WW23-24 Brochure updated for Yumpu

ARTS & CULTURE • TURKEY
Istanbul:
Treasures of the Imperial Capital
NEW TOUR
Duration • 7 days & 6 nights
Category • Superior
Expert-led group tour • From £1,595 (incl. flights)
Art • Architecture • Archaeology • History
Tour overview
Istanbul, capital of the Ottoman and
Byzantine empires, enjoyed more than
four centuries of imperial patronage,
resulting in one of the most dramatic
skylines in the world. Its mosques and
palaces are complemented by exquisite
tile decoration, fine woodwork and
luxurious furnishings. Topkapi Palace,
home to the Ottoman Court, remains a
treasure house filled with silk textiles,
gem-encrusted tableware, Chinese
porcelains, Iznik pottery and illuminated
manuscripts. This magnificent palace,
the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia,
together with the energetic street life
and vibrant bazaars, make Istanbul
one of Europe and Asia’s most
alluring cities – as you discover on this
comprehensive tour.
Signature Experiences
Visit Topkapi Palace, the primary
residence of the Ottoman sultans for
more than 400 years
See the renowned works of Sinan,
the Ottoman court architect, in both
Istanbul and Edirne
Enjoy a ferry ride to the Princes’
Islands, famed for their beautiful
gardens and villas
Expert lecturers
Dr William Taylor, an
expert in Ottoman and
Orthodox studies, is
also an Anglican priest
and Chairman of the
Anglican and Eastern
Churches. His personal
contacts guarantee special access to many
monasteries and churches. He has worked
in Jordan, Cairo and Turkey, and travelled
in the Middle East and Central Asia.
Rowena Loverance is a
Byzantine art historian,
specialising in sculpture,
mosaics and icons. She
worked for more than
20 years at the British
Museum and is a visiting
research fellow at King’s College, London.
Day 1: Fly from London to Istanbul
Fly from London Heathrow to Istanbul with
British Airways. Transfer to the Levni Hotel for
6 nights. (D)
Day 2: Istanbul
Morning visit to the Church of Theotokos
Kyriotissa (Kalenderhane Camii), Zoodochos
Pigi (Silivri Kapi cemetery), Suleymaniye
mosque complex, and Basilica of St John of
Studius (Imrahor Camii) – the oldest church in
Istanbul, erected in 454AD. In the afternoon,
see the magnificent mosaics and frescoes
of St Saviour in Chora (Kariye Camii) (subject
to confirmation), Theotokos Pammakaristos
(Fethiye Camii), the Porphyrogenitus Palace
ruins, and the Theodocian city walls at
Edirne Kapi. (B)
Day 3: The Princes’ Islands
Take the early morning public ferry to the
Princes’ Islands, a nine-island archipelago in
the Sea of Marmara, passing Leander’s Tower,
ancient Chalcedon and Antigone. Stop at Chalki
to visit the Church of St Nikolaos and the Greek
Orthodox seminary. Continue to the isle of
Prinkipo to visit the Monastery of St George.
Selimiye Mosque, Edirne
The final visit of the day is to the Crimea
Memorial Church, built in the mid-19th century
in memory of fallen British soldiers, where a
special drinks reception has been arranged
(subject to confirmation). (B)
Day 4: Istanbul
Take a morning walking tour of Sultanahmet,
including Topkapi Palace and the superb
collections of the archaeological museum. In the
afternoon, view the remains of the Hippodrome,
the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Mosaics
Museum and the Church of Saints Sergius and
Bacchus (Kucuk Hagia Sofia). (B)
Day 5: Edirne
Full day sightseeing in Edirne, once known as
Adrianople and the Ottoman capital prior to
1453. Visit the Selimiye Mosque, a UNESCO
World Heritage Site; the nearby Old Mosque;
Sultan Bayezid II Complex; Ali Pasha Bazaar;
and the Macedonian Tower. (B)
Day 6: Istanbul
Morning visit to the Church of Theotokos
Panaghiotissa (known as Mouchliotissa), the
only Byzantine church in the city still belonging
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