The Silk Road was an ancient network of trade routes that connected East and West and was central to cultural interaction between the regions for many centuries. The Silk Road derives its name from the lucrative trade in silk carried out along its length, beginning in the Han dynasty in China. The Han dynasty expanded the Central Asian section of the trade routes around 114 BC through the missions and explorations of the Chinese imperial envoy Zhang Qian, as well as several military conquests.

Marco Polo, probably the most famous Westerner who travelled the Silk Road, exceeded all the other travellers in his determination, his writing, and his influence. His journey through Asia, lasting 24 years, reached further than any of his predecessors, beyond Mongolia to China.

Bartelings has curated an incredible journey along the key routes of the silk road of Venice, Uzbekistan and Istanbul, for guests to immerse themselves in cultural extravagance that combines colourful history and textiles.

Day 1 | Fly to Venice

Guests fly by private jet to Venice for their first taste of the Silk Road. Situated across a group of 118 islands, Venice is connected by canals and over 400 bridges. The Lagoon and parts of the city are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After checking in guests are guided to Casa di Marco Polo and learn about his travels along the Silk Road. The overnight stay is at Hotel Danieli, with spectacular views over the Grand Canal and islands.

Day 2 | Venice

The exploration into Venice’s Silk Road heritage begins with a visit to the Fortuny Museum to see how silk was put into use once imported from China. This renowned palace, formerly owned by the artist Mariano Fortuny, is a treasure trove of textiles, paintings and photographs revealing a portrait of Venice’s past life. The museum contains a wide-range of silk dresses made by Fortuny himself, who was fond of exotic textiles and patterns. Guests experience Tessitura Luigi Bevilacqua, a unique chance to see weavers and looms at work, while they produce the refined soprarizzo velvet, a fabric made following ancient techniques. The remainder of the day is free to explore Venice’s streets, squares, bars and café’s or opt for a romantic Gondola ride through the Venetian Canals.

Day 3 | Samarkand, Uzbekistan

Boarding the private jet, the tour crosses central Asia to Samarkand, Uzbekistan, without doubt a highlight on this trip. The city is the quintessential Silk Road city and the incredible Registan Square will no doubt create lasting memories. The flight time is around 5 hours, so guests can relax and enjoy the comfort on board the jet. Upon arrival in Samarkand guests are transferred to the Registan Plaza Hotel.

Day 4 | Samarkand

The city of Samarkand has been at the crossroads of world cultures for over two and a half millennia and is one of the most important sites on the Silk Routes traversing Central Asia. Located in the Zerafshan River valley, in north-eastern Uzbekistan, the city enjoys the benefits of abundant natural resources and settlement in the region can be traced back to 1,500 BC. Samarkand has long been a central point for trade across the region and was a substantial city renowned for its craft production, with a citadel and strong fortifications, several centuries before it was conquered by Alexander in 329 BC. 

Prominent landmarks include Registan Square, a plaza bordered by 3 ornate, majolica-covered madrassas dating to the 15th and 17th centuries, and Gur-e-Amir, the towering tomb of Timur (Tamerlane), founder of the Timurid Empire. The guide will show guests the various sites and provide insightful historical context to this ancient city.

Dinner this evening will be a special experience at Registan Square.

Day 5 | Khiva

Travelling on to Khiva, a friendly and welcoming Silk Road old town, guests spend a day to enjoy a walking tour of the city, soaking up its historic significance as one of the oldest cities in Uzbekistan. Tourism infrastructure is limited so with the benefit of a privately chartered aircraft, guests are flown to nearby Urgench.

Khiva, now akin to a living museum, is a delightful labyrinth of narrow mud-walled alleyways and spectacular blue mosaics. Like chess pieces, minarets, the domes of the madrassas and the mosques can be seen everywhere. 

Guests enjoy a simple lunch before returning to Urgench for the flight to the tour’s final destination of Istanbul. Upon arrival, guests are transferred to the Çırağan Palace Kempinski Hotel for a 2-night stay. Dinner is at any of the hotel restaurants this evening.

Day 6 | Istanbul

Istanbul in Turkey straddles Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait. Its Old City reflects cultural influences of the many Empires that once ruled here.  The passage of merchants, travellers, artists and craftsmen from East and West who docked at the city’s harbours is a vital component of the city’s history and identity. This has ensured and Istanbul remains a centre of trade and exchange along the Silk Roads to this day.

No visit to Istanbul is complete without a visit to the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia which are both included in the day’s schedule. Furthermore, a visit to Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar is a must with the symphony of colours, exotic aromas and bustle of daily trading offering a feast for the senses.

This evening combines the charms of the Cistern Basilica and an exclusive drink before enjoying a truly Turkish dinner at Baskose Kebab.

Day 7 | Returning home

The morning is spent at leisure for some further sightseeing or perhaps last-minute shopping before boarding the private aircraft to return to the UK, full of memories and experiences of one of the most incredible ancient routes of the world.

Information:

• Aircraft type and size is dependent on group size for this trip.

• Due to the logistics involved we would recommend hiring a Tour Manager (Bartelings can assist) to ensure a smooth and worry-free experience.

• We have included top 5-star hotels in Venice and Istanbul and best available in Samarkand due to lack of top 5 star accommodation

• All transfer, sightseeing and visit to sites (as per itinerary) are included

• Meals included

• This trip is best operated in Spring or Autumn time

Contact our team at hello@bartelings.com or by phone on +44 (0) 7768 614235