Overview
- Explore TOPKAPI PALACE" The great palace of the Ottoman sultans, The palace houses an exquisite collection of crystal, silver, and Chinese porcelain.
- Visit the 4th century Sumela Monastery which clings to a sheer cliff face in a deep forest, relax beside a fast flowing stream at Altindere Valley National Park.
- Explore Grand Spice Bazaar which is a unique atmosphere with reasonable prices for your shopping on many Exotic Spices and Herbs, Turkish Baklava, Turkish Delights, Turkish Coffee, nuts and fruits, small souvenirs such as Ceramic Handicrafts, Evil Eyes totems etc.
- Explore Abant is most probably the most famous lake in Turkey.
Welcome to Turkey! Today is your arrival day. Airport transfer from Istanbul Airport and to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
(Breakfast and dinner included) After the breakfast, we depart from the hotel at 08.30 for the Istanbul City Tour. "TOPKAPI PALACE" The great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries. The palace houses an exquisite collection of crystal, silver, and Chinese porcelain. Robes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury, miniatures, and the Holy Mantle; enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed. Next on the list is the "SULTANAHMET IMPERIAL MOSQUE" Across from St. Sophia built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet, is known as the "BLUE MOSQUE" because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles. Outside the Blue Mosque we find the "HIPPODROME". The Ancient Hippodrome was the scene of chariot races and entertainment. The Hippodrome comprises of three monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. After a short enjoyable lunch break ,Tour will take you to the Grand Spice Bazaar which is a unique atmosphere with reasonable prices for your shopping on many Exotic Spices and Herbs, Turkish Baklava, Turkish Delights, Turkish Coffee, nuts and fruits, small souvenirs such as Ceramic Handicrafts, Evil Eyes totems, all naturel olive oil, soaps and many other goods in Souvenir Shops and stores. After the tour, you have the option to experience the Bosphorus Cruise which will depart after the city tour. You will have the chance to enjoy magnificent views of Bosphorus which is connecting Asia to Europe. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.
(Breakfast and dinner included) After breakfast at 0900, we depart for Abant Lake. Abant is most probably the most famous lake in Turkey. The lake is at the end of a 22 km drive. The seven kilometer walk around the lake offers a great opportunity to enjoy the area. Those who don't wish to walk can ride horseback or complete the tour on a horse cart. Abant lake is surrounded with pine trees. The manner in which the lake was formed is a topic of discussion. Its deepest point is 45 meters. The countryside is pleasantly different in each season. Water lilies embellish the surface in summer. It is also famous for its trout. Lunch break at a beautiful alfresco restaurant under the trees with BBQ and fresh bread. After lunch, we depart for Safranbolu (from the 13th century to the advent of the railway in the early 20th century, Safranbolu was an important caravan station on the main East-West trade route. The old mosque, the old bath house and Suleyman Pasha Medrese were built in 1322. During its apogee in the 17th century, Safranbolu architecture influenced urban development throughout much of the Ottoman Empire). On arrival, we will walk through the historical Safranbolu Bazaar continuing on to Cinci Hodja Caravanserai, Cici Hodja Bath House, Kaymakamlar House (Museum). Dinner and overnight in Safranbolu.
(Breakfast and dinner included) After breakfast at 09.00, we depart sleepy Safranbolu for Ankara (3 to 4 hours drive) On arrival, we will have time for lunch before taking the city tour of Ankara which is the 2nd biggest city and the capital of Turkey. On the tour you will visit Ataturk`s (founder of the modern Turkey) Museum and the Ataturk Mausoleum. Dinner and overnight in Ankara.
(Breakfast and dinner included) After breakfast, we depart for Hattusa, which was the capital of Hitites. Hititians where Indo-German semi European people, they arrived via the Black Sea to north Anatolia at the beginning of 18 th century BC. They used horse carts as their war vehicles which they used during their attack of Ramses the 2nd and they had a big war with the Egyptians and they then made a peace treaty where they wrote on the clay and had 2 women sign it. That was the first peace treaty where woman ever participated. Visiting Yazilikaya which is the ruin of an open air temple of the Hitites where there are rock carvings of the Hitites god and Goddes. We then go to Hattusas, big temple and the city ruins including gates of lion and king. Visiting the summer palace of Hitites and driving to Alacahoyuk that was first capital of Hitites and Hatti civilisation. After lunch we drive to Amasya for our Amasya Tour. Amasya is one of the provinces which is distinct both with its natural setup and historical values it holds. It was the homeland of the famous geographer Strabo. Located in a narrow cleft of the Yesilirmak (Iris) river, it has a history of 3000 years during which many civilizations left priceless remains of their times. The ruins of the citadel on the rock face of the cleft shelters 2000 year old water-channels, 1000 year old bridges, an ancient mental hospital, an Ottoman Palace and a secret underground passageway. Dinner and overnight in Amasya.
(Breakfast and dinner included) After breakfast at 09.00, we depart for Trabzon. When the Roman Empire was divided into two at the end of the 4th century, Trabzon remained under the sovereignty of the Eastern Roman Empire which later on was called as Byzantine Empire. When relations and wars between the Byzantines and the Arabs started, the Arabs called the people under the Roman Sovereignty as Rum, and the areas under the Roman sovereignty as Diyar-i Rum or Memleket-ul Rum (land of Rums). Dinner and overnight in Trabzon.
(Breakfast and dinner included) After breakfast, we depart for St. Sophia (Ayasofya), a 13th century church and study its extraordinary collection of Byzantine frescoes, depart for Gulbahar Hatun Mosque, Castle and Ataturk's Mansion (a picturesque hillside retreat), visit Ortahisar Mosque (a Comneni cathedral in the old town). Lunch at a seaside restaurant in Akcaabat. Afternoon, we explore the cobbled stone streets of Trabzon. Drive to Boztepe; enjoy our tea from samovar with the panoramic view of the city. Dinner and overnight in Trabzon.
(Breakfast and dinner included) After breakfast, we depart for Sumela Monastery, visit the 4th century Sumela Monastery which clings to a sheer cliff face in a deep forest, relax beside a fast flowing stream at Altindere Valley National Park, lunch, traveling along the Silk Road through the Zigana Mountains (Pontic Alps) will take us to Karaca Cave that is considered to be the most beautiful in Turkey for its colors and formations. Dinner and overnight in Trabzon.
(Breakfast included) After breakfast, we depart for Trabzon Airport for our domestic flight to Istanbul and then back to home.
Included Hotels
No information available.
Nice package
Nice Trip
Good
Amazing Destination i love it