Tsars and Sultans

Touring

Days 1 and 2: Kiev
The capital of Ukraine, Kiev, was founded in the eighth and ninth centuries and it was from here that the Orthodox faith spread throughout Eastern Europe. St. Sophia’s Cathedral, inspired by Hagia Sofia in Istanbul with its thirteen cupolas, dominates the skyline and here you will see some of the most perfectly preserved mosaics and frescoes of the 11th century.

The Pecherska Lavra built nine centuries ago is a complex of churches and monastery caves, each of which is a masterpiece of architecture in its own right. We will also take time to explore the extraordinary Jewish history of Ukraine, while visiting the grand synagogues of Kiev. Not to be missed are Kiev’s fine art collections, housed in two former mansions of Ukraine’s wealthy merchant class.

Meals: Breakfast daily, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Days 3 and 4: Yalta
Long before Crimea became the front battle line of the Ottomans and Russians it was an important Byzantine port and fishing settlement. Crimea was captured by the Ottoman Empire in the 15th Century, which made it a subject territory under the rule of the Crimean Khanate. Yalta was annexed by the Russian Empire in 1783 (thanks to Catherine the Great and Potemkin), along with the rest of Crimea, sparking the Russo-Turkish War. (Note: we highly recommend reading Simon Sebag Montefiore’s Potemkin biography, an indispensable history of this region).

Nicholas and Alexandra’s private palace, Livadia, is like a white pearl perched on a cliff over the Black Sea and is certainly the highlight to any visit to Yalta. Livadia was originally built as a home for the Imperial family, but became famous as the site of the Yalta Conference after World War II.  Massandra Palace is also home to Crimean wine and you will have the opportunity to visit the Massandra vineyards for a VIP tour of one of the world’s great wine cellars.

While in Yalta you will travel outside of the city to visit to the home of a local Tatar family. The family will invite you to enjoy an afternoon of cooking, feasting, sharing traditions and possibly some song and dance.

Meals: Breakfast daily, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Days 5 and 6: Istanbul
Hagia Sophia Church was built in the 6th century and has influenced architecture ever since. Its original design was created as a mirror of the heavens. Given its age, the church is in remarkable condition and the interiors are covered with important frescoes and mosaics depicting holy subjects.

The dramatic and beautiful Byzantine underground cistern dates back to the 6th century and was built as a secure water reservoir for the city. It is one of Istanbul’s most unusual tourist attractions.

While visiting Topkapi, you will be able to step back into time as you explore 500 years of Ottoman history. Within the historically short period of two centuries, the Ottomans rose from a small, feudal principality to become a major world power, yet at the same time they possessed a court tradition and culture of their own that was over a thousand years old.

Meals: Breakfast daily, 2 lunches, 1 dinner

Days 7 and 8: Cappadocia
Cappadocia is best known by its exceptional natural wonders characterized by “fairy chimneys” and its unique historical and cultural heritage. The Goreme Valley, which surrounds Cappadocia, was formed by a huge volcanic eruption, which covered a vast area with soft volcanic rock, known as tufa. Subsequently, a layer of harder rock was laid down, and differential erosion formed a strange, unearthly landscape with steep gullies, and peaks often likened to "fairy chimneys."

Words cannot describe what it is to experience an early morning hot air balloon ride through the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia, but let us assure you that it is the only way to truly see this mystical land (optional tour; weather conditions permitting). Later, you will visit Konya, the home of Turkey’s famous Whirling Dervishes to explore the origins of their trance-induced meditation.

Meals: Breakfast daily, 1 lunch, 2 dinners

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