Tour organised and escorted by professional tour guide Kadir Zehir
Click images for larger view.
Golf Tour Itinerary, 30 April to 13 May 2012.
Day 1. [4th May] Meet in hotel lobby at 10.30 am.
Istanbul is the only city in the world built on two continents. We will have a welcome meeting before we head off to explore the historic centre of Istanbul. It is a magnificent city, full of history, beauty and a real blend of cultures. We will wander down the Hippodrome, the scene of ancient chariot races and the centre of Byzantine civic life. We will visit the elegant Sultanahmet Mosque, known as the blue mosque due to its magnificent interior decoration of Iznik tiles. After this you will have free time to continue walking in this lovely area of Istanbul. [LD]
Day 2. [5th May] Golf Day
We will travel out of the city to play 18 holes at the Kemer Golf and Country Club. The championship course opened in 1995 and is located in the hills of Belgrade forest, a challenging but beautiful course. It is 6,300 m in length and plays to a par of 73. This course is ranked 10 in Turkey. (www.kg-cc.com) [BD]
Day 3. [6th May] Istanbul Sightseeing
Today we will visit the great palace of the Ottoman sultans [Topkapi Palace]. Here you will appreciate the incredible wealth of the Ottoman Empire. We will tour through the many courts and visit the fascinating harem. We will visit the Aya Sofia Museum, a church built in the 4th century. The walls are decorated with stunning Byzantine mosaics. After this we will visit the Underground Cistern, built in 532 a.d. This place has a magical quality about it. [BD]
Day 4. [7th May] Golf Day
We will re play the Kemer course today. [BD]
Day 5. [8th May] Fly to Antalya
After flying to Antalya, we will drive to our coastal hotel, Gloria Golf resort in Belek. This area of the coast is full of large resorts and many golf courses all side by side. It is a large stylish resort set in lovely gardens and has great facilities. There are large pool areas, a full gym and a spa and wellness centre and many organised daily activities. Once settled we will have an orientation talk about the hotel facilities and details of the week ahead. [BD]
Day 6. [9th May] Golf Day
Today is our first golf day in Belek. We tee off at Gloria Golf course [old]. Opened in 1997, the 18 hole course is 1681m, has 7 lakes and 63 bunkers and is par 72. Designed by Michel Gayon it has hosted several European tour events and is set in beautiful pine trees. This course is ranked 8th of the Turkish courses. {www.gloria.com.tr} [BD]
Day 7. [10th May] Sightseeing Day
Today we will spend some time in the old centre of Antalya. Antalya Old Town consists of restored wooden houses from Ottoman Period. The historic port area is a lovely place to wander around. There will be some time for shopping also. We will take a short boat trip in the harbour area also [ BLD]
Day 8. [11th May] Golf Day
Today we will play in Carya golf course. It is the first classic heath land style golf course built on the Mediterranean coast. Designed by Thomson Perrett & Lobb. It is 18 hole, 6571m and par 72.
Each hole offers variety and challenges. A tactical approach is required and finding the correct way to play the fairways is often more important than distance off the tee. This course is ranked 5th in Turkey. {www.caryagolf.com} [BD]
Day 9. [12th May] Sightseeing Day
Today we will visit more historic sites in the area. We will visit Aspendos, one of the best preserved Amphitheatres of the Roman era. We will travel to Perge to visit this ancient city. [BD]
Day 10. [13th May] Golf Day
Today we play at the Sultan course at Antalya Golf club. This course has been selected to host the 2012 World Amateur Team Championship later in the year. The par 71: 6477 m course is a challenge. The course presents a combination of challenges to test both high and low handicappers. Designed by European Golf design and David Jones in the late 1990’s, the course is on undulating and has many ponds and water features. This course is ranked 2nd in Turkey and 44th Europe. {www.antlayagolfclub.com.tr} [BD]
Day 11: [14th May] Golf Day
The Cornelia Golf club is a Faldo designed course it is full of challenges. Again set in a pine forest it has a variety of holes. It is ranked the best course in Turkey and number 27 in Europe.
{www.corneliaresort.com} [BD]
Day 12. [15th May] Sightseeing Day
Side is a local pretty town on a peninsula about 50km east of Antalya. It was built by Greek settlers in the 7th century BC. Side is one of the best classical ancient cities in Turkey. We will visit a Roman Amphitheatre, an Agora and the Temple of Apollo. [BD]
Day 13. [13th May] Golf Day
Our last golfing day on the coast is at Lykia Links. Designed by golf architect Perry Dye it is a stunning course on the shores of the Mediterranean Ocean. All of the holes have lovely views of the ocean and the Taurus Mountains. The 18 hole course opened in 2008 and is 6850m and par 72. It is ranked 3rd in Turkey and the 68th top course in Europe.
{www.lykiagroup.com} [BD]
Day 14. [17th May] Transfer to Istanbul
We fly back to Istanbul after breakfast. You can fly straight home or we can book you extra days in Istanbul or Antalya. [B]
