Istanbul TO venice

Day 1 | Thursday 23 April
Arrive Istanbul

Academy Travel will arrange transfers from the airport to our hotel in Istanbul. In the early evening, we gather for arrival drinks and an introductory talk before enjoying a welcome dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight Istanbul (D)

Day 2 | Friday 24 April
The Byzantine World

This city is known by many names – Byzantium, Constantinople, and finally, Istanbul – each reflecting the layers of empires that have influenced its identity. We start our day at one of the jewels of the former Byzantine city: the ancient Hippodrome. Constructed in 203 CE, it once hosted magnificent games and chariot races, and we will view its historical remnants as well as the ancient statues and monuments that still adorn it. Our next stop is one of the city’s most renowned landmarks and Byzantine masterpiece – the Hagia Sophia. With a history that spans 1,500 years, the now Grand Mosque was once the largest cathedral in the world and remains one of the city’s most sacred and historic sites. After a break for lunch, we enter the city beneath the city – the labyrinth-like Byzantine Basilica Cistern, which dates back to the 6th century and the reign of Emperor Constantine I. Here, the perfectly symmetrical columns of this vast underground chamber, backlit and reflected in the water, make for an otherworldly experience. Returning to street level, our day of touring concludes with a visit to the 17th-century Sultan Ahmed or Blue Mosque. Designed as an imperial show of strength to complement the majestic Hagia Sophia Mosque, which stands in view across Sultanahmet Square, the Blue Mosque is a masterpiece of architecture. In contrast to the Hagia Sophia, this mosque is supported by four substantial “elephant foot” pillars. Its central dome, soaring to 43m, is accompanied by four semi-domes that create an almost square appearance, and over 20,000 handmade Iznik tiles adorn its interior, all illuminated by 260 windows. Overnight Istanbul (B)

Day 3 | Saturday 25 April
The Ottoman World

We dedicate our morning to the Golden Age of the Ottoman Empire with an in-depth visit to Topkapi Palace, one of the largest surviving palaces in the world. Constructed by Sultan Mehmed The Conqueror in the 15th century, Topkapi, which means “cannon gate” in Turkish, refers to its location near a cannon foundry, serving as the administrative centre and residence of the imperial Ottoman court until 1958. A symphony of Islamic, European and Ottoman architectural styles, Topkapi consists of four courtyards and over 400 rooms, and we will have the opportunity to explore the stunningly ornate and beautifully tiled chambers, which provide a fascinating insight into the private lives of the Ottoman Sultans. After enjoying lunch together, we continue to the Archaeological Museum, which houses an extraordinary collection of Ottoman artefacts dating back to the reign of Mehmed the Conqueror, including parts of the Great Chain of Constantinople that once stretched across the Golden Horn, a key defence of the city. Returning to our hotel, the rest of the afternoon and evening is at leisure. Overnight Istanbul (B, L)

Day 4 | Sunday 26 April
A Journey on the Bosphorus

Separating Europe and Asia, the Bosphorus Strait played a crucial strategic role for both the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires as a vital waterway for trade and commerce which allowed these empires to control access between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. We begin the day at the majestic Rumeli Fortress which dominates the narrow strait, and was built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452 as his first stage in taking Constantinople. After a break for lunch, we continue with a visit to the Sadberk Hanim Museum, housed in a historic 19th-century mansion (or yali) on the shore of the Bosphorus. Here, we have the opportunity to explore an amazing collection that includes Iznik ceramics, Ottoman silk textiles and costumes, early Greek, Hellenistic and Roman glass, as well as a stunning assortment of jewellery and diadems from the Mycenaean, Archaic and Classical periods. We end our day with a relaxed and scenic cruise back down the Bosphorus where there will be time to freshen up before we reconvene in the evening for dinner and a Whirling Dervishes performance. Overnight Istanbul (B, D)

