Fiber, Cuisine, Carpets
Small groups, Excellent guides
Exceptional Hospitality
Historic Silk Road
Turkish Baths, Cave Hotel
Felting Class with Mehmet Girgic
Cooking Classes
Did I mention Carpet Shopping
And bargaining lessons
Itinerary
25.September.2010 - Saturday - Day 1 - Arrival in Istanbul - (D)
As we say in Turkey, HOS GELDINIZ! Welcome to Turkey. We will greet each of you at the airport as your flight arrives and transfer you to your hotel. Once everyone has arrived, Gail and our Turkish guide will offer a short briefing about your tour. You will have the afternoon free to rest and explore Istanbul on your own. Dinner will be provided at a nearby restaurant. Overnight in ISTANBUL.
26.September.2010 - Sunday - Day 2 - Istanbul - (B/L)
This will be a full introductory day of exploring the historical sites of Istanbul.
Sites you'll see today:
*Hagia Sophia—for nearly 1000 years, the largest enclosed space in the world, and still recognized as one of the world’s most important architectural monuments.
*Blue Mosque--World renown for it's architecture and focal point for worshipping Muslims
Byzantine Hippodrome-The focal point of the Byzantine Empire during the reign of Constantine. Within it's center you will see the Egyptian Obelisk and Serpentine Column.
Topkapi Palace--The residence and leadership center of the Sultans during the Ottoman Empire. It was built in 1459-1465 shortly after the conquest of Constantinople. View the Treasury that includes the Topkapi Dagger, the 86 carat Spoon Maker's Diamond, and the jewel encased bones of St. John the Baptist's skull and arm bone. Lunch will be provided at a nearby restaurant.
Overnight stay in Istanbul.
27.September.2010 - Monday - Day 3 - Istanbul - (B/L/D)
After breakfast you will have a full free day to relax or to explore the city on your own. Turkish Islamic Art Museum : Constructed in 1524, the building was formerly the palace of Ibrahim Pasha, who was the first grand vizier to Suleiman the Magnificent. The collection includes notable examples of Islamic calligraphy, tiles, and rugs as well as ethnographic displays on various cultures in Turkey, particularly nomad groups. These displays recreate rooms or dwellings from different time periods and regions. The perfect overview for culture and textiles.
Grand Bazaar -- In Istanbul is one of the largest covered markets in the world with more than 58 streets and 4,000 shops, and has between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily. It is well known for its jewelry, pottery, spice, and Textile shops. Many of the stalls in the bazaar are grouped by type of goods, with special areas for leather coats, gold jewelry and more.
Turkish Cuisine class in the afternoon. Overnight stay in Istanbul.
28.September.2010 - Tuesday - Day 4 - Istanbul to Bursa - (B/L/D)
After breakfast we will depart from Istanbul and drive to Eskihisar and board the ferry across the Marmara Sea. After crossing the Marmara Sea, we will drive through Olive Fields, On the way we will stop to visit Iznik (Nicea), famous for tile making. We will have lunch at the small town. After lunch we will visit a traditional ceramics workshop and watch how they produce those beautiful tiles. We’ll explore the sites and then be on our way to Bursa, central to silk production. After arrival we will check into our Thermal Hotel, and relax in the hot SPA pool. Turkish bath is available. Overnight stay in Bursa.
29.September.2010 - Wednesday - Day 5 - Bursa - (B/L)
After breakfast we start the day visiting Bursa's old Bazaar, and the famous Yesil Camii (historical mosque), then we will drive to nearby villages and stop to see workshops where they produce silk and textile products. Lunch will be provided at a famous restaurant (you will enjoy Bursa's famous Iskender Kebab) then we return to our hotel, and have a free afternoon to relax, soak, or explore the city on your own. Perhaps a famous puppet show will be available during our stay. Overnight stay in Bursa.
30.September.2010 - Thursday - Day 6 - Bursa to Konya - (B/L/D)
After breakfast we will depart from Bursa on a drive to Konya ( On the way we will stop at Kutahya for Lunch, After arrival in Konya, we will check in the hotel and Overnight stay in Konya.
01.October.2010 - Friday - Day 7 - Konya - (B/L/D)
After breakfast we will visit Mevlana Museum and Karatay Monastery.
*Mevlana Museum is a holy site for Muslims because it is the former lodging place for the Sufi Islam, also known as the Whirling Dervishes. Mevlana is the local name for Rumi, the Islamic poet. The architecture and turquoise tiles are a beautiful site for all.
*Karatay Medrese houses an outstanding collection of ceramics and tiles. The eight- hundred year old building was once a Seljuk Islamic theological seminary.
Explore the textile shops of Konya. Overnight stay in Konya.
02.October.2010 - Saturday - Day 8 - Konya - (B/D)
Visit the studio and shop of internationally known felter Mehmet Girgic. He is regarded as the most skilled maker of conical felted hats worn by the practitioners of Sufi Islam. Crafted in the traditional way, Mehmet supplies these hats in the region. Perhaps a Sufi Whirling Dervish Ceremony will be available to attend. Afternoon to explore the excellent textile and carpet shops in Konya. Evening on your own to explore in Konya.
Overnight in Konya.
