TEXTILE & TASTES of SOUTH EAST TURKEY
May 15th-29th or Sept 11th- 25th 2011
DAY 1: ISTANBUL
Arrival in Istanbul Ataturk Airport with transfer to a hotel in Sultanahmet, one of the most interesting old quarters of the city. Welcome meeting in the hotel lobby at 5.00pm for an introductory talk followed by dinner at a nearby restaurant. .
Overnight in Istanbul - Hotel in Sultanahmet (D)
DAY 2: ISTANBUL
Breakfast at the hotel.A visit to Istanbul would not be complete without seeing probably Istanbul’s most famous monument dating from 537AD Hagia Sophia renown as the greatest church in Christendom . A visit to the Museum of Islamic Arts will follow which is housed in a former palace, displaying exhibits of the carpets, woodwork, copper and gold of Muslim culture.. Time to stroll through the area for sightseeing before dinner at the fish markets.
Overnight in Istanbul - Hotel in Sultanahmet. Including Meals (B-L-D)
DAY 3: TARSUS
Following breakfast we will drive to Tarsus birthplace of St Paul and home to one of the first churches in Asia Minor. We plan a stop at St Paul’s Well & Gate of Cleopatra.
Then we will have an Oya –a Turkish needle lace demonstration by the women who specialize in large flowers for jewellery & adornment.
Overnight in Adana - Including Meals (B-L-D)
DAY 4: ADANA
After breakfast we will have time to visit the Great Mosque and stone bridge While the rest of the day will be devoted to learning a cooking skills in the a local home with an expert in this area.. Time will be allocated to wander.
Overnight in Adana - Including Meals (B-L-D)
DAY 5: KARATAS & YUMURTALIK
A day relaxing by the sea in Karataş & neighbouring unspoilt areas where we can enjoy spectacular Roman ruins while sampling seafood of the region. It is possible to swim late in the autumn.
Overnight in Adana - Including Meals (B-L-D)
DAY 6: ANTAKYA
After breakfast we are invited to silk hand weaving workshops and learn about the whole process from silk worm to shawl . We will be able to try our hand on the looms ourselves under the eyes of the masters. A break by the sea to see the Eastern Mediterranean and swim where Cleopatra may have bathed before continuing to Adana.
Overnight in Antakya - Including Meals (B-L-D)
DAY 7: ANTAKYA
After breakfast we will visit The Antakya Mosaic Museum which houses one of the richest collections of Roman & Byzantine Mosaics in the world awaits us. Then on to the Church of St Peter where St Peter isbelieved to have preached. Then time to wander the streets to savior the uniqueness of this town tucked away in the south east corner of Turkey
Overnight in Antakya - Including Meals (B-L-D)
DAY 8: GAZIANTEP
We will driveto Gaziantep,in Byzantine times it was Antep (pure spring) & the ‘Gazi’
(War hero) was added after the 1920s.Gaziantep has a history of 8000years of inhabitation and there is so much to see- from the impressive fortress & citadel reminders of the past to the traditional architecture with homes with their summer courtyards. We will visit the amazing Archaeological Museum with its mosaics from Zeugma & Hasan Süzer Ethnographical Museum . We sample the delicious baklava indigenous to this town besides other gourmet delights.
Overnight in Gaziantep - Including Meals (B-L-D)
DAY 9: HALFETI, BIRECIK & ZEUGMA
After breakfast we will drive to Halifeti located at the bottom of a canyon hollowed out by the Euphrates , to enjoy its splendour by boat & Rumkale Fortress the valley submerged by the rising waters of the Birecik Dam then onto Zeugma,
An ancient Roman city, It is situated on the most famous crossing point on the River Euphrates for the caravans of the Silk Road.
Overnight in Sanliurfa - Including Meals (B-L-D)
DAY 10: SANLIURFA
Following breakfast we will arrive in Sanliurfa (‘sanli’ meaning great relating to resistance against foreign forces in 1920s) Was first settled 5000+ years ago and the wealth of past civilizations is evident everywhere. . We will visit Golbasi to seethe
Lakeside pool where the prophet Abraham was saved fromNemrod & considered his birthplace. The covered bazaar awaits us with its streets designated to particular trades.
Traditional crafts & skills predominate and excellent local handwoven textiles are available. We are invited to a very successful United Nations development project workshop for women to learn sewing skills.
Overnight in Sanliurfa - Including Meals (B-L-D)
DAY 11: MARDIN
After breakfast we will drive onto Mor Gabriel Monastery in Antili then onto Mardin with its dramatic location at the junction of Anatolian & Mesopotamian trading routes of days gone by. A town with a turbulent history & poetic architecture – unusual terrace type dwellings of arab heritage Mardin then stroll through the town to discover its typical houses & monuments, old mosques & churches then into the bazaar near to Ulu Camii
With its wealth of local handicrafts and famous silver jewellery (tekari) Workshop visits
are scheduled and time to savour the tastes of the south east Turkish cuisine in local reastaurants.Then to Deyrul Zeferan Monastery.
Overnight in - Including Meals (B-L-D)
DAY 12: MIDYAT
Following breakfast we drive to Midyat where a Syriac Jacobite community lives. we will have time to wander the streets to discover the wonderful architecture of this town not far from the Syrian border & to visit local artisans at work
Overnight in - Including Meals (B-L-D)
DAY 13: HASANKEYF
After breakfast we drive to the ruins of Hasenkeyf threatened for years by plans to flood the gorge in a dam project .This impressive large gorge was formed by the Tigris River in the middle of which stand the remains of the Old Bridge.
Overnight in Mardin - Including Meals (B-L-D)
DAY 14: SIIRT
After breakfast we will drive to Siirt to visit the workshops of the famous mohair blanket makers - pieces using the natural shades of the goat’s fleece to produce timeless textiles for the bed or floor.
Overnight in Siirt - Including Meals (B-L-D)
DAY 15: FLIGHT TO ISTANBUL
After having breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Batman airportfortheflight to Istanbul. On our own commercial flying ‘batmobile’ The tour ends in Istanbul and assistance is available for further travel.
Including Meals (B)
PRICES INCLUDES
14 nights twin share accommodation in comfortable hotels with ensuite.
Meals as per itinerary-B =breakfast, L= lunch, D= dinner
All transfers, entrance & workshop fees & sightseeing.
Accompanying tour leader throughout the itinerary & a professional guide for specific sightseeing venues.
Tour information file
Private air conditioned bus transportation
Domestic Flights
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
Return international airfare to Istanbul.
Applicable passenger airport taxes.
Meals not listed on itinerary.
Drinks with meals.
Turkish visa fee USD20 (available at Istanbul airport on arrival)
Travel Insurance or Items extra at hotels (laundry, telephone calls etc)
GENERAL INFORMATİON
We reserve the right to change the hotels listed if necessary to hotels of a similar category
All hotels have a wonderful local ambience.
Transport will only be able to take us to a designated place & then a certain amount of walking is required. Comfortable shoes are recommended for all seasons and appropriately modest dress for any religious venues.
ENQUIRIES:
Tel +90 212 528 9810 Fax +90 212 528 9841 Mob +90 533 308 6625
SPECIAL NOTES.
May & September are wonderful times in Turkey as we usually have clear blue skies with warm days & cool evenings. Expected temperatures are in the low 30ss daytime to 120 degrees at night and of course there maybe be an occasional shower. When packing our best advice is to think of layers with one waterproof jacket sufficient, comfortable walking shoes and don’t forget swimming things. Sunglasses & a hat are a must and insect repellant is recommended to ward off the occasional lone mosquito that may appear. We visit places of spectacular beauty & breathtaking historical sites which are a photographer’s paradise so pack your camera.
The exchange rate for Turkish Lire in Turkey is always better than overseas and be sure to have foreign currency for your Tourist Visa (25 dollars aprox) Your visa is purchased at the Visa Office before passing through Passport Control .We are looking forward to having you with us on this magical journey and please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any queries
