PONTOS/BLACKSEA DANCE TOUR
with special guests
Joe Graziosi & Kyriakos Moisidis
DECEMBER ‘2021
This tour is designed for recreational folk dancers and their non dancer partners.
You will learn the traditional folk dancing from local teachers as well as from Ahmet, Joe and Kyriakos daily.
You will experience the culture first hand and enjoy the famous hospitality of the Turks and the Greeks.
ITINERARY
September 12 - 16, 2021 / TRABZON
Trabzon is the heart and soul of the Pontian/blacksea dancing as well as a major historical and cultural center.
We will take as much opportunity as possible to visit and dance with locals and visit the important sites like;
Palace of Ataturk: The most visited architecture place of interest is Palace of Ataturk, which was founded
in the early 20th century. Today the palace has been transformed into a museum, which exhibits collections
of furniture, paintings and other interior items. The palace is located in the heart of a picturesque pine tree grove.
This is one of the most beautiful places of the city.
Ayasofya: Miniature Byzantine St. Anne's church is also an important historical monument for the city.
It was built in the 9th century. Built in the era of the Byzantium Empire, it miraculously preserved not only
original external features, but a number of elements of internal decor. At a certain period, the church had
been converted into a mosque, however, it did not lose its historical charm.
Historical Museum: The museum occupies a beautiful two-storey mansion. The variety of its exhibits
is incredibly large. You can see ancient weapons of different eras, works of art, vases, and antique furniture and
utensils. There's a spacious basement room in the old mansion. Some of the unique exhibits are kept there nowadays.
Sümela Monastery: Sümela Monastery is one of the oldest temples in the world. Unique in all respects,
this monastery was carved in the slope of the Black Mountain at an altitude of 1200 meters above sea level.
According to the legend, monks from Athens called Barnabas and Sophronius were founders of this Christian
monastery. They have found an icon of the Virgin Mary in one of the local caves and in 386AD the monastery
was founded on that site. The hard-to-get monastery is fascinating; it seems that it was literally built in the rock.
September 16-19, 2021 / GÜMÜSHANE
Gümüshane has been one of the most important cities in the Eastern Black Sea region
due to its foundation on the main route from Trabzon to Iran.
During the Roman and Byzantine periods the city was known as Argyropolis; in Greek Argyros means
Silver and Polis means city. Later on it was ruled by Emevis, Abbasids, Seljuks, and Ottomans.
In the 17th century Evliya Celebi reports that Gumushane was rich of silver mines.
The old Gümüshane city still retains examples of old-style architecture, we will visit Sariçiçek village to admire
19th century typical Ottoman houses. The oldest mosque in the city is Suleymaniye which was built by the order
of the Sultan in the 16th century. There are also many fountains, tombs and mausoleums from Ottoman period.
Being founded on the ancient Silk Road, Gumushane province has many fortresses such as Canca,
Akcakale, Edire, Kov, Kodil and Gumustug. Imera Monastery built in the 14th century is 38 kilometers
from the city center, at Olucak village. Other ancient Christian churches are; Metropolitic, Balcilar, Hegios Georgios,
Ayana, Mandiri, Emirler, Cakalli and Dilek.
We will visit as much village as possible to dance and socialize with the locals.
September 19-22, 2021 / RIZE
RIZE (Formerly kniown as Lazistan) is located in the eastern part of the Black Sea region of Turkey,
famous with its tea gardens and endless lush green plateaus.
The province is home to Laz, Hemshin, Turkish people and Georgian.
The name of the city comes from Greek ρίζα (riza), meaning "mountain slopes".
The Georgian, Laz, and Armenian names are all derived from Greek as well.
The vegetation around Rize is nearly tropical. Your journey in between green and echoes.
Some say wildlife, some say trekking. Unusual attractions in amazing locations.
Turkey consumes the most tea of any country in the world, and in large part that is because
the tea produced in Rize is so delicious.
