May 23, 2022: Departure from US

May 24, 2022: Arrival in Istanbul and transfer to the hotel.  For our guests coming from US, we usually keep the arrival day free to reduce the jet leg.  However, depending on the time of arrival, we will provide some orientation and brief walking photo tour of Istanbul and have a short meeting about our itinerary. Depending on the time of arrival, we will arrange the dinner at a convenient location.  (D)

May 25, 2022: Istanbul: Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Galata Bridge

We begin to explore Istanbul starting from beautiful Sultanahmet section of Istanbul.  We will visit the Hippodrome where major sports competitions of Byzantine Empire were taking place.  Afterwards, we will make our way to Blue Mosque which has the name from incredible blue tiles made in Nicea.  This afternoon, we will take a photo walk of this magnificent and magical city, home to several UNESCO World Heritage sites.  We'll explore the Galata Bridge which links Old Istanbul and Beyoğlu via the Golden Horn. We will take our sunset photos over the Golden Horn and will head to our “Welcome Dinner” at one of our favorite Istanbul restaurants. (B, L, D)

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May 26, 2022:  Istanbul - Cappadocia - Red Valley - Uchisar

After breakfast we depart for the airport and fly to amazing Cappadocia.  In Cappadocia we begin by visiting one of the fascinating subterranean cities complete with a ventilation system and a water well.  We’ll visit a winery with rolling stone doors and focus on soft light photography in the Red Valley and the natural rock citadel of Uchisar. Our Cave Hotel will amaze you.  It’s carved into the side of a mountain, as are many of the homes, hotels and churches in Cappadocia. (B, L, D)

May 27, 2022: Cappadocia - Goreme Valley - Fairy Chimneys - Zelve

Cappadocia is home to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Goreme Valley. The lunar like landscape of this region is eerie, yet beautiful.  Over thousands of years, the rain has eroded this landscape to give rise to strange rock formations known as “Fairy Chimneys.”  Many of these have homes and churches carved into them.  Some of the grottos are magnificently decorated with colorful frescoes depicting biblical scenes.  Just imagine the photographic opportunities!  We will have our lunch at a local house, where we will have a cooking class of Turkish food and enjoy them together.  In the afternoon we visit Zelve, which became one of the most important settlements and religious centers for the Christian community between the 9th and 13th centuries. (B, L, D)

May 28, 2022: Cappadocia - Balloon - Dervent Valley - Pasabagi

We depart in the early morning hours for a Hot Air Balloon ride over Cappadocia.  Here we will capture the morning light and photograph the intense rock formations in the Dervent Valley.  In the afternoon and evening we work on some soft light photography in the hidden monastic valley of Pasabagi. (B, L, D)

May 29, 2022: Izmir – Kusadasi

After breakfast we depart for Kayseri Airport for a domestic flight to Izmir, where we will begin our exploration of the western coast of Turkey.  Upon arrival we will be transferred to Kusadasi and our hotel on the sea.  Here we can rest and enjoy the features of our wonderful hotel or walk the streets and docks of the seaside village and enjoy some street photography. (B, L, D)

May 30, 2022: Selcuk - Ephesus - Sirince

After breakfast we devote the entire day to photography in and around the atmospheric city Selcuk.  Ephesus, the largest ancient city ever uncovered includes an amphitheater which can still hold 24,000 spectators, marble covered streets, gymnasiums, public latrines, the library of Celsius and the temple of Artemis.  Ephesus had been the home of Paul, John and perhaps Mary.  We will explore Ephesus in detail.  Later, we will visit the House of Mary and Basilica of John.  And finally the historic hill village of Sirince, where we will photographic the old houses and local merchants.  (B, L, D)

May 31, 2022: Kusadasi - Istanbul - Palaces - Spice Bazaar

We depart from Kusadasi and take our flight to Istanbul and check back into our hotel. After lunch we begin our photo walk of this magnificent and magical city, home to several UNESCO World Heritage sites.  We’ll explore the Spice Bazaar where the scent of hundreds of spices permeates the air and embark on a cruise of the Bosphorus. Along the way we will view the Dolmabahce Palace and the Beylerbeyi Palace, a 19th century palace on the Asian side of Istanbul.  (B, L, D)

June 1, 2022: Topkapi Palace – Hagia Sophia – Grand Bazaar – Maiden’s Tower

We begin our day before sunrise with a walk through Sultanahmet and visit magnificent Topkapi Palace, once home to the great Sultans and filled with treasures and antiquities including 12,000 pieces of fine Chinese porcelain.  After we enjoy a wonderful lunch at the Konyali Restaurant, located within the gardens of Topkapi Palace with its amazing views of the Marmara Sea and the Asian Side of Istanbul.  We continue to explore the Hippodrome and domed Basilica of St. Sophia, which has inspired architects and religious leaders for over 1,500 years.  And finally the Grand Bazaar, built in 1457.  In the late afternoon we will pass to Asian side of Istanbul and photograph the famous Maiden Tower at sunset on the Asian side of Istanbu (B, L, D)

June 2, 2022: Beyoğlu - Karaköy (Galata) - Taksim Square

Today, we will explore the romance of late Ottoman Istanbul on a walking photo tour of Beyoğlu.  We will pass Galata Bridge over the Golden Horn which links Old Istanbul and Beyoğlu.  Take in the view, then walk north through Karaköy (Galata) and uphill to Galata Tower.  İstiklal Caddesi (Independence Avenue) is the heart of Beyoğlu, the more modern district of Istanbul built during the 19th century.  We’ll visit Taksim Square which is the heart of modern Istanbul. (B, L, D)

June 3, 2022: Balat –  Basilica Cistern

We depart for several neighborhoods in old Istanbul with a focus on photojournalism and street photography.  We will be in Balat and more of Karaköy areas which are wonderful places for street photography.  Later in the afternoon, we will return to Hippodrome area and will visit the Basilica Cistern – This is the largest underground reservoir in the city, constructed in the 6th century to supply water to the Great Palace of Constantinople, Topkapi Palace and others.  In the evening we prepare for our “Farewell Dinner” at another one of our favorite restaurants of Istanbul. (B, L, D)

June 4, 2022: Istanbul

Transfer to the airport for flight to US