Day 5 | Monday 27 April
The “Magnificent” Age

The 16th-century Sultan, Suleiman the Magnificent or Suleiman Kanuni, “The Lawgiver” heralded a truly golden age of Ottoman power and influence over the Mediterranean world, as well as a new era of diplomacy between Europe and the East. We begin our day with a talk in the hotel, followed by visit to the magnificent Suleymaniye Mosque, modelled after the Hagia Sophia, and built by the legendary Ottoman architect, Mimar Sinan. On arrival we are greeted by vast domes, towering minarets and spacious, elegant interiors. There will also be time to visit the beautifully tiled Mausoleum of Suleiman and his beloved queen, Roxelana. Winding our way down towards the vibrant waterfront of the city, we stroll through the straw mat weavers’ market to the Rustem Pasha Mosque. Built by Sinan in memory of Suleiman’s son-in-law and Grand Vizier, Rustem Pasha, the mosque’s interior is a sight to behold, bedecked almost entirely with blue and red Iznik tiles. Crossing the Golden Horn, we then arrive in the neighbourhood of Galata, where after a break for lunch we visit the Genoese medieval Galata Tower. This historic landmark’s history can be traced back to the Byzantine era when a wooden tower was built to defend Constantinople and the Golden Horn, and it remains an enduring symbol of the city’s rich history. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure. Overnight Istanbul (B)

Day 6 | Tuesday 28 April
Treasures of the Bazaar

Our final day in Istanbul takes us to one of the most famous covered markets in the world – the Grand Bazaar, an architectural marvel which dates back to the 15th century. Here we tour the rabbit’s warren of alleys and passageways, teeming with stalls and craftspeople at work beneath the ornately painted ceilings and glittering stained-glass windows. After a break for lunch, we visit the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum. Housed in a lavish 15th-century palace once owned by Suleiman’s infamous Grand Vizier, Ibrahim Pasha, the museum boasts one of the most important carpet collections in the world, as well as ceramics and gypsum plaster reliefs from long-lost Seljuk and Ottoman buildings, frescoes rescued from palaces in the famous Abbasid-era capital city of Samarra and stonework from the early Islamic, Seljuk and Ottoman eras. Our last afternoon and evening here are at leisure to enjoy the sights and sounds of Istanbul. Overnight Istanbul (B)

Day 7 | Wednesday 29 April
Crossing Continents

We depart Istanbul this morning, flying into Venice’s Marco Polo airport in the early afternoon. En-route to Ravenna and the Byzantine world, we first stop at Pomposa Abbey, a Benedictine monastery dating back to the 6th century, which is considered to be a masterpiece of Romanesque art and architecture. We arrive in Ravenna in the afternoon, where after checking in to our hotel we enjoy a group dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight Ravenna (B, D)

Day 8 | Thursday 30 April
The Byzantine Legacy

The UNSECO Heritage-listed city of Ravenna was the last capital of the Western Roman Empire and the Byzantine Empire until the 8th century. Despite the decline and fall of the Roman world, the glories of Ravenna – the famed glittering mosaics, inlaid marble and stuccos – remained undimmed for almost three centuries, their architectural and artistic remains straddling two worlds – that of the fading light of the Roman empire and the rise of medieval Europe. We begin our day with a visit to the Church of San Vitale, the perfect cultural bridge connecting Byzantine Italy to Constantinople. Built during the 6th century and the Ostrogothic rule of Ravenna, San Vitale is one of the most important examples of Eastern Roman “Byzantine” architecture and houses the famous mosaic of Emperor Justinian and his court. We then continue on to the Basilica Sant’ Apollinare Nuovo, named for Ravenna’s first bishop, and famed for its two side walls full of figurative mosaics dating from 500 CE, created during the reign of King Theodoric. Before a break for lunch, we also tour the Neonian Baptistery and Archbishop’s Chapel, which house excellent examples of early Christian monuments and wall mosaics. We finish the afternoon with the Domus dei Tappeti di Pietra, or the House of Stone carpets, one of the most significant Italian archaeological sites, with magnificently preserved polychrome mosaics and marbles dating back to the 5th century C.E. Returning to our hotel, the evening is at leisure. Overnight Ravenna (B)