03.October.2010 - Sunday - Day 9 - Konya to Cappadocia - (B/L)
Special carpet viewing event at one of Konya's several amazing carpet shops. After lunch we will depart for Cappadocia region. On the way we will explore the southern part of Cappadocia. -- Overnight in Cave Hotel.
04.October.2010 - Monday - Day 10 - Cappadocia - (B/L)
Our day begins with a tour of the region, exploring the amazing landscape above and below ground! And get a taste of Turkish village life.
Ihlara Gorge will seem like an oasis in the middle of the Anatolian plain. Delve into the gorge and see the
beautiful greenery as you follow the river. Around you will see ancient monasteries complete with pigeon holes cut into the cliffs by the monks. They used these pigeons as messengers to communicate with their monk friends!
Traditional Anatolian villages: The head-scarved women out at work in the fields from sun up until sun-down,
and the mustached, vest-wearing men hard at work playing cards in the coffee and tea shops. You will get time to stroll in such a village and see the average Turkish villager at work or play.
Underground City of Kerinkuyu: You will gradually stroll your way down intot he depths of the earth in this
ancient underground city that has 18-20 floors as deep as 40 meters below the ground. We will only descend about 8 floors to experience the wonder of this architecture. Cappadocia has over 36 seperate underground cities. Overnight stay in Cappadocia in a Cave Hotel.
05.October.2010 - Tuesday - Day 11 - Cappadocia - (B/L)
Hot Air Balloon Ride first thing in the Morning. Additional fee and discount for this event.
After breakfast we will take you on a full day tour to the north part of Cappadocia. Sites you'll see today:
The World Heritage Site of Goreme Open-Air Museum This is a cluster of stunning rock cut Byzantine
churches, chapels and monasteries which include some wonderful 11th and 12th century frescoes on the cave walls.
Fairy Chimneys These geological phenomena have been shaped over millions of years. They were formed during
volcanic eruptions in the region. Reaching at times 40 meters in height, they are conical in shape and have a "hat"
top to them.
Uchisar Castle Also called a fortress, this is actually a formation of two gigantic rocks surrounded by smaller
rocks that together form a natural fortress with towers.
Devrent Valley: This valley is known as the "Pink Valley" because of the color of its soil. This is a lovely place
to wander around and look at the magical rock formations indicative of Cappadocia, including the Fairy Chinmeys.
We will visit a mind-bogglingly huge carpet warehouse, learning about Turkish Carpets, how they are made and the difference of single knot and double knot weaving style. Then we will see a carpet demonstration and examine carpets from different parts of Turkey. Overnight stay in Cappadocia in a Cave Hotel.
06.October.2010 - Wednesday - Day 12 - Cappadocia to Kayseri - (B)
After breakfast, we will be on our way to Kayseri, check into the hotel, and have a free day to explore Kayseri city, a critically important Silk Road city and birthplace of pastrami. (Drive through traditional villages and small towns on the way.) After lunch we will visit the Old Market and 1500 year old Seljuk castle.
Overnight stay in Kayseri.
07.October.2010 - Thursday - Day 13 - Kayseri to Istanbul - (B)
Day of exploring in Kayseri, complete with Seljuk fortress, historic Bazaar, various pastrami delicatessens for lunch,
(pastrami was invented in Kayseri) and more historic Silk Road locations and a landmark caravanseri. Free to shop and explore during the afternoon. Take a late afternoon flight back to Istanbul, check into the hotel and find dinner. Perhaps a Turkish Bath is in your plans as well. Overnight stay in Istanbul.
08.October.2010 - Friday - Day 14 - Istanbul - (B)
After breakfast, you may wish to take your traditional Turkish Bath that's located in a 500 year old building. Or, perhaps shopping at the Grand Bazaar. Maybe a final trip to a pudding shop, or one last glance in a peaceful mosque or that carpet shop still on your list. Egyptian Spice Market is a great afternoon choice, or on your own to the Grand Bazaar and points beyond. Alternative Day Exploration: An optional tour to the Princess Islands. Extra fees apply. Follow this link. Turkish Cuisine Cooking class in the early evening. Overnight stay in Istanbul.
09.October.2010 - Saturday - Day 15 - Istanbul - (B)
Gule, Gule! It is time to go home. We will transfer you to the airport and wish you well, asking that you keep Turkey and all of us in your hearts, and hoping that our paths cross again in this life.
Excellent Pricing for Fine Travel on a Budget:
Price of $2285 (add $410 for single supplement)
Includes:
All hotel accommodations.
All land transfers with comfortable vehicles. (private bus and public ferry)
All meals mentioned in the itinerary.
Professional English speaking tour guides.
Domestic flight tickets mentioned. (Istanbul-Konya-Kayseri)
All taxes and service charges.
All museum entrance fees.
Two Turkish Cuisine Cooking Classes.
Excludes:
International flight tickets from US to Istanbul.
Adult beverages with meals.
Hot Air Balloon ride in Cappadocia ( 15 percent discount with this tour)
Princess Island Day Trip
Travel to Turkey! Send your deposit of $500 to reserve your space on the September 2010 trip!
Send to:
Textile Trips: Gail Denton
P O Box 788
Niwot, CO 80544
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