|
| May Pre tour Arrivals Istanbul
On arrival at Istanbul airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel, the Four Seasons Sultahamet, at additional cost. Visas are obtained on arrival.
Evening at your own leisure, though we arrange the hotel.
Marieke will also be in Istanbul and will help you coordinate any activities for the following day.
Singapore Airlines via Singapore arrives Istanbul 07.45 in the morning
Etihad via Abu Dhabi arrives 12.55
Emirates Via Dubai arrives 17.55
|
|
| DAY ONE Start of the TourFriday 26 April Istanbul
Today is a free day for rest and recovery. Those arriving will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Those already in Istanbul and feeling energetic may wish to take themselves off to Princes Islands, where the architecture is alluring, the walk around the island invigorating (can also be done in a pony trap), and where there are a number of tavernas along the foreshore, close to the ferry terminal to enjoy a fresh fish lunch in the sunshine.
Or visit the Grand Bazaar, which is walking distance, or take yourselves off to one of the nearby hamams such as Çemberlitas Bath, built by the famed architect Sinan in the 1500s, for a traditional Turkish bath experience.
This evening enjoy a welcome cocktail party in the hotel, followed by dinner at a classical elegant Turkish restaurant
Accommodation – 3 nights FOUR SEASONS SULTANAHMET DELUXE
|
|
|
DAY TWO Istanbul
Morning tour of Istanbul includes:
The Blue Mosque built between 1609 and 1616 for Sultan Ahmet, and particularly noted for its use of tiles as a sacred decorative element in Ottoman Islamic architecture.
The Hippodrome, the major surviving example of the very first phase of Constantinople’s development in which public buildings proliferated that contains the Obelisk of Pharaoh Thutmose III (c.1540 BC) and erected here by Theodosius.
Cruise the mighty Bosphorous by local ferry through the waterway separating the two continents, Asia and Europe, viewing marble palaces, ancient wooden villas of Ottoman architecture besides modern residentials and luxurious apartments and mix with locals going about their day to day lives.
|
|
|
Then visit the aromatic Spice Bazaar ( Egyptian Bazaar) (Mısır Çarşısı, built 1664 at the southern end of the Galata Bridge near the Eminönü ferry docks that is filled with the fragrance of the exotic East: spices, dried fruits, nuts and seeds, lokum (Turkish Delight) and other edibles.
Then onto the Suleymaniye Mosque, built by master architect Sinan during the reign of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent, the Lawgiver. Also an excursion to the exceptional Turkish and Islamic Art Museum housed in the 1524 palace of Ibrahim Pasha, Sultanahmet.
|
|
|
Lunch at Pandeli Restaurant, that was opened in 1901 by a Greek of Turkish descent and has become a local institution ever since its arrival on the upper level of the Egyptian Spice Bazaar.
After lunch you will visit the marvellous Yerebatan Underground Cistern of Justinian. The sophisticated vaulting of this impressive and evocative structure reflects the debt that sixth century Byzantium owed to Roman engineering.
Time permitting on the walk back to your hotel, visit the Mosaic Museum at Arasta Bazaar where wonderful 5th C Byzantine mosaics of mythological, hunting and harvesting scenes are preserved.
Return to your hotel for some relaxation or shopping time before dinner.
Dinner with wine in private home with a Culinary Experiences and Travel Specialist who is a native of Istanbul of Sephardic origins and passionate about all things gastronomic.
|
|
|
DAY THREE Istanbul
Today you will visit the Aya Sofia the imperial foundation built by the Byzantine emperor, Justinian, between 532 and 537 A.D. to replace a destroyed basilica and then converted to a mosque by Mehmet the Conqueror on the very day he conquered Istanbul in 1453.
Now it’s a museum with some fine mosaics. Today, a portion of scaffolding has been removed from the interior of the Hagia Sophia, allowing the best view in years of the soaring arches and colorful domes inside the sixth-century architectural gem.
Explore the spectacular Topkapi Palace Museum and Harem Quarters. The palace also houses a museum of miniatures, precious jewels and other masterpieces from the Ottoman period. The great complex includes a vast kitchen (now a porcelain museum), a library and Harem.
|
|
|
Also enjoy a visit to the exceptional Archaeological Museum, one of the great collections of pre-classical and classical works, including the famous so-called ‘Alexander sarcophagus’, a fourth century tomb of a Seleucid prince found in Sidon (Syria).
Lunch at Yesil Ev, one of the first Ottoman houses to be converted to a small hotel with a peaceful, soothing courtyard setting.
