Eastern Approaches

Introduction

The age of Suleiman the Magnificent – known to the Turks themselves as Suleiman the Lawgiver – was the high point of Ottoman civilisation in the 16th century, a golden age of imperial splendour when the Golden Horn lay at the heart of one of Europe’s greatest empires. Not only the capital, but cities throughout the empire were transformed by the Sultan’s great architect, Sinan, one of the most prolific architects in history. During the reigns of three successive sultans, Sinan was responsible for hundreds of  buildings throughout the empire, not only great monumental mosque complexes but more modest buildings such as kitchens, bridges and water works.

This tour takes both the age and the architect as its theme to look at both the background and the high point of Ottoman achievement. This will mainly be in imperial capital itself of Istanbul, where we spend five days looking at the finest of Sinan’s works in the city as well as up and down and either side of the Bosphorus. But we also look at both the background in Byzantine architecture and the context of the age of Suleiman the Magnificent broadly. A full day – two nights – are also spent in the Ottoman’s former capital of Edirne in Thrace, not only to explore the earlier buildings that lay behind Sinan’s achievement but also to see what is generally considered his greatest masterpiece, the huge soaring mosque of Selim II.

This tour is an opportunity to explore one of the greatest cities of the world in depth and at leisure by focussing on the works of one of the great world architects as a theme.

Information

EXTRA NOTES:
In addition to the general practical information, please note that for this tour only Days 6,7 and 8 are full board.  The cost of the visa is not included; this is currently £10 - to be paid on arrival at the airport.

ACCOMMODATION:
Most of the tour – 5 nights – will be in the comfortable 4-star Arcadia Hotel in the centre of Istanbul within walking distance of all main monuments – and with the most spectacular view in Istanbul. Edirne – 2 nights – and the last night in Istanbul are in the Tasodalar and Kariye Hotels respectively, both boutique hotels beautifully converted from old Ottoman mansions.

TRAVEL:
A comfortable 31-seater coach

LOCAL CONDITIONS:
This tour is not considered strenuous, although there is a considerable amount of walking around monuments. May is expected to be warm and sunny, although showers can occur at any time of year. The tour is half board in Istanbul: lunches are included rather than dinners as it is at lunchtimes that all the group is together (and the sightseeing has been planned to coincide with some excellent restaurants!); dinners are left free so as to avail yourselves of the many restaurant options in the vicinity of the hotel; in practice, lunches will be very substantial so you may only want something light in the evening. All meals are included in and to and from Edirne, where there are not so many independent options. Although Muslim, dress code is the same for any European country, although ladies are required to wear a head scarf when visiting mosques.