Istanbul 13–21 September 2013

The Director’s 2013 tour for Foundation Members

with Dr Stefano Carboni

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Itinerary

Rustem Pasha Mosque

Fri 13 Sep ARRIVE ISTANBULArrive Istanbul. Individual transfers to the Four Seasons Sultanhamet hotel.

In the evening join Dr Stefano Carboni and fellow travelers for a welcome dinner. D

Sat 14 Sep ISTANBULAfter breakfast, depart the hotel for a full day tour of Old Town. Begin with one of the world’s greatest architectural achievements, Hagia Sophia (Church of the Holy Wisdom), built during the reign of Emperor Justinian in 537. It was converted to a mosque under the Ottoman Turks in the 15th century. Then explore the underground 6th century Basilica Cistern and its expansive array of 336 Corinthian Columns. Continue to the remains of the old Hippodrome (stadium), which once stood in the heart of the Byzantine city of Constantinople.

In the afternoon visit the impressive 17th century Sultan Ahmed Mosque, with its six pencil-thin minarets. The mosque is commonly known as the “Blue Mosque”, after the striking blue Iznik tile-work of its interior.

Finish your exploration of Istanbul‘s great art treasures with a visit to the Archaeological Museum and its impressive collection of antiquities, including the remarkable 4th century BCE Alexander Sarcophagus and the beautiful collection of Turkish tiles and ceramics held in the Tiled Pavilion (Çinili Köşk).

Evening at leisure. B L

Sun 15 Sep ISTANBULAfter breakfast, continue your exploration of the Old Town.

Morning visit to the magnificent Topkapi Palace including the Treasury and the Harem. Built by Sultan Mehmet II shortly after his capture of Constantinople in 1453, the palace became the residence of the Ottoman sultans between the 15th and 19th centuries. The jewelled turban crests, silken caftans and priceless Chinese porcelain held in the glittering Treasury collection reveal the extraordinary grandeur of a bygone area.

Continue to the Rustem Pasha Mosque, built by the architect Sinan in 1561 for the Grand Vizier Rüstem Pasa. The facade and the small, but attractive interior are decorated with the finest examples of Iznik tiles.

After lunch drive along the Golden Horn and visit the 11th century Church of St Saviour in Chora, one of the most important Byzantine monuments in Istanbul. The walls are decorated with superb 14th century frescoes and mosaics on a gold background. These influenced the European Renaissance. The church is a remarkable museum of Byzantine art.

Visit the Mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent, where he and his wife, Hurrem Sultan (Roxelane), are buried, is considered the most beautiful of all imperial mosques in Istanbul. It was built between 1550 and 1557 by the famous architect Sinan whose wish was to surpass the builders of St. Sophia.

Finish the day with a coffee or tea at Pierre Loti Café. Having a magnificent view of the Golden Horn, the cafe is located high above a hill. The French author; Pierre Loti was one of the few writers who came into prominence and enjoyed and outstanding success during his lifetime.

Evening at leisure. B L

Mon 16 Sep ISTANBULSpend the day visiting Biennale pavilions and events throughout the city.

The 13th Istanbul Bienniale will be curated by Ms Fulya Erdemci. Fulya Erdemci is a curator and writer based in Istanbul and Amsterdam. She was the curator of the 2011 Pavilion of Turkey at the Venice Biennale.

The 13th Istanbul Biennial Public Programme: Public Alchemy Rethinking publicness in Istanbul

The public programme of the 13th Istanbul Biennial examines the ways in which publicness can be reclaimed as an artistic and political tool in the context of global financial imperialism and local social fracture.

Today, the idea of ‘the public’ provokes extreme reactions, reactions that are weighted by religious, fiscal, governmental and geographical differences. Some see the public as a homogenizing and ideological machine, a tool used by the powerful upon the weak. Others assert their role as part of a public as a right of citizenship, a spectacular affront to autocratic legislation and a forceful tool of dissent. Both these perspectives are haunted by the potent image, historical and contemporary.

What are the alternative ways of thinking and being publics? How are these questions particular in the context of Istanbul? B

Pierre Loti Cafe

Istiklal Street Dolmabahce Palace

Tue 17 Sep ISTANBULDepart the hotel on a full day excursion exploring the legendary Bosphorus. Cruise the long strait which joins the Sea of Marmara with the Black Sea and forms a natural border between Europe and Asia. Along the shoreline of the Bosphorous stand several palaces and fortresses, forested hills and shore villages featuring Ottoman architecture.

After free time for lunch (at own expense) visit the Rumeli Feneri (Rumalian Light House) located on the European side of Istanbul. The light house was built in 1834 during the Crimean War by France as a guide for the French and English ships going through Blacksea and Bosphorus.

Also visit the Sadberk Hanım Museum, housed in a waterfront mansion on the shores of the Bosphorus. Next to its rich collection of Ottoman women’s costumes, textiles and fine art objects, the Museum also owns a significant collection of Iznik ceramics and archaeological objects.

Tonight enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. B D

Wed 18 Sep ISTANBULDay at leisure. Dinner at a local restaurant B D

Thu 19 Sep ISTANBULAfter breakfast, depart the hotel on a full day tour visiting mosques that were built during the Ottoman period; Beyazıd Mosque, Nuriosmaniye Mosque and Sokulla Mehmet Pasha Mosque, then visit Galata Tower and İstiklal Street.

The Beyazid Mosque was commissioned by Ottoman Sultan Bayezid II, and was the second largest imperial mosque complex to be erected in Istanbul after the Conquest. Continue to the Nuriosmaniye Mosque, which is considered to be one of the finest examples of Ottoman Baroque style.

