MAY 15 - 28, 2009

The wonderful Turkish people welcomed our Behind the Scenes Adventures group this past spring, and eagerly showed us the best textile collections, the best Turkish baths and the best bazaar stalls, then proceeded to offer us delicious and exotic dishes at every meal.

On the CARPETS, CUISINE AND CULTURE trip in May 2009, we will stay in the same beautiful hotel in Istanbul that charmed us before.

The hotel is right in the heart of Sultanahmet, the old historical part of Istanbul, and only two blocks from several world-famous sights that we will visit--the exquisite Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace of the Sultans, and Santa Sophia. The hotel was once a private home with a marble staircase, and is decorated with warm rugs, glowing glass lamps and beautiful antiques. And those bountiful buffet breakfasts, savored in the cozy dining room where hundreds of colored glass lamps give off a soft, glowing light. These are the famous Turkish lamps, which many visitors to the hotel must later buy in the bazaar, to lend an exotic air to some room in their houses. The hotel owners claim that over 1000 lamps hang from their ceilings.

Next we fly east to the town of Tokat where we will have a private woodblock printing workshop to pattern our own beautiful cotton scarves, called yazma--using your choice of the hand-carved wood-blocks traditional to the area. In Tokat, we also visit the Gok Madrasa (1271 AD) now an ethnological museum, and eat a delicious pasta dish called manti. Continuing south, we will visit carpet makers and bazaars, then head to another treasure--the stunning and fascinating Cappadocia area. During the course of the trip, we will visit many textile artists--carpet weavers and rug knotters--as well as caravanseries, Byzantine-era churches decorated with ancient frescoes, and a fabulous underground town hollowed out of eroded volcanic cones and hills.

In Cappadocia, we'll sleep peacefully near Urgup, in our cozy rooms at our unique and delightful hotel. There in our cooking classes, we will learn to make delicious traditional dishes, perhaps manti and bouerek or baklava, with organic foods--thanks to the innovative chef at the hotel. A wonderful experience in Cappadocia is the optional hot air balloon ride over sensational, eroded tufa stone landscapes. The balloons float safely and silently over the area, offering the passengers unparalleled views of the "fairy chimney" volcanic formations. Contrary to expectations, the early morning ride is not freezing cold; passengers are kept toasty warm by the balloon heaters. (Anyone not ballooning may sleep in, as the balloon crew leaves at 6am and returns for breakfast around 9am.)

We continue in our comfortable private van southwest to the fascinating town of Konya where we visit the Mevlana Museum complex, a teaching center and tomb of the famous Sufi poet, Rumi. We also visit markets, sock knitters, and kilim rug (slit tapestry) weavers to see the fine, colorful textiles produced in thearea. Then we visit the pretty town of Selcuk--and have a guided tour of Ephesus, the largest and best-preserved classical city on the eastern Aegean. Continuing to the north, we drive west to the village of Behramkale (the charmingly preserved town also called Assos, where no new buildings are permitted). Assos is centered around an ancient Greek settlement where Aristotle once lived--and the huge temple to Athena (540 BC).The area is famous for delicious seafood, to be sampled in the harbor restaurants. Our hotel/restaurant are right on the water's edge with a wonderful view of nearby islands.

Then we head northwest to the market town of Aycavik, home to the famous DOBAG weaving project which was instrumental in reviving the Turkish rug weaving craft in the area. We will observe rug weavers and will have the opportunity to purchase rugs in the market also. Next, we go to Bursa and see a fabulous private textile collection, recently made into a new museum.

During our last day in Istanbul, you are free to relax and/or see more of the exotic city — return to the Grand Bazaar for gorgeous carpets or colored glass hanging lamps, etc . During the trip, there will be opportunities to stop for photographs, visit museums, churches and mosques; and buy or photograph extraordinary textiles and crafts. We also hope to get permission to visit a knitting yarn factory!

Tour Price: $2895. Includes all hotels (14 nights, tourist-class, double occupancy), all meals, interior flight, all ground transportation by private van with excellent driver, English-speaking guide, 3 cooking classes, entrance to all historical sights on the itinerary, and the private Tokat scarf printing workshop with your creations to take home.

For more information, E-mail Cynthia or call 510-275-3662.

Now accepting Credit cards and PayPal!

Click here and enter $200 to pay the deposit or $2695 to pay the balance.
Single Supplement: $350; OPTIONAL hot air ballon ride: $200 (to be paid directly to balloon tour company in Urgup).

 

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