Turkish Tea Party
Welcome ladies to my Turkish Tea.
Have you ever wanted to share a trip you have taken with your friends? I returned from Turkey last June and couldn't stop talkiing about it. I decided to host a Turkish Tea inviting my
friends to join me. I will be returning to Turkey June 1-15, 2013 on a
woman’s tour to Experience the Artisans, Bazaars and Culture of Turkey.
Turkey is a very special place to me. Not only do I love the countryside, arts, culture and architecture but it is the people, the women of the country, that intrigues me. Won't you join me as I share with you my Turkish Tea.
Below you will find the Itinerary for the 15 day trip to Turkey. Let me know if your interested in coming along and I'll try and find a spot for you.
Here are some of the items I brought back from my recent trip to Turkey. My mother Marlene Heinz also went to turkey and shared some of the trasures she had collected.
During Marlene’s travels she found this wonderful Turkish Coat (green) that is whimsically lined in a large floral print. I loved all the stitching. We saw similar styles in the costume book you see on the table.
I am looking forward to my return to Turkey where we will experience the arts, heritage, customs, culture and crafts of Turkey with a group of creative and talented women. I look forward to better understanding the lives of the Turkish women we will be dining in people’s homes eating local cuisine, and meeting with local artisans who create the crafts. There will also be time set aside to discovering their history through their dance, readings and music.
At our tea we served Turkish foods
Menu
Rize
Turkish Tea – brought back on my trip to Turkey
Deviled Egg
Hummus and
pita bread
Fresh garden
tomatoes, feta cheese basil and dressing
Sliced
cucumbers, with red onion and oil and vinegar
Goat cheese
and ___crackers
Hazel Nuts
and Turkish Delights candy brought back from Turkey
Baklava
dessert
Fresh
garden pears and blueberries
Sharing Turkish Books, Crafts, Arts and Stories
We enjoyed sharing and conversation about Turkey with items from
past trips on the display table as a few of us had been to Turkey in the past.
There were books on Turkey, the Bazaars, style décor, Turkish costumes, clothing designers, a book on the Topaki Palace (where our group will also be going) and travel books. The book I am currently enjoying is Yes, I would love another glass of tea.
Yes, I Would Love Another Glass of Tea
I read this book while on my trip to Turkey. The book
comprises of a series of imaginary letters written to Lady Mary Montagu, whose
famous "Embassy Letters" were written in 1716-1718 during her stay in
Turkey as the wife of the English ambassador.
The author Katharine Branning uses themes dear to
Lady Mary, such as culture, art, religion, women and daily life, to reflect on
those same topics as encountered during the author's past 30 years of travel in
Turkey.
Check out the more information about the book at http://youtu.be/GJy6QPIQhKo The tea is a symbol of Turkey and I think you too will find it interesting.
Make a Scrapbook of your travels
Marlene had traveled to Turkey in 1995 and I had asked her to bring her scrapbook with pictures as she had been to a few of the places we are going
Wether making a scrapbook, making an online book, or video it is always a good idea to make something as a memory of the trip.
Realizing the importance of culture and our willingness to try something new we practiced tying scarves on our head. We really had a lot of fun with this and each plan to buy a scarf as a souvenir of our trip.
Next our group went upstairs to watch a video I had made from my trip and see some of the beautiful countryside of Turkey’s Eastern Black Sea Region. (I will have a link to the video) Then I arranged our group for a group photo. I am planning a second Turkish Tea for November. We will put the finishing touches on our 14 day itinerary and talk about packing tips and travel stories.
Itinerary
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day 1
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San
Francisco or Los Angeles Airport - Looking
into Group rate flight for 10 Los Angeles has only direct flight on Turkish
Air–Price 989.00- 1,250.00 Trip begins overnight flight to Istanbul aboard an
internationally recognized airline
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In-flight
Dinner and Breakfast Overnight on
Plane
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Sat.
June 1st
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Pre
Boarding meet up two hours before departure at gate Departs around 6:00PM
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day 2
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Arrive
Istanbul 5:00PM – Pickup from airport pass out maps and information on
Istanbul, Turkish customs, religion, language and people. Top 20 words or
phrases in Turkish
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Hotel
Check in – Free time
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Sun. June 2nd
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Welcome
Dinner at nearby restaurant 7:30PM Back
to Hotel - Stay overnight in Istanbul
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day 3
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Istanbul
– Breakfast then visit the city’s Hippodrome, tour the breathtaking Blue
Mosque, Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia.
Visit the Istanbul Crafts
Center. Lunch on your own.
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Afternoon
- shopping Galota neighborhood the soho of Istanbul where young “up &
coming” designers and artisans showcase their work. Map of second hand stores, Gonul Paksay
studio visit. Late afternoon tea in the tea garden
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Mon. June 3rd
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Dinner
local cuisine Lecture on history of
Turkey with Q&A period Stay overnight
in Istanbul
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day 4
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Istanbul
– Morning breakfast at hotel then tour the Bosphorus Straits Cruise - see Ottoman palaces and imposing
medieval castles on cruise through this narrow waterway, which separates
Europe from Asia. Stop for a visit to a local spice market. Lunch is
included. Note: weather dependent.
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Afternoon
– Visit Dolmabahce Palace, Miniaturk Park and Pierre Loti Hill or Discussion
on Bazaar shopping with tips, visit spice Bazaar, covered Bazaar
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Tues. June 4th
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Dinner
- ? Entertainment - ? Stay overnight in Istanbul
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day 5
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Safranbolu
– Early breakfast, load up and depart Istanbul 8:00am for Safranbolu. Lecture on bus about area, pass out maps
and information.
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Noon
stop in village for tea and Lunch on your own
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Wed. June 5th
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Arrive
Safranbolu - Visit Historic Houses,
Old Village Laundry, Tea stop inside Cinci Hani hotel, Shop local Bazaar
area, watch artisan craftsmen at work making local crafts
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Dinner
Ottoman Cuisine Entertainment? Stay
overnight in Safranbolu
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day 6
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Safranolu
– Breakfast load and depart by 8:00am for Ankara - lecture on Ankara and map/information. Visit Anatolian Civilization Museum and
enjoy a family in home luncheon in Ankara
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Thurs.
June 6th
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Journey
onto Cappadocia and stop at Salt Lake (30 minutes) and hear lecture on
Cappadocia. Check into Cave Hotel
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Dinner? Entertainment? Stay overnight in Cappadocia at Cave Hotel
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day 7
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Cappadocia
Breakfast
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Fri.
June 7th
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Morning
- Pigeon Valley visit, Discover the mysterious Özkonak Underground City
by guided tour lunch
on your own optional Balloon ride ($200.00)
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Afternoon
Selime Village, visit local craftsmen in their home studio (handcrafts,
jewelry, fabrics etc.)
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Dinner
local cuisine Entertainment Folklore Dancing
Group Stay overnight in Cappadocia
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day 8
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Cappadocia
Breakfast load and depart by 8:00am for Konya lecture on Konya and
map/information
Morning
stops at Sullanhani, Careanseral, lunch on your own
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Sat.
June 8th
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Konya,
where you’ll find the spiritual home of Sufism and the Whirling Dervishes.
Learn about the Dervishes on your tour of the Mevlana Museum, which was once
their monastery. Demonstration of Felt
making then village walking tour and free time.
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Dinner
local cuisine Entertainment Wheering Dervishers perform. Stay overnight in Konya
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day 9
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Konya
breakfast then depart by 8:00am for Pamukkale then to Sirince lecture on Pamukkale & Sirince and
map/information
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Sun.
June 9th
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Stops
along way to walk/lunch/photos Learn about ledgend of Pamukkale water and discover
Turkish Delight. Pamukkale, which
means "Cotton Castle", describing the white lime cascades formed by
mineral springs. Visit the ruins of the Roman health spa of Hierapolis and
check into Hotel
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Dinner
– local cuisine Evening Spa visit Stay overnight in Sirince or Pamukkale
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day 10
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Sirince
– breakfast at hotel - Lecture, maps
and information on Ephesis and Sirince Depart 8:00am for Ephesus and Sirince
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Mon.
June 10th
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Early
morning choice of touring Ancient city of Ephesus and house of the Virgin
Mary or shopping in Selcuk village –
lunch on your own.
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Afternoon
- walk in the peaceful village of Sirince lies in the hills outside of
Ephesus. Known for its homemade wines, olive oils and needlecrafts, Sirince
offers a taste of rural life. Visit
local ladies who are experts in knitting.
Learn about Herbal remedies
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Dinner
in Sirince. Entertainment. Stay overnight in Sirince
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day 11
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Sirince
– Breakfast load and depart by 8:00am for Kusadasi and Boat Tour lecture on Kusadasi
and map/information
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Tue.
June 11th
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Morning
– Boat Tour in Kusadasi Lunch in
Izmir with Turkish Family, leave for ancient city of Pergamon by 2:00PM. Lecture on Pergamon , map and
information Pergamon overnight
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Dinner
?? Entertainment ?? Stay overnight in Pergamon
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day 12
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Depart
by 8:00am for Bursa, lunch on your opwn
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Wed,
June 12th
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Walking
tour of Bursa, lunch on your own Afternoon:
Visit covered Bazaar and adjoining caravan Koza Han and Ipek Han, Tea Garden for tea
stop and snacks. Visit ottoman houses
and Mosque
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Dinner
local cuisine. Puppet Show (puppets are made here) Stay overnight in Bursa
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day 13
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Depart
by 8:00am for Istanbul – after morning breakfast. Take ferry at Yalova to
Istanbul.
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Thur. June13th
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Princess
Islands visit by boat - Lunch Camlica Hill – Uskudar tea break in late
afternoon.
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Dinner
at Turkish family home. Traditional
family entertainment. Overnight in Istanbul
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day 14
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Breakfast
at hotel leave 9:00 for Bazaar shopping – Places in Bazaar to eat (lunch on
your own)
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Fri. June 14th
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Over
breakfast have discussion on Bazaar Shopping and visit to Grand Bazaar and
spice bazaar. Luncheon with local family.
Afternoon appointments at Turkish Bath house. (spa treatments not
included in price)
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Farewell
Dinner (No entertainment) Stay overnight in Istanbul
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day 15
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Istanbul
– Final morning
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Sat. June 15th
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Morning
breakfast then free time, walk or finish shopping on your own with assistance
from our guide. Bus loads to go back
to airport at 10:30am
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Flight
back to the United States 12:45
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Labels: entertain, friends, tea, Turkey, women and travel
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