Eastern Approaches

Introduction

Byzantium was just an obscure Greek colony until, in selecting it as the site of the New Rome in 423 AD, Constantine transformed it into one of the greatest cities of the world. But Constantinople, as it came to be called, was more than the capital of the Byzantine Empire. After Rome’s  empire in Europe had been ditched to the barbarians, the city became the repository of all of Classical Greek and Roman civilization as well, until its conquest over a thousand years later by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror in 1453. Even then, Sultan Mehmet’s conquest was not the end of Constantinople - more, a new beginning. For the Turks breathed new life into the ancient fabric of the city. If Byzantine Constantinople had all of the civilisation of the Roman world and the West behind it, the Turks brought to Constantinople - or Istanbul  - all the civilisation of the East and Islam.

This tour will concentrate on the great monuments patronised by both Emperors and Sultans, from Justinian to Sulaiman the Magnificent. From its Byzantine past there is the great Hippodrome, the vast cavernous cisterns, the superb Aqueduct of Valens, the mosaics of the Church of St Saviour, the massive City Walls, and the incomparable Cathedral of St Sophia, probably the most awe-inspiring building interior anywhere. From the city of the Sultans are the enormous mosques endowed by successive rulers, Sulaiman’s great masterpiece the Suleymaniye, and Sultan Ahmet’s magnificent Blue Mosque, as well as the huge, rambling royal palace, the Topkapi Sarai, whose gardens and walls cascade down to the Bosphorus, and a host of smaller gems.

But Istanbul is more than great buildings. The greatest delight of all for the visitor is to simply wander streets. For despite its turbulent history, Istanbul is one of the world’s eternal cities, where people have gone about their ordinary lives while Emperors and Sultans have come and gone; Istanbul’s people are its living history. There is ample opportunity  therefore, to explore the streets, shop in the bazaars, or just sit in a cafe and watch all the world, all of history, go by.

Istanbul is often called not one but three cities: Byzantium, Constantinople, and Istanbul - but it is far more. It is in Istanbul that civilisations of East and West have come together, not to clash but to meet.  Not one city, not three cities, not even many cities: Istanbul is all cities, it is THE city.

Information

Extra Notes

Visas are not included in the tour price. These are currently £10 issued upon arrival at Istanbul airport.

Accommodation

Considerable thought has gone into the choice of hotel. Nearly all the big hotels, where most large package tour groups stay are situated some considerable distance out of Istanbul. We shall avoid these! Instead, we will be staying right in the heart of the old city, within walking distance of most of the main monuments, at the comfortable Arcadia hotel which has the most spectacular view in Istanbul. The tour is half-board; in practice this includes mainly lunches rather than dinners, as it is lunch time that the group is together - and near some very choice restaurants!

Travel

Much of the tour will involve walking about the city, although a coach will take us to departure points on those days when the sightseeing is more distant from the hotel.

Local Conditions

Apart from city walking, this tour is not strenuous. November in Istanbul has great advantages being out of season, but this does mean that the weather is less dependable. You will need to bring warm clothing and a waterproof. AIthough a Muslim country, dress is the same as for any other European capital. A head covering for visiting mosques and other holy places is necessary.