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 Odyssee as well as wines produced with the wine grapes of Mesopotamia, Euphrates and Tigris rivers.

All this we will do with 4 gourmet lunches, 3 gourmet dinners and 22 different specially selected local wines

DAY 1:  BYZANTINE DAY IN ISTANBUL

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 byzantine recipes like Tarhana (Traganos) soup, lamb cooked with spices as main and Tavuk Gögsü ( breast of chicken as dessert).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 architectur of the late period. We will then proceed to fortification walls of cConstantinople built in 5^th century by Theodosius the 2^nd.       We attend to a seminar on ‘Byzantine History of Wine’ Dinner will take place in an old byzantine cistern  and will be composed of  Byzantine specialties. Wines to taste are those produced with the byzantine grapes still cultivated today like moskhatos (misket) and papazkarası

DAY  2  : OTTOMAN DAY

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 resided 350 years. After visiting the mosque of Suleymaniye we will take lunch in a local restaurant with typically ottoman menu.

In the afternoon we will stroll in Eminonu area. We will see the Rustempaşa Mosque, taste Turkish Coffee in a typical shop located at the position of the first coffee-shop established in Istanbul. We will go to taste Pastirma at Namli, we will visit the Egyptian Bazaar and walk in the streets of Tahtakale, the center of the business activity both in old and present times.           

Dinner will be served in a restaurant known for the traditional dishes.During the dinner we will listen to turkish classical music which takes its roots from byzantine times and continued to be the court music during Ottoman Empire.  At dinner we will taste wines which come from Tenedos Island on North Aegean mentioned also by Homeros in Illiad on Troy.

DAY 3 : LAND OF WINE – TEKIRDAG AND SARKOY

We leave Istanbul in the direction of Tekirdağ and Sarkoy for a wine trip in Thrace. (200 KM) This region is considered as the capital of wine making in Turkey with almost 40 % of national production. We make a short stop in Tekirdağ where we visit the small but beautiful archaeological museum. We then continue to Hosköy known as Ganos in ancient times which was also one of leading wine production areas in byzantine period. There we visit one of best ‘boutique wine producers’, Melen winery. We taste wines such as Melen Gamay, Melen Gewütztraminer, Melen Shiraz.

Lunch is served in a local restaurant with sea food of Marmara region. 

In the afternoon we continue to Yazir area to visit Umurbey winery which produces mainly wines with international grapes such as merlot, c.sauvignon, sauvignon blanc. We then turn back to Istanbul. Dinner is free.

DAY 4 : BOSPHORUS AND ASIAN SIDE OF ISTANBUL

Our  day starts with a cruise on Bosphorus, the only strait in the world to separate two continents. We enjoy the view over the marble flowers such as Dolmabahçe, Çırağan and Beylerbeyi Palaces.

In the afternoon we proceed to Asian side by bus or by boat. We discover Uskudar which is the oldest district, Kuzguncuk quarter known as crossroad of civilizations and religions with a mosque, two churches and one synagogue located side by side.

 We attend to the seminar  'Wine regions of Turkey’

TOUR RATES

• The prices above are per person and inclusive of VAT.

• All admissions and enterence fees mentioned in the tour program.
• Cultural and oenological guiding service.
• 4 gourmet lunches and 3 gourmet dinners.
• 22 different local wines.
• %18 VAT and Service charge