Day 1 - Istanbul 

Meet in the hotel lobby at 5 PM. After a short meeting visit the Blue Mosque followed by dinner at a nearby restaurant located between two of the most impressive buildings in Istanbul - St. Sophia and the Blue Mosque.  

Day 2 - Istanbul  ( B )

Our day will start with an astonishing site, the underground Basilica Cistern, built 1,500 years before our time. The Turkish Islamic Art Museum will be our first exposure to the crafts of a Muslim Culture. Carpets, woodwork, copper, gold, mother of pearl engraved works of art will give a different dimension to esthetics. The role of women in different socio-economic groups of Anatolia will come alive in the displays of the ethnographic part of this museum that was given the Best Museum of Europe Award. After lunch visit St. Sophia, the 6th century church dedicated to the wisdom of Jesus. Finish the day at Topkapi Palace. Dinner in the Kumkapi district at a fish restaurant chosen for its exotic ambiance. Overnight at Hotel. Dinner in the Kumkapi district at a fish restaurant chosen for its exotic ambiance.

Day 3- Istanbul ( B )

Visit the Covered Bazaar (the Grand Bazaar) that can be best described the oldest mall of the world. Chora Church is an amazing mosaic museum that reflects the history of Christianity in an art form. Lunch at a 19th Century building. After lunch take the ferry to Asian side of Istanbul to visit the batique artist Bedia Colak. As can be seen here she combined two art forms in her work. The Islamic decorative art of HAT finds expression on textile. Today we will have the pleasure of meeting another artist Mehmet Hamdi Eyuboglu the famous artist of wood printing.

Day 4- Ankara  ( B )

Drive to Ankara over the Bolu mountains. Lunch enroute. Visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilization were we will see the oldest example of woven fragments excavated from 9,000 year old village of Catalhoyuk. 

Day 5- Tokat ( B - D )

Drive to Tokat. This will be the longest bus ride of the tour, but the overwhelming beauty of nature will make the ride a pleasant experience. Drive through villages and mountains of all colors. Overnight at Buyuk Tokat Hotel. After the long bus ride, the comfort of this five star hotel will be very comforting. Those who are interested can experience a Turkish Bath tonight.

Day 6- Tokat  ( B – D )

Visit Gunevi village. The looms, which are located at the best rooms of the houses, are part of the existence of these villagers. They weave material for everything that they wear and use. But part of the experience will be the warm interaction with the hospitable villagers of Gunevi. Tokat is also known for the wood printing. Spend the afternoon at the workshops of the wood printers who block after block print the cultural heritage of Anatolia on the material. Visit an ethnographic museum to see how the hand woven materials have been used. Time on your own to wonder in the streets of the old market.

Day 7- Cappadocia ( B – L - D)

Visit the Nebikoy village. The picture will tell you why we choose to visit this village where people still dress as they did hundreds of years ago. Drive to Cappadocia in the afternoon.

Day 8- Cappadocia  ( B – D )

Short sightseeing tour of Cappadocia, drive to Kayseri to visit one of the biggest carpet cooperative establishments to see dyes, carpet washing, design making and many more processes required before and after carpet weaving.
Visit carpet makers at their homes. Return to Cappadocia to see and maybe buy the finished carpets of this cooperative. Overnight at Cappadocia.

Day 9- Cappadocia ( B - D)

Visit Goreme churches. After lunch visit local homes to see the dowery hope chests full of finished handmade items such as laces, tow edges, table covers, bedspreads, socks, and mittens knitted or embroidered. Watch a presentation of traditional pottery making. Visit spinners. Old kilim shopping opportunity. Overnight at Cappadocia.

Day 10- Konya  ( B - L - D)

Visit an underground city. Drive to the town that is in the shade of two volcanoes. Visit a caravanserai on the ancient silk road. At night "Ut" recital and a chance to enjoy a private embroidery collection of 150-200 year old items.

Day 11- Afyon - Usak  (B – L – D)

Drive via Afyon. We will see Mustafa prepare his felt Shepard’s coat that he claims will not even let a bullet go through. If you like you can stomp on it yourself. In Bayat visit a new kilim-weaving center established as a cooperative to stop migration to the cities from the local villages. Drive to Usak. Overnight at a 19th century caravan stop.

Day 12- Pamukkale (B - D)

Visit the local Lydian Museum (one of its kind in the world). Drive over the rolling hills and mountains to Pasalar village where every house weaves various colors of Turkish bath towels (Pestemal) on their old but sophisticated looms.

Day 13- Aphrodisias - Selcuk  (B)

Visit one of the most complete ancient sites of Turkey, Aphrodisias. Visit the weaver's village where people have been weaving for thousands of years. Overnight at Selcuk.

Day 14- Selcuk (B)

Visit the Tire (pronounced Tee-ray) market for a joyous insight into Turkish rural life and many more treasures of textiles in the morning. In the afternoon visit a private collection of woven and embroider Ottoman textiles. Overnight at Selcuk.

Day 15- Selcuk (B)

Visit the local Ephesus Museum. The Grand Roman site, Ephesus and. Virgin Mary's House. Overnight at Selcuk.

Day 16- Istanbul (B)

The tour will be over after breakfast.