Following lunch visit the exceptional Kariye (Chora) Museum, renowned for its mosaics and frescoes that epitomize the revival of the arts and intellectual thought in Constantinople under the rule of Palaeologan dynasty.
Fine dining tonight on authentic local specialities OR at Kumkapi, a nearby and colourful neighbourhood boasting local roving musicians, dozens of streetside fish-seafood cafes, close to what was originally a fishing village.
|
|
|
DAY FOUR Istanbul- Cappadocia
This morning fly to Kayseri or Nevsehir
Time this afternoon to settle into your charming accommodation and explore the cobblestone alleys of this lovely village with its views of the Pigeon valley.
Accommodation - 3 nights @ the Argos hotel (or similar). This is the latest in luxury cave hotels in the ancient hillside village of Uçhisar with breathtaking scenery and potent history, the site of a thousand-year-old former monastery carved out of the region’s soft volcanic rock face. 33 guest rooms with arched ceilings and hand-carved wall niches, some suites boast an indoor plunge pool and most have fireplaces. In the evenings, classical, jazz, and Sufi music recitals are performed in the Bezirhane concert hall, known for its extraordinary acoustics and connected to an ancient network of underground cave dwellings.
|
|
| DAY FIVE Cappadocia
Begin the day with an OPTIONAL (extra cost) spectacular pre-dawn balloon flight
Alternatively, you may wish to take an early morning guided walk through the Rose valley with breathtaking views.
Full day excursion in Cappadocia, which will include the Goreme Open Air Museum the natural rocky fortress of Uçhisar, Pigeon Valley, the intriguing Kaymakli Underground City, and Zelve with its fascinating “fairy chimneys”.
|
|
| DAY SIX Cappadocia
Lunch today is in the rock home of a local farmer's wife where you will be served typical family cuisine.
Later return to your hotel or may choose to walk home through the valley floor.
This afternoon see a carpet making display before Dinner at the Greek House in Mustafapasa.
Tonight, after dinner, there is also a special whirling dervish performance at an atmospheric restored caravansarei near Avanos.
|
|
| DAY SEVEN Cappadocia Spend a magical morning and wander in the picturesque troglodytic Soganli Valley. There will also be time for shopping in Avanos and Ürgüp, with excellent pottery and carpet dealers. Enjoy a short walk in the spectacular Devrent valley before a relaxing afternoon back at your hotel.
This afternoon you might choose just to rest, relax, wander locally, read, write postcards and enjoy your terrace. You may also make arrangements with our guide Fatih, to explore your interest further, whether this be a visit to other villages, scouting for wonderful carpets, or going for another guided walk.
Dinner this evening can be taken at a local village restaurant.
|
|
| DAY EIGHT Cappadocia -Konya-Antalya
Today is the longest driving day, but very scenic.
Drive to Antalya stopping on the way to visit the interesting 14th century Seljukian Sultanhan Caravanserai, and the ancient capital of Konya.
Picnic lunch en route.
Visit Turkey’s most sacred Islamic shrine, the Mausoleum and Museum of Mevlana, aka the Green Mausoleum, continuing to Antalya through the picturesque Taurus Mountains. Nearby is a wonderful contemporary felt maker whose studio we also hope to visit.
|
|
|
Dinner at your leisure, as it will have been a long day, with the option of being driven into the old town with its ancient harbour to enjoy a fresh seafood meal.
Accommodation Hillside Su or Antalya Ramada Plaza executive room
|
|
| DAY NINE Antalya-Termessos-Kalkan An early start will be made to visit the impressive ruins - including an amphitheatre and a gymnasium - of Termessos.
|
|
|
Lunch in the town or along the coast to enjoy fresh seafood and fish.
After lunch drive to your hotel at Kas, with an absolutely spectacular drive, taking you along the coast through pine forests, and the majestic mountains of the Bey Mountains Coastal National Parks to visit the fascinating ruins of Olympos with the option for a refreshing swim.
Kas is a small port, which is located at the southern tip of Lycia 170kms west of Antalya. This small port town, once an unspoiled fishing village boasts of one of the oldest settlements of Lycia. In the early 1990s tourism started booming in Kaş, and this growth of tourism brought an explosion in apartment building, which is seriously threatening the landscape and the environment.
After checking into your hotel, Dinner tonight will be in the local village.