The Grand Covered Bazaar is one of the most fascinating and irresistible attractions of Istanbul. It is a city in itself with more than 4000 shops, 2000 ateliers, 500 stalls, 12 storehouses, 18 fountains, 12 mescits or small mosques.

After lunch visit the Sokollu Mehmet Pasha Mosque, 16th century imperial architect Sinan’s masterpiece, is famed for its superb Iznik tiles. The mosque is built on the side of a hill, which Sinan used to theatrical effect.

Enjoy a walking tour along Istiklal Street, stretching from the Tunel area to Taksim square and one of the city’s focal points for

shopping, entertainment and promenading.Continue to the Galata Tower, built in 1348, replacing a former tower, which was used for the surveillance of the Harbor in the Golden Horn.

The tour will finish at Istanbul Modern which is open late until 8 PM on Thursdays. The İstanbul Museum of Modern Art, Turkey’s first private museum to organize modern and contemporary art exhibitions, was founded in 2004 ad sits on the shores of the Bosphorus. The museum embraces a global vision to collect, preserve, exhibit and document works of modern and contemporary art and make them accessible to art lovers. B L

Fri 20 Sep ISTANBULAfter breakfast, depart the hotel on a full day tour including visits to Dolmabahce Palace, Sabancı Museum and the Rumeli Hisarı Museum.

The rococo 19th century residence of the Ottoman sultans and the place where the founder of Modern Turkey, Ataturk died in 1938, the Dolmabahce Palace beautifully situated with a 600m frontage on the Bosphorus. It boasts an impressive ballroom and ornate Victorian furniture embodying Turkish assimilation of European culture.

Further along the Rumelihisarı Fortress is situated at the narrowest point with 660 meters of the Bosphorus strait, just opposite of Anadoluhisarı (Anatolian Castle) on the Anatolian side, which is another Ottoman fortress that was built between 1393 and 1394 by Sultan Bayezid I.

After lunch explore the Sabanci Museum. The calligraphy collection offers a comprehensive overview of five hundred years of calligraphic art and consists of more than four hundred works. The Sabancı Collection of Paintings consists of more than three hundred and twenty works, a selection of works ranging from the early 19th century to today.

Tonight join Dr Stefano Carboni and fellow travelers for a special farewell dinner. B L D

Sat 21 Sep DEPART ISTANBUL Tour arrangements conclude after breakfast. Transfer to the airport. B

NB. A three-day / two-night optional extension to Konya located in the Central Anatolia region to Turkey will be offered. Tour details will be available soon. Contact Teresa Fantoni to register your interest.

Tour PricesPer person twin-share AUD 9,990

Single supplement* AUD 3,350

Deposit per person AUD 1,000

Final payment due 15 July 2013

*Single travellers may request to share. Please advise at time of booking.

Tour code WA1301

Fitness level Above averagePlease see booking conditions for fitness level definitions.

Suggested Airline Singapore AirlinesSpecial fares are available for Art Gallery of Western Australia members. Please contact Renaissance Tours for quotes and bookings.

Tour price includes•Accommodation at the five star deluxe Four Seasons

Sultanahmet Hotel with private facilities and daily breakfast B

•Meals as per itinerary ( L =Lunch, D =Dinner) including special Welcome and Farewell dinners. Wines with meals.

•Transfers on arrival and departure •Comprehensive sightseeing, visits to museums and

attractions with Dr Stefano Carboni and local guides including entrance fees as per itinerary

•Comfortable coach transportation throughout•Dr Stefano Carboni’s shared knowledge and expertise

throughout•Gratuities for local guides and drivers•Hotel porterage (1 piece per person).

Tour price does not include•Airfares• Items of a personal nature, including telephone, laundry,

taxis etc.•Airport porterage•Travel insurance

You can find the full terms & conditions on the Renaissance Tours booking form. They can also be found at www.renaissancetours.com.au/booking-conditions/ or we would be happy to post you a copy on request.

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toll free 1300 727 095 (AU) toll free 0800 403 621 (NZ)

call (02) 9299 5801 fax (02) 9299 5805

email info@renaissancetours.com.au visit www.renaissancetours.com.au

Level 4, 47 York Street, Sydney NSW 2000 GPO Box 5068, Sydney NSW 2001

ABN 14 069 591 448 Lic. 2TA4526

Your HotelFour Seasons Sultanahmet Hotel Enter into a place of beauty and quiet in the middle of bustling Istanbul. The Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet provides an intimate enclave in the heart of the city.

Let the beauty and charm of a century-old building delight you at every turn. The 65 luxury hotel rooms are housed in a century-old neoclassical Turkish prison. Four Seasons is just steps from Istanbul’s most important landmarks in Sultanahmet.

The guest rooms and suites are built around a manicured courtyard where birds sing and a fragrant herb garden gives off an enticing smell.

Each Sultanahmet luxury hotel room is designed around the building’s unique architecture, and amenities include a refrigerated private bar, large plasma television, MP3 player docking station and a DVD and CD player. All hotel rooms and luxury suites are equipped for wired or wireless Internet access (at an additional cost). The lavish marble bathroom comprise of a bathtub and separate shower.

Services and amenities include twice-daily housekeeping, a fitness centre, international newspapers and television stations and access to the pool at the nearby Four Seasons Hotel Bosphorus.

www.fourseasons.com/istanbul/

Four Seasons Sultanhamet Hotel Courtyard

Four Seasons Sultanhamet Deluxe Room