The scope of this tour is to make a deep introduction in the history of Istanbul through wine and other tastes. We divide the two first days into Byzantine and Ottoman themes and besides discovering the historical trasures of both civilizations we take lunch and dinner in restaurant specialized for their cuisines. Among the wines to taste we have those with Papazkarası grape produced in Byzantine monasteries once upon a time, moskhatos mentioned by Herodotes, wines of Troy mentioned by Homeros in İliad and Odyssea as well as wines produced with the wine grapes of Mesopotamia, Euphrates and Tigris rivers.


DAY 1 :
Arrival and check in the hotel

DAY 2: BYZANTINE TREASURES AND FLAVORS

Our day starts with the discovery of Byzantine Monuments of Istanbul . The Church of
Pammacharistos (Fethiye Camii), The Acquaducts Of Valens, Saint Sophia and The
Underground Cistern are among the Byzantine sites that we discover. The lunch will take
place in a local restaurant where we will taste some Byzantine specialties.
The menu will be based on some byzantine recipes applied to
contemporary Turkish cuisine.
Wines at lunch will be those made with the grapes also known in byzantine times


In the afternoon our Byzantine exploration of the city will continue with the Church of Saint Saviour in Chora which is also considered as one of the jewels of
Byzantine art and architecture of the late period. We will then proceed to fortification walls of Constantinople built in 5th century by Theodosius the 2nd.

We attend to a seminar on ‘Byzantine History of Wine’

Dinner will take place in an old byzantine cistern and will be composed of
specialties known from byzantine times.

Wines to taste are those produced with the byzantine grapes still cultivated today in
Turkey



DAY 3 : OTTOMAN TREASURES AND FLAVORS

Full day reserved to Ottoman monuments of Istanbul. We will discover the buildings of the
classical period, not only the mosques but also bazaars. We will start with the Blue Mosque
and The Topkapı Palace where ottoman sultans lived 350 years. After visiting the
Mosque of Suleymaniye we will take lunch in a local restaurant with a typically ottoman
menu.

In the afternoon we will stroll in Eminonu area. We will visit the Rustempaşa Mosque which is decorated with the best examples of Iznik tiles.
Dinner will be served in a restaurant known for the traditional dishes.
Overnight in Istanbul.



DAY 4 : MARKETS OF ISTANBUL & COOKING CLASS
We explore the local markets of Istanbul. We go to see Egyptian Bazaar also known as Spice
Market, We will go to taste Pastirm at one of the specialized stores,we visit the Egyptian Bazaar and walk in the streets of Tahtakale, the center of the business activity both in old and
present times,we taste Turkish Coffee in a typical shop established at the location of the first coffee houseestablished in Istanbul in 16th century.
We then purchase the necessary ingredients for our cooking class and we move towards thr
culinary school.The session will be guided by one of most experienced cooks of Turkey. At lunch we taste our own dish. In the afternoon we discover Taksim area and Istiklal Street



We attend to the seminar ‘History of Wine in Turkey’