Meet & Paint in Istanbul, Turkiye
Aquarelle Workshops with
Anastasia Kustova 15-20 April 2026
Pastel Workshops with
Elena Tatkina 21-26 April 2026
Workshops with Elena Tatkina
Meet & Paint in Istanbul with Elena Tatkina
from 21 to 26 April 2026
The price is €1.150.- per person
Istanbul should certainly be on everyone's 'must see' list as; to paraphrase the old cliché, it really is the city where East and West conjoin, both geographically and culturally. Although now one of the most populated and rapidly modern cities in Europe. After a relatively short flight visitors can still be transported into an exotic world of Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman architecture and with a blend of cultured to match.
The scenic Golden Horn area surrounds the natural harbour at the mouth of the Bosphorus, where the historical buildings of Fener and Balat districts are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. One of the best viewpoints in the area is from the famous Piyerloti café, which can be reached by cable car. A cruise along the Bosphorus is a relaxing way of enjoying the sights of the city and the mixture of humble and magnificent buildings along the shoreline. You can take a traditional boat and cross from the European to the Asian side of the city.
As we have described above, Istanbul is a metropolitan city with population of more than a 15 million people, the City lives 24 hours a day in historical and modern scenery. It is not an exaggeration, if we say as soon as you step out from your door to the city, there is always a subject to be found to paint on your paper.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Tuesday, April 21st - Arrival in Istanbul. Free day for the entire group. Meet and greet at the Celal Sultan Hotel.
Day 2 - After breakfast, the entire group will walk through the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, and the Egyptian Spice Bazaar. We'll also shop on the Galata Bridge, and spend 3 hours plein airing on the Galata Bridge. In the afternoon, we'll take a master class on the hotel terrace overlooking the Hagia Sophia Mosque.
Day 3 - After breakfast, the entire group will board the tram, then take the underground funicular to the Galata Tower. We'll ascend the Galata Tower for panoramic views of Old Constantinople and all of Istanbul. We'll return to the hotel for an afternoon master class on the hotel terrace overlooking the Hagia Sophia Mosque. Day 4 - After breakfast, the entire group will take a tram to the Bayezid Mosque, one of the oldest mosques of the Ottoman Empire, dating back to the early 16th century, located on a square that also houses the entrance to the historic Istanbul University. We will conduct a plein air painting session. In the afternoon, a workshop will be held on the hotel terrace overlooking the Hagia Sophia.
Day 5 - After breakfast, the entire group will head to the ferry pier for a short cruise along the Golden Horn to the old quarters of Fener and Balat, which boast some of the richest histories in Istanbul. They are also UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These two neighborhoods, historically the center of the Jewish, Armenian, and Greek communities, still exist in Istanbul. The group will stroll through the old, narrow streets lined with colorful houses. After returning to the hotel, a workshop will be held on the hotel terrace overlooking the Hagia Sophia. A review of the master's work will be provided.
Day 6 - Wednesday, April 26th; Sunday - Airport Transfer Day