Day 9 | Friday 1 May
Straddling Worlds

We depart Ravenna this morning for Venice, stopping en route in the ancient university town of Padua. Here we will enjoy an exploration of the main squares of Padua, with a break for lunch in the vibrant Piazza delle Erbe – also known as the Square of Herbs. In the early afternoon, we then visit the 14th- century Scrovegni Chapel, commissioned by the wealthy Paduan banker Enrico Scrovegni as his private family chapel on the grounds of his lavish palace on the city’s northern edge. Inside are perhaps the greatest examples of proto-Renaissance art, ablaze with frescoes by Giotto, which exemplify the profound revolution that the Tuscan painter brought to Western art. We continue on to Venice, where we have a chance to unpack our bags once more and settle in for our leisurely stay in the city known as the Queen of the Adriatic. After checking in to our hotel, we will enjoy a group dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight Venice (B, D)

Day 10 | Saturday 2 May
Serenissima and the Sublime Porte

We begin our journey back through the ages, tracing the rise of the powerful Republic of Venice before its decline and the Conquest of Constantinople, exploring its golden era as the leading commercial and naval force in the Eastern Mediterranean. Our adventure begins with a walking tour of the historic Castello District, one of the city’s oldest areas and once a hub of power, trade and shipbuilding. Next, we will explore the San Giorgio dei Greci, constructed in the 16th century by Greek Orthodox refugees escaping the advancing Ottoman Empire, featuring a striking bell tower with a dome that leans ever so slightly over the canal below. After pausing for lunch together in one of Venice’s fine restaurants, we continue to San Francesco della Vigna, located in the heart of the district. This church was originally built in the 13th century on the site where, according to tradition, Saint Mark was washed ashore by a storm while returning from Aquileia. Here, an angel told him that the Lagoon was to be his resting place and that ‘the city that shall rise on these lagoons will call you its protector’. Set amongst vineyards, the church not only contains beautiful earth-coloured cloisters and a majestic façade designed by the famous Italian architect Andrea Palladio, but the tomb of one of Venice’ most famous Doge – Andrea Gritti. We return to the hotel for a talk as our Tour leader continues the story of Andrea Gritti, who spent a significant time in the Ottoman capital, Constantinople, where his son Alvise was born, and we shall hear how both men played pivotal roles in Ottoman- Venetian politics during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent in the 16th century. Overnight Venice (B, L)

Day 11 | Sunday 3 May
Across the Lagoon

This morning we take a Vaporetto to explore the Venetian Lagoon, visiting the islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello to experience the Venetian way of life beyond the historic city. Murano, the second largest island, has been the home of Venice’s glassmakers since the 13th century – these craftsmen were relocated here to protect the densely populated city from the devastating fires caused by their furnaces. However, Murano offers more than just glassmaking, a highlight is the Romanesque church of San Donato, one of the oldest in the Venetian lagoon. We will also visit the island of Burano, famous for its brightly painted houses that line the narrow cobbled streets and waterways, and legend has it that fishermen selected these colours centuries ago to help find their way home through the thick winter fogs of Venice. Our third island, Torcello – the birthplace of Venetian civilisation – was first settled in the 5th century before the growing population moved to the Rivo Alto (Rialto) in the centre of the lagoon The island is home to an iconic Venetian restaurant, the historic Locanda Cipriani, where we pause for lunch, and which provides a pretty slice of Merchant Ivory-tinted Venice within a shady old-world garden on the island of Torcello. This one time haunt of both Hemingway and Princess Diana still does a splendid rendition of a Venetian menu. We return to our hotel in the late afternoon, where the rest of the evening is at leisure. Overnight Venice (B, L)

