Your sketch tutor Erin Hill, has been creative all her life. She is a graphic designer who has morphed through advertising to fine art to become an unstoppable sketcher and urban sketcher with her own Sketch Schools. Her Sketch Tours are known for the one on one approach with students and the very personalised experiences we offer through our contacts.
Erin is an International Sketch tutor with courses and workshops in Australia, New Zealand and Southern France. Workshops also take place in Boston NewYork, London and soon San Francisco.
Sketch Istanbul, Capadoccia and Izmir with passionate sketcher and tutor Erin Hill;
The junction between Asia and Europe, Turkey has hosted many civilizations making it one of the most fascinating destinations travellers today.
Some of the world’s most famous ancient cities are here in these lands of Anatolia. The legendary Roman-Ottoman city of Istanbul, ancient biblical Ephesus. Astonishing Cappadocia.
And these are some of the places we’ll take you on our magical sketching tour through two millennia of history.
We begin our Sketch Tour in the famed ancient Istanbul. Greeks, Romans, Ottomans have all left their mark on this sophisticated and urbane capital. We’ll be staying in a hotel right on the Hippodrome and metres from the must see sights of St Sophia, The Blue Mosque, the fabulous jewels of Topkapi Palace and the endless visual feast of the Grand Bazaar.
We fly you to Izmir on the Agean coast and stay in Selçuk in a wonderful hotel in Turkish style but with contemporary appointments . On hot days you can take a dip in the pool and order champagne.
Ephesus with its fabled library and the Knights Templar St John’s bascilica is very close to explore and sketch there along with other ancient coastal temples and ruins.
Lastly astonishing Cappadocia. Our hotel is a magnificently restored Byzantine priestly palace, run by a delightful young couple. You’ll love the collection of rooms built into the famous caves. Quite wonderful and you may find a tiny historic chapel next to your bathroom.
You’ll love the local cafes and foods the shopping, the jewellery, ceramics and textiles.
Tour Details
22 August 2022, Monday
Arrival into Istanbul to stay at a hotel just a few steps from the Hippodrome in Sultanahmet. Ideal spot to base our tour of spectacular historical sights. Welcome meeting and dinner.
23 August 2022, Tuesday
After breakfast on the roof terrace , visit to the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia Museum just a few minutes walk away. Light lunch. Time for sketching in the vicinity. Dinner locally.
24 August 2022, Wednesday
Visit to Topkapi Palace including the Harem with its incredible history. Light lunch.Plenty of opportunity to be inspired to sketch.Dinner locally.
25 August 2022, Thursday
Visit to the Covered Bazaar with its intricate streets and tempting shops. Light Lunch then transfer to the airport for a flight to Cappadocia.
Transfer to our Cave Hotel.Dinner locally.
Turkish Airlines TK2232 Istanbul Kayseri 19:55 21:30
26 August 2022, Friday
Visit to Goreme OpenAir Museum and an underground city. Light lunch and plenty of opportunity to sketch this incredible landscape.
Dinner locally.
27 August 2022, Saturday
Option to take a dawn Hot Air Balloon Flight ar dawn. Visit to Soganli, Pasabag and other valleys. Light lunch. Time to enjoy the sketching opportunities. Turkish Night Dinner.
28 August 2022, Sunday
Visit to Rose Valley and Avanos ceramic workshops and other artisans. Light Lunch.
Time to wander to explore and sketch.
Dinner locally.
29 August 2022, Monday
Transfer to airport for flight to Izmir. Arrive in Selcuk at our Hotel. light Lunch. Walk to St Jean’s Baslica to experience the history and sketch. Dinner locally.
Sunexpress Airlines XQ9039 Kayseri Izmir 09:40 11:15
30 August 2022, Tuesday
Visit to Tire for market and artisan studios. Lunch locally. Opportunity to see a traditional town and record some of its images. Dinner locally.
31 August 2022, Wednesday
Visit to the ancient city of Ephesus, very near Selcuk. Lunch at the Seven Sleepers Grotto.
Wander in the town to sketch. Dinner locally
01 September 2022, Thursday
Travel to Eskidoganbey, formally an old Greek village, tour the Costume Museum and lunch at Karina. Older style houses and boats ready for inspiration. Dinner locally.
02 September 2022, Friday
Transfer airport for flight to Istanbul.
Arrive in Sultanahmet for our final day of the tour. Ferry to the Princes Island. Lunch locally then return to Sultanahmet. Dinner locally.
03 September 2022, Saturday
Farewell breakfast.
Price & Inclusions
Upon booking, we require a non-refundable €400 deposit per person. This deposit will be refunded if we cannot run the tour due to force majeure situations including Covid.
What’s included
- 4 nights BB accommodation at Alzer Hotel in Istanbul
- 4 nights BB accommodation at AyaKapadokya Hotel in Cappadocia
- 4 nights BB accommodation at Akanthus Hotel in Selcuk
- Airport transfers
- All transport
- All sightseeing tours as in the itinerary
- Services of a licensed tour guide with the tours
- Entrance fees
- Welcome dinner
- Turkish night in Cappadocia
- 3 domestic flights
- Parking fees, service charges, taxes
Not Included
- International airfares
- Some meals.
- Travel Insurance (please make sure you have a valid travel insurance)
- Personal shopping and expenses.
