21 DAYS – ISTANBUL / CANAKKALE / EPHESUS / PAMUKKALE / ANTALYA / CAPPADOCIA / KONYA / ADIYAMAN / DIYARBAKIR / VAN / ERZURUM / TRABZON / SAMSUN / ANKARA
Day 1 ISTANBUL
Meet and greetings at Ataturk Airport, a short city tour and than transfer to your hotel . Overnight in Istanbul (D)
Day 2 ISTANBUL
A full day of sightseeing in Istanbul. First stop is the St. Sophia Museum built by Constantine the Great and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century. It is one of the World's greatest architectural marvels of all time and a designated World Heritage site. After that will see the Blue Mosque with its beautiful blue tiles.
The Roman Hippodrome; center of sportive (chariot races, athletics) events and political activities of the old city of Obelisk of Theodosius, Serpentine Column and German Fountain of Wilhelm II are the monuments decorating Hippodrome.
Continue the fabled Topkapi Museum, the imperial residential palace of the Ottoman Sultans between 16th and 19th centuries and the oldest and largest of the remaining palaces in the world. Its displays include priceless world-class collections of jewelry, porcelain and costumes of the sultans.
Visit the historical Grand Covered Bazaar, the most crowded shopping center in the world, with its 4000 shops and stalls, selling mostly gold and silver jewelry, copper and brass items, leather coats, carpets and other beautiful Turkish crafts lunch at a restaurant in the grounds of Topkapi Palace.
Overnight in Istanbul (B,L,D)
Day 3 ISTANBUL
In the morning, first stop will be to Dolmabahce Palace. Witness the grandeur of the centuries old palace where Ataturk, the founder of Modern Turkey, died. Aftet that, from pier take a leisurely boat tour crossing under the Continental Bosporus Bridges, viewing the mosques, palaces, old traditional wooden villas and the beauty of the Asian and European shorelines on either side. Overnight in Istanbul (B,L,D)
Day 4 CANAKKALE - KUSADASI
After early breakfast, we will drive to via Canakkale visit Troy than continue to Pergamon, the seat of ancient Kingdom. We will visit the Acropolis, the Temple of Athena and library and Asclepion. Asclepion was one of the most famous shrines and therapeutic centers in the ancient world and built in the name of Asclepius, the god of healing. After lunch in a local restaurant, we will drive to Kusadasi and Overnight in Kusadasi (B,L,D)
Day 5 EPHESUS
Today, will have full day Ephesus tour to visit the House of Virgin Mary on top of Mt. Coressos. Next, stop is one of the world’s finest archaeological site, Ephesus. Visiting the splendid façade of the Library of Celsus and one of the largest and most impressive structure to survive from Hellenistic Ephesus, the Amphitheatre.
Overnight in Kusadasi (B,L,D)
Day 6 PAMUKKALE
Thereafter, continue on our journey to Pamukkale or better know as “Cotton Castle”, a dazzling chalk-white array of fantastically shaped limestone terraces. The ruins of Hierapolis are other attractions. Overnight in Pamukkale (B,L,D)
Day 7 ANTALYA
After breakfast, we will drive to Antalya, in the afternoon visiting Antalya museum and old city
Overnight in Antalya (B,L,D)
Day 8 ANTALYA
A full day is devoted to the striking Greco-Roman Archaeological Sites along the Turkish Riviera. Stop first at Perge, a wealthy and culturally well-developed city in ancient times. A few miles away is Aspendos, where the prosperity this city experienced in the second and third centuries AD is still visible. Enormous blocks of marble were transported from as far as the Marmara Island for the construction and ornamentation of its imposing buildings.
Museum. Overnight in Antalya (B,L,D)
Day 9 KONYA - CAPPADOCIA
Today, we will travel to Cappadocia. En route, stop by Konya, old capital of the Anatolian Selcuk Empire. Konya is Turkey’s most religious city and home to the mystic Whirling Dervish sect. We visit the Melvana Mausoleum with its beautiful turquoise dome, which contains the tomb of the Whirling Dervishes’ founder. We continue our journey and visit the 13th century Sultanhani Caravansarai, which used to be the ancient “hotels” for traders at that time along the Silk Road of China. Overnight in Cappadocia (B,L,D)
Day 10 CAPPADOCIA
Full day excursion of Cappadocia. The underground city of Kaymakli, one of the most surprising complexes in the region. Next, visit the Goreme Open Air Museum, a unique region of volcanic landscapes and rock-hewn churches decorated with ancient wall paintings. Continue to Valley of the Birds and Uchisar Castle and be captivated by the panaromic view of this beautiful plateau. Cappadocia is definitely the highlight of any tours to Turkey with its indescribably beautiful landscape. Overnight in Cappadocia (B,L,D)
Day 11 EN ROUTE TO ADIYAMAN
Today, we will have a long drive to Adıyaman, all day we will be on road. Overnight in Kahta (B,L,D)
Day 12 ADIYAMAN – DIYARBAKIR
Very very early wake up and drive to Mt. Nemrut and Drive to Urfa and enroute explore Harran, lying on the Mesopotamian plain, known for its mud-brick “beehive” like dwellings. The worship of the moon was practiced from 800BC to 830AD before the Byzantine Emperor Theodosius destroyed the city's temple to the moon god.
Stroll among the archaeological finds including those of the largest ancient Islamic university, city walls dating from the eighth century, four gates and a citadel.
Lunch in the city of Urfa which is presumed to be the location where Rebecca drew water for Jacob and where Abraham decided to move into the land of Canaan. Afternoon visits will include Gümrükhan, Sipahi Bazaar, Kazaz Bazaar. Drive to Diyarbakır and Overnight in Diyarbakır (B,L,D)
Day 13 DIYARBAKIR
Diyarbakir, known in ancient times as Amida, Diyarbakir has been a cradle of 26 civilizations during its 5000 year of history. The city is spread across a basalt plateau close to the banks of the Tigris River. The remains of the 1800 year old black basalt triple walls erected by Emperor Constantine, which encircle the old town, give the city a rather ominous appearance. Visit the beautiful Ulu Camii (the Grand Mosque), built in 1179 by Melik Nasreddin Mehmet and see many of the mosques dating from the Ottoman period still intact. It is not necessary to visit the city. Briefly just the walls will be enough)
Drive to Hasankeyf, Mardin, you'll explore the city of Hasankeyf by the Tigris River, before it is completely lost beneath the water after the installation of the dam. Afternoon visit some of the oldest universities in the world located in Midyat and Mardin where you will discover highlights of Assyrian civilization. Midyat, famous for its silver objects known as 'telkari' has many elegant, historic houses. From a distance, the golden stone of Mardin houses blend into the rock of the hills on which the city is built. On closer inspection, the stone carving and decoration of the houses and public buildings reveals the city as an architectural treasure-chest. Among the jewels are the ancient citadel and several mosques, in particular, Ulu Mosque.
Also visit Mor Gabriel Monastery. Overnight in Diyarbakır (B,L,D)
Day 14 VAN
After breakfast will drive to Van, visiting Van lake and around, overnight in Van
Overnight in Van (B,L,D)
Day 15 ERZURUM
After early breakfast, our trip will be Erzurum, Erzurum was captured and ruled by many different nations like Hurries, Urartus, Cimmerians, Scythes, Medians, Persians, Parthes, Romans, Byzantines, Sassanides, Arabs, Seljuks, Mongols, Ilhanides, Safawides, and of course Turks. The Ottomans captured the city only in 1514 and ruled until the foundation of the modern Turkish Republic by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in 1923. Some great historical figures like Alexander the Great and Tamerlane can be added to the list of rulers. Overnight in Erzurum. (B,L,D)
Day 16 EN ROUTE TRABZON
After breakfast, we will drive to Trabzon, all day will be on road and overnight in Trabzon (B,L,D)
Day 17 TRABZON
Today out historical tour to be a Sumela Monastery ; situated in a very beautiful and natural setting, Sumela Monastery built in the 14th century is nestled into the side of rocks in a famous valley in Maçka, only 50 kilometers away from Trabzon. The setting is 1200 meters above the sea level.Two Greek monks, Barnaby and Sophronios started the original building. The 7th century Icon apparently painted by an anonymous Trabizond (Trabzon) artist became the symbol of the monastery. Some say that the name "Sumela" comes from the Greek word "melas" which means "black" and it refers to the characteristic dark color of this icon. But others say that "Melas is the name of the mountain above the monastery, "sou" in the Pontian Greek dialect means "at the", so Sumela (Sou + Mela) means "at the Melas (mountain). Overnight in Trabzon (B,L,D)
Day 18 SAMSUN
After breaksfast will drive beautiful cost of Black sea and will arrive to Samsun. Today many visitors will find themselves in Samsun mostly for reasons of business or for Atatürk starting there the War of Independence. The dormant town of the times of Atatürk became an important trade centre and has a large modern port. The only thing that didn't change is the hospitality of Samsun's inhabitants and the growing of the aromatic Turkish tobacco in the deltas. Few things remind the visitor of the rich past of this town. Overnight in Samsun. (B,L,D)
Day 19 SAFRANBOLU - ANKARA
Our trip is continue to Ankara and we will pass from Safranbolu first, than continue to Ankara, Safranbolu was placed in the world Cultural Heritage list by UNESCO in appreciation of the successful efforts in the preservartion of its heritage as a whole. Safranbolu has deserved its real name for its houses. These houses are perfect examples of old civilian architecture, reflecting the Turkish social life of the 18th and 19th centuries. The size and the planning of the houses are deeply affected by the large size of the families, in other words total members of a big family living together in one house. The impressive architecture of their roofs has led them to be called as “Houses with five façades”. The houses are two or three storied consisting of 6 to 9 rooms, each room is entirely detailed and have ample window space allowing plenty of light. The delicate woodwork and carved wall and ceiling decorations, the banisters indoor knobs etc. all come together to form an unmatched harmony of architectural aesthetics and Turkish art. After visiting Safranbolu continue to Ankara and Overnight in Ankara. (B,L,D)
Day 20 ANKARA - ISTANBUL
Depart from the hotel in the morning to visit the Anatolian Civilizations Museum in the old Citadel, one of the best museums in Turkey, housing an extensive display of ancient settlers in Asia Minor starting from the Stone Age and especially dating back to Neolithic and Bronze Ages such as Catalhohuk and Bogazkoy settlements. Later, you'll visit also the Mausoleum of Ataturk where the founder of the Turkish Republic rests in peace.
Than will drive to Istanbul and overnight in Istanbul. (B,L,D)
Day 21 ISTANBUL
Free time in Istanbul till flight time and transfer to the airport fly back to home. (B)