Day 12 | Monday 4 May
The Golden Age of Venice

The Gothic architectural masterpiece that is the Palazzo Ducale in Venice, once the seat of government and residence of the Doge, is the symbol of the power of the Republic of Venice. We spend our morning touring its spectacular maze of grand rooms and ornate state apartments, which reflect the glory of this once-powerful empire. Continuing onwards, our next stop is the church of Santa Maria della Pietà, known as Vivaldi’s Church, in honour of the famous composer who once taught there. Built on 13th-century foundations, the church is considered to be a jewel of Venetian architecture, redesigned and constructed in the 18th century by the prolific architect, Giorgio Massari. After a break for lunch, we then visit the Gothic, Byzantine-designed Basilica of St John and St Paul, just on the edge of the Castello district. One of the largest and one of the most beautiful churches in the city, it was built in 1234 for the Preachers of the Dominicans and is the resting place of 27 Doges of Venice. There will be free time in the afternoon before we reconvene for one of the highlights of our tour – a private evening visit of St Mark’s Basilica. Featuring shimmering golden mosaics, the basilica showcases treasures taken from Constantinople during Venice’s sack of the Byzantine city in the Fourth Crusade, and its architecture reflects a fusion of Byzantine, Gothic and Renaissance styles, symbolising the power of the affluent Venetian Republic. An evening spent within these hallowed halls makes for a truly ethereal experience. Overnight Venice (B)

Day 13 | Tuesday 5 May
The Merchants of Venice

In 1516, the world’s first ghetto was created in Venice when Doge Leonardo Loredan decreed that all Jewish people living in the city were to inhabit an island which was enclosed at night. For almost three centuries, Jewish life animated the Ghetto, and Jews interacted with the city, contributing with their prolific activities to the life and economy of the Serenissima. After touring this part of the city, we continue on to the Scuola Grande di San Rocco, which was built in 1478, and at its height, was the wealthiest and largest of Venice’s religious confraternities. In 1564, the Scuola San Rocco commissioned Tintoretto to create paintings for a ceiling in its building, completed 15 years prior. Tintoretto, a Venetian native, transformed this singular project into a remarkable series, decorating the interior with his most celebrated pictorial cycle, illustrating episodes from the New and Old Testaments. We will have a chance to gaze on these great works, most of which are preserved in their original setting in a building that has hardly undergone any alteration since its construction. Our final stop of the day takes us to Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, built in the late 15th century in the Venetian Byzantine style, which houses Renaissance masterpieces such as Titians Madonna Ca’ Pesaro and Assumption of the Virgin. The rest of the evening is at leisure. Overnight Venice (B)

Day 14 | Wednesday 6 May
Venetian Way of Life

We begin today with a tour of perhaps one of the most photographed churches in Venice: San Giorgio Maggiore on the island across from Piazza San Marco. Here, beyond the brilliant white marble façade designed by Palladio, the interior boasts paintings by Tintoretto, among other spectacular works. However, the belltower, which offers panoramic views of Venice herself, is not to be missed. A short vaporetto ride then takes us across to the Giudecca to visit another of Palladio’s masterpieces, the 16th-century Chiesa del Santissimo Redentore. Built as a votive church to thank God for the deliverance of the city from a major outbreak of the plague, the church dominates the waterfront with its grand white marble façade. After a group lunch, our final stop of the day is the Museo Correr, one of the most important museums in Venice and home to one of the most beautiful ‘parlours’ in the world. Here we will learn about the history and traditions of Venice with a range of artefacts that showcase the art, tastes and civilisation spanning the centuries. Overnight Venice (B, L)

Day 15 | Thursday 7 May
The Serene Republic

We begin our final day delving into what made Venice such a powerful force through the centuries, with a visit to the Naval Museum and Ships Pavillion. Standing as a testament to Venice’ maritime legacy, the museum’s collection includes exquisitely wrought gondolas and a replica of the Doges’ ceremonial Bucintoro, or barge, on which he would sail out into the middle of the lagoon every year on Ascension Day, to renew his “marriage to the sea”. You may then wish to continue on to the Accademia Gallery for our optional visit – the Accademia is one of the world’s greatest museums, with a collection spanning from the 13th to the 17th century, displaying important works by Bellini, Carpaccio, Giorgione, Titian, Tintoretto and Tiepolo among others. Our final afternoon is at leisure to soak up the beauty that is Venice, before we reconvene for our final farewell dinner. Overnight Venice (B, D)

Day 16 | Friday 8 May
Depart Venice

Our tour ends after breakfast in the hotel. A group transfer by private launch to Venice’s Marco Polo airport is available for those taking mid-afternoon flights home. (B)