Accommodation - 2 nights - KAS Tamara Vilas Deluxe Suites
|
|
| DAY TEN Kas- Kekova-Kas
After breakfast, backtrack a little along this marvellous coastal road to Kekova and cruise the peaceful group of picturesque islands well scattered with very distinct rock sarcophagi, some even out in the sea. The ‘picture-postcard’ village of Simena with its stone houses are covered in bougainvillea. Earthquakes have caused some of the ancient houses to submerge under the clear water. There may also be time for swimming.
Relish a simple fresh fish lunch in a little harbour before returning to the hotel.
This afternoon, you have the choice of joining your guide Fatih for a visit to Patara archaeology site, which he has studied at length.
Return to the hotel and later this evening enjoy an alfresco dinner in the harbour.
|
|
|
DAY ELEVEN Kas-Fethiye-Marmaris
After breakfast drive to Fethiye where you will board a typical Turkish gulet and cruise the Gulf in which there are numerous islands and natural bays.
Beach towels, Snorkels and sea-kayaks available.
Your sleek private luxury gulet features en-suite cabins, gorgeous timber finishes, kilim rugs and large decks and sun areas for relaxing.
One evening, dock near the charming and swank marina of Gocek where you can go ashore for dinner.
|
|
|
DAY TWELVE Gulet
Another day, take an optional excursion on a small craft through a maze of reeds in the Dalyan Delta, and up the Dalyan River. The delta, with a long, sandy beach at its mouth, is a nature-conservation area, and a refuge for large sea turtles (caretta caretta) and blue crabs. Visit the fascinating ancient harbour city of Caunos
|
|
| DAY THIRTEEN Gulet Cruising, relaxing, swimming, reading, sea kayaking, enjoying
|
|
| DAY FOURTEEN Marmaris-Kusadasi- Şirince
Disembark in Marmaris after breakfast to drive to Kusadasi, with stops on the way to visit the well preserved Apollo Temple with its awesome gigantic pillars & head of Medusa at Didyma, where you also stop for a pleasant buffet lunch.
Later continue to Miletus, then Priene - the first planned city in the ancient world. Overnight in Şirince, with dinner at the Inn Accommodation - 2 nights – Şirince Güllü Konakları Stone Building
|
|
| DAY FIFTEEN Early morning departure for Ephesus and the Terrace Houses Ephesus elegantly reconciles historic conservation with accessibility for visitors. The site of a succession of great ancient civilizations, Ephesus, on the south-west coast of modern Turkey, ancient Greek city of Asia Minor, one of the greatest of the Ionian cities, became the leading seaport of the region and embodied a peculiarly fertile synthesis of architecture and culture.
|
|
|
Enjoy lunch at the Kirazli Koy Sofrasi restaurant, a unique rustic setting with scrumptious local specialties made by the women of the house, much cooked over an open fire.
Return to Kusadasi for shopping or free afternoon before returning to the hotel.
Dinner at leisure. Guests may elect to go to the harbourfront in Kusadasi.
|
|
| DAY SIXTEEN Şirince - Izmir - Istanbul
After breakfast this morning, drive to Izmir for the connecting flight to Istanbul.
Lunch in Istanbul after arrival. Some time for last minute shopping or relaxing
Check into your hotel and enjoy an afternoon at leisure.
This evening there will be a special farewell banquet Dinner.
Accommodation - 1 night - Istanbul Four Seasons Bosphorous Palace Garden Room
|
|
| DAY SEVENTEEN Sunday 12 May Istanbul
Breakfast and International departure with transfers to the airport or extend your stay.
END OF TOUR
|
| © Marieke's Art of Living
| We reserve the right to alter the itinerary at any stage in the best interest of our clients.
|
|
|
TOUR LEADER + ESCORT
Marieke Brugman’s Academic (Fine Arts) beginnings segued into the culinary world where she is a highly regarded chef, educator, consultant, public speaker and occasional writer. She has been both a pioneer in Food/Wine Tourism and an ambassador for creating a distinctive Australian identity in the evolution of our gastronomic culture.
Marieke co-established and operated Howqua Dale Gourmet Retreat - an exceptional hospitality destination experience in north-east Vitoria, and over 30 years, cemented its outstanding reputation for superb cuisine and innovative cooking schools.
In 1990, Marieke co-founded and conducted an international niche-market Travel Company so that her passion for human experiences and cultural connections could open doors to world class journeys, enabling guests to see the world differently, and always in superior comfort and with great culinary inquisitiveness.
In the last 20 years, she has researched, designed and escorted tours to India, Portugal, Paris, France, Spain, Ireland, Turkey, South Africa, New Zealand, China and Bali, as well as to the Australian wine regions.
|
