Turkey is one of the most enthralling countries to visit, both for its unique position between East and West, and for its fascinating history. The Country was named after the French word Turquoise, the ornamental gem that – considering the strategic location of this land set in the heart of \u00ebthe silk road\u00ed- was supposed to come from there.<\/p>\n
From the wonders of Cappadocia, to ancient port city of Ephesus (Efes) and the soaring Byzantine dome of Hagia Sofya in Istanbul, Turkey has more than its fair share of world-famous ruins and monuments. A succession of historical figures and empires \u00f1 including the Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans \u00f1 have all left their mark.<\/p>\n
Nowadays, the country has also the rare feature of being two things at once, as it preserves traditional values while becoming increasingly modern and hip.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
ISTANBUL HISTORY AND ART<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Istanbul\u00eds strategic location has attracted many invaders over the centuries. The Greeks, Romans and Venetians took turns ruling before the Ottomans stormed into town. Not only the city straddles two continents, but it was also the final stage on the legendary Silk Road linking Asia with Europe. The many merchants who came to the city, added to its cultural diversity, still very much preserved:<\/p>\n
\nLet an art historian lead you to the Sultan Ahmed district, located at the heart of the \u00ecOld City\u00ee. Walk the Hippodrome square, which was the centre of the sportive events and political activities of Constantinople in Roman and Byzantium periods while you listen to the stories linked to the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpentine Column and the German Fountain of Wilhelm II.<\/li>\n Visit the Blue Mosque, famous for its blue Iznik tiles and its unique 6 minarets, built between 1609 and 1616 years, during the rule of Ahmed I. just like many other mosques, it also comprises a tomb of the founder, a madrasa and a hospice, and it still a place of worship.<\/li>\n Head to the Hagia Sophia, one of the greatest marvels of the art & architecture history, built by the Emperor Justinian in the 6th century as the patriarchate cathedral.<\/li>\n \nEnter the Museum of Archaeology of Istanbul, an archaeologist will take you through the unbeaten tracks and will offer you an exclusive visit to the library of the museum.<\/p>\n
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\nVisit the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum. The exhibitions include centuries old handicraft examples of textiles, tiles, manuscripts, calligraphy and carpentry.<\/p>\n
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\nExplore the fascinating Byzantine underground cistern and then Topkapi Palace that was not only the\u00a0 residence of the Ottoman sultans, but also the administrative and educational centre of the state. Initially constructed between 1460 and 1478 by Sultan Mehmed II, the conqueror of Constantinople, and expanded upon and altered many times throughout its long history, the palace served as the home of the Ottoman sultans and their court until the middle of the 19th century.\u00a0Your private guide will wait for you to show you the famous residence of the Sultans, and take you to an exclusive visit of the Harem.<\/p>\n
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\nWith the museum curator visit The Istanbul Modern; Turkey\u00eds first museum of modern and contemporary art, committed to share Turkey\u00eds artistic creativity and cultural identity, the museum hosts a broad array of interdisciplinary exhibits and activities.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
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<\/mask><\/g><\/g><\/filter><\/defs><\/svg><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/mask><\/g><\/g><\/filter><\/defs><\/svg><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>INSTANBUL traditions along the Bosphorus<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
\nGet access to the Dolmabahce Palace, the last residence of Ottoman Sultans, located on the shores of Bosphorus. \u00a0It was home to six sultans from 1856. The construction of the palace cost five million Ottoman Mecidiye gold coins, the equivalent of 35 tons of gold. The design contains eclectic elements from Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassical styles.<\/li>\n Embark a private yacht to cruise along the Bosphorus for an evening of cahrme woth dining and live folk entertainment, crossing under the two picturesque bridges that connect the European and Asian sides of the city.<\/li>\n Enter privately into a Sufi centre, where from the voice of the head master you will learn the spiritual tradition of the whirling dervishes, their dedication and philosophy aiming to elevate their spirits to the highest realms, assist exclusively to their sacred dance ritual.<\/li>\n Visit the Sabanci Museum, a little know museum that hosts one of the richest collection in Turkey of manuscripts and artefacts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>Istanbul Shopping and Entertainment<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
\n\nWith a personal shopper, walk around the luxury fashion district of Nisantasi. With its impeccable reputation as the district preferred by palace residents and later the Republic\u00eds intellectuals and influential elite, it is still one of the most important areas of Istanbul.<\/p>\n
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\nExclusively get access to an Ottoman mansion for an unforgettable dinner; previously owned by an Ottoman pasha, the palace has an incredible private collection of art, together with an art historian visit the collection and about the local thriving art scene.<\/p>\n
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\nWith a private fast boat reach the Maiden\u00eds Tower, for a wonderful dining experience with live music. With the Bosphorus on all sides, the views are magical. The signature of Istanbul, Maiden\u00eds Tower stands proudly in the intersection of the Bosphorus where the two continents of Asia and Europe meet. The tower\u00eds history stretches back 2,500 years, with a wealth of legends surrounding it.<\/p>\n
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\nWith a culinary expert access to the Egyptian Spice Bazaar, which still functions as a spice and dried foods market with mystical smells and aromas, spreading around from hundreds of shops selling spices, fruits, vegetables, nuts and flowers. Walk through the narrow alleys of the Grand Covered Bazaar for exploring its maze of 4000 shops for an authentic oriental shopping experience.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
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\n\nThis region\u00eds accordion-ridged valleys, shaded in a palette of dusky orange and cream, are an epiphany of a landscape:<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
\nWith an expert archaeologist, visit this Unesco World Heritage site, the G\u02c6reme Open-Air Museum. First an important Byzantine monastic settlement that housed some 20 monks, then a pilgrimage site from the 17th century, it is a\u00a0 <\/span>splendid cluster of monastic Byzantine artistry with its rock-cut churches, chapels and monasteries, among which is the\u00a0 TokalI<\/span> Kilise, one of G\u02c6reme\u00eds biggest and finest churches, with an underground chapel and fabulous, recently restored frescoes painted in a narrative cycle.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\nAvanos is the town of traditional pottery art, enter privately to one of the family shop and discover their crafting methods through a kick-wheel-pottery workshop.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Northern Cappadocia<\/div><\/div>
\n\nHike through the Red Valley and take part in a wine tasting and lecture about Turkish wines held by a local wine-maker. Cappadocia is actually one of the major wine producing regions of Turkey. Particularly notable names are Turasan and Kocaba\u011f, who are two large scale wineries that call Cappadocia their home.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
\nIn the mesmerizing landscape sit back and relax while you\u00edll be served an exclusive lunch in a secret spot of the valley.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
\nAt sunset, reach Uchisar Castle, the highest point of Cappadocia, immerse in the spectacular view of the scenery before boarding your own hot air balloon for a ride over the valleys and the region.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
\nEnjoy a superb dinner at Elai, one of the best restaurants in Cappadocia. Standing in the shade of \u2039\u00c1hisar Castle and overlooking part of the Red Valley and Pigeon Valley, the outdoor terrace offers magnificent sights. The splendid Cappadocian landscape stretches as far as Mount Erciyes and is a joy for the eye.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
\nIn Avanos explore the traditional recipes of their finest cuisine in one of the famous cave restaurant for a memorable dining experience.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
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