Some of the interesting sites are; Ayder Yaylasi (high meadow), with hot springs.
Çamlik, Firtina vadisi. Wonderful scenerey and a lot of dancing.
September 22nd, 2021 – Departure day
After Breakfast at he hotel, we will go to the airport for our fly back to your final destination.
Detailed itinerary for each place we will visit will be shared with everyone as the tour starts.
The cost of the tour is $2,500
Land only, excluding International airfare.
Single supplement is also available
for travelers who want private accommodations for an additional $425.
INCLUDED:
All breakfasts. lunch and dinners, hotel accommodations,
ground transportation, All entrance fees to museums, ancient sites, sightseeing excursions as set forth
in the itinerary. Hotel accommodation are based on two persons sharing a double bedded room with
private bath/shower. If you are traveling alone, we will arrange for you to share the room with
someone of the same sex (you save the single supplement).
NOT INCLUDED:
International Air travel, passport and visa fees, travel insurance, inoculations and vaccinations, any expenses
prior to arrival in Turkey, liquor, room service, valet, laundry, telephone calls, tips to bus drivers/guides
and escorts which are not included and left to tour member's discretion.
A deposit of $ 300.00 per person is required at the time of registration.
Balance is due within 30 days prior to departure of tour.
PAYMENT METHOD:
You may pay via check or cash.
(If you prefer a bank transfer, we will provide you the bank account info)
To pay by check, please complete your registration online and send your check, payable to Ahmet Luleci, to:
Danstur / Ahmet Luleci
16 Braeland Ave.
Newton Centre, MA 02459
for more information and registrations;
857.234.0400 ~ ahmet.luleci@danstur.com ~ www.danstur.com
CANCELLATION POLICY:
Notice of cancellation must be confirmed in writing to us.
Cancellation charges are as follows:
Prior to 60 days.................$100
Between 59-30 days..........$ 200
Between 29-15 days..........50% Of total cost
Less than 15-7 days...........75% Of total cost
Less then 7 days..............100% Of the total cost
No refund will be allowed on unused tour services. In the unlikely event that it becomes
necessary to change or cancel any part or all of the tour, we reserves the right to do so.
If we cancel the tour a full refund will be issued.
SURFACE TRANSPORTATION:
Land transportation is provided in accordance with the itinerary by bus (with air conditioning)
or minibus, depending upon the size of the group.
RESPONSIBILITY:
The responsibility of the organizers of this tour is strictly limited. As tour operators, the organizers, promote and sell tour programs consisting of certain travel services, including, but not limited to, surface transportation, sightseeing excursions and hotel accommodations which organizers purchase or reserve from various suppliers. The suppliers providing travel services for the organizers programs are independent contractors and are not agents or employees of the organizers or any subsidiary company. Organizers are not responsible for the willful or negligent acts and / or omissions of such suppliers or of any air carrier or their respective employees, agents, servants or representatives including, without limitation their failure to deliver or their partial or inadequate delivery of services. By utilizing the travel services of the suppliers, you agree that neither organizers nor any subsidiary company or representative shall be responsible for their failure to deliver or their partial or inadequate delivery of services. By utilizing the travel services of the suppliers, you agree that neither organizers nor any subsidiary company or representative shall be responsible for any accident, injury, property damage or personal loss to you or to those raveling with you in connection with any accommodations, transportation or other travel services or resulting directly or indirectly from any occurrences or conditions beyond its control, including, but not limited to, acts of terrorism, defects in vehicles, breakdown of equipment, strikes, theft, delay or cancellation of or changes in itinerary or schedules. These tour programs are planned in advance. If between planning time and the actual tour operation, circumstances beyond organizers control require changes, the organizers reserve the right to vary itinerary and substitute components of the tour programs. Remember that all travel documents, as well as compliance with customs regulations, are your responsibility. The payment of the required deposit or any partial or full payment for a reservation on a tour constitutes consent to all provisions of the conditions and general information contained in this document.