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TOUR ITINERARY:
Day 01: Departure from Los Angeles, NYC, Washington D.C.,
Chicago or Toronto.
Day 02: Arrive to ISTANBUL
Welcome to the city of seven hills, the capital of two
big empires. Istanbul is a city that has wonderful art from
both Christian and Islamic cultures, a city of poetry and
love, a city that has been fought for, throughout history.
Your tour guide will meet you after the customs and baggage
claim. Transfer to the hotel for check-in. Dinner and
overnight at the hotel. (D)
Day 03: ISTANBUL (Byzantine Wonders)
Starting from the old city visit the great city of two
continents. See the Ancient Roman Hippodrome, visit Great
Hagia Sophia from 6th century. This impressive church of
Justinian period is not only known for its size but also for
its decoration. Continue to Underground Cistern to admire
the atmosphere of Byzantium architecture. We will finish the
day in the famous and eccentric Grand Bazaar. Overnight in
Istanbul. (B)
Day 04: ISTANBUL (Ottoman Treasures)
Morning visit to Blue Mosque, With its six minarets, it
is the reflection of Ottoman architecture. Then continue to
the Topkapý Palace, the main residence of the Ottoman
Sultans until the 19th century. Today it is great museum
where you can admire the largest Ottoman collections.
Afternoon discover the award winning Archaeological Museums
of Istanbul. Finish the day in the Spice Market. (B)
Day 05: ISTANBUL – CAPPADOCIA (Land of fairy chimneys)
Morning flight to Cappadocia. Visit the land of fairy
chimneys. Start to discover the most amazing region of
Anatolia. We will visit an underground city with several
levels. Stop at the Uchisar village. Dinner and overnight in
Cappadocia. (B,D)
Day 06: CAPPADOCIA (Great Valleys, Carpets and Frescoes)
Continue to explore Cappdocia and its unique valleys,
Camel Valley, Pashabag, and then visit one of the biggest
carpet school to see dyes, carpet washing, design making and
many more processes. Afternoon visit to the Pottery village
of Avanos. End of the day visit to Goreme Open Air Museum to
discover extraordinary frescoes. Overnight in Cappadocia. (B,D)
Day 07: CAPPADOCIA – IZMIR (The Poetic city)
Morning flight to Izmir, the historic and poetic city of
Turkey. Visit the Art and History Museum where you can
explore Ionian region’s Art History with the artifacts found
near ancient Smyrna. Dinner and overnight in Izmir. (B,D)
Day 08: IZMIR – EPHESUS (The greatest archaeological
site)
Drive to Ephesus, words are not enough to describe the
beauty of this exceptional archaeological site. Discover the
temples, marble streets, fountains, famous library and the
great theater. Then continue to the traditional
Greek-Turkish village Shirince. Discover the town and its
locals on your own. Back to Izmir, overnight. (B)
Day 09: IZMIR – ROME (The Capital of the Empire)
Early morning flight to Rome via Istanbul. Arrival to the
airport of Rome. Transfer to your hotel located in the city
centre. In the afternoon you will enjoy a guided visit
through the highlights of the Vatican Museums, including the
Stanze of Raphael with the famous School of Athens and the
Sistine Chapel of Michelangelo with the celebrated Last
Judgement. In the evening optional tour by bus Rome by
night. (Trevi Fountain or Piazza Navona). Overnight.
Day 10: ROME (Rome and Renaissance)
Breakfast in hotel. Visit the Borghese Gallery with
particular attention to the Baroque masterpieces of
Caravaggio, including the well-known David with the head of
Goliath and Bernini whose celebrated David is in this
museum. Stop at the impressive Roman monument of the
Pantheon before crossing the Tiber River to visit the Villa
Farnesina, the architectural masterpiece of Baldassare
Peruzzi with outstanding frescos by Raphael. Two final
visits include the church of San Pietro in Montorio with
Bramante’s small commemorative martyrium called Il Tempietto
and the Church of St. Peter in Vincoli with Michelangelo’s
sculpture of Moses intended for the tomb of Pope Julius II.
Overnight in Rome.
Day 11: ROME / FLORENCE (Renaissance wonders)
Breakfast and check out in hotel. Take a train for Florence.
Transfer to your centrally located hotel and check-in. After
lunch, meet your guide and start the walking tour of the
Cradle of Renaissance. Walking through the streets and
piazzas you will be introduced to the ideas of the
Renaissance, the lives of many famous artists and of the
Medici family. You will visit the Uffizi Gallery to admire
renowned works such as Botticelli’s Birth of Venus,
Leonardo’s Adoration of the Magi, Michelangelo’s Doni Tondo,
and Titian’s Venus of Urbino. Dinner and overnight in
Florence. (B,D)
Day 12: FLORENCE (The city of Art)
Breakfast in hotel. You will start the full-day private
walking tour with a visit of the Palazzo Medici, the
residence of the famous banking family and patrons of the
Renaissance movement. Next, you will visit the church of San
Lorenzo where the Medici dynasty is commemorated and buried.
The old sacristy by Brunelleschi and the new sacristy and
the Laurentian library by Michelangelo are highlights of
this tour. After lunch you will admire the religious centers
of Florence at the Cathedral and Baptistry. The Cathedral,
more well known as the Duomo, is topped by the majestic dome
of Brunelleschi and the octagonal Baptistry has three sets
of famous bronze doors, including the Ghiberti’s famous
Doors of Paradise (see originals at Museo dell’Opera del
Duomo). Then, you will walk to the civil center of the
Republic of Florence, the lovely Piazza della Signoria,
where you can admire many Renaissance sculptural
masterpieces, including a copy of Michelangelo’s world
famous David (see the original in the Accademia). A stop at
the Palazzo Vecchio, the Florentine town hall and previous
fortified palace of the Medici, includes visits to the
courtyards and apartments with many works of art by
Renaissance and Baroque masters. Evening is free for
individual exploration of the city. Dinner and overnight in
Florence. (B,D)
Day 13: FLORENCE
Transfer to Florence Airport. Fly back home.
FOR REGISTRATION & QUESTIONS PLEASE CONTACT:
Cenk Eronat, Director of Art Programs
info@tutkutours.com
+90-232 441-8635 / 441-8676 / 441-8677
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