Cox & Kings holidays
Ravenna & Venice: Byzantine Treasures
Ravenna was the capital of the Byzantine Empire’s western regions. It is the best place to see Early Christian and Byzantine church architecture with its stunning marble and mosaic-encrusted monuments. Venice was under the sway of Byzantine rulers in Ravenna for a significant period, and this tour will focus on the resulting blend of architectural and decorative styles.
Please call 020 7873 5000 and quote 'RAABYZ' when booking
Download an itinerary for Ravenna & Venice - Byzantine Treasures (194 KB)
Athens & Istanbul: The Glory of Byzantium
The Byzantines loved gold, silver and glittering mosaics and used them to decorate their palaces and religious buildings. This tour explores religious and secular aspects of Byzantine art, also considering how earlier classical heritage influenced Byzantium, which itself then influenced Islamic culture. See museums crammed with jewellery, icons, silks, mosaics and manuscripts; monasteries decorated with golden mosaic narrative cycles and images of Christ and the Virgin Mary, and the stunning church of Hagia Sofia in Istanbul.
Please call 020 7873 5000 and quote 'RAABYZ' when booking
Download an itinerary for Athens & Istanbul: The Glory of Byzantium (2.9 MB)
Istanbul
Istanbul, capital of the great Ottoman Empire, enjoyed more than four centuries of imperial patronage, resulting in one of the most famous skylines in the world. Its mosques and palaces are complemented by exquisite tile decoration, fine woodwork and luxurious furnishings. The Topkapi Palace, home to the sultans and their families, remains a treasure house filled with silk textiles, gem-encrusted tableware,
Chinese porcelains, Iznik pottery and illuminated manuscripts. This magnificent monument, together with the Blue Mosque and Aghia Sophia, represents a fusion of cultures at the nexus of East and West.
Please call 020 7873 5000 and quote 'RAABYZ' when booking
Download an itinerary for Istanbul (1.6 MB)
