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The Great Anatolian Horseback Ride
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| Evliya Çelebi was born on the 25th of February 1611. His Book of Travels shows his interest in the characteristics of the countries he journeyed and the people he met. His writings cover the historic events of the 17th century and is an invaluable account of stories, history and geography written in a lucid style of the spoken language of the time.
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A passion for foreign lands began as he listened to the many adventures of his father who had served many sultans from Suleyman the Magnificent to Ibrahim. “Through heredity many an adventure and experience was passed to our humble servant from his grandfather and father,” he writes to explain his curiosity and devotion to a life of travel to distant lands.
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An Adventure Through Northwest Turkey
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This unique ride follows as closely as possible the early stages of the final journey of Evliya Çelebi, a seventeenth century Ottoman traveler, who recorded his pilgrimage to Mecca in the Book of Travels a ten volume chronicle of his journey.
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The Great Anatolian Horseback Ride begins in the village of Soġuksu south of the Marmara Sea. From there the trip heads through dramatic landscape and across varied terrain zig-zagging east and west as Evliya Çelebi himself did. The ride will end in the historic city of Kütahya the ancestral home of Evliya after following the tracks of the famous traveler along the way experiencing the culture and people of Turkey.
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| The countryside is wide open with few fences or walls to restrict movement. Being enthusiastically welcomed is part of the immense attraction of riding in this enchanting region. Passing through towns and villages and visiting sites that Evliya records in his Book of Travels and meeting the people of the region who make their living from the land. Many of the villagers will be busy with the harvest the basis for this rural economy.
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Encountering lakes, rivers and mountains, the sights include the distinctive stone and wooden architecture, a stone paved Ottoman road, historic bazaars and the Roman obelisk at Kikilitaş. All are absorbed at the slow equestrian pace.
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| Riding through the rich farmlands and traveling through the markets provide rich choices for the traditionally crafted Turkish specialties prepared by the chef that travels with the group. Turkey is famous for its kabobs, mezas (appetizers), fish dishes and hand-made pastas and hand rolled filled pastries. Or enjoy lunch in a small café along the route.
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The depth and beauty of this ride offers 11 1/2 days of riding on this 17 day trip. There are 9 nights of camping and 7 nights in hotels.
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| This intermediate ride which is mostly walking with some trots and slow canters is offered twice in 2010. From August 29th to September 14th the ride will travel from Istanbul to Kütahya. Or from September 14th to September 30th reversing the trip back to Istanbul.
The cost is $4,100 -$4,500 per person depending on the number of riders (maximum is 10). To learn more about this exciting equestrian trip please contact Nancie Vion-Loisel at Equitours at 800 545-0019 or via e-mail at nancie@equitours.com.
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For more information on these vacations and equestrian trips throughout the world visit www.equitours.com
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