Epic TurkeyTurkey, a richly historical land that straddles Europe and Asia offers the photography enthusiast a wide range of photographic opportunities. The diversity found in this vibrant country, populated by talkative and friendly people makes for a dynamic experience. The roads are paved, the food is excellent and the accommodations chosen for this photo tour are all 4 star and with loads of ambiance.
Turkey is a paradise for photography for the variety of images you can take.. architecture (1500 year old, still standing Haghia Sophia and mosques), landscapes and wonder of nature (Cappadocia & Pamukkale), Roman ruins (Ephesus, best preserved Roman site in the world even better than Pompei, ancient civilisations (Komagene, Mt Nemrut), interesting villages, people and bazaars (Sanliurfa, Harran, Adiyaman area) Many of Istanbul's historical gems, mostly consisting of Ottoman and Byzantine constructed monuments are in the old city where we will be lodging. On the edges of Sultanahmet Square we will shoot Istanbul's finest gems. Dating from the sixth century the massive Haghia Sophia is a basilica that was built for a Roman Emperor. Its domed roof, and mosaics make this a masterpiece of Roman engineering. In the Topkai Palace, the imperial enclave of the Ottoman emperors we will photograph the harem and treasury. For people watching we will plant ourselves in the Hippodrome which is adjoining the Blue Mosque. Photographing and wandering the Grand Bazaar which is the oldest and largest covered markets in the world and contains 5,000 shops, two mosques and covers 61 streets will be a visually intense experience. The amber prayer beads, copperware, water pipes, old coins, inlaid mirror work are all world class. Tour ItineraryMay 26: Istanbul
Upon arrival at the airport you will be driven to the hotel for check in. In the afternoon, we will start our city photo experience. Many of Istanbul's historical gems which are mainly Byzantine and Ottoman are on the edges of Sultanahmet Square and our 4 star - 1st class hotel is strategically located in close walking proximity. We will photograph the reflections at the Basilica Cistern which is a giant underground well, the Hippodrome and the narrow lanes of this enchanting peaceful city. May 27: Istanbul In the early morning we will venture to the seaside to shoot the numerous imposing mosques. We will return to the hotel for breakfast and then venture out to the aromatic domed and vaulted Spice Bazaar and to ancient Istanbul to shoot the wooden houses, the washer women and street scenes. Late afternoon will be spent photographing the Blue Mosque and we will take a short ride to the Asian side of Istanbul to photograph mosques at sunset. May 28: Kusadasi/Ephesus Morning flight to Izmir and then a drive to Sirince. We will photograph this quaint mountain village which is famous for its wine and architecture. It is considered the Tuscany of Turkey. After lunch we will drive to Ephesus to photograph the largest collection of Roman ruins on the eastern Mediterranean. Our hotel in Kusadasi is a 4 star - 1st class hotel, located on the Aegean. May 29: Pamukkale We will go back to Ephesus for an early morning photo shoot of these massive ruins. Architectural photography will be the order of the day. In the afternoon we will travel to Pamukkale. These mineral rich, white calcium terrace formations are a UNESCO world heritage site. The pristine white cliffs overlook this spa town. Our hotel has a thermal pool and a swimming pool. After dinner we will have a photography critique. May 30: Cappadocia In the morning we will drive to Cappadocia. The first stop along the way will be to Konya, home town of the whirling dervishes. We will visit the Tomb of Mevlana, and photograph the devout Muslim pilgrims who come to pray. Our hotel in Cappadocia is a small, charming, boutique hotel totally carved out of rock. May 31: Cappadocia
This day will be spent photographing the unique moon like landscape. Shooting the small quaint villages, underground cities, cave churches, houses carved out of rock, the massive Goreme rock hewn church, and the volcanic ash landscape will keep us busy. At sunset we will photograph Uchisar which is a natural rock formation citadel and the highest point in Cappadocia. June 1: Cappadocia Early in the morning we will photograph the sand dune like tufa formations and make use of the early light. We will return to the hotel for breakfast and have free time until mid afternoon. We will then hop from fairy chimney to fairy chimney photographing these unique phallic like rock formations from various angles. June 2: Adiyaman Today we will take a leisurely drive to Adiyaman. This scenic drive will take us through rural villages through the mountains. We will photograph the wheat fields and local population. Our hotel in Adiyaman is a 4 star - 1st class hotel. June 3: Adiyaman We will leave the hotel in the early morning and drive to Mount Nemrut. Once there we will make the one hour, easy climb, to the mountain top for a sun rise photography experience. On the mountain we will photograph the giant statue heads of Zeus, Apollo, Hercules and Anthiocus. They are all in an open air temple that was built in the 1st century BC. Breakfast will be at a mountainside cafe. The group will stop at a photogenic, untouristed Kurdish village on the way back to the hotel. Late afternoon will be spent in the Adiyaman bazaar shooting the locals playing cards and conducting commerce. June 4: Sanliurfa
Leaving after breakfast we will cross the Euphrates River and make our first stop at Gobeklitepe. This archeological site consists of 20 foot high pillars each weighing 20 tons each and is in the Southeastern Anatolia region. This excavation site is well preserved and the bedrock structures are dated to 10,000 B.C. Our next stop is Sanliurfa, known as the city of prophets. We will photograph the men in baggy pants, interesting head dress called Poochi, sitting in cafes playing dominoes and chess. We will spend time in the ancient bazaar doing street photography and portraiture. Our hotel in Sanliurfa is a 4 star - 1st class hotel located right in the center of the old city. June 5: Istanbul Leaving our hotel in the early morning we will make the short drive to Harran. This village is famous for its domed houses which look like beehives. We will shoot the oldest mosque in Anatolia and explore this quaint little visited village. In the afternoon we will fly back to Istanbul. Photography critique after dinner. June 6: Istanbul In the morning we will photograph Hagia Sophia, which is a masterpiece of Roman engineering and dates back to the 6th century. Topkapi Palace was the imperial enclave of the Ottoman emperors is lavishly decorated and we will concentrate photographing the Haren and Treasury sections. The last afternoon will take us back to the fantastic Grand Bazaar. In the evening we will photograph a whirling dervish ritual and have a farewell dinner. June 7: Airport Transportation will be provided to the airport. Great friends made, exceptional photographs taken. B |
ExperiencesPhotograph the surreal lunar like landscape of Cappadocia shooting the underground cities, houses, rock hewn caves and fairy chimney rock formations. Our hotel is a unique cave-like structure given 4 stars.
Immerse yourself in old Istanbul capturing images of the Blue Mosque, Haghia Sophia and Topkapi. Our hotel is in the old city. Sunset photo experience. Climb Mount Nemrut for a sunrise shoot of the oldest mosque in ancient Anatolia. Walk the lanes of the aromatic spice bazaar in Saliurfa while shooting traditional copper artisans, saddle makers and men playing dominoes. Post production techniques taught by master teacher Lee Varis DetailsDates
May 26, 2015 - June 7, 2015 Photo Instructors Bobbi Lane Lee Varis Fee $6,500 (includes 2 internal flights) Three meals per day Single supplement: $1,200 Couples Discount: $400 Registration Form Deposit $1,000.00 Group Size 10 Tour FeeThe tour fee for the Ultimate Turkey Photography Tour is $6,500. It includes three meals per day and accommodations on a shared basis in 4 star hotels. The trip is 13 days and 12 nights. If a single is requested it is an additional $1,200. Two internal flights are included. Your flight to Istanbul is not included. Airport transfers will be provided. A local photography guide and all photography fees are included. The services of a professional photography leader working with Epic Photo Tours is included. All entrance fees and the Whirling Dervish presentation is covered in the trip fee. All in country transportation fees are included which includes A/C vehicle.
Gratuities to the local guide and drivers are not included. All alcoholic beverages and beverages with meals besides water and 1 beverage per meal are not included. All personal expenses such as laundry, telephone and gifts are not included. |