October 16 - October 27, 2008

 ~    I T I N E R A R Y   ~

Culinary and Culture Tour of Turkey

Turkey, an exotic bridge between Europe and Asia, is one of the great cradles of civilization.  A cultural crossroads for thousands of years, it was the home of both the Byzantine and Ottoman empires.   In addition to a wealth and depth of historical treasures, it offers 5,000 miles of idyllic Mediterranean beaches.   Eat, drink, shop…you’ll quickly understand the allure of the country and why the Turks are renowned for their hospitality.

Highlights:

October 16:   Welcome to Istanbul !

Participants arrive in Istanbul on their own during the day.  The tour officially begins in the late afternoon with a visit to the Blue Mosque, one of the largest and most famous houses of worship in the world.   Welcome dinner at a local restaurant known for traditional Ottoman food where the chef will discuss details of Turkish cuisine.

October 17:    Grand Bazaar…the Ultimate Shopping Experience  

Morning:  Visit To Aya Sofia, (the “Church of Holy Wisdom”), perhaps the greatest work of Byzantine architecture and one of the greatest places of worship in the world.  Next, is Topkapi Palace, the residence of Sultans and their harmems, as well as the seat of Ottoman rule for nearly 500 years.

 Afternoon:  Visit a local hospital.  Then, a shopping event you are likely to never forget at the Grand Bazaar and the Egyptian Spice Market.  Hosting over 4,000 stalls and shops, the Bazaar is the largest collection of shops under one roof anywhere on the globe.   The Spice Market is smaller but more crowded and colorful.  Free time will be provided to shop on own.

  Evening:  Dinner at a family run restaurant that has been serving Turkish specialties for generations.

October 18:   Breathtaking Lunar Landscapes                                                                                                                                                 Morning:  Flight to central Turkey to the area of Cappodocia, world famous for its volcanic rock outcroppings and wild geological formations that have become a giant outdoor sculpture garden.  Equally renowned are the caves that were dug into these rocks to make churches, monasteries and homes. There’s an era of mysticism, spiritualism, and you may feel like you are on another planet.

 Afternoon:  Tea and orientation to the region.  Cappodocia will provide the backdrop to explore traditional village life, Turkish cuisine, and famous Turkish hospitality.  Then, we’ll visit Goreme, a UNESCO World Heritage Site open-air museum where we will explore a cluster of rock-cut Byzantine churches chapels and monasteries.

 Evening:  Dinner with our host Mr. Ali Yavuz.    The hotel in which we will be staying was Ali’s family cave home before he turned it into one of the most architecturally unique hotels in all of Turkey.  Ali is now sought after to design homes, restaurants and hotels throughout Turkey.

October 19:  Life in a Local Village

 Morning:   Visit to local market, then a tour of the Museum of Cultural Life.   At the museum we will explore aspects of village life that have been in existence for centuries (such as how cave homes were made and how to make pekmez, a grape syrup made every Fall that cures everything from a stomach ache to respiratory infections).

 Afternoon:  Lunch and wine tasting of local wines.  Remainder of day is free.

 Evening:   Intricately intertwined with the Turkish culture are the Whirling Dervish dancers.  It is believed that music and dance can be used to induce an ecstatic state and can provide a means of cleansing the soul from the pain of daily work.  Tonight we will see a performance of these special dancers.

October 20:    Artisan Ceramics

Morning:   Tour of a local clinic, then a visit to the area’s ceramic center that produces exquisite designs. Potters have handed down the craft and used the red clay of the region to produce famous artisan earthenware for centuries.  You’ll have the opportunity under the supervision of a master potter, to try your hand at pottery. 

 Afternoon:   Remainder of the day is free.

 Evening:   Free. 

October 21:  Religion and Rug Weaving

  Morning:  Tour of the Underground Cities of Kaymakli, believed to have housed thousands of people between the 6^th and 9^th centuries. We will explore a maze of tunnels and rooms carved eight levels deep into the earth and see the secret life of Christians and how they lived for centuries.  We will also see ancient pigeon houses across the area, which are the basis of organic farming to this day.

  Afternoon: Visit to a rug weaving workshop where we will have a demonstration and explanation of Turkish carpet making techniques, symbols and different types of carpets.

  Evening:  Dinner at a local restaurant including a visit with chef and a tour of the kitchen.

October 22:  Cooking with the Village Women

 Morning:  Today we’ll meet with village women in a traditional kitchen.  Using recipes passed down over the centuries, we’ll create lunch with the women including items such as freshly-baked bread, stuffed grape leaves, a regional soup, and oven-roasted vegetables picked just hours ago. 

 Afternoon:  Free. 

 Evening:  Banquet at our hotel with music provided by local musicians.

October 23:    Life and Religion in the Countryside

 Morning:  Departure by private coach heading westward to the Mediterranean Sea.

  Afternoon:  Stop in the famous town of Konya, where the country’s legendary Whirling Dervishes were first founded.  Tour of the Mevlana Museum, the former lodge of a great mystic philosopher/poet who originated the Whirling Dervishes.

  Evening:  Arrive in the town of Kas, a quintessential Turkish coastal fishing village.  Dinner provided.

October 24:   Turkey’s Exquisite “Turquoise Coast”

Entire day and evening are free in Kas.  Turkey’s Mediterranean coast is synonymous with stunning turquoise seas, sun, post-card perfect skies, and it has a wealth of ancient remains.  Originally colonized by the Greeks and later ruled by the Romans, the region is scattered with well-preserved classical sites.  You’ll have the day to enjoy the sea, the local antique ampitheatre or just relax and soak up the atmosphere of this charming laid back seaside village.

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October 25:   Antiquities of Millenniums Past

 Morning:  Free in Kas.

 Afternoon:  Boat trip to Kekova Island, one of the most enchanting spots in Turkey.  We’ll also see remnants of the “Sunken City,” submerged two miles below the Mediterranean.  Swim off the boat, sun bathe, or merely sit back and take in the splendor of the ancient ruins and tombs under the sea.

  Evening:   Free.

October 26:  One Last Day in Istanbul

Morning:   Motor-coach transfer to Antalya Airport for our return flight to Istanbul.

 Afternoon:  Free to shop, sight-see or visit a Turkish bath to relax for the upcoming flight back to the States.

 Evening:  Farewell dinner in the Begyolu district of the city.   Begyolu is where central Europeans arrived in the 19^th century on the illustrious Orient Express.  Agatha Christie wrote her famous mysteries here.  Today it is filled with designer boutiques, coffee houses and hip clubs, along with generations-old stalls filled with families selling fish, fruit and vegetables.  Most of the area is closed to traffic and you can see an interesting microcosm of modern and old Istanbul strolling the streets.

 We will have our farewell celebration dinner at a traditional outdoor tavern, where traditional mezza ( plates of vegetables dishes, melons, cheeses, fish, seafood and meat) will be accompanied by Raki, the anise flavored national alcoholic drink.   

October 27:  Farewell to Glorious Turkey

Morning:  Transfer to the airport for flights back to USA or elsewhere. Guests who wish may also extend their stay in Istanbul on their own.