CERAMIC TOUR IN TURKEY

CERAMIC TOUR IN TURKEY
Red Clay – White Clay – Tiles – Quartz and More
January 27 - February 5, 2015
Treasures of Asia Minor
for lovers of culture
Experience the making of ceramic pieces while traveling
from magical Istanbul to stunning Capadocia
Organized by
Cenk Eronat, Director of Art Tours in Turkey
CERAMIC TOUR IN TURKEY
Red Clay – White Clay – Tiles – Quartz & more
ISTANBUL – ANKARA – CAPPADOCIA – ESKISEHIR – BURSA - IZNIK
Jan 27
Arrival to Istanbul
Upon arrival, guests will be greeted by a representative at the airport. Guests will experience a short sightseeing tour of Istanbul as a form of an introduction. To give some
history of this mesmerizing city, Istanbul has been considered the capital of two world
empires- the Byzantine and Ottoman. Istanbul is considered to be the cultural bridge
between the east and west since the archaic period. There is a bridge that actually
connects Europe to Asia is located in Istanbul and separated by the Bosphorous strait. It
is a city of social and religious toleration, being the home of three major religions, Islam,
Christian and Judaism. Because of the cultural and religious infusion, Istanbul has been
influenced artistically as well. After the mini-sightseeing tour, guests will be directed to
the hotel and stay overnight.
Jan 28
Istanbul
After breakfast, guests will have the chance to tour the most popular historical sites in
Istanbul. One of those places will be the Roman hippodrome. This social center of the
empire hosted many events throughout their reign in the capital of Constantinople of
the Byzantine era. Today, the center is merely called the Sultanahmet square as it is
located in that area. After walking around the square, guests will then proceed to the
Islamic Art Museum which is the home to artifacts from the Seljukida and Ottoman periods. From there, guests will continue to the infamous Blue Mosque. After the mosque,
guests will then proceed to Hagia Sophia, which can be considered a world wonder due
to all the different influences. From being a church during the Byzantine era to converting to a mosque during the Ottoman reign, both cultures can still be seen all through
out. Once the tour has concluded, guests will return to the hotel.
Jan 29
Istanbul
Today guests will continue to explore Istanbul. First stop will be visiting the former
Ottoman Sultans residence – the Topkapi Palace. From there guests will continue to visit archaeological museums in that area. These museums are homes to some of the best
samples of ancient Turkish pottery and ceramics. After the tour is concluded, guests will
return back to the hotel and stay overnight.
Jan 30
Istanbul – Ankara
Today guests will be driven to Ankara to visit the Anatolian Civilizations Museum. In this
museum, guests will have the opportunity to experience ancient Assyrian and Hittite
pottery. With the tour concluded, guests will stay overnight in Ankara.
Jan 31
Ankara – Cappadocia
After a short visit in the capital, the next stop for guests ( via Salt Lake) will be another
place that can be considered a world wonder – Cappadocia. Guests will stay overnight
in Cappadocia.
Feb 1
Cappadocia
This day is reserved to explore the intriguing Cappadocia. Guests will visit the valleys
and villages such as: Camel Valley, Pasabag valley and fairy chimneys. Guests will also
visit a local school where they teach the art of carpet weaving. Guests will have the
chance to discover one of the oldest art forms in Turkey. Carpet weaving first began
with the arrival of the Turkish tribes from Central Asia, who settled in this region. For
the afternoon, guests will partake in a red clay workshop in a pottery factory. (Red clay
works)
Feb 2
Cappadocia
Guests will continue to discover Cappadocia. This day is reserved to visit an underground city, the Goreme open air museum, and the Onyx Factory. In the afternoon, once
all tours have concluded, guests will return to the pottery factory for a white clay workshop and will stay overnight in Cappadocia.
Feb 3
Cappadocia – Eskisehir
Guests will be driven to Eskisehir from Cappadocia. Once there, they wil visit the
Meerschaum museum. (Meerschaum is a soft white mineral sometimes found floating
on the Black Sea, and rather suggestive of sea-foam. It is opaque and of white, grey or
cream color, breaking with a conchoidal or fine earthy fracture, and occasionally fibrous
in texture). Guests will stay overnight in Eskisehir.
Feb 4
Eskisehir – Bursa – Iznik – Istanbul
Guests will be driven to Bursa from Eskisehir. From there, they will get to visit the famous silk bazaar. Once the tour has concluded, guests will be driven to Iznik to visit a
ceramic factory. The ceramic factories in Iznik are special because the pottery is greatly
influenced by the Seljuk empire. After the tour of the factory, guests will return back to
Istanbul and enjoy a farewell dinner and stay overnight in Istanbul.
Feb 5 Istanbul airport
Guests will be transfered to Istanbul airport which will conclude our services.
Ankara
Cappadocia
$3.690 per person in double occupancy.
Please add $585 for single supplement.
INCLUDING:
• 9 nights 4 star hotel accommodation
as below:
• Transportations with AC vehicles
• 4 nights in Istanbul
• All entry fees to the sites &
museums mentioned on the
program
• 1 night in Ankara
• Local taxes & service charges
• 3 nights in Cappadocia
• 1 night in Eskisehir
• Comprehensive sightseeings as
specified in the program
• Professional licensed english
speaking tour guide
Hagia Sophia
EXCLUDING:
• Meals which are not listed at the
itinerary
• All drinks and personal expenses
• Daily breakfasts (B)
• Turkish Visa Fee
• 9 dinners (D)
• Tips
N.B. This program is subject to change. However, the content of the program will be respected.
N.B. This program is subject to change. However, the content of the program will be respected.
Istanbul
Galata Tower
Payment Procedure:
Payment procedure: $ 3.690 per person based on double occupancy. Please add $585
for single supplement.
Please inquire about dates and availability.$600 deposit required per traveler for
booking the tour.
Basak Malone LLC
Address: 525 Broadway
New York, NY 10012
Swift #: CHASUS33
Routing#: 021202337
Account# 931711493
IMPORTANT : TURKISH VISA – New Online Regulation:
Istanbul Lamps
Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism stated that for visiting Turkey no more “stamp”
visas on arrival at the airport. US and Canadian citizens who will visit Turkey need
to purchase the Turkish visa online, prior to arrival. The new procedure will require
applying for an e-visa online.
Here’s the link: https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/tour/
Cancellation Penalty:
• 59-45 days prior to departure: 25%
• 44-30 days prior to departure: 50%
• 29-15 days prior to departure: 75%
• 14-1 days prior to departure: No refund
Travel Insurance:
Travel insurance may be given as a separate package at an extra cost. Travel
Insurance agreement is a contract between the traveler and the respective insurance
company.
For registration and payment, please contact :
Basak Malone
917-971-2528 or
info@basakmalone.com
Blue Mosque