Tour Description
Explore Turkey Through Gardens: A Unique Horticultural Tour
Triangle Gardener and Garden Destinations have partnered with Unison Travel & Events to bring you an unforgettable 10-day garden tour of Turkey. This immersive experience will combine the rich history, culture, and horticultural wonders of Turkey, creating a journey like no other.
What to Expect on This Garden Tour?
• Historical Sites and Parks
Discover the stories behind Turkey’s iconic landmarks and lush public spaces.
• Educational Lectures
Learn from experts about Turkey’s unique botany and horticultural practices.
• Private Landscapes and Nature Walks
Explore serene gardens and breathtaking nature trails, accessible exclusively for this tour.
• Organic Farms, Vineyards & Botanical Gardens
Experience the charm of Turkey’s sustainable agriculture and flourishing vineyards.
• Artists’ Studios and Nurseries
Witness the blend of creativity and nature in Turkey’s vibrant art and plant nurseries.
• Authentic Local Experiences
Immerse yourself in Turkish culture through its gardens, local traditions, and flavors.
A Botanical Treasure Trove
With nearly 10,000 species of vascular plants and ferns, Turkey boasts the richest flora among all temperate zone countries. Amazingly, 34% of these species are endemic, meaning they are found only in Turkey. The discovery of new plant species occurs almost every week, showcasing the country’s incredible biodiversity.
Join the Adventure
Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore Turkey’s gardens, culture, and biodiversity in a way that’s both educational and deeply inspiring.
Let’s embark on this fascinating journey together!
About the Leaders
Beverly Hurley
Beverly Hurley is the publisher and editor of the gardening publication in North Carolina, USA - Triangle Gardener and the website www.TriangleGardener.com. The publication helps readers learn about plants, garden design, the challenges, and the joys of gardening in North Carolina.
Gursan Ergil
Gursan Ergil spent six years living in the United States and studying landscape design, history, and preservation at Harvard University’s Arnold Arboretum, where he later lectured on Islamic Gardens for two years. After moving United Kingdom from US, he continued studying at Cambridge Universtiy’s advanced garden history program.
Itinenary
Day 1
Istanbul - May 8 Thursday
Welcome to Istanbul. Today, upon your arrival, our representative will meet you at the airport and we will transfer you to your hotel in Istanbul. This evening, Gursan Ergil and Beverly Hurley, editor of Triangle Gardener, will give the group an introduction and talk about the tour over a welcome dinner. Overnight stay in Istanbul.
Day 2
Istanbul – May 9 Friday
Breakfast included at the hotel. To make the most of Istanbul, we will start with a walking tour. Your guide and Gursan will take you through the colorful and fragrant Spice Market, which was built in 1664. In addition to spices, you will find rosebud, jasmine and fruit teas, Turkish delicacies in all colors and flavors, herbal remedies, dried fruits such as apricots, figs, dates, strawberries and kiwis, baklava soaked with honey and nuts, olive oil soaps, Turkish coffee and much more. Then it's on to the Grand Bazaar, a place where you can lose yourself in history and mystery with 500 years of history, 64 streets, 22 gates and more than 4,000 stores. The bazaar is not only a shopping center, but also a production center for arts and crafts. Lunch included. We will also visit the Hippodrome of Constantinople; a public arena mainly used for chariot races. The small, first hippodrome was built in the third century. In 330 AD, when Constantine I enlarged the hippodrome and connected it to his palace. The hippodrome had a capacity of around 40,000 seats and was free and open to male members of the community. The surviving monuments are two obelisks and the Serpent Column, which can still be seen today. Our last stop for today is the Blue Mosque. The Sultan Ahmet Mosque, popularly known as the Blue Mosque, was completed in 1617 shortly before the untimely death of its then 27-year-old namesake, Sultan Ahmet I. The mosque consists of two main parts: a large, unified prayer hall, which is crowned by the main dome, and an equally large inner courtyard. It is the careful choreography of more than 20,000 Iznik tiles that rise from the central sections of the mosque, dazzling visitors with their bright blue, green and turquoise hues and giving the mosque its popular nickname. Dinner on your own. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 3
Istanbul – May 10 Saturday
Breakfast included at the hotel. Today is a mixture of city tour and historical gardens. - Topkapi Palace: The Topkapi Palace served as the main residence of the Ottoman sultans for centuries. Visitors can explore the opulent rooms, impressive courtyards and the famous harem, which offers a captivating insight into the splendor and intrigue of the Ottoman Empire. The gardens of Topkapı Palace represent the fusion of pleasure, utility and profit that combined elements of the Greco-Roman villa tradition with Islamic practices already present. Lunch included. - Hagia Sophia: Built between 532 and 537, Hagia Sophia represents a great moment in Byzantine architecture and art. It was the main church of the Byzantine Empire in its capital Constantinople (later Istanbul) and became a mosque after the conquest of the city by the Ottoman Empire in 1453. Amidst its grand domes and architectural splendor, the mosaics in Hagia Sophia are a testament to centuries of artistic and religious transformation. These intricate masterpieces, decorated with vibrant colors and intricate details, not only showcase the artistic skill of Byzantine craftsmen, but also tell the various cultural stories embedded in the history of the building. - Yerebatan Underground Cistern: The Basilica Cistern was the largest underground cistern in Byzantine Constantinople. It was built under the basilica to the west of Hagia Sophia. It is also known by its Turkish name Yerebatan Sarayı (Sunken Palace) and is one of the most important tourist attractions in modern Istanbul. Dinner on your own. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 4
Istanbul – May 11 Sunday
Breakfast is included at the hotel. Start today with a private cruise on the Bosphorus. During the two-hour cruise, you'll experience a breathtaking panorama of Istanbul's skyline, including landmarks such as the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Blue Mosque, all from the unique perspective of the water. In addition, you'll sail past picturesque waterside villages, historic fortresses and two continents – Europe and Asia – separated by the majestic Bosphorus Strait, offering a fascinating blend of natural beauty and rich history. After disembarking in Bebek, Gursan Ergil will guide the group to various Istanbul gardens along the Bosphorus. -Private Garden in Bebek: Bebek, a chic village on the European side of the Bosphorus, where our historical garden is located. This private garden has the largest and most protected green space in the neighborhood. Before the magnificent three-story mansion was built, Mr. Edwards of the British Embassy lived in the wooden mansion on the same property, and his widow Mrs. Edwards lived in an apartment in the newly built mansion until her death in the 1960s. The gardens are laid out on a total of seven terraces. The additions to the Byzantine walls from the Ottoman and Republican periods can be seen on the stone walls of the high terraces. The lowest terrace of the garden can be reached via a bridge from the second floor of the main building. The second terrace on the left was formerly used as a vegetable garden and later as a basketball court. During the restoration work carried out in 2010, it was transformed into a rose garden. The large third terrace, which can be reached via a steel staircase from the lower terrace, is designed as a large open space where various activities can take place. The old conservatory has been given a new shape and function. A WC, storage room and open bar were added to the new conservatory. From the upper terrace, which is accessible via a zigzag ramp, there is a perfect view of the Bosphorus. Strawberry cultivation, which has been practiced on the hills of Bebek and Arnavutkoy hills since ancient times, continued in this garden until the 1960s. The strawberry fields were revived as part of the renovation works carried out in 2010. The natural structure of the grove on the upper terrace was preserved, cleared and some shrub species were added. An environmentally friendly urban forest was created by installing bird nests and water sources. Lunch included. -Emirgan Grove: Emirgan Grove is a tranquil oasis known for its lush greenery and magnificent tulips, especially during the annual Tulip Festival. Emirgan Grove covers 47 hectares of land and is known for its beautiful gardens, manicured lawns and towering trees. The park is divided into three main areas: The Lower Grove, the Upper Grove and the Rose Garden. Visitors can stroll through beautifully landscaped gardens, enjoy the view of the lake and immerse themselves in this ideal destination for nature lovers and anyone looking for a picturesque escape. -Sakip Sabanci Museum and Gardens: The Sabancı Museum in Istanbul is a cultural gem that houses an impressive collection of Turkish and international art. In addition to its art treasures, the museum also has a delightful garden. In collaboration with Istanbul University's Faculty of Forestry, the garden records all the tree and plant species in its 18-hectare garden and presents them to garden lovers. In addition to plants - coast redwood, cork oak, Aleppo pine, Alexandria laurel and Florida cranberry - 150-year-old monumental trees can also be admired in the garden, which comprises 115 plant species from the Far East, America, Australia, North Africa and the Caucasus, including plants that are rare in Turkey. Dinner on your own. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 5
Istanbul – May 12 Monday
Day 6
Iznik, Bursa – May 13 Tuesday
Day 7
Bursa – May 14 Wednesday
Day 8
Odemis, Birgi - May 15 Wednesday
Day 9
Ephesus, Sirince – May 16 Friday
Day 10
Izmir, Urla – May 17 Saturday
Day 11
Izmir – May 18 Sunday
Beverly Hurley
Gursan Ergil
Price Details
Popular
Price Includes:
A unique Garden Tour itinerary of Turkey curated by Gursan Ergil and Beverly Hurley.
Accompany of Gursan Ergil as a tour leader and lecturer throughout the itinerary
Services of an English-speaking, licensed tour guide throughout the itinerary
10 Nights accommodation in boutique hotels in towns as stated in the itinerary
Airport transfers and all transport in an air-conditioned, deluxe vehicle
All sightseeing tours as stated in the itinerary
Entrance fees
Daily breakfast and lunch (10 breakfasts, 9 lunches)
Welcome and farewell dinners (2 dinners)
Wine tasting in Lucien Arkas Winery.
Private garden and local visits as per itinerary
Private cruise along the Bosphorus
Service charges, parking fees, 18% VAT
Price does not Include:
International flights
Domestic flight from Izmir
Tips for tour leader, guide and driver
Lunch on arrival and departure days
Dinners except welcome and farewell dinners
Personal expenses
Gallery
Testimonials
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