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Rugs, TextIles & TradItIons

DAY 1. ISTANBUL

Arrive to Istanbul Ataturk airport and transfer to your hotel located in the old city.  In the afternoon explore the Topkapi Palace, the magnificent palace of the Ottoman Sultans between the 16th and 19th centuries. The extensive exhibits include priceless world-class collections of jewellery, porcelain, textiles and costumes of the Sultans. A visit to the Harem quarters is an absolute highlight. Overnight Istanbul

DAY 2. ISTANBUL

Begin your day with a visit to the fascinating Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum, with highlighted exhibits of calligraphy, Turkish miniatures, manuscripts and ethnographic displays. The museum is also considered to house some of the oldest examples of early Ottoman textiles and carpets. Continue to the impressive Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii), with its beautiful blue Iznic tiles, unique architecture and marble latticework and the Hippodrome, the centre of Byzantine life for a 1000 years. Visit the Vakiflar Kilim and Textile Museum housing one of the finest collections of flat weavings and carpets in the world. Afternoon visit to the magnificent Haghia Sofia, built by Constantine the Great and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century. It is one of the world’s greatest architectural marvels. Enjoy the underground cistern, Yerebatan Saray – the largest Byzantine Cistern in Istanbul before we make a special visit to the Center for Anatolian Ethnography and Textile Studies in Istanbul. Photographs, accompanying field notes, related literature, a broad selection of textiles and ethnographic objects collected by Donor Josephine Powell are on display. Overnight Istanbul

DAY 3. ISTANBUL TO BURSA

After breakfast travel to Hereke, world famous as a production centre for Turkey’s finest silk carpets. We visit workshops where exquisite designs from the Ottoman period are transposed into silk creations sold throughout the world. Continue to the city of Iznik (Ancient Nicaea), founded in1000BC and famous for its ceramics. The Archeological Museum here is home to exhibits of Ottoman weaponry, embroidery and calligraphy; and several items from the city’s Roman past. After lunch continue to Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. As befits a city with a rich Imperial past, it has many fine examples of Islamic architecture and also remains an important centre of the Silk Trade. Here we will see exactly how silk is cultivated and spun into thread. Enjoy a visit to the fascinating silk markets and the amazing Green Mosque Complex . In the evening enjoy a warm mineral bath in your hotel, one of the outstanding features of this town. Overnight Bursa

DAY 4. BURSA TO SELCUK

Travelling from Bursa to Selcuk we visit the ancient city of Pergamum, once a powerful and cultured kingdom. A line of rulers beginning with a general under Alexander the Great ruled over this small but wealthy kingdom, whose asclepion (medical school) was extremely famous and whose library rivaled that of Alexandria in Egypt. The most stunning of the attractions are the acropolis and the Great Theatre, which retains its astounding acoustics. We may also make a stop in Manisa to visit the specialist school that teaches wool dyeing techniques to many of Turkey’s well-known dye masters. Continue through Izmir, a major port on the Aegean to Selcuk. Overnight Selcuk

DAY 5. SELCUK - EPHESUS

Today we visit the biblical city of Ephesus, the ancient Roman capital of Asia Minor. Ephesus is widely regarded as one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the world and a centre of early Christianity. The Basilica of St John is an incredible sight with its labyrinth of halls and marble courtyard. The House of the Virgin Mary is believed by many to be the place where Saint John took the mother of Jesus after the crucifixion and from which she ascended to heaven. Also make a visit to the nearby and highly regarded Archeological Museum, with some of the best collections of Greek and Roman artifacts to be found anywhere in Turkey. Overnight Selcuk

DAY 6. SELCUK TO PAMUKKALE

Departing Selcuk we visit a traditional Anatolian village that is famous for the weaving of cotton and linen, much of which is still woven on the traditional wooden handlooms. The cotton and linen weavings produced here are traditionally used to form part of a bride’s dowry and includes items such as hand towels and the traditional Hammam towel or “Pestamal”. We have the opportunity to witness this ancient yet dying craft before the faster and more complicated machines completely take over. Meet with the weavers and enjoy the local village hospitality. Journey to Pamukkale or ‘Cotton Castle’ where the white limestone cliffs have attracted visitors since before the time of Christ. Visit the Roman city of Hierapolis and stand at the ‘Gateway to Hell’. Overnight Pamukkale

DAY 7. PAMUKKALE TO EGRIDIR

Leaving Pamukkale we visit a unique school established by the Ministry of Culture and Education to teach many of the young local women the art of carpet weaving.  Focusing on traditional motifs and ancient designs, this is one of the few government-sponsored carpet weaving schools in Turkey. Continue to the Dosemealti villages and nomad tents on the high pastures of the Taurus Mountains. This area produces a coarser nomadic style of carpet famous for its plentitude of tribal motifs and rich colours.  We may have the opportunity to enjoy nomadic hospitality in their unique goat hair yurts. Continue to our hotel in Egridir. Overnight Egridir

DAY 8. EGRIDIR TO CAPPADOCIA – VIA KONYA 

We Travel from Egridir to Konya, one of the oldest cities in Turkey. Famous for its Seljuk architecture, Konya is a major center of Islam.  Home of the famous Whirling Dervishes and final resting place of the mystic, Mevlana, it was also a major trading center of the Silk Road. The highlight of the day is the Mevlana Museum, a place of worship and now home to many famous collections of art and textiles. Travelling on to Cappadocia we visit the village of Sultanhani. Sultanhani is famous throughout Turkey for its master carpet repairmen and vast numbers of beautiful antique carpets are transported to this area for cleaning and restoration. Visit the numerous carpet repair workshops and the magnificent Seljuk Caravanserai. Continue to the spectacular sheer-sided canyon of Ihlara and before arriving in Goreme, also visit the fascinating multi level subterranean underground city of Derinkuyu.

DAY 9. CAPPADOCIA

Full day tour of Cappadocia including the fascinating frescoed and rock-carved churches of the Goreme Open Air museum, known for it’s fascinating frescoes. Continue to the troglodyte dwellings of Zelve, the fairy chimneys of Pasabag and Devrent Valleys. Explore the uniquely Turkish village of Urgup and enjoy the panorama views of Red and Rose Valleys. Late afternoon will be spent to enjoy an exclusive carpet and kilim educational. These educational sessions will enable you to learn more of how both the culture and the tribal way of life is such an intrinsic part of carpet and kilim weaving.Overnight Cappadocia

DAY 10. CAPPADOCIA

Visit the village of Uchisar to learn more of the process of professional carpet washing. You will be amazed to see fields of carpets drying in the sun.  Continue to the traditional rock-carved village of Avanos and enjoy a visit to the famous pottery artisans.  Visit the spectacular rock hewn village of Soganli (Valley of the Dolls) and the ancient village of Mustafapasa, renowned for its excellent Ottoman and Greek architecture. In the afternoon drive through the extraordinary troglodyte landscape of Cappadocia to carpet-weaving villages at the base of the Taurus Mountains. In these villages you will be invited into village homes to see and participate in the age-old crafts of handspun wools, natural vegetable dye processes, and women hand making local carpets. Evening transfer to Kayseri airport for your Istanbul flight.Overnight Istanbul

DAY 11. ISTANBUL

We get aboard a morning ferryboat for a private cruise up the strait of Bosphorus, passing half a dozen Ottoman imperial palaces, traditional Yalis (waterside villas) and shore villages. Disembark at Sariyer for lunch at a seaside restaurant. Then we drive south, and stop to visit the Castle of Rumeli Hisar, after which, accompanied by your escorting guide, you explore the Grand Bazaar (Kapalicarsi), the world's oldest "shopping mall", to look for treasures in its 4000 shops and then dive into the colorful sights, vibrant sounds and intriguing scents of the Egyptian Market (Spice Bazaar). Rest of the day is free at your leisure.

DAY 12. ISTANBUL
Free morning for last minute shopping; time permitting, before transfer to Istanbul airport for departure to ongoing destinations.

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