Garth Newel Turkey Trip 2012
A testimonial from Teresa Ling, first violin of the quartet for 2012 Turkey trip:
I have participated in about a dozen Music Holiday Overseas trips with Garth Newel Music Center including trips to far-flung areas such as South Africa and New Zealand. Without a doubt, the trip to Turkey organized by Husam Suleymangil and Ellen Jewett of Klasik Keyifler was the best-organized and most enjoyable. It was so memorable that those of us who are planning future Overseas Trips for the Center have agreed that our trip to Turkey will be difficult to top. Husam and Ellen meticulously planned every detail regarding travel, sightseeing, concerts, advertising, sumptuous meals, luxurious accommodations, and budgeting. Once our group of about 25 arrived in Turkey, we didn't have to worry about a single thing because it was evident that we were in good hands. Husam's breadth of knowledge regarding the history of Turkey and the significance of historic sites was impressive; not only was he engaging and fun as a person, but he was the ideal tour guide. Ellen's background as a top-notch performer and Music Festival Director made her the ideal person to organize the four concerts. This involved finding appropriate venues, arranging dates, arranging piano moving and tuning, shuttling us to and from rehearsals, and advertising concerts. I'm sure much more was involved but since everything went so smoothly from start to finish, it all seemed effortless. If we ever have the opportunity to return to Turkey, Husam and Ellen will be the first people we contact! |
Garth Newel Music Center : www.garthnewel.org
Turkey Trip 2012 - Itinerary November 2 Friday Arrive in Istanbul 1 pm - 4:45 pm Transfers and check in; Pera Palace 7:15 pm meet for welcome meeting/cocktail at Pera Bar 8 pm Orientation walking tour of Istiklal Street 8:30 pm dinner at Leb-i Derya Restaurant (10 min walk, from the hotel) November 3 Saturday 9:30 am To the Old City- Sultanahmet Hippodrome, Archeological Museum, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Cisterns lunch Yesil Ev To the Grand Bazaar Rehearsal Location TBA 8:15 pm depart for dinner 8:30 pm Dinner at Elmadağ meyhane with Turkish folk music (Fasil) November 4 Sunday 9:30 am Suleyman Mosque and Chora Church 12:30 pm Lunch and Lecture/discussion of Ottoman Cuisine at Asitane Rehearsal Location TBA 4 pm meet for Bosphorus boat trip at Pera lobby 4:30-6 pm Bosphorus boat trip 6 pm Tour/cocktail at Hekimbasi Yalisi (home of the Physician to the Sultan) 7 pm Concert at Hekimbasi Yalisi 8:30 pm Dinner at Uskumru, Seafood Restaurant on the Bosphorus November 5 Monday 9:30 am to Topkapi Palace 12:30 pm lunch at Hamdi Rest. Visit Spice Bazaar Free for exploring/shopping Rehearsal Istanbul Erkek Lisesi School 3:30 pm Bus returns to Pera Palace for those that want to return 5:30 pm leave hotel for a cocktail at Nar 7 pm Concert at Istanbul Erkek Lisesi 8:30 Dinner at Nar Gourmet Restaurant November 6 Tuesday 8 am leave to airport for flight at 9:50 to Nevşehir arrival at 11:10 Orientation drive through Cappadocian Landscape 12:30 pm Lunch at Ziggy Café and Restaurant Visit Göreme Open Air Museum Check in at Hotel Argos in Cappadocia 8pm dinner in Bezirhane at Argos Hotel November 7 Wednesday All reservations needed for optional balloon ride for Nov 9th (175eu) 9:30 Gallery Cappadocia-demo carpet making/ Town of Goreme Free for exploring/shopping/ visit to Goreme Hamam Lunch ala carte can be offered at Local Restaurant/Goreme (not included in price) Afternoon Pashabag and Zelve Valleys 6:30pm Cocktails and lecture on Cappadocia wines 7:30pm Concert at Bezirhane 8:45pm dinner in Argos Restaurant November 8 Thursday 9:30 am to Kaymaklı underground city To Sinassos; visit KK’s workshop location/ Ottoman Medresse Walk Sakli Vadi and visit recent church restorations 12:30 pm Lunch at Old Greek House Visit Keshlik Monastary 5:30 pm Whirling Dervishes Sema Ritual at Saruhan 8:30 pm dinner in Muti by Prokopi Restaurant in Urgup November 9 Friday 6 am optional-Balloon trip (price175 Euro) (Timing might change) 11 am optional guided hike in Red valley (or Uchisar Castle) 12:30 pmTo Avanos, Lunch Bizim Ev Rest. Chez Galip Avanos Pottery making (5th generation potter) 6:30 pm Cocktails at Argos 7 pm Concert in Bezirhane 8:15 pm Farewell dinner in Elai Restaurant (4 min walk) November 10 Saturday 5 am departure to Kayseri Airport for flight to Istanbul 6:55 arrive at 8:25 Continue to Ephesus or transfer to International terminal |
