When: October 7-20, 2012       

5 day/4 night Istanbul extension:
Oct. 20-24

Led by:Jim Gold and Lee Otterholt

Featuring:

• Folk dance with local Turkish teachers !
• Explore Istanbul, Urfa, Mardin, Van, Dogubeyazit, Kars, Ani, Erzurum, Trabzon
• International folk dancing with
  Lee Otterholt !
  

About Jim Gold

About Lee Otterholt
Lee Otterholt, born in the USA of Norwegian-American parents, has lived and worked most of his life in Norway as a professional dancer, teacher, and choreographer. He founded the Center for International Folk Dance in Oslo;he was also professor of dance folklore at the Norwegian National College of Ballet, and University College of Oslo.

Lee established folk dance and performing groups in Norway, taught at festivals and workshops throughout Europe, United States, and East Asia, and was the author of folk dance and instructional manuals used in Norwegian schools. A choreographer for folk ensembles, theater, and TV, Lee was one of the principal choreographers for the Opening Ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games in Lillehammer.

Day 2: Monday, October 8:
Arrive in Istanbul. Transfer to our Madison Hotel. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.

Day 3: Tuesday, October 9:
Fly to the Kurdish Region of Sanliurfa. Visit Harran, one of the oldest cities of the Mesapotamia. See the soil houses. Then continue to Urfa, the city of the prophets. Visit of Golbasi & the castle. Dinner and overnight in Urfa.

Day 4: Wednesday, October 10:
After breakfast drive to Mardin. Visit of the aramean orthodox monastery Deyrulzafaran monastery. Visit the market and Ulu Cami. Kurdish dancing!
Folk dance with Lee and local teachers. Dinner and overnight in Mardin..

Day 5: Thursday, October 11:
Visit Mardin city. Dinner and overnight in Mardin. – former ARMENIAN REGION of VAN. Drive to Van, situated on the shores of Lake Van, at
5,500 feet, one of the highest lakes in the world. Visit the St. Croix church, a beautiful example of Armenian architecture. This church is located on the Akdamar Island. Folk dancing with Lee and local teachers. Dinner and overnight in Van.

Day 6-8: Friday-Sunday, October 12-14:
VAN: City sight seeing tour. Then visit Hosap Castle. After the visit continue to Cavustepe, the Ourartéens site. Lunch and stop at a local handicraft, KILIMS, and Castle of Van at the sunset, to have a beautiful view over the biggest lake of Turkey, the lake of Van. Folk dancing with Lee and local teachers. Dinners and overnights in Van.

Day 9: Monday, October 15:
VAN - DOGUBEYAZIT – GEORGIAN REGION of KARS. Drive to Dogubeyazit, the closest town to Mt. Ararat. Visit the famous 17th century Ishak Pasha Palace, built on a high valley overlooking the caravan route. In the afternoon continue to Kars, small city which is a beautiful example of Russian urbanism of the 19th century. Dinner and overnight in Kars.

Day 10: Tuesday, October 16:
KARS - ANI – ERZURUM Morning visit Ani, the capital city of an Urartian State, and later of the Armenian Bagratid Kingdom from 953 to 1045 AD.
Among the ruins of this ancient city there are eight churches, a convent and a citadel along with the main cathedral which has alternately been a church or a mosque. After lunch, drive to Erzurum the largest city in the eastern Anatolia. At arrival visit the Islamic monuments from Seljuk, Mongol and Ottoman eras, Ulu Mosque and Cifte Minare. Dinner and overnight in Erzurum.

Day 11-13: Wednesday-Friday, October 17-19:
ERZURUM – PONTIC/BLACK SEA REGION of TRABZON. City tour of Trabzon. Visit Hagia Sophia and Sumela Monastery which was well known and respected as a monastic center from the 4th century until 1923. Learn Pontic dancing! Folk dance with Lee and local teachers. Dinners and overnights at Trabzon.

Day 14: Saturday, October 20:
TRABZON-ISTANBUL Fly to Istanbul, then home to USA.
or:
Take our 5-day/4 night Istanbul extension! Sat.-Wed.: October 20-24.