Silk Road Textiles of Turkey (10 days)

specialDepartures May, September, October
No where else will you discover colorful handmade ceramics, woven Caftans made on traditional looms and Sultan’s leather slippers except by traveling the Silk Road in Turkey. Visit the Turkish Arts Museum and learn about Turkish nomadic life along with seeing the magnificent Topkapi Palace. Discover the elaborate silk costumes and jewelry of the Ottomans in Bursa. Explore rock carved churches and dwellings in the Ihlara Valley. Attend the mystical Whirling Dervishes performance as they twirl about to experience oneness and inner peace. Walk the marble streets of Kusadasi past the bathhouses to the library of Celsus. Silk Road Textiles of Turkey takes you down the road of time when people still were proud of their trades and their indigenous crafts.

Photo courtesy of Erkan Karpuz

Day 1 – Arrival Istanbul
Our staff will greet you at the Ataturk Airport and transfer to your hotel individually. Overnight in Istanbul. Kent Hotel or similar, Istanbul http://www.kenthotel.com

Day 2 – Istanbul
Spend morning with visiting of magnificent Topkapi Palace, once home to the great Sultans and filled with treasures, antiquities and also Silk and Wool Caftans (man’s coat usually reaching to the ankles with long sleeves, and which buttons down the front) of Ottoman Sultans; Turkish and Islamic arts Museum, housing an interesting display of Turkish nomadic life with tents and traditional textiles on display and unique Blue Mosque, having a vast collection of different types of Ottoman carpets and hand woven Turkish rugs some of which date back hundreds of years. In the afternoon explore Hippodrome, domed Basilica of St. Sophia, which has inspired architects and religious leaders for over fifteen hundred years. Overnight in Istanbul. (B, D)

Day 3 – Istanbul/Bursa/Istanbul
Today’s included excursion is Bursa that was used to be famous for being the largest centre of silk trade in the Byzantine and later the Ottoman empires, during the period of the lucrative Silk Road to visit Uluumay Ottoman Folk Costumes and Jewellery Museum in which 400 costumes are exhibited, mounted on figures and fully accessorized, so as to illustrate weaving, embroidery, knitting and lace-making techniques as well as the jeweller’s craft and also Kozahan having been international trade center for centuries. Have late afternoon Ferry to back Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul. (B, D)

Day 4 – Istanbul – Fly to Cappadocia
Transfer to airport to have a direct flight to Kayseri or Nevsehir. Our sightseeing tour today is focused on Ihlara Valley, the small canyon which has rock-carved churches and dwellings belonging to the Byzantine era. Overnight in Cappadocia. (B, D) Yunak Houses or similar, Cappadocia http://www.yunak.com

Day 5 – Cappadocia
Our sightseeing begins with a visit to the hidden monastic valley of Pasabagi, which has a large number of carved rock houses and churches and then enjoy a visit to local municipality carpet cooperation, sort of a carpet farm where you will get the chance to explore the district from a cultural perspective. In the afternoon visit fascinating Goreme Valley. The lunar like landscape of this region is eerie, yet beautiful. Over thousands of years, the rain has eroded this landscape to give rise to strange rock formations known as “Fairy Chimneys”. Many of these have homes and churches carved into them. Some of the grottos are magnificently decorated with colorful frescoes depicting biblical scenes. Overnight in Cappadocia. (B, D)

Day 6 – Cappadocia
You may have an Optional Hot Balloon ride, a dream to gently float over the countryside in complete harmony with the deep canyons and lush fertile valleys of Cappadocia, in an early morning today. Gentle winds carry you over places that could never be reached except by balloon. Today’s included excursion is Zelve, became one of the most important settlements and religious centers for the Christian community between the ninth and thirteenth centuries.

Continue our tour with having lecture on ancient potter from one of the crafter in Avanos, ceramic art dating from 12th B.C. to 3rd B.C. periods. Then explore Ozkonak Underground City. Around the sixth century the Christian inhabitants of the region began to tunnel into the soft volcanic rock of large hill. As deep as two hundred and seventy five feet with eight different levels, several thousand people lived in this subterranean city. After you will be lectured on Turkish Slippers by one of the local expert and visiting one of famous Onyx manufacturer to find yourself a great piece of local Turkish Jewellery, witness the Whirling Dervishes Ceremony! They use music and dance to induce themselves into a mystical state. As the ceremonial music plays, they begin to whirl and their long skirt billows, giving the impression that they are floating on air. Overnight in Cappadocia. (B, D)

Day 7 – Cappadocia – Fly to Izmir – Kusadasi
Today we will fly to Izmir and then drive to Kusadasi to stop at picturesque Sirince Village whose friendly villagers are happy to sell you herbs gathered from the mountains, local wines and handicrafts. Overnight in Kusadasi. (B, D) Korumar Hotel or similar, Kusadasi http://www.korumar.com.tr/

Day 8 – Kusadasi
Today’s excursion takes us to Ephesus, the largest ancient city ever uncovered. Once populated with 300,000 people, it has an enormous amphitheatre, which can still hold 24,000 spectators. As you walk down the marble covered streets, see gymnasiums, bath houses, public latrines, the library of Celsus and then Ephesus Museum. In the afternoon explore manufacturer, specialist on leather, one of the most important exports of Turkey, in Selcuk. Overnight in Kusadasi. (B, D)

Day 9 – Kusadasi –Birgi – Izmir – Fly to Istanbul
Today drive to Birgi where as cocoon, silk and textilehas been common for almost 1500 years. Then transfer to Izmir airport to have a flight to Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul. (B, D) Kent Hotel or similar, Istanbul http://www.kenthotel.com

Day 10 – Istanbul Departure
Your transfer to the Airport will be done by our staff individually 3.5 hours before of each flight.

Cost is $3495.00, per person
Based on twin share, single supplement applies

This tour needs a minimum of 6 persons to guarantee departure

CALL NOW to BOOK 415-331-3791

Includes:
– All transfers individually
– 9 nights accommodation in the hotels as below,
– Welcome Cocktail
– Transportation by modern, Air-Conditioned Vehicle
– Baggage Handling at the hotels
– 9x Breakfast and 9x dinner
– English speaking Professional Tour Guide (Specialist on Culture, History and Archaeology)
– All entrances Fees
– All applicable Taxes
– Tips at the hotels
– 3 Domestic Flights
– Whirling Dervishes Ceremony

Does not include:
– Beverages
– Customary tips for guide, driver and Chief

CALL for MORE DETAILS 415-331-3791