TEXTILE ARTS IN
TURKEY TOUR
Designed for Textile Artists, Textile Designers & Professors

Discover the Byzantium wonders and Ottoman treasures in Istanbul. Visit the Civilization Museum in Ankara. In Cappadocia, you will visit a local carpet school to see the production of wool, cotton and silk Turkish carpets. You will also visit local homes in Cappadocia to see the handmade items such as lace table covers and woolen socks.
The itinerary will also take you to Catalhoyuk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; the Whirling Dervish Museum in Konya; and the Pamukkale waterfalls, another UNESCO World Heritage Site; a cloth workshop in Buldan; textile design school in Izmir and more.

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 Byzantiom 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 – ANKARA
Drive to Ankara. The capital of modern Turkey. Visit the Anatolian Civilization Museum. Overnight in Ankara. (B)

Day 06: ANKARA – CAPPADOCIA
After the visit at the Mausoleum of Ataturk (the founder of Modern
Turkish Republic) we will continue to Cappadocia. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia. (B,D)

Day 07: CAPPADOCIA
Discover Cappadocia with incredible landscapes. Visit the Camel Valley, Pashabag then visit one of the biggest carpet school to see dyes, carpet washing, design making and many more processes required before and after carpet weaving. Finish the day at Uchisar village. Discover the caves and fairy chimneys. Overnight. (B,D)

Day 08: CAPPADOCIA
Discover one of the underground cities and continue to Avanos. Visit the city of pottery and a traditional workshop. After lunch visit local homes to see the dowery hope chests full of finished handmade items such as laces, towl edges, tablecovers, bed spreads, socks, and mittens knitted or embroidered. See the old style kilim makers and shopping opportunity. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia. (B,D)

Day 09: CAPPADOCIA – CATALHOYUK – KONYA
Early departure to Çatalhoyuk. Another World Heritage Site of Turkey, the Neolithic site of Çatalhöyük was first discovered in the late 1950s and excavated by James Mellaart. The site rapidly became famous internationally due to the large size and dense occupation of the settlement, as well as the spectacular wall paintings and other art that was uncovered inside the houses. Continue to Konya after the lunch visit the Mevlana Whirling Dervishes Museum. (B,D) Overnight in Konya.

Day 10: KONYA – PAMUKKALE
Morning drive to Pamukkale. Visit the archaeological site of Hierapolis and the waterfalls of Pamukkale. Overnight in a SPA hotel in Pamukkale. (B,D)

Day 11: PAMUKKALE – BULDAN – IZMIR
Morning drive to Buldan. Visit the famous Buldan cloth workshops. See and discover this famous fabrics in place. Lunch on the road and continue to Izmir. Overnight.

Day 12: IZMIR – EPHESUS
Visit the famous archaeological site Ephesus. Then drive to Shirince to visit the Greko-Turkish traditional village. Back to Izmir, overnight.

Day 13: IZMIR Textile Design School Visit
A day in Izmir, we will visit the faculty of textile design in Izmir.
Contact the professors and students. Dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)

Day 14: IZMIR AIRPORT
Morning transfer to Izmir Airport. Flight back.

FOR REGISTRATION & QUESTIONS PLEASE CONTACT:
Cenk Eronat, Director of Art Programs
info@tutkutours.com
+90-232 441-8635 / 441-8676 / 441-8677