ISTANBUL, Ravenna & VENICE:
THE BYZANTINE LEGACY

• Unpack your bags for long stays in central Istanbul and a family-owned boutique hotel in Venice

• Discover a Roman legacy in Istanbul’s hippodrome, Basilica Cisterns and impressive walls

• Chart the rise of Christianity at Hagia Sophia and in Ravenna’s mosaic-encrusted churches

• Survey superlative medieval art, including Padua’s Scrovegni Chapel

• Appreciate a different aesthetic, from Ottoman tiles to a little-known museum of Greek icon painting in Venice and cutting-edge modern art

• Enjoy outstanding scenery from land to sea, including a day on the Bosphorus and excursions into the Venetian lagoon

WEDNESDAY 21 OCTOBER - ARRIVAL (D)
We highly recommend arriving into Istanbul with time before our tour begins, so that you can explore some of the attractions that are not included in our one-week stay; we can assist with pre-departure accommodation bookings. An arrival transfer from Istanbul Airport is included for all participants; contact us for further information. Meet your tour leader Dr Louise Marshall and fellow travellers at 5.00pm in the lobby of our hotel for drinks and an introductory talk before a welcome dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight Istanbul.

THURSDAY 22 OCTOBER – ANCIENT ROME (B, L)
This morning, we venture to Sultanahmet on a walking tour exploring the city’s glorious ancient past. Commissioned in the sixth century by Emperor Justinian, the Basilica Cistern serviced the Great Palace and surrounding areas with its 80,000-ton water storage capacity. We descend under the city to examine the rows of 336 marble columns, evoking a grand cathedral as they rise ethereally from the depths. We continue to the Hippodrome, the centre of Byzantium and of Ottoman life for 1,400 years. It was used as a public arena for chariot races and political gatherings. Monuments symbolising the strength of the Empire, such as the Serpent Column from Delphi and Obelisk of Theodosius, still remain in situ today. There is time before lunch to walk through the seventeenth-century Arasta Bazaar. Originally a stable for the Sultan’s horses, it has been converted into a lively market. We continue to Little Hagia Sophia, originally a church dedicated to Saints Sergius and Bacchus, patron saints of Christians in the Roman army. The unusual dome prepares us for a similarly irregular octagonal dome, which we will see at San Vitale in Ravenna. Original green and red marble columns are capped with white capitals bearing the monograms of Emperor Justinian and his wife Theodora. After free time, we gather back at the hotel for a talk this evening. Overnight Istanbul.

FRIDAY 23 OCTOBER – BYZANTIUM (B, L)
Today commences at the storied Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, an architectural jewel first constructed by Emperor Constantine. The largest Byzantine church in Istanbul, it was where Christian rulers were crowned. When the Ottomans conquered Constantinople under Sultan Mehmet, it was converted into a mosque with the addition of a minaret, a mihrab facing Mecca, Turkish calligraphy and tiles. Christian iconography remains in the gold, silver and terracotta tesserae mosaics, depicting scenes from heaven and the archangels Gabriel and Michael, Jesus and Mary portrayed alongside Emperors Constantine and Justinian. From 1934, when Kemal Atatürk secularised the monument, it served as a museum and was converted back to a functioning mosque in 2020. After lunch, we survey the incredible wealth of treasures from the Assyrian, Hittite, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman civilisations held at the Istanbul Archaeological Museum. The extensive collection of statuary, the intricately carved Alexander and Lycian Sarcophagi, recovered from the Necropolis of Sidon in Lebanon, and the “Istanbul through the Ages” exhibition are highlights of our visit. Overnight Istanbul.

SATURDAY 24 OCTOBER – THE LATINS IN GALATA (B, L)
This morning, we ascend to the panoramic balcony of the Galata Tower for spectacular views across the Bosphorus and the Marmara Sea, from the Golden Horn to Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia. Originally constructed by the Byzantines as a lighthouse, the tower was destroyed by fire and rebuilt as part of the Genoese colony in 1348. The tower houses a museum reflecting the three great empires that have ruled Istanbul over sixteen centuries. At the Museum of Innocence – created by Orhan Pamuk at the same time as he wrote his prize-winning novel of the same name – we explore the themes of love and humanity celebrated in the book. The quirky collection of everyday objects reflects life in Istanbul through the 1960s and 70s. We enjoy lunch at our charming Belle Époque Pera Palace Hotel, where passengers from the Orient Express graced the elegant glass-domed Kubbeli Lounge – and where Agatha Christie is said to have penned Murder on the Orient Express in room 411. The afternoon and evening are at leisure. Overnight Istanbul.

SUNDAY 25 OCTOBER – ADVENT OF THE OTTOMANS (B)
We depart by coach to Kariye Mosque, situated in the Fatih district outside of the original city walls constructed by Constantine the Great. Originally known as the Chora Church, it was constructed in the early fourth century but was substantially rebuilt in the Middle Ages. It remains one of Istanbul’s most striking examples of Byzantine architecture, renowned for its stunning and well-preserved mosaics and frescoes. Afterwards, we view a section of the fifth-century city Walls of Constantinople, which defended against invasion by land and sea until they were finally breached by Ottoman cannons in 1453. Next, we visit the secluded Rüstem Paşa Mosque designed by the Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan for the Grand Vizier in the 16th century to admire the exquisite interior adorned with classic Iznik tiles. Embarking on a private boat, we finally cruise the Bosphorus for a pleasant perspective from which to view the city skyline. The remainder of the afternoon and evening are at leisure. Overnight Istanbul.

MONDAY 26 OCTOBER – THE OTTOMANS (B)
As the main residence and administrative centre of the powerful Ottoman Sultans for over 400 years, the opulent Topkapi Palace holds a significant place in Istanbul’s history. We explore the sprawling grounds and pavilions, laid out between the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus. Exquisitely crafted Iznik tiles decorate the Harem, the imperial family headquarters but also the place where the sultan accommodated up to 300 concubines schooled in Islam and Turkish culture and language. After lunch near the palace, we visit the Museum of Islamic Arts & Crafts. The museum brings together Turkish and Islamic art through its rich collection of carpets, glassware, calligraphy and ceramics dating back to the seventh century. A number of artefacts we see are contextualised by reference to exemplars now in Venetian museums and galleries. Continuing to the Sultanahmet Mosque, we survey the Sultan’s imperial display of strength, designed to surpass the Hagia Sophia in size and majesty, to placate Allah and to bring victory in warfare. After crossing the courtyard, as large as the mosque itself, we discover how over 20,000 blue and white floral Iznik tiles adorning the interior lend the Blue Mosque its common name. The late afternoon and evening are at leisure. Overnight Istanbul.

TUESDAY 27 OCTOBER – TO RAVENNA (B, D)
We check out of the hotel this morning and head to Istanbul Airport for our flight to Venice. Arriving in the early afternoon, we board a private coach and travel to Ravenna. We stop at the Mausoleum of Theodoric built by the Ostrogothic King as his own burial place. Using eastern influences and Roman technique the remarkable structure is topped with a monolithic dome of Istrian stone. Before arriving in Ravenna, we call in at the sixth-century Basilica of Sant’Apollinare in Classe, where Ravenna’s port of Classis once housed the second fleet on the Roman imperial navy. Continuing to the hotel, we check in and enjoy dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight Ravenna.

WEDNESDAY 28 OCTOBER – RAVENNA: ROMAN, BYZANTINE & GOTHIC (B)
Our guided walking tour this morning commences at the Church of San Vitale, connecting Istanbul with Ravenna through its Byzantine architecture and the mosaic depictions of Emperor Justinian with his consort Theodora. In the garden of San Vitale sits the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, a small and unassuming building that belies a stunning interior completely covered in precious fifth-century mosaics. We continue to the Domus dei Tappeti di Pietra (or House of Stone Carpets), where a mosaic-laden Roman villa was discovered by accident in 1993. We visit the Neonian Baptistery and Archbishop’s Chapel, two excellent examples of early Christian monuments and of Late Antique wall mosaics. After free time for lunch in the Piazza del Popolo, we pay our respects at the Tomb of Dante, buried here after exile from his native Florence, and we visit the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, the sixth-century palatine chapel of Ostrogothic king Theodoric the Great. Returning to the hotel, the evening is at leisure. Overnight Ravenna.

THURSDAY 29 OCTOBER – THE MIDDLE AGES BETWEEN CONSTANTINOPLE & VENICE (B, D)
We check out and travel to Pomposa Abbey in Emilia-Romagna. The church, founded in the sixth century, was later populated by a community of Benedictine monks and features a towering Romanesque campanile that dominates the landscape. No longer operating as an abbey, its church still hosts an active congregation, and we admire its richly decorated floor and outstanding frescoes of scenes from the Old and New Testament and the Apocalypse. There is free time for lunch before we continue to the ancient university city of Padua. There is time here to explore the city before an extended visit of the Scrovegni Chapel to admire Giotto’s extraordinary cycle of frescoes. We continue to Venice to unpack our bags for the next seven nights in La Serenissima. After checking in, we enjoy dinner in a nearby restaurant. Overnight Venice.

FRIDAY 30 OCTOBER – VENETIAN GOVERNMENT & TRADE (B)
Our day begins at the Doge’s Palace where our local guide explains the maritime republic’s complicated political system: the elected Doge or duke was a figurehead, held in check by senate and “Byzantine” voting systems. Ascending the impressive golden staircase into the palace, we enter the Senate meeting rooms and Doge’s apartments, decorated with works by Veronese, Titian and Tintoretto that depict the city’s history. After a short walk to admire the architecture of the piazza there is free time for lunch near Piazza San Marco, before an optional visit to view Venice’s art and history at the Correr Museum. Later, on a private tour with our guide, we experience the splendid golden mosaics of St Mark’s Basilica as they shimmer and glow in the evening light. The remainder of the evening is at leisure. Overnight Venice.

SATURDAY 31 OCTOBER – THE LAGOON (B, L)
Today we board a private launch to Torcello. Venice’s first settlements were established in the northern reaches of the lagoon, prior to being decimated by successive outbreaks of malaria. A spectacular example of Venetian Byzantine architecture, the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta preserves a ninth-century arched portico, remarkable mosaic floors and a panoramic bell tower with superb views across the lagoon. We enjoy a typical Venetian seafood lunch in a private villa overlooking the Torcello Bell Tower, before our launch takes us to the Arsenale, Venice’s historic shipyards, a symbol of the economic, political and military power of the city. We enjoy a walking tour from the site which has been converted into an exhibition space for the Venice Biennale concluding in San Marco Square. The evening is at leisure. Overnight Venice.

SUNDAY 1 NOVEMBER – THE VENETIAN RENAISSANCE (B)
On a walking tour of the expansive Castello district, we see the introduction of the Renaissance style in architecture in the elaborate marble façade of the church of San Zaccaria, which also houses the last great altarpiece of Venetian Renaissance master Giovanni Bellini. We continue to the Scuola Dalmata di San Giorgio to admire the fantastically detailed paintings of the lives of the saints by Vittore Carpaccio, featuring a dramatic George and the dragon and the cutest dog ever painted! After a break, we visit Santa Maria dei Miracoli, sheathed inside and out with beautiful, coloured marbles reminiscent of Byzantium. The tour ends at the Dominican church of Santi Giovani e Paolo, a veritable Venetian state pantheon where 25 doges are buried, many commemorated with extraordinary sculpted tombs and monuments. Returning to the Rialto, the evening is at leisure. Overnight Venice.

MONDAY 2 NOVEMBER – THE HIGH RENAISSANCE AND THE MODERN (B)
This morning, we cross the Giudecca canal and visit the island of San Giorgio Maggiore. Directly across from the Piazzetta di San Marco, this island was inhabited since the ninth century by Benedictines, and the belltower of its church – ascended by a modern elevator! – offers an unparalleled view over the rooftops and campanili of Venice. The church is also one of the most successful Venetian projects of the Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio, the proportions of its façade dominating the view from the Palazzo Ducale and perfectly continued by the aisles, side chapels and main altar inside. Also by Palladio and dominating the skyline of Guidecca, is Chiesa del Santissimo Redentore. This church was built as a votive offering to Christ the Redeemer, to give thanks for the city’s deliverance of Venice from a major outbreak of the plague. After our visit, there is free time for lunch before meeting at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, where we admire the important works collected by Peggy from the 1920s to 1960s. Returning to the hotel, the evening is at leisure. Overnight Venice.

TUESDAY 3 NOVEMBER – FOREIGN COMMUNITIES AND VENICE (B, L)
Prior to being gifted to a cohort of Armenian monks, the island of San Lazzaro degli Armeni – a short water taxi trip from the Lido – served as a leper colony and medieval quarantine station. Today the island remains a working monastery and an important repository of Armenian culture and literature, housed in its library, museum and art gallery. Byron assisted the monks in a dual language dictionary project while living on the Grand Canal. We return along the Grand Canal to Cannaregio, where lunch is enjoyed in a local restaurant. After lunch, we explore the neighbourhood known as the Ghetto. It was once home to Jewish merchants, medical professionals and financiers, who were obliged to reside in the area. Our private tour visits two synagogues, discreetly situated on the uppermost floor of existing buildings, and a midrash for reading and prayer. (Please note: the buildings of the Ghetto are ancient and vulnerable, and close for restoration at little notice.) Returning to the hotel, the evening is at leisure. Overnight Venice.

WEDNESDAY 4 NOVEMBER – MEDIEVAL & EARLY RENAISSANCE ART (B)
This morning, we explore the quiet residential neighbourhood of San Polo. The unassuming exterior of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari hides sumptuous interiors, with paintings by Giovanni Bellini and Titian, and monumental altars to celebrated Venetians such as the sculptor Antonio Canova. The nearby confraternity of the Scuola Grande di San Rocco commissioned Tintoretto to decorate the walls and ceilings of its church and meeting house over a period of 25 years, resulting in the lavish ‘Sistine Chapel of Venice’ that we admire together. The afternoon is at leisure, or you may wish to join Louise to survey the exclusively Venetian art at the Accademia Galleries. Tonight, we gather for our farewell dinner, with a unique food and wine menu that celebrates the historical cuisine of the Venetian Maritime Republic over several centuries. Overnight Venice.

THURSDAY 5 NOVEMBER – DEPART (B)
The arrangements conclude after breakfast in our hotel.

Pera Palace Hotel 5* Istanbul, 6 nights
https://perapalace.com/en/

Palazzo Bezzi 4* Ravenna, 2 nights
https://palazzobezzi.it/en/home-english/

Hotel Al Codega 4* Venice, 7 nights
https://www.hotelalcodega.com/

NB: hotels of a similar standard may be substituted.

• 15 nights’ accommodation at 4* and 5* hotels

• All breakfasts and 9 lunches or dinners

• All ground transport, boat transport, guided tours and entrance fees to sites as mentioned in the itinerary, and tipping (Please note that departure transfers in Venice are not included in the tour price)

• Expertise of and commentary by an Australian tour leader throughout

• Practical assistance of an English-speaking tour manager while in Italy

• Expertise and assistance of a Turkish-speaking national guide, in Istanbul

• One-way flights in Economy class, travelling from Istanbul to Venice

A $1,500 deposit is required at the time of booking to confirm your place on this tour.

A second deposit of $2,000 will be due on 23 June 2026

We will invoice you for the balance due on 07 August 2026.

When you book on one of tours, we ask you to accept our terms and conditions.

You can read our terms and conditions here.