Thanksgiving in TurkeySpend Thanksgiving vacation in Izmir, Turkey, exploring two famous archaeological sites and relaxing in a five-star hotel.

The trip is organized by Meyer Travel Group and led by Katie Meyer, who holds a master’s degree in art history.

Highlights of the Nov. 24-30 tour are visits to the Greco-Roman city of Ephesus and to Pergamum. Ephesus, site of ongoing excavations, has the largest collection of Roman ruins in the eastern Mediterranean. Cingis Itchen, who was in charge of excavations for more than 40 years, will lead a tour of the newly opened terrace houses in Ephesus.

Pergamum is the site of an acropolis, with the steepest amphitheater in the world; ruins of the second largest library of ancient times; steps of the Altar of Zeus (the altar itself is exhibited in Berlin); and a second-century temple dedicated to Emperor Trajan.

Other archaeological visits include the House of the Virgin, where the Virgin Mary spent her final days, and the ancient healing center of Asclepius.

In addition to archaeological excursions, there will be visits to a carpet shop and the Konak shopping bazaar along with time to enjoy Izmir and the health club at the city’s Hilton hotel.

Cost is $699 per person, double occupancy. It includes four nights in the Hilton, breakfasts, guided tours per itinerary and airport transfers when traveling with a group. Airfare is not included. Suggested flight times with Sun Express are listed with the itinerary, and Meyer Travel can make reservations.

For more details, contact Michael Curley at (+49) (0) 6384-514838 or by e-mail at mkurlee@aol.com.; or Meyer at (916) 786-3708 in the States or meyerfr@juno.com.

Britain in 10 daysIf your travel wish list is long but your leave time is short, you might want to take advantage of a 10-day trip in Britain with Sceptre Tours.

“The British Sampler” visits cities and sites in England, Wales and Scotland. They include London and Hampton Court Palace, Stonehenge, the spa city of Bath, Shakespeare’s birthplace of Stratford-upon-Avon, the Roman and medieval town of Chester, poet William Wordsworth’s Grasmere in the Lake District, the medieval city of York and the university city of Cambridge, all in England; Scotland’s capital city of Edinburgh and its Holyrood Palace, along with Sir Walter Scott’s Abbotsford House; and the town of Llangollen in northern Wales.

Scheduled dates this year are Nov. 13 and Dec. 3 at a cost of $1,179 per person, double occupancy. Dates in 2011 are Jan. 14 and Feb. 11 at $1,099. The cost includes eight nights’ accommodations at Hilton and Ramada hotels (a final night at a Novotel), breakfasts, three three-course dinners, transportation in a luxury motorcoach, sightseeing program with tours, departing flight transfer and the services of a guide.

For more information on this and other tours by the New York-based Sceptre, check out www.sceptretours.com.

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