Cultural Turkey Vacations:
Turkish Music and Dance Tours

Feel the culture of Turkey Vacations through our Turkish Music and Dance Tours! Immerse yourself in the exciting world of music and dance. Two weeks of "feeling" Turkish culture through learning Gypsy Romani, belly dance, and folklore rhythms. The highlight of this tour is the Ahirkapi Gypsy Festival in the heart of the old city Sultanahmet, Istanbul. It takes place every year on the 5th of May to celebrate life and of the beginning of summer. The first half of this tour takes place in Istanbul: the crossroads of civilizations with a diverse culture all its own. Sightseeing will include Topkapi Palace, home of the Ottoman Sultans, shopping the Grand Bazaar, the largest covered market in the world, and the Egyptian Spice Market, Turkish Night Clubs, and Kumkapi Village with live musicians and dancing in the streets. The second week of this tour takes place on the Aegean coast of Turkey near Bodrum, a home stay at Gokpinar Music and Dance Center will be your base for day trips including sailing the Aegean on a Turkish built yacht, Greek Island Cos, local markets and beaches, dinner and dancing at the village houses, and of course memorable moments with the locals through music and dance classes! The views of Europe and Asia are divided by the Bosphorus Straight which connects the Black Sea to the Aegean Sea. Hagia Sofia - The most famous landmark in Turkey. Built in 6th Century as a Byzantine Church, converted to a mosque by the Ottomans, now a museum filled with cultural history through the millennia. Blue Mosque - directly across the park from Hagia Sofia standsthe beautiful Sultanahmet mosque. Built in the 16th century, it dominates the skyline of the Bosphorous. In the summer months there is an evening light show which showcases the 6 beautiful minarets. Topkapi Palace - Home to the Ottoman Sultans for over 400 years. Now a national museum with displays of the opulent lifestyle of the Ottoman era. There are 4 courtyards with many buildings including the kitchens, treasury, and the famous harem. Istanbul's famous GrandBazaar - one of the largest covered markets in the world with over 4,000 shops. It is well known for its jewelry, hand-painted ceramics, carpets, embroideries, spices and antique shops. Many of the stalls in the bazaar are grouped by type of goods, with special areas for leather, gold jewelry. The bazaar has been an important trading center on the silk road for centuries. Ahirkapi Gypsy Festival - Music and dancing in the streetsall night long. Every year on the 5th of May musicians come from all over Turkey and the Balkans to celebrate the arrival of summer and a long and happy life. The village house in Gokpinar sits atop the mountain with views for miles around. You will feel a warm and friendly welcome by the wonderful people who call this place home. Your time here will include visits to nearby beaches, village homes for dinner and dancing. This will be a true experience of the world famous Turkish hospitality.

Tour Details 2010 Dates: May 2-14 $1975 $300 deposit (non refundable) Full payment due 60 days prior to departure minimum 1 maximum 12 people Hosted and guided by Bulent Dogan For a detailed itinerary, please email us or phone 800 783-7579

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