalty up to your last payment date Feb. 19, 2010, but you might not get a place if you wait to sign up.
Stay Behind: If you wish to stay behind (up to two months from departure), the company will charge a deviation fee of $125.00 to arrange an alternative flight back for you. You might think of staying behind in Istanbul for a few extra days to shop at the bazaars before heading home! You can decide to purchase a deviation flight up until your final payment on Feb. 19, 2010. Flights may also be booked from an alternate departure point for those wishing to travel to other countries after the tour ends.
Tips: There are no tipping charges for meals, hotels etc., but we will have to tip local guides ($1.00 per person for about 8 events) and we will need to tip the tour director $3-5 per person per day and bus driver ($2 per day), depending on their performance of course. We will collect some tipping money before departure.
Academic Courses
The following art courses will be offered: Arts 355 Painting lV, Arts 484 Advanced Studio: Multi-Disciplinary,and Directed Studies in painting, drawing or design. Students may take multiple courses. Students taking courses will be expected to record images in Turkey and then complete a variety of art projects based on this research once they return home. Class work will be due at the end of August. Students taking 3 or more classes may be eligible for a student loan to finance their trip.
Financial Assistance
International Education Award - The International Education Department at VIU encourages Education Abroad by providing eligible VIU Students with an International Education Award of $350. Conditions apply.
StudentAid BC - Students on the BC student assistance Program (BCSAP) may be able to continue their funding to include Education Abroad. Those not currently receiving BCSAP funding, may be able to apply. Contact Financial Aid in Building 200 for more information.
Passports & Visas
All participants must have a valid passport good for six months after your return. Applications for Canadian passports are available at Canada Post offices or on-line (www.ppt.gc.ca). Don't delay in applying for or renewing your passport as the Passport office is very busy and the process is not as simple and fast as in the past.
You will be responsible for purchasing your own Visa for entry into Turkey. This is less expensive when purchased on arrival in Turkey (must be in cash).
Cancellation Policy
Please note the link for terms and conditions, such as cancellation policies and insurance, at the bottom left of the website page. http://www.goaheadtours.ca/content/default.aspx?path=terms
Application Procedure
There is a selection process to avoid travellers having any unmeet expectations. Interested participants must contact Jane Cole before they are allowed to enroll. Participants will then be issued a reference number in order to register.
- VIU self-assessment form
- VIU Education Abroad application
- Responsibility & liability waiver
Applicants must also fill out the following VIU forms.
- VIU self-assessment form
- VIU Education Abroad application
- Responsibility & liability waiver
Contacts
Jane Cole
Professor, Art & Design
Building 335, Room 104
Phone: (250) 753-3245 Local: 2294
Email: Jane.Cole@viu.ca
Audrey Hansen, International Education, studyabroad@